Thinking of getting my first GSD, some questions...

Hi there


Since a boy I've always wanted my own dog, when I was young I used to walk and help train GSD's and I absolutely loved the breed.

So I am wonderin if a GSD would suite my lifestyle?

First of all my predictament:-

I live with parents, we have a large bungalow with relatively large garden and one other dog, a King Charles Cavialier (male), who is quite lively, he is 4 years old. I work full time as a purchasing manager, my hours are 9-6. The time I'd spend with the dog would be 6am - 7:30am, obviously walking, feeding etc. My Dad would return home from work 10:30am and walk both dogs and be with them both at all times and I'd be home for 6-7pm at which I'd take the dog for a good hours walk, play, run etc. Then another walk at circa 11pm before bedtime. At weekends I'd be with the dog at all times and both dogs have free roam of the house and can be let into garden at any time.

Basically worse case is the dog would have no human companion between 8:00am - 10:30am but would be left with a King Charles Cavalier with free roam of the house, unless of course they got upto mischeif and ate the furniture, carpets or destroyed everything.

Now my questions are:-

1. Is a GSD suitable for me?
2. Will a GSD with the above living arrangements be likely to destroy furniture?
3. Will a GSD be OK with a small male dog like a King Charles Cavalier?
4. In the garden is a GSD likely to dig and eat all the plants?
5. Any preference on sex for my situation? Which would fit in better, male or female?
6. Is it better to get a puppy to form that real GSD and handler bond or can the same happen with say an 1yr-3yr old GSD?
7. Do GSD's generally learn fast, as in toilette training, sit, down, walk off leash, recall, release, hold etc?
8. Are GSD's hyper when young and only calm down when older or is it down to personality of the dog or lifestyle?


Basically I want a GSD and I want us to be like soul mates he/she follow me around, do as told, walk with me off leash, play games and follow my orders as if Im the pack leader. I love the look of GSD's and have really loved friends ones in the pass and the close bonds they make with handler. Would appreciate any input and advice that can be given.

Lastly anyone here have any experience with Tamaskan Dogs, they are lovely and were bred with GSD blood, but I don't think they bond with owner like a GSD does and can be real furniture and plant destroyers...

[Manchester-Mike]

Hi,

Im certainly not an experienced owner and im sure someone who is will be along to help you more, but in the meantime, ill tell you what ive found through research on the internet (im a new gsd owner, shes only a baby and ive been reading as much as i can, as i did before bringing one home)

I'd say the arrangement for someone being at home sounds fine, 2 and a half hours with no human around. I cant see that being a problem at all, i persume you dont intend on doing this from day one as a 7 week old pup, i think you need to be with them all the time at the very begining)

Also, dont get too set on the long walks in the morning, with your dad in afternoon, and when you get home, and before you go to bed. Our girls breeder told me that the biggest misconception is that german shepherd puppies need alot of exercise, and its untrue. If you exercise them too much at a young age it can cause problems as they need to grow and mature before your taking them out for multiple one hour walks.

Thats all i can really say for now, like i said im certainly no expect but its what ive found out from other people who know better.

P.S Ive always believed you can teach any dog to get along fine with any other dog persuming they are young. I think if there was any problem it might actually be best to think about how your existing dog would get along with the new gsd, if you do go with a pup.

Goodluck hope it all goes well and someone else can help.

[ClaireandDaisy]

Hi and welcome.
If I were you I would skip the puppy stage and get a young or youngish dog. Especially as you are interested in training.
It`s so nice to hear that someone actually wants to train their GSD - there are so many GSDs in rescue aged between 9 months and a year old because they`ve hit the teenage period and their owners aren`t prepared to put in the training to ensure they turn into wonderful adults.

Originally Posted by Gibbo

Now my questions are:-

1. Is a GSD suitable for me?
2. Will a GSD with the above living arrangements be likely to destroy furniture?
3. Will a GSD be OK with a small male dog like a King Charles Cavalier?
4. In the garden is a GSD likely to dig and eat all the plants?
5. Any preference on sex for my situation? Which would fit in better, male or female?
6. Is it better to get a puppy to form that real GSD and handler bond or can the same happen with say an 1yr-3yr old GSD?
7. Do GSD's generally learn fast, as in toilette training, sit, down, walk off leash, recall, release, hold etc?
8. Are GSD's hyper when young and only calm down when older or is it down to personality of the dog or lifestyle?


Basically I want a GSD and I want us to be like soul mates he/she follow me around, do as told, walk with me off leash, play games and follow my orders as if Im the pack leader. I love the look of GSD's and have really loved friends ones in the pass and the close bonds they make with handler. Would appreciate any input and advice that can be given.

Lastly anyone here have any experience with Tamaskan Dogs, they are lovely and were bred with GSD blood, but I don't think they bond with owner like a GSD does and can be real furniture and plant destroyers...

