Off to visit a GSD breeder!

[skinnydipper]

I think my fear came from a woman called alison who retrains police dogs , we were having a conversation outside a shop and i put my hand out flat to it and her one went for me, she was standing with it in public ??‍ She said oh im sorry shes not good with people yet! No shit sherlock ?

This is a part of old post of mine. I hope you find it helpful when interacting with dogs in the future.

On a thread in another forum on this site there have been some dangerous suggestions and I want to try to correct those with some simple advice.

To be clear, this advice is for average day to day interaction with dogs you are not familiar with and does not address dog aggression (but may help prevent it).

When you meet a dog, any dog, respect his space.

The owner may give you permission to stroke him but the dog may not. Listen to the dog.

Keep your hands to yourself.

Observe the dog. Posture, mouth, eyes, ears, tail. Is he happy and relaxed? If anything changes stop what you are doing.

Don't shove your hand in his space.

Wait for the dog to approach you.

If he does, this is not an invitation for you to stroke him. He may just want to sniff you.

Wait for the dog to invite contact. If he doesn't that's fine. Respect his decision.

Crouch, don't loom over the dog. Approach from the front not from above.

Many dogs do not appreciate being stroked on the head and prefer under the chin, sides or chest.

No need to slap big dogs on the side (just why?), a gentle stroke is just fine.

Don't force your own dog to interact. Its ok to say no on his behalf.

********

Do not try to initiate eye contact.

Fine with your own dogs but not something to instigate with unfamiliar dogs.

Do not stare, it is very rude and can be regarded as a threat or a challenge.

 

[Ratface]

Very clear, sensible advice, skinnydipper.
I always think that it's a shame that would-be animal owners don't have to take a test, such as the driving test, before being allowed to own one.
When I rule the world (probably a few incarnations on . . .) there will be lengthy examinations prior to animal ownership. And all extendable leads will be banned.

 

[splashgirl45]

its not the extendable leads, its the idiots on the end of them.... i use one on my puppy at the moment on his harness as recall is not yet properly established and there are many places that i cannot yet let him off lead. i practice recall with this lead on so he gets the feeling he is loose.. if i am going to walk on the pavement i clip a normal lead on to his collar as well so i have more control...but the safety of the harness if he slips his collar, he is a whippet cross so skinny head...

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

its not the extendable leads, its the idiots on the end of them.... i use one on my puppy at the moment on his harness as recall is not yet properly established and there are many places that i cannot yet let him off lead. i practice recall with this lead on so he gets the feeling he is loose.. if i am going to walk on the pavement i clip a normal lead on to his collar as well so i have more control...but the safety of the harness if he slips his collar, he is a whippet cross so skinny head...

Agreed.
I use one as P dog gets a little lost occasionally when we go off poo picking for example. She's lost a lot of sight and hearing now a bit dodgy. Means she gets plenty of gentle pottering but doesnt lose me, as otherwise she either sits and waits for me to find her (small 7kg dog, usually in long grass by the time she has wandered under a fence on a sniffing trail, or has panic pelted back to hay barn, take your pick and she will have done the opposite).
Much safer all round to be attached with room to rummage each time we stop ?

Whereas my previous dogs (GSD's and Rotters) would work well to heel, occasionally put on short lead if location or situation required. They all did a decent send away and down when requested too, good for moving ponies as well!

 

[splashgirl45]

one day my old collie had dropped behind and i called and whistled and she went off full pelt in the opposite direction. running after her nearly killed me as i am pretty old, but luckily once i got close she realised where i was but she was very distressed so that was the last time she was off lead..her hearing and sight were not good and i hadnt realised quite how bad they were and felt very guilty that i hadnt noticed her getting too far away..

 

[Ratface]

Re: extendable leads. I stand corrected. Thank you for providing some useful information on their proper use.

 

[Dexter]

Yep, it was definitely Alison's energy ?

Not sure why your post is bringing out the very best in people Jinx, but best of luck and PM me any time!

Yes sorry, I rarely come on here and like to just dip in and out, and am sick to death of seeing one poster post multiple times on every thread giving absolutely awful advice. I should have just ignored them and it.

Good luck with your potential new puppy

 

[QuantockHills]

good luck! They are a fantastic breed, BUT you have to ensure you have the time and commitment to put in some training.... they need a lot of stimulation and exercise (but not 'forced' exercise when they are young).

I've had GSD's since 1993. I'm on my 8th one... 3 sadly died all aged 7, the last 2 to pass were 13 and 14. Ask if they are tested for DM, as well as hip and elbow testing.

I can give you the names of a couple of good breeders in the West Country if that's not too far away. Feel free to pm if you want!

 

[Moobli]

A breeder with decades of experience recently posted this on FB and I think it’s a fair assessment.

Working Line German Shepherds.

When you choose to share your life with one, you are not just getting a ‘straight backed GSD’, you are getting the whole package.

He is not a Labrador with pointed ears.

You will likely get some territorial behaviour and some possessiveness, this is normal, not a temperament fault and you need to train the dog to understand how much or how little you want him to be this way.

You will likely be getting a dog that does not want to to play and socialise with every strange dog he meets, it is normal for a working line to only want his family and dogs he knows and if you want him to tolerate strange dogs, you have to train for it against his natural instinct to keep his family to himself.

You will likely be getting a dog that doesn't want to share his toys with strange dogs so be prepared to play with him and his toys yourself and don't let strange dogs intervene.

You are getting a dog with strong instincts to search, play, chase and tug and these must be satisfied with appropriate games together.

