Sticking to one breed? (And how many dogs!)

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Laura2408

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I am wondering about this at the moment and wondered what you all did?!

I have always always had GSDs. I love the breed and have two at the moment, one however is very old, his CDRM is worsening and i am aware he won't live forever. My second one has never ever been left alone. He is always either with me or my old dog however he will crate if necessary.
He loves my old dog to pieces (as do I!)

My OH would like to just keep the one dog however I am worried he may get lonely and would like a friend to play with. Has anyone who has lost a dog had any experiences with the remaining one? Do they adapt? Is one easier than two?

Secondly, if I was to get another I have always always had GSDs. I love the breed and would love another...however practicality wise it would be difficult as crating 2x large dogs at work is more difficult and implications of walking and training two large dogs. Oh and the mountain of hair.
I was looking into a few smaller breeds but nothing at all stands out and I always go back to shepherds. I did like the german spitz however I am worried i will always wish I got another shepherd and regret my decision!!
Has anyone else changed breeds? I am really not a small dog person but I have never had one so I will never know :-)
Would a small gsd bitch be a better option?

Ps, I am not heartless I love the old boy I am just trying to be practical.
 
I have GSDs as well. I lost my old boy nearly 2 years ago. My young lad had been on his own here and there, been for a weekend away etc, but not long term. I let him see the old boy when he went. He didnt seem too bothered but was quiet for a few days after, not sure if grief or being on his own, or a mixture of the two.

One thing he did do was grow up overnight. He settled, got a mature head on him and even smelled different. He's been the man of the house since.

My new pup is still very much a puppy, he will be 2 in November but has a child's mind. Since both of mine are quite young (2 and 5) they are extremely close and play together all the time. they have a very different relationship than my old dog had with the younger one, they cuddle up together etc. both are entire, we have had no trouble at all in this regard.

We did approach getting another pup with some trepidation, as I remember how hard it was the first time. Yes, it was hard, but their lives are richer for it. Neither are crated now, they stay in the dining room while we are at work. Not sure a smaller dog would be less work tbh. Maybe a senior rescue might be a solution?
 
When we had to have our old Dobermann pts we were left with a 2year old male who we had adopted at 18months old. Fred always seemed to slip into the background but adored our old dog. After losing Leo, Fred came of age and as Sadken found he matured over night and became my dog of a lifetime. I sadly lost him age at 4 years old and we adopted 2 Sibling Dobermanns who were aged 18months.

A couple of years after that we bought a Lancashire Heeler puppy and she fitted right in, she is the boss and the Dobes let her get away with murder. On a Lancashire Heeler fb group quite a few people have Dobes with their LHs and also a number also have GSDs including Murphys Minder who is a member of this forum although the LH technically belongs to her daughter.

I always think its easier if you have more than one dog when you lose one, it dosnt make it less heartbreaking but losing an only dog makes a home seem really empty.
 
Thanks for this Sadken,

I would have liked a rescue but wouldn't be considered due to two cats, both working full time and young children in the house (not mine thankfully but we watch them a lot!) I was rejected from gsd rescue for the above reasons.

I take my youngest dog who is 3 to work with me and any new one could come along too but there is a space shortage in the office and I doubt I could fit two gsds In one crate which is the main thing putting me off, but then again it's such a little thing to worry about!
I wish I could leave them at home but young dog can't be trusted!

I wouldn't be looking for another year anyway as we are moving next summer and I have a good friend who breed and I am waiting for her to breed a certain bitch if i was to get another GSD, it's just on paper a small dog looks so much easier!!

Thanks again!
 
All of my childhood life was spent with border collies and GSDs so they are the breeds I am very familiar with. My adult life I have always had collies and then 10 years ago I went back to having another shepherd dog and still had collies as well. 6 years ago I bought a rare breed dog that was quite alien to me. She's a Livestock Guardian Dog, an Akbash. Wow was she different from any dog I've ever owned, and any I'm ever likely to own in my lifetime. I now have 3 LGDs; 2 Akbash and 1 Maremmano-Abruzzese. The Maremma is a very good obedient dog, the Akbash are totally different and have a life of their own. For the first couple of years it was very hard to understand how to live with one. I'm very used to them now and I adore my 2 Akbash dogs. I also have another young GSD plus the 2 collies and the old shepherd dog. 7 females in all and they all get along wonderfully.

So, I'd say, if you are looking to go for a totally different breed (and yes I'd have another dog if your remaining dog has grown up with another dog) I'd say do as much research as you can and speak to as many people as you can who own these dogs. When I bought my first Akbash there was very little literature out there telling people what they were actually like, so it was a bit hit and miss for me finding out. I understand them so well now though and my young Akbash is a breeze compared to the first couple of years with my first Akbash. They are the most amazing primitive breed, not pets and definitely not house dogs, and I'm incredibly privileged to have been able to share my life with them.
 
