why do you own/or want a gsd - Page 1

What is your reason for owning or wanting a gsd? Schutzhund,ringsport,sar,family companion,other.What traits do you want to see in the dog.What would you consider unexceptable faults in the dog,that would make you consider rehoming,or turning the dog over to a rescue or shelter.

I am owned by several gsd's........ reasons: their superior intelligence and bondability. 
They offer many other qualities as well, but IMO there is no other dog that THINKS like a gsd or bonds like one.
They are also quite personable, dramatic, and sensitive.  Very few people possess the ethics of a true gsd! 

Those are the traits I want to see reproduced.  Breeders are responsible for reproduction of genetic traits not environmental deficits and these are often confused.  A genetically sound dog both physically and temperamentally, can be compromised by environment, nutrition, and handling.   Rehoming is usually due to poor matching of puppy to buyer.
However, there often are circumstances beyond people's control that do place the beloved gsd in rescue situations.

Personal companion... As Tom Cruise says in some movie... "You complete me".    I've had Shepherds from 1971 til now with very very few months without one... usually more than one.  But there was always one particular dog who was my constant companion.  He seemed to know what I was thinking before I did.  While only one of my dogs has been bite trained (ppd) I never doubted that in difficult circumstances my companion would defend me.  The only heart dog other than a Shepherd I've had was my Aussie...  I enjoy training, and Shepherds enjoy learning.  They have the ability to take on whatever interests I have, from Dog Sledding, to personal protection, to Dock diving, Obedience or just chilling. Loyal to a fault and affectionate without being fawning.  In short they are the most versital breed I've come across.  I told one of my students that once she was "owned by a Shepherd" she'd never want another dog.  Bev was afraid of Shepherds when she moved in, but now is totally devoted to all of them.  Besides they are THE most beautiful dog that exists...   "There's shepherds... and then there's dogs"

I would not accept a GSD (or any breed) that I couldn't trust... bite wise.  However I wouldn't rehome a dangerous dog.  I rehomed a part shepherd I owned who LOVED to race on my sled team because it broke her heart when I brought the sled out and took the other dogs... and the man across the road wanted a 24/7 companion and loved her.  I've also rehomed other dogs who wanted/needed attention I couldn't give them (I was working and they were used to having someone home all the time...) when my housemate was killed I rehomed 2 dogs who needed more attention than I could give them with the condition that they would come back to me if the people weren't happy with  them for any reason. And both homes were close friends where I could keep tabs on the dogs.  When I was breeding dogs, and had quite a few I rehomed retired brood bitches or dogs whose hips weren't good enough for breeding... to homes where again they could have more attention... today my dogs are here for life as their breedability has nothing to do with keeping them.

i have mine because creepy, weird people live in my neighborhood and my rott i had years ago couldn't keep up with the bike. lol. although honestly, the poodle is a much better watchdog, more likely to bark, and can run tirelessly for miles and miles after my gsd is burned out from the first couple miles of running. i agree gsds are beautiful, my girl certainly is although hands down it's the poodle that turns heads when we are out. everywhere we go people say, "oh, look at the poodle" and then as an afterthought, "oh the other one is too, i don't know what it is but it is cute too".
sorry i can't just say i just love my gsd. i love both my girls. both breeds are special and extremely unique in their own ways. qualities i expect in any dog i have are loyalty, confidence, intelligence, and obedience. both spunk and fluff are pretty good in those areas although if fluffy gets yelled at by crazy bag-swinging dog-haters at the lakewalk then she kinda freaks out and starts shaking while spunk just stands there, cool as a cucumber. minus the crazy people freaking on her though, fluffy is great and loves everybody.

The more time I spend with GSds, and think about what my fascination is with the breed, the more I am convinced that - to a certain extent - a dog will end up being pretty much what you expect it to be. (Some exceptions - temperament, structure issues not related to experience.)

If you love a dog enough to give it the time and consideration it needs, learn what those are (breed-specific), training, socialization, good diet, vigorous exercise - and a bond with you that is aware of what the dog needs, including establishing proper boundaries - then your dog will be your hero.

Or a person can get a puppy with incredible potential and treat it like a piece of meat - and the dog it grows up to be will most likely be a tragic example of someone who is more focused on inner inadequacies and not being able to make up for them as he uses animals (and people) for an impossible task.

Aside from GSDs being drop dead gorgeous, they have a kind of strength and honor at their best that I want to emulate. They have no guile. What you see is what you get! They are an oasis of sanity in a screwed-up world!

I had wanted a GSD since I was 12 and lost my childhood GSD mix. I didn't get one because I kept hearing of all of the health and temperment issues.

Almost 3 years ago I was offered a showline female from Germany, so I started doing my research. Well, the seller backed out, but by then I knew I had to have one. That not ALL GSDs were deformed and vicious lol....I decided to go for a workingline male, because SchH seemed very appealing to me. I want to some day compete in trails. I had several high recommendations to go to a particular breeder and haven't regretted it since.
Almost 2 years ago, I was gifted a female showline pup who is a sweet girl with an amazing attitude towards everything and everyone. She has the kindest heart! Though I doubt she would win any awards, she has also just started her  drive building and OB.  I am completely hooked on this breed. I can't believe how much fun we are having and how each of the dogs looks forward to working and playing and just being with me! I wish everyone thought as highly of me as my dogs do.

As outridinsolo said "They are also quite personable, dramatic, and sensitive. Very few people possess the ethics of a true gsd!"

How true that is! I'd like to add that, I have learned more about myself through my dogs, just in the last few months, than I ever could have imagined. It is an amazing feeling when you really start working with and bonding with your dogs.

Stacy

I got my Simon by accident. I used to have Belgian Sheepdogs, and the last of my line died last year. This year I placed applications with GSD clubs, and various Belgian clubs. The Belgian Sheepdog Resuce contacted me and asked if I would take a rescued Belgian that had lots of problems. I said yes, but when I got to finally meet him I discovered that he was at least a GSD/ Belgian mix. My herding instructor (and long time GSD owner/ breeder) said that he looked like a GSD from German Working lines. I ended up getting a DNA kit and tested him. Sure enough, he came back GSD. My first GSD!! and one of the best dogs I have ever partnered with.

I think GSDs are probably one of the most Regal, Noble and honest breeds in existence.

They become one of the family and mesh well. 

They are a very honest breed, easily read to those that know dogs, very methodical in how they do things.

Born babysitter, companion, guardian and whatever else you want them to be.

Mine pulled sleds, treed squirrels very well in hunting, took care of varmits and were  discriminating guardians.

Recall wasnt too good, poor mail man defending himself with his mail bag and letters everywhere. 

Lots of stories, but I digress.

 


After all the protection, all the training  and titles , it comes down to this -  the love they have for thier owners
this is my daughter with her puppy.