You are getting a dog that is intelligent and quick to learn, good as well as bad, so must make a serious effort to train him and give him guidance, you cannot just let him bring himself up. Are you sure you still want one?

 

[Jinx94]

A breeder with decades of experience recently posted this on FB and I think it’s a fair assessment.

Working Line German Shepherds.

When you choose to share your life with one, you are not just getting a ‘straight backed GSD’, you are getting the whole package.

He is not a Labrador with pointed ears.

You will likely get some territorial behaviour and some possessiveness, this is normal, not a temperament fault and you need to train the dog to understand how much or how little you want him to be this way.

You will likely be getting a dog that does not want to to play and socialise with every strange dog he meets, it is normal for a working line to only want his family and dogs he knows and if you want him to tolerate strange dogs, you have to train for it against his natural instinct to keep his family to himself.

You will likely be getting a dog that doesn't want to share his toys with strange dogs so be prepared to play with him and his toys yourself and don't let strange dogs intervene.

You are getting a dog with strong instincts to search, play, chase and tug and these must be satisfied with appropriate games together.

You are getting a dog that is intelligent and quick to learn, good as well as bad, so must make a serious effort to train him and give him guidance, you cannot just let him bring himself up. Are you sure you still want one?

That's honestly ideal for me ?

If the dog that I get has those qualities, he'll tick every box and I'll be more than happy to train with this in mind. It's definitely not the type for everyone, but I can't think of anything more perfect!

Confirmed with the breeder today that I'll be visiting early next week will make sure to update afterwards!

 

[Moobli]

That's honestly ideal for me ?

If the dog that I get has those qualities, he'll tick every box and I'll be more than happy to train with this in mind. It's definitely not the type for everyone, but I can't think of anything more perfect!

Confirmed with the breeder today that I'll be visiting early next week will make sure to update afterwards!

Can’t wait to hear how you get on ?.

I don’t think you can beat a well bred, well trained GSD.

 

[P3LH]

Thanks CC, BB isn't the only one to have said that. My mum, having already asked me herself, asked my dad to persuade me to get any other breed She wants me to get a nice little terrier. I like terriers, but I don't think they're quite what I'm looking for!
I should add that I haven't lived with my parents for quite some time! My mum has always been nervous of anything that she considers to be wolf-like. It's all out of concern for me, especially as it wasn't that long ago that I was attacked by a dog (not a shepherd or shepherd type).

BB, a lot of people may be a bit intimidated by or wary of particular breeds, and that's okay, but I think it's always worth meeting some nice, polite examples if its it's possible. For me, it's not a specific breed, but I'm definitely on edge around dogs that I know can be unpredictably fear aggressive. I'd take a well trained "bitey" breed any day!!

Don’t worry my mum hated corgis prior to and initially after, OH and I getting the first one. She dogsits for us often and even though the first is a headmistress too her, she became smitten and adores the second in particularly. Equally I had moved home when I got the first rough collie, with a second that followed on - she was never keen on those either but would now say they’re her favourite breed - tbf her disdain was more based on the fact they reminded her of her in laws (my grandparents) - nuff said. I’ve found mums often fall in love with whatever they’re presented with, or at least grow quite fond of!

 

[Jinx94]

Update!

Honestly, it felt like an absolute trek - I haven't driven that far for a while. It was a 5hr round trip but worth every minute!

I met with the breeder and the trainer that he goes to, as well as the bitch that he'll be breeding from, her daughter, a rottie and a doberman. Good variety!

I got to watch both shepherds do some search work and a bit of bite work. Right at the end I got to take a bite from the rottie - that was fun!

The dogs had a heck of a lot of drive, they were really impressive. I had a fair idea of what to expect, but seeing it in the flesh was something else. Speaking to people that live with and work dogs like this was great. They were quick to say that their dogs have a very good "off" switch, but only because the energy is channelled into training and when they're in the training field, they are 100% "on".

The sire that the breeder is hoping to use is a very good all rounder. Soft at home, but very drive-y and proficient in training. He's not publically standing at stud and has only sired one previous litter.

There was definitely a moment where I went "this is exactly what I'm looking for". The trainability was unreal. These definitely aren't lap dogs. They were fairly indifferent to me, but you could see the bond they had with their owner.

We talked a bit about training techniques/expectations/managing and moulding the breed traits and it sounds like we're all on the same page. They seemed very happy with me and I've been invited to go along to their club on a Saturday if it fits with my schedule.

I'm looking into various clubs/groups in my area (Banbury-ish) and will try and get a few visits in if possible. Let me know if you have any recommendations!

 

[Annette4]

I can only help with a flyball club in that direction so probably not much use but sounds very positive ?

 

[CorvusCorax]

If you want to do IGP, both the GSDL and BAGSD should have a list of clubs on their websites, you can PM me if you need anything narrowing down about individual clubs or trainers

 

[fankino04]

Yay so pleased for you! I love a German shepherd, quite literally picked a stray up off the street when I was 12 and he was the most amazing dog (not working line though). Looking forward to updates and pics in the future

 

[Moobli]

Sounds like you had a great day! Great to get firsthand experience like this. So have you got your name down for a pup if all goes to plan? Exciting!

 

[Jinx94]

My name is definitely down. The timing of pup coming home isn't completely ideal (April ish) but I'll make it work. Getting the right dog from the right breeder is the most important thing to me.

I've found IGP/IPO clubs in Warwickshire and Northampton so will be dropping them emails. I'm also looking into any other clubs/trainers in the area. I'd love to look into train for search and scent work, but want to keep my options open and not dull down the bite drive too much in case we'd like to do any bite work further down the line.