I think if you have had GSDs it is very hard to be without one, I've certainly never been in that position. When I lost my old girl Evie was on her own for about a month, and she did mope a bit but I think she would have been fine after a while. However as dobiegirl says, we then got a Lancashire Heeler pup who cheered Evie up, and they are great little dogs and work well with GSDs. However I don't think they are necessarily easier, they need just as much training, and 2 acres that were stock fenced to be completely GSD proof had to be done again with rabbit wire to keep Pickle in! With regard to rescue, there are quite a few smaller GSD rescues who are more realistic about their rehoming, if you did want to consider a rescue try GSD Rescue Elite http://gsrelite.co.uk/.
 
Yes, as a family over the years we have had various breeds, inc GSD, rotts, manchester terrier, lab, corgi, jrt, various others, but the best pf them and the only breed I would choose for myself has been the Border Collies :)

I think there are pros and cons to getting a third dog, as discussed, but I just wanted to say I don't think you are being heartless at all :)
 
With any choice of breed don't try and get a GSD in a smaller package but instead look for a breed that ticks your boxes.
A female BSD would be a fair bit smaller than a GSD but you may find yourself making camparisons. Too often I've had clients tell me xxx doesn't do what yyy did and they are disappointed.
A mini poodle might be closer in trainability to a GSD than, say, a lancashire heeler.
 
Thanks everyone!

The main cons to another GSD are:
Not much space at work for a second crate.
Difficult to handle a puppy with existing young dog.
Hair.
Worry about cats and a young pup.
Cost of feeding an extra 40kg dog.

At the same time I do love the breed. One of the things I like most is the feeling of security, for example if I'm home alone while OH is away I like feeling safe. I also like being able to walk alone in the dark and feeling completely safe. I am worried a small dog will mean I won't feel as safe at home (this sounds stupid I know!)
Also my young dog is quite rough!

In an ideal world any dog would be:
Looks wise similar to a shepherd or herding breed (I like my dogs with long noses!)
Able to walk and keep up but not require hours and hours of running.
Not be yappy- and behave like a dog!
No terriers, Staffies, whippets, toy type breeds.
Be quite trainable and not too needy.

Finding anything I like is proving impossible!!

The only breed I have seen is the german spitz mittel however the breed is not that common and I don't know much about them at all!!

Thanks again
 
Swedish Vallhund? The Korzwin kennel used to breed these and GSDs but not sure if they are planning any litters at the moment.
Molly Hunter from the old Rossfort GSD kennels now breeds German Spitz, she has a website but not sure how up to date it is.
 
Shame you don't like staffies as they certainly tick all your boxes! I have 3 and do enjoy the feeling is security they give me, both at home and the yard.

However, I think that once you have really fallen in love with a breed its quite hard to switch to another. Why not go to a huge show like Crufts to see as may different types as possible? and talk to breeders and owners to get an understanding of the character. Also and try to take the emotion out, try to list what it is that you particularly like about GSD's. You started with feeling safe...
 
Thanks again everyone!!

I loved the swedish vallhund however as with the spitz they are so hard to find- there are so few breeders around and I expect the waiting lists are massive!!


So, maybe this will help Luci :)

Pros of GSD-
- Security, feel safe with them around, can walk on my own!
-I know the breed very well and have a good friend who is a very well known breeder who would find me the perfect pup.
- highly trainable- love the personality and how they are so loyal and loving yet aloof with strangers.
- I think they are the best looking dog and I also like how I could get a dark one (can't do white or light dogs!)
- mine are fantastic family dogs and get on with cats, children, dogs... Everything!!!
- My OH prefers them to 'girly' dogs.

Cons:
- The damage to my car caused by having two large dogs. No boot space left once both in.
- No room at the office so I would have to consider leaving them at home or squish two In one crate.
- Twice the feeding costs. Feeding 2 large dogs gets expensive.
- Medical issues, high insurance costs.
- I don't want to feel as though I am replacing my old dog.


Despite the cons I still love the breed, however I won't know if I like something else until I try it I suppose!??
A

Thanks again it's really helping!!
 
Luci07 said:
However, I think that once you have really fallen in love with a breed its quite hard to switch to another. Why not go to a huge show like Crufts to see as may different types as possible? and talk to breeders and owners to get an understanding of the character. Also and try to take the emotion out, try to list what it is that you particularly like about GSD's. You started with feeling safe...
Click to expand...

Aint that the truth! I grew up with Irish Setters and graduated onto Springer Spaniels, so both gun dogs. I then got a working bred whippet. It was the steepest learning curve of my life! I adore my dogs now and will never be without a sight hound of some description in my life, but the first 6 months with my whippet were horrific! He didnt understand me, I REALLY didnt understand him. I perserved because I had to! The only other option was PTS. We are out the other side now, because I let him train my to be the owner he needed. Unless your ready for a radical depart from your norm I'd stick with the breed, or at least the type you know and get on with. I had to rearrange my entire life when I got my dog. That was fine, in fact a good thing, but it might have been a whole lot more tricky if I was set up for a dog with totally different needs :)
 
i love GSD's. we have one when i was growing up.. however we now have Dobermanns.. we have 4 now.. but we also have 2 hairless chinese cresteds.. everyone is always surprised when i say that but the cresteds are hard as nails and go to the stables every day.. run with the Dobermanns and small and easy to fit in the car with saddle etc.. good breed for us but i know they are not for everyone..
 
