Looking For Home Protector - Page 1

My in-laws in Mempthis TN, who are dog lovers and owner but inexperience with working dogs, have ask me to find a German Shepherd that can serve as a home protector for their family.  Their neighborhood has had a continuous home break in problems despite cameras and alarm systems.  They are serous about getting another dog.  They are looking for an adult or senior shepherd.  Dog needs to have natural territorial protection drives and bark aggressively at strangers; but no further training is needed.  Dog need not be intact nor have papers because they do not want to breed.  They are open to rescues with a known history and/or have been in foster care long enough to have a known stable temperament.  They want a dog they can take on walks with them and their infant son.  The dog must be completely stable with children; however, they are aware that the dog and child interaction need to be strictly controlled.  Since they are inexperience with working dogs, they are looking forward to joining a working dog club.

Breed: GSD
Sex: either
Age: 3 years +
Papers: not needed
Temperament: Territorial, barks at strangers, stable temperament, good with children
Training: none needed
Rescue: open to one

If you have a dog that may fit the bill please email me with your phone number and I will give you a call:
mhinton9@gmail.com

Thanks!

I would also consider contacting some breeders that may have a female that they have retired from breeding. In my opinion a female, with your in-laws inexperience, will probably fit their needs a little better.

How much money do they feel comfortable spending?

Ace, they dont have a whole lot of money to spend, which is why they are very open to senior and rescue dogs.

OGBS, thanks for the suggestion, I hadn't thought of that yet.

You might want to talk to Jenni78 about the Prison Bitch they rescued... just a thought.

Senior and rescue dogs do not mean lower cost care. They sometimes require much more in fact due to age related issues and or poor health as to why they are in rescue. I am not saying all of them are just that you need to check the health and even that can change a month after getting the dog or a year later. They are not cheap to care for by any means. I would not get one until they have funds set aside for emergency issues IMO. It can go either way as I have personally had two that were hard to maintain and expensive both from good breeding stock. I have also had two that have had basic needs met but one of them in the little over a year even as an easy keeper has racked up 1400 in vet costs for preventitive care and one illness that was not preventable nor hereditary was just a intestinal issue shortly after his arrival. One of my females ended up 6,000 in medical care in one year alone. I have a retired show male that has been basically healthy after his arrival and is ten not requireing much in the way of care costs beyond feeding and vacs, he only needed some extra groceries. Older dogs will need extra care and or atention to the care of their joints, teeth and diet. I am not trying to discourage, just did not want you to think just because a dog is older that there is little cost in their proper care.

Almost every dog eventually becomes a senior with the potential for increased medical need.

Ace asked how much my in-laws are willing to spend on the initial purchase the dog.  I made no mention of older dog's or rescue dog's upkeep costs, only that they are normally cheaper priced.  My in-laws are well informed and experienced dog owners, not idiots.  What is an acceptable amount of money for my in-laws to have in case of emergencies is between them and the seller.  I just was told how much they are willing to spend.

I have always considered 2000 in medical funds to be a start personally. That seems to be the first magic number vets put out there as a start for bloat or hip issues or any other major issue to begin with.

    I was just bringing up this point on finances not trying to insult you or them. Out of all breeds I have experience with this breed seems to always have cost me the most for medical and upkeep. You say new to gsds I just wanted you to understand this aspect that I have found in dealing with this breed. My four rottweilers, one boxer, one akita, one boston terrier,  and three english mastiff as a group have not cost as much as my four gsds have with same quality care. Thankfuly the last two gsds seem to be easier keepers than the other two. Not only have mine had issues with epi, allergies, hip and elbow dysplasia, and cancer many of my friends have also at least experienced one of these expensive treatment issues as well in at least one of their gsds. I hope the info I have given allows you to make a good decision in a dog checking for these issues when selecting a dog and you do not have to experience any of it.

Almost every dog eventually becomes an senior with the potential increased medical need .


LOL!!!

Prison Bitch, aka Mica, might fit their needs. Very levelheaded girl w/a no b.s. attitude and wonderful w/kids. No health issues known. Spayed, 6yrs. old. On my website under "available" if you scroll all the way down. She's in Oklahoma though; that's the kicker.

Only 5-6 hours from Memphis to most of Oklahoma.