need advice, soon buying a german shepherd pup - Page 1

my husband and i have an almost 4 month old baby boy and we will be moving in less than a year because he just enlisted in the army. whenever we get our place and get settled we want to get a german shepherd puppy, we have heard about their loyalty and protective instincts which is what we need when my husband deploys. i also want my son to have a best friend to grow up with but im not sure if it matters on the sex or anything else any advice will help!!!

Personally, with a baby around, I'd go for an older dog... one with at least house manners and some basic obedience under its belt. I'm not saying that means get a 12 year old or anything, but you can find, say, year old dogs for sale. Babies are a chore already... will you have time to housebreak, train, excercise and socialize a puppy-puppy?

Good luck on your search though.
~Dawulf~

Dawulf-  Good advice,

I would add that, there are lots of GSD’s as well as other nice breeds sitting in your local Animal Shelter looking for a home.
 
Take your time, look around and you can find a nice; house broken, inoculated, good with children type of dog.
 
Once you find what your looking for, all you have to do is be patient - it starts with a Bond



Kim

yep my girly is now 3 and she is the perfict dog for kids. but when she was a puppy omg she was a terror so yep i would say look around a good young adult dog would be amazing for your family i hope you find what u are looking for

Hi i agree with the previous comments a puppy is just like having a second baby. If you have at least 4-6 months till your husbands leaves i say get him imediatly so he will be at least house trained by then. the gender really doesnt matter tho what you wanna look for is the puppys temperament,and other personality qualities. hold the pup crattle it like a baby if the pup is uneasy and wants to run off avoid for he will put to much on your plate to handle unless you want a working dog which from your post im guessing isnt the case. German shepherds are great dogs but remember no dog is born the perfect dog they are what you make them.

I've heard that getting a pup a year before having a child is the best.  I did that by accident and it worked out great.  But with a child already...  Have a good fenced yard (of course but you never know) and cross "fence" the house.  Child in one place, pup in another.  They will bond through the fences.  And when you are with both.  Do not get a hard driving dog.  Get one from show, pet, obedience, herding lines.  Make sure the OFA and other tests are good on both parents and all 4 grandparents.  You don't need health issues.  Do take time for the pup.  Socializing is necessary.  Have lots of people over and older kids.  Pick one that has a super happy disposition and loves to be picked up (if small), out of "friendly" child loving parents.  Not very mouthy.  An adult is fine but why are they getting rid of the dog?  In the service you could start looking for people that are leaving for places where a GSD would be difficult to have, and they are looking for a great home.  Obedience train the pup or adult.  Have fun

Keep in mind that a puppy has sharp needle teeth and they do like to bite while playing. Your childs toys will also be fun for the pup to destroy. Pups are like kids, into everything so you will have your hands full with a pup and a little one. Just make sure you have patience.As the pup grows it will more playful and may knock your child down. This kind of stuff happens so be prepared.

Rasenhof, I am sorry but I totally disagree about not getting a puppy from working lines if you have a kid/baby.  I have working lines here.... when my daughter was born I had three SchH titled working line females in my house.  She grew up with all three of them and they are wonderful with her.  I currently have a SchH3 female and SchH1 female living in the house with us and my daughter.  They are high drive hard working females, yet gentle and wonderful with my 2 year old daughter.

I do agree with others that it might be better to get an adult dog, as I know how much work a puppy is AND how much work a baby is!  If you are sure you want a puppy, It can work if you have the time to devote to working with the pup in addition to the baby. 

I would never advise someone to buy a puppy from "pet lines".  There shouldnt be "pet lines".  Those are basically poorly bred BYB lines.  If someone wants a show line dog, thats fine too.... If I were looking for a puppy I would look for a litter where both parents are titled and preferably koer'd, hip/elbow cert'd.  I also like a breeder who keeps some of their own dogs back, works their own dogs, trains and titles their dogs before breeding, has their dogs in the house at least part time, has a few dogs vs a lot, does not breed a ton of litters.  Show vs working lines is a personal preference, but there are good and bad in both.  Go with a litter where you like the parents, you like the breeder, you like the temperament you see in the dogs. 

I also agree that male vs female really doesnt matter.  But normally females are smaller, less size/weight which can be a bit easier to handle physically.  Also keep in mind with a female you have heat cycles unless you plan to spay.  Other than that, the rest has to do with individual temperament and personality of the dog. 

Valerie

I would go with an adult dog. Check out some German Shepherd Rescues, they will be able to find a GSD who would suit your wants and needs. Puppies tend to be mouthy and will accidently knock around the baby id they play too rough. The loyalty will still be there with a rescue, once you bring them into your faimly and give them your love, they're the best. Hope this helps!

Mom,
I think it would be a big mistake and a bad choice for too many reasons.
If you really want a GSD I would wait until your child is older and your in a more stable situation.
You might even consider another breed other than a German Shepherd Dog, sex doesn't matter, it's a personal choice.
My best advice, wait before getting any kind of dog, especially a GSD.
Moons.