General question about Male working line purchase. - Page 2

Don't forget that overweight can be remedied easily enough, though, and weight loss will change speed of movement--but if WHO the dog IS didn't resonate with you, that will remain even when the weight is gone.

Don't expect any adult dog, especially one who has been with the same owner for years, to embrace you, however--polite indifference to a stranger is to be valued. Remember that the dog doesn't know you're visiting in speculation of rehoming it with you; the dog has no idea he or she is in the market for a new owner. Trial periods can be negotiated to see if a dog is a good fit for you and vice-versa.

Yoschy and Hutch could produce excellent depending on which females they were matched with i have some Hutch great grandsons on ground now but temperaments are just starting to come on, pups can be a big crapshoot have you asked if that adult local dogs owner will let you keep the dog overnight a few nights to see if hes an ideal match for what your looking for somes adults can be crapshoot also if you do not have enough time to test out.

Bundishep, do you have a period/full stop key on your keyboard ? Or do you always speak without drawing a breath, and type accordingly ? Jeez - I got dizzy trying to read your last post ...

 

@the OP - agree with Hexe, 'seeing if you click with' a dog may not be all that instant, and personaly I'd spend more time on that question than on a couple of pounds of extra weight, that can be got off easily enough later.  It comes down as much to what it is that you are looking for in a dog, as to whether you can arrange more time with him (or to trial any other - maybe 'green' - adult or youngster) but it is very true to say that if you do not want one that is immediately friends with strangers, you ought not to be looking for an 'instant friendship' when you meet a prospective purchase. (Baby puppies excluded). Sorry I did not point that out in my first post !  That wasn't quite what I meant by "click with" ! Tend to expect that someone will realise this, if they had GSDs before.

hexe

Thanks for the comment, sometimes a dog doesn't resonate with you. I agree.

I think dogs know if they like you as well.

Bundishep

Thank you, I would not have thought about keeping the dog a couple days to get a greater

perspective.

Hundmutter

Thanks, I agree we don't want instant friendship always. Frankly, I prefer if the dog is indifferent

or suspicious of me at first. Especially if he will watch property or family.


It has been so rewarding to receive such thoughtful and helpful replies. I appreciate them all.

THANK YOU!

Also, if you take an adult dog home for a few days, it may take longer for that dog's 'personality' to open up to you and become fully expressed. My sister just adopted a 5 yr old female GSD, and day by day the dog showed more of what she is. It could take weeks for a GSD to accept a new leader and family and show their true character.

Yes I think you are absolutely right.

I like most dogs and most seem nice to me.

My current search is for one that is "all business"

at least alert when he's not turned on.

So personality comes more into play after the

dog can demonstrate his "take care of business"

attitude on the street. After he recovers for a moment

they I can pet him and get to know the dog's personality

and idiosyncrasies better, then over time a relationship.

If you purchase/adopt an adult dog, it may take awhile to determine his/her personality...Koots said this as well. The dog may not demonstrate that he/she can "take care of business" for weeks or months. The dog has to adjust to a new home and bond with you. That takes time. We had a male that we purchased when he was two and it took weeks for him to show us that he was protective.

I think Bundishep is posting from a cell phone, and either doesn't know how to find the 'symbols' keyboard, or is being lazy and not bothering to switch to it for punctuation. Please, Bundishep, periods would make your posts MUCH easier to understand, and commas can actually save lives! 

 

Please be aware that when you move a dog to a new home, at first he likely will not bark to protect it, because he doesn't yet feel it's his territory. It may take a week or more before he starts to feel settled enough to bark. I noticed this with my own dogs when I first started taking them to visit a friend who lived far away. It took a number of overnight visits before they'd bark at someone knocking on the door.

 

Edit: cross posted with GG Turner. We are both basically saying the same thing! 

I've known a lot of Shepherds adopted out through the GSD Welfare and other rescues where their new people have said they didn't start to bark, even, let alone show protectiveness, for WEEKS (even in the odd case months) in the new home ... but its all been good in the end. Lots of adopters seem like lots of worried puppy-owners - not enough bloody patience !