Quote from: Solar on June 15, 2021, 09:52:20 AMKind of proves my point about the GSD. 

Awwwwwww......       

That's the only kind of dog I've ever wanted.  All dogs are great but German Shepherds peg the meter.   

Quote from: Grammy on June 15, 2021, 11:32:36 AMAwwwwwww......       

That's the only kind of dog I've ever wanted.  All dogs are great but German Shepherds peg the meter. 

Yes, yes they do. I don't like aggressive dogs, I want one smart enough to recognize the difference between good and evil.
When it comes to recognizing avarice of the soul, people have lost the ability, but certain dogs are keen to it.

Quote from: Grammy on June 15, 2021, 11:32:36 AMAwwwwwww......       

That's the only kind of dog I've ever wanted.  All dogs are great but German Shepherds peg the meter. 

Of all the dogs I have had in my life time. The German Shepherd has always been the best.  Both in voice command and hand gestures.  The last one tolerated me as I was gone 10 to 15 hrs  a day working, that why we got the last one.  He was for the wife and kids.  As we lived right off the I 5 corridor.

I could come home and tell the dog to go laydown. He would just look at me, like who made you boss.  But let the wife or kids tell him something. LOL he was their dog 100%.  Let the wife or kids go to the door and he was right there.  He would sit right at their feet.  If someone moved for the door, he was on all four with a growling sound, until the wife or kids said sit.

Quote from: walkstall on June 15, 2021, 12:09:56 PMOf all the dogs I have had in my life time. The German Shepherd has always been the best.  Both in voice command and hand gestures.  The last one tolerated me as I was gone 10 to 15 hrs  a day working, that why we got the last one.  He was for the wife and kids.  As we lived right off the I 5 corridor.

I could come home and tell the dog to go laydown. He would just look at me, like who made you boss.  But let the wife or kids tell him something. LOL he was their dog 100%.  Let the wife or kids go to the door and he was right there.  He would sit right at their feet.  If someone moved for the door, he was on all four with a growling sound, until the wife or kids said sit.

Know what you mean, I have had one Shepard, we were great friends, went everywhere together, but my wife was her family, she would die to protect my wife. 

I am SO getting a German Shepherd!!! 

Quote from: Grammy on June 15, 2021, 06:05:17 PMI am SO getting a German Shepherd!!! 

Something to look out for in German Shepherds. 

Degenerative Myelopathy.
"Genetic testing of the SOD1 gene in German shepherd dogs will reliably determine whether a dog is a genetic Carrier of degenerative myelopathy. Degenerative Myelopathy is inherited in an Autosomal Recessive manner in dogs meaning that they must receive two copies of the mutated gene (one from each parent) to develop the disease."

Find out if the dog(s) have been tested.  Know what your getting.

Quote from: Grammy on June 15, 2021, 06:05:17 PMI am SO getting a German Shepherd!!! 

       
A couple of tips. Buy a West German GSD, they are true descendants of Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitz, the creator of the breed.
My GSD Diesel is a direct descendent of his dogs. His dogs were bred for obvious intellect, loyalty, willing to sacrifice their life for their owner.
They were bred as true shepherds, they do not kill needlessly, they are protectors first and foremost, the flock or herd is their family.

Whatever you do, do not buy a AKC American GSD, they care nothing about the German lines, were bred them to bigger and stronger, sacrificing health by screwing up the genetic line.
It was just a few years ago they finally changed the rules after this bull shit, I came unglued when I saw this GSD, they had finally destroy the American GSD.
Point is, they were actually breeding in dysplasia.

Video three-year-old Cruaghaire Catoria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnE8EkevHnc&t=63s

Also avoid East German GSD, they are bred to be aggressive, they are not a dog you want around children.
And the Belgian Malinois is a bit smaller and also bred to be aggressive, and needs a ton of stimulation, they are born in high gear and die that way.

Expect to pay between 25 hundred and up, for a pure bred West GSD. But if you can find a mix, say GSD and a mellow breed, yellow lab etc, you'll have a good dog.

Hope this helps.

I wonder if the Degenerative Myelopathy is something that affects all Shepherd origins or if its unique to the AKC American breeds?  I'd better do a little research.  (And also break it to my husband that I want a German Shepherd.)   

Quote from: Grammy on June 16, 2021, 04:16:29 AMI wonder if the Degenerative Myelopathy is something that affects all Shepherd origins or if its unique to the AKC American breeds?  I'd better do a little research.  (And also break it to my husband that I want a German Shepherd.) 

   
Yes, it is unique to the AKC because no reputable breeder would pass pass the disorder along in the blood line, but the AKC literally ignored it completely.
Virtually Every dog in Diesels lineage had been tested for the disorder going back decades, so as to assure it was stopped once and for good.

AKC was more concerned with aesthetics and it was literally bred into the dog. It's loose hip, floppy look, many dogs live through it, but it's heart breaking to see, because it was all avoidable.

Look for parents that have a straight back, no slope to the gate, the originals never had it, Americans bred it in, all for show.

Good luck in your search, I'm finding prices have gotten ridiculous around the country.

I paid $2500 7 years ago, she has raised her prices by another grand.

Quote from: Solar on June 16, 2021, 07:11:46 AMGood luck in your search, I'm finding prices have gotten ridiculous around the country.

I paid $2500 7 years ago, she has raised