GSD. Confused or just doing his job?

[Enfys]

I do worry about Boston sometimes.

He is a very good Guard dog which is his job.

But.......he is also compulsive about having something in his mouth at all times. If it is on the floor he will pick it up and carry it around. What annoys him most is that our flock/colony/herd (whatever the term is) of tame-gone-feral rabbits will NOT stay in one place. He likes them to all be in the haybarn, I have watched him herd, not chase, herd them back in. Three times today he has retrieved one particularly adventurous buck from the field and trotted back to the barn and dropped it there. No harm done, it just will not stay where it is put. He picks the cats up and carries them about as well, none of them run away from him so presumably they just consider it normal to be carried around by a slobbery mutt

Is this compulsive herding/retrieving normal for GSDs?

ps. he isn't actually the sharpest knife in the drawer either, but we love him anyway.

 

[Tia]

My black shepherd used to have a habit of taking one boot/shoe and putting it somewhere in the garden. She never damaged them, just used to put them there. She is almost 3 years old now and she doesn't do it anymore.....however the puppy Akbash does it all the time now!

Boston is just keeping everything neat and trim and doing a part of his job which he has been bred for.

 

[severnmiles]

He is lovely!!

 

[CAYLA]

My mams long coated shepherd bitch has something in her mouth 24-7

normally my mams partners slipper....she just carries it needlessly

ASgree with SM though he is lovely

 

[Enfys]

Oh yes, shoes and boots too! He has never been a chewer, but if anything is missing it will be in his bed. He will even pick up a cat and take it to bed with him, the stupid cat just lies there purring with a great big GSD paw across his back.

He's a great dog and a serious deterrent to visitors. We had the hunters here last week asking to shoot our woods and they got back in their trucks pdq when he came around the corner demanding to know what they were doing on his bit of the world. He's fine once he's been introduced, except for one shifty chap that calls practically weekly, trying to sell junk that he absolutely hates.......so do I. I trust my dogs judgement on that one.

 

[MurphysMinder]

I know quite a few GSDs that always have to have something in their mouth, so think it is a bit of a breed trait. One of my GSDs current compulsion is cooking apples, she constantly brings them in and lines them up in her bed, but at least they stay where she puts them! He is a lovely looking dog though.

 

[sarahrees]

ahh bless him
hes probally a collie born in the wrong body lol
xxx

 

[Cobland]

Tyson is 9 now and he has to carry something when we go out a walk, normally a tennis ball.

He still nicks things from the house, but never ever chews them. I do think its in the breed.

 

[KJJ]

Hun he is gorgeous!!

Do try and get a pic of him with the cat/rabbit in his chops!!!

Bless him.

Maybe the 'carrying' makes him feel helpful/secure.

x

 

[Enfys]

So, my mission today is to keep a camera in my pocket and see what exciting things he brings me today.....last nights offering of a deer head would not have made good photos.

Where did my cute puppy go?

 

[KJJ]

[ QUOTE ]

So, my mission today is to keep a camera in my pocket and see what exciting things he brings me today.....last nights offering of a deer head would not have made good photos.

[/ QUOTE ]LOL!! Nice!!!

Defo your mission for today - to cheap up a poorly KJFIT!!

I'm not a GSD fan but he is fabulous!

 

[Enfys]

Oh yes, he sends Finn "be happy and not sore" vibes for sure.
Have you got recent photos of Finn up? I haven't been on here for a while and have missed seeing him.

 

[KJJ]

[ QUOTE ]
Oh yes, he sends Finn "be happy and not sore" vibes for sure.
Have you got recent photos of Finn up? I haven't been on here for a while and have missed seeing him.

[/ QUOTE ]Erm... think the latest are these.....

LOADS!!!!!! sorry

 

[Benjamin]

What an absolute babe!!

 

[Enfys]

[I'm not a GSD fan but he is fabulous! ]

Thankyou.

He hasn't grown as tall as we would have liked, but so many people have said what a good example of the breed he is despite his shortness. Great family dog and that's all that matters really.

I am not sure I am a GSD fan either really, it certainly wasn't a breed I had even considered, but with OH being away at night he wanted a dog that would sound scary even if it was a complete wuss. We just happened to meet some rather lovely GSD's when we first arrived. I would love a really big dog, and am still working on getting my wolfhound.....either that, or, whispers very quietly, I really love daschunds

Not sure how they would cope with 3' of snow though, burrow through it?