Hi, a GSD will be suitable for you if you're prepared to put the effort in with it. They are not easy dogs BUT you can have the most fanstastic bond / relationship with them if you know how to handle them. You can read up on temperaments of GSDs but nothing prepares you for having one... As the saying goes, there's dogs and there's GSDs!

It's not so much about being pack leader as they don't really respond to harsh training methods. They are very intelligent which is why over-bearing approaches don't get the best out of them... however love, boundaries, stimulation (training / exercise) does.

Yes they are very fast learners, so will do whatever you want basically if you do the right training with them. They like having a job to do so mental exercise is important. As for hyper... Can be, depends on their lines - working ones are more like that but if you work them right it helps them find that 'off switch'. Some poor breeding has resulted in highly strung and nervous GSDs rather than steady dogs.

Living arrangements - if your family is house-proud? They shed. Everywhere. Standard joke is GSDs only shed once, it just lasts for 365 days! Furniture / destruction - a bored / stressed GSD can re-arrange a room in minutes. They like being with you so can get separation anxiety - even if there's another dog in the house because it's you they miss. A settled dog will be just like any other when it's left though.

Digging / gardens - probably not for the garden-proud. Yes they can dig a bit, but not as bad as huskies, mals. Consider fencing off any areas you don't want the dog to go.

GSDs like other dogs' company but can be very boisterous, play rough etc so some small dogs may be intimidated by this. This will be a concern if you get an adult GSD, not so much with a pup as the cavalier can get used to it. Depends on the temperament of your cav - is he good with other dogs? Gender... A female or neutered male might be better if your'e getting an adult dog. Females can be bossy though!

I'm a bit biased when it comes to pup or adult - I have always had rescues. Simply because I believe there are too many out there in need of homes. If you're wanting a loyal pet then please consider a rescue, but go into it with your eyes open as they're not for everyone - a lot like the idea of taking a rescue but are misguided in what it involves, they want a perfect dog from day 1

Some feel the bond with rescues is more. I can say this is true with one of mine. He is devoted to me and there's a real connection, more than I've had with any other dog. He is a GSD x NI so not a purebred.

Tamaskans / utonagans - I don't know enough about them as there's not many about and AFAIK they're a recent breed. This means health-wise there won't be the alarming breeding faults some GSDs have. As a herding / working breed, I don't know how their intelligence compares to a GSD, apparently not as guardy and can suffer with separation anxiety.

[Zak]

Originally Posted by Gibbo

2. Will a GSD with the above living arrangements be likely to destroy furniture?

Even your walls will not be safe with a GSD about the house, ours has eaten through the plasterboard in one spot LOL (managed to stop him doing it though by using bitter apple spray, works a charm thank god)

[h.bradshaw]

every dog is different, Rory never chewed anything at alll, but he did have other dogs for companionship.
He was given full access to all the house

[LOVEGSD]

Originally Posted by h.bradshaw

every dog is different, Rory never chewed anything at alll, but he did have other dogs for companionship.
He was given full access to all the house

I agree with Hilary, Diesel never chewed anything either.

I think you can own a GSD if you put in the time and effort...xx

[gsdlover4ever]

I got my GSD at 11 months (she is a rescue) and I can only remember her chewing one thing..... She is fantastic in the house and has free run of it.

As your dad is going to be the one who will be spending the most time with the dog.... when you are not there.
Is he prepared to look after a puppy, or work with a rescue that may or may not have certain issues?
Is he prepared to socialise the dog as much as possible....?
GSD's are one of the breeds that need loads of socialisation, as there is a high chance that problems will arise if they aren't socialised properly....

[DTJazz]

Hi Gibbo

There are lots of more qualified people on here than I but for what its worth as a first time GSD owner - had 2 retrievers previously.

They are different!

But I didnt read anything in your post that would in any way be an issue - surely all dogs need time on their own or they never have a balance? Likewise with time with another dog. If you get a pup I would recommend a crate - for time in their own and for reducing the chances of chewing!

My wife and I work - me mostly from home but Jazz is perfectly fine being left for 3 hours in her big crate. But when we get home she gets exercised and stimulated and then.... work in progress..... get her to settle.

I liked Anni's quote- there are dogs and GSDs - and we all read lots before and yet there are so many questions that they pose after you get them... but thats part of the fun!

[zetstaff]

Any bored dog can trash a house/garden, it can be hard work having a puppy but if you work hard at it nothing compares to the rewards

You get out what you put in with any dog, GSDs are highly intelligent and fantastic companions + worth investing time + effort into.

Depending on your Cavalier, it might be best to get the opposite sex to your Cav. Most dogs can get along on their own but it depends on the dogs. I wouldn't leave a puppy with an adult dog, or 2 adults who don't know each other well, unsupervised.

They love to learn + need stimulation, physical + mental. But as I've said, nothing will reward you more