Hi, I haven't read all the responses but wanted to reply as we have changed breeds recently after being in a similar position to you.

We've always had rotties and never had small dogs, not necessarily because we didn't 'like' them (although in the main I don't, eek ) but because both my husband & I have only ever had experience of big dogs. Mainly GSDs when growing up and rotties as adults.

We lost our rottie bitch a while ago and one of the boys is now getting old and we decided to change breeds for a number of reasons. After thinking about a lot of big breeds such as dobies, mastiffs we went for an EBT simply because I have always loved the look of them, so after a lot of research we took the plunge and ended up with our first small dog.

She is GREAT!! She's fitted in so well with the 2 boys and aside from being a complete clown she is just so practical - she takes up less space on the bed & in the camper van, she's easy to pick up if necessary and takes less towels to dry off when wet! Also one of my concerns has always been that my husband is away a lot and if one of the boys has a serious injury on the moors I'd never be able to get them back to the car on my own but with her it would be possible.

There are so many things that are easier with her than we ever thought of as well as the fact she eats less, costs less to worm & deflea etc.

I don't really class her as a small dog such as a yorkshire terrier type small dog because she is stocky and muscly and weighs about 20kg - definitely not a handbag dog. I've fallen totally in love with her and it's opened my eyes to breeds other than my beloved rotties so I think it can work out changing breeds, you've just got to do your research then take a deep breath and do it! Of course our heart will always melt when we see the breed we initially favoured but sometimes a change can be a good thing.
 
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I've always had rotties and terriers - complete opposites. This is the first time in more than 20 years that I've been down to just one breed and a single dog.

I think you can change breeds,you just have to appreciate the difference in 'types' IYSWIM. I found that I had to remember that I couldn't train a terrier the same way I trained a rott, both had different motivations and reactions to the same event ie the rotts were fairly easy to teach to behave around chickens and small furries, just a vocal reprimand would do it. The terriers seemed to actually learn the hard way, usually a goose taught them that poultry was off the menu and I'd never have totally trusted them out of my sight :) With everything else, the rotts wanted to please but you had to make it worth the terriers while.

While my first love will always be Rotts, it has to be said that the terriers are much more portable, take up less space and your point about costs is very true...big dogs are much more expensive in every way.

I've found that I enjoy the slightly stubborn, more independent minded breeds, what ever their size so maybe look at GSD traits in a smaller package? A poodle?
 
cbmcts said:
I've found that I enjoy the slightly stubborn, more independent minded breeds, what ever their size so maybe look at GSD traits in a smaller package? A poodle?
Click to expand...

in that case you want a whippet :D Mine is very trainable, so long as its worth his while :D He will run through a sit, stay, fetch, drop, leave scenario 2 or 3 times, foot perfect, then get fed up of being a performing seal and just casually scowl at me and then stroll away :D He loves rewards, be that food or attention, but he wont be drilled for anyone :d
 
Like sonjafoers above, our Rott is getting on a bit now and has lost a leg to osteosarcoma, and we decided it was time to depart from having another Rott - OH has had one in his life for the last 18 years, I grew up around GSDs, and we both love 'big' dogs! However many considerations like OPs, plus the fact we are starting a family and despite the fact I know rotts are as good as any dog (if not better) with children, other parents are likely to be a bit more reticent when there is such a big dog in the house :( plus the simple fact of space in the car came into play!!
We did a LOT of investigating as neither of us like small dogs, we are relatively active but not walkers in the sense of having hours a day to walk, and if we have a dog that fits in with us, they have a fabulous time. We ended up going for a Portuguese Water Dog, and we are absolutely thrilled with him. He goes everywhere with me, is a delight to be around, he looks much bigger than he is because he's so hairy, but when he's wet he's built like a dobe/pointer frame so is very quick and agile, but not 'pointy' looking if that makes sense?! I like dogs that look cuddly! He doesn't moult, requires some grooming but probably no more than a GSD, and is the most trainable dog I've ever met as he has seemingly no instinct to chase/follow his nose. All he wants is to chase a ball ;) which is pretty low maintenance! He will mature to 25kg, still not small but distinctly more manageable than 45-50kg of Rott!
All in all - definitely worth considering other options. You might never look back!
 
When I was small my mum bred and showed Boxers - when I was 11 years old she swapped to cavaliers :D Couldn't get more different breeds. As soon as I was allowed (aged 17) I got a whippet, and personally I've had whippets/lurchers/greyhounds ever since. I really don't think there is any problem with swapping breeds, as long as you find out a bit about the breed you are going for :)
 
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