Advice on suitable dog.

[Merleymoo]

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Hi everyone, i'm looking for some advice.

I am looking at getting a dog in about 18 months time. I will explain my situation a little better.

We are looking to move as my partner is soon to be starting training to improve his career. We also have a toddler. When we are in this position we hope to be in, we want to get a dog. My daughter will be nearly 3.5 years old in 18 months time and we will have a house will a garden (this is all obviously depending on what happens, but we wont be getting a dog until we are in a suitable situation) I currently work part time hours around my partners hours and am hoping to continue to do so. Aside from when we are out shopping, there is always one of use here taking care of our daughter. I really, really want a German Shepherd, always have, always will, however i'm not sure that this would be the ideal choice. I am looking for a dog that will naturally be protective. With my partner out at work a lot, i want a dog what will be able to make us feel safe, especially at night. I Was also be walking it a lot in the early hours, and at night when it is dark so want to feel safe (it will still get walked in the day too) that being said, the dog would obviously have to be tolerant of young children. However, i would never, EVER leave my child alone with a dog, regardless of age, breed or temperament. Iv'e always had border collies, so i am used to dogs that require a lot of attention. What breeds would everyone suggest that are naturally protective, but also good family dogs? I've heard that GS are generally one man dogs, and have read that lads and Golden retrievers are great family dogs, but don't offer the protective qualities that i need. Don't get me wrong, i in no way want an aggressive dog, just one that will make anyone who wishes us harm think twice. I'd also like to mention that i don't like small dogs (no offence) I'm sorry that this Iv'e read post is unnecessarily long winded and badly written! I know it is a long time in advance, but i feel that no amount of research is too much when it comes to getting a pet!

 

[Biker John]

The one that springs to my mind is a Rottweiler, normally they are easy going intelligent dogs, but their looks and size would tend to put the wrong sort of person off.

 

[gypsysmum2]

German Shepherds, brought up properly, are fine with children. You just have to find a breeder that rears their puppies in the house and exposes them to household noises and careful handling by lots of different people.

Get your puppy when it is no older than eight weeks and rear it alongside your child. The puppy will grow up being comfortable with children and adults if those people respect it as a sensitive creature. GSD's are sensitive dogs, much like collies. They need lots and lots of careful socialisation while very young and it needs to continue throughout their juvenile period. If you put the time in to the puppy you will have a super companion and guard.

Do look into the health problems that some lines are prone to.

You have lots of time to research and learn. Make the most of it

 

[Merleymoo]

Thank you both Health problems were one of my concerns. My partner has suggested a mixed breed, but i would miss the who GS look and wouldn't know what characteristics the dog would inherit from each parent. My dad is against me getting a GS (Even though i'm in my 30's and moved out 10 years ago) he used to have one, and it was fiercely protective. She wouldn't even let my grandmother go near my Dad. She couldn't even approach the car. I'm guessing that the dog was raised with just him though, so that's to be expected to a degree. I'd be looking at a dog, rather that a bitch anyway. This is for the simple reason of not having to deal with the mess a bitch makes when she is on heat.

 

[gypsysmum2]

Socialisation as a puppy will prevent a dog being too "protective". Dogs that are protective are usually fearful of people they have not learned to trust. If a puppy is raised in a busy household and well socialised, with all sorts of people and other dogs, when it goes to its first home then it should be a calm and relaxed companion.

I had three when my daughter was growing up and we had all her friends round to stay with lots of coming and going. Each dog was absolutely fine. Do the research on health and temperament. From what I have seen of the breed lately the long coated variety seem to be much healthier. They are frowned upon in the show ring and so are bred more for companionship and temperament than show standards that involve joint angles.