German Sheppard?

[ms spock]

Sometimes when isolated it's easier to think 'if this happened...then I'd be ok again'. But sometimes the fear behind the isolation is underestimated.

I have this in other areas of my life so I really feel for everyone in this bind.

 

[KP the nut]

The two dogs I have now are very small. I'm talking 4lbs small.

I don't think the size of the dog is so important, although I am more scared of Yorkshire Terrier (nasty little ankle biters:oops:) sized dogs than I am of German Shepherds.

A big dog is a visual deterrent, but small dogs tend to be more vocal. A dog making a lot of noise is likely to attract attention which a potential attacker would want to avoid.

I guess what I'm trying to say badly is don't underestimate your pooches.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

I took my time replying to this thread. I have wonderful memories of two German Sheppard's, and one half German Sheppard and wanted to do them justice.

My father had a German Sheppard when I was young who died when I was about 6 years old. I don't remember him well but I was told he was a very very loyal dog and very protective. He was not aggressive but his general air was that of a police dog. His name was Nick.

Then when my parents split my mother got my another dog, when I was about 8 years old. She wanted me to have a friend because I had no one to talk to or be with. I still remember when my mother told me that we were going to look at a dog. She had found a 6 month old dog in the newspaper and she did not tell me until the day we went to look at her. I got to leave after school care early that day and my mother bought me white fudge oreo's.

I still remember when I first met her. She was the daughter of show dogs and was a pure breed. She was very friendly and the most beautiful dog I have ever seen. I remember when I first petted her and I remember her laying on her back for me to pet her belly. Her name was Flicka.

When we brought her home she walked around the house and barked at herself in the mirror. I imagine that was the first time she saw herself in the mirror.She was protective and very obedient. She was a very smart dog and very loving. We would go hiking all the time together and she loved it. She used to heard me like I was a sheep. She didn't like me to get far away from her or my mother.

When my father visited her did not like her. She was very sweet, beautiful and a female. He beat her. I still remember her cowering in the corner of the room while he yelled and yelled at her for chasing a neighbor dog. I still don't believe she ever did that. And even if she did, Nick had done that all the time but I guess my father many problem was she was female and he did not pick her out for me. She would hide and become very scared if anyone ever yelled after that or showed any aggression. This actually sealed my parents divorce.

I used to talk to her and we were attached at the hip.

We got a kitten a few months after we got Flicka. The cat grew up to be a pretty mean cat but Flicka tolerated her very well. Never chased her, or got upset with her. Even when the cat would wrap her legs around Flicka's neck and try to take her down.

She had puppies a few years later and I got to keep one of them.( this puppy a few years later actually saved me from serious injury from a dog attack.) Flicka died when I was about 13 years old, from a brain tumor. It was awful to watch. She still wanted to follow me every where and would fall down every few steps. It broke my heart. I could not bear it. We tired to save her, but it was to bad.

Sorry to go on and on, it's probably to much useless detail. Hope this helps in some way.

Take care.

 

[KP the nut]

Flicka died when I was about 13 years old, from a brain tumor. It was awful to watch. She still wanted to follow me every where and would fall down every few steps. It broke my heart. I could not bear it. We tired to save her, but it was to bad.

(((Ayesha))), our animal family give us so much. It comes across exactly how much Flicka meant to you. I can still hear your hurt.

 

[Sammy]

I currently have a 1 year old GSD. He is not my first GSD - I have had 3 GSD mixed breeds and one other pure bred. GSD are intelligent, sensitive, loyal, handsome and a working breed. As a working breed they need a lot of exercise and training. So many GSD are turned over to rescue groups at about 9 months because they reach adolescence and are like rebellious teenagers with sharp teeth. They also seem to mature a bit slower than other dogs. Without enough exercise and training, they can be destructive and unstable. If you don’t give them work, they will create work. Mine likes to grab something paper and start shredding.He also likes to see what is on the counters he might be able to tear apart. Those are his least irritating activities. If you cannot be a strong pack leader, they will become the leader and become creative in ways you probably won’t like.

My GSD knows when I am not feeling stable and he becomes unstable. My previous GSD would quite literally become sick. They are very sensitive and aware of more than you might think. You can’t fool them. GSD are also a very powerful breed and not for the faint of heart. I love my boy because he forces me to do things I really don’t want to do. But I will do them for him. Please do not get a GSD and hope s/he will save you. You need to be able to walk, exercise, go to classes, socialize and train the dog. An improperly socialized dog is no fun for anyone, including the dog. If you are not feeling safe outside, neither will your dog. A frightened GSD can become aggressive.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my GSDs. They are incredible beasts but they are very hard work, especially their first couple of years. I am hoping to get mine to be my service dog but I don’t expect that for at least another year. If he isn’t cut out for that job, he will be my buddy. But a well trained buddy. (It has taken me an hour to write this because he didn’t get enough exercise today... he is being a pest...)

By the way, in general, little yappy dogs scare me much more than GSD. It was a tiny Chihuahua that used to attack my 85 pound Annie!

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I had a dog that was wonderful and very protective. I say go for it. I think it will help you out alot. Just my opinion.