WOOHOO!!!!!!

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Samp943

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Sorry all, just had to share. We're getting a new puppy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm super excited! We had a rough summer (dog and one of the cats both passed), and it's been really difficult as I've never not had a dog before. I was chatting to Mum and Dad on Sunday and they said it's time to get a new four-legged bed warmer!! I'm hoping we get one after Christmas as I'll be around to play with it before I head back to uni. I think we're going to rescue a GSD puppy as well
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:D:D:D:D I'm so excited!!!
 
Well done for considering rescuing a German Shepherd, I really mean that, thank you!

And remember to post lots of pictures when the time comes.

Keep us posted, I have two myself! I highly recommend training classes and perhaps pursuing something like obedience, agility or some other actitivity, shepherds love to be occupied
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We had one for about 12 years, Dad appeared one day with him. We got him from a breeder and like all purebred shepherds he had loads of issues. Despite all that we really want another one, but Mum and Dad also want to do something nice like rescuing one. When we got the last pup, Nike, his paws and ears were HUGE and he was only a puppy so Mum told Dad that he had to be really well trained since he was going to be so big. He was really really trainable and I think we'll do the same with the new pup. I'd love to do agility with him, but seeing as how I'm 3,000 miles away and he's not really my dog, I'll take what I can get!!

Did you rescue your Shepherds? Would you recommend a puppy or a slightly older, but still young, dog?
 
Oi, not all purebreds have issues
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While nothing is quite as cute as a GSD pup, we always get ours slightly older, 6-9 months, ones that haven't made the grade in the showring, usually.

A puppy from a reputable breeder (what's your area?) can give you a guarantee of a dog from parents which have undergone all the necessary health tests and you can start training from scratch.

With a rescue, while a lot may be unknown, you know you will have given a dog a home which did not have a great start in life and you can give them the life they deserve.

Older dogs, 12-18 months are just as trainable as pups, although they may have issues you will need to iron out (for example if they weren't socialised properly or were just let run wild with no boundaries - both of those things can happen a lot, sadly) but personally I love a challenge and I managed to turn my own boy around after a lot of hard work
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GSD Rescue (google them) have dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes and I have a daily battle not to get on the boat and bring them all back with me
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Really great news you are planning on rescuing a pup. Good luck with your search. What part of the country are you?
Sorry though I have to disagree with your comment "like all purebred shepherds he had loads of issues". Yes some do, but so do lots of cross breeds, I have known a heck of a lot of purebred GSDs and the majority have had no issues at all.
 
Rereading my previous post, I didn't realize how snarky it sounded!! Completely unintended! I'm not sure about the background of Nike (I was 8 when we got him so...), I just know he was a purebred pet-quality GSD. Unfortunately he had health problems from a young age (allergies, and persistant yeast infections in his ears) and suffered from deafness and arthritis in his back when he got older and I kind of assumed most purebred dogs (not just GSDs) have their share of problems.

In any case, Mum and Dad are in Connecticut and are looking for pups in CT and the neighbouring states. I'm not sure whether they're looking at getting a pup or a young dog. I think they'll probably go for a pup as they both work and won't have the time to devote to ironing out any issues. I'm starting to think they're using a new pup to try to entice me back across the pond!! hehe either that or dad realized it wasn't as manly for him to be so attached to my cat!!
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S'alright no offence taken , though as you have realised us Shepherd folk are very quick to defend our breed
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From what I know of the american lines they do tend to be very over exaggerated , I actually used an american bred dog years ago to put some hindquarter angulation into my line. Anyway, can't really help with local rescues in USA, but sure there will sadly be many of them. Please let us know how the search goes, and post pics as and when the new dog happens.
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Agree with MM about American showlines, they are very over-stretched and exaggerated and if you were looking for a puppy I would go for German showlines.
There are working lines too but they are very high octane and you need to be on top of them from the word go, else they can use all that pent up energy and brainpower in negative ways.

I would maybe set up an account on Pedigee Database GSD forum, a LOT of very knowledgeable American training and working people are on there and might be able to help them.
It can get a bit bitchy and snarky on there, but hey, it is a forum
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but there are a lot of helpful people too.

Just a warning though, training a puppy and ironing out isses in an adult dog can be equally as challenging
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My male has allergies and dodgy ears but he is the first one ever we have had to experience this, been to the vet with him more times than all our others put together, including the one with the broken leg
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Thanks for all of the advice/help!!! You guys have been real gems
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I'm flying home on Thursday so hopefully I'll have a lil chit chat with mum and dad about the prospect of a new pup and things to keep in mind. I'll definitely post loads of pics when we get the new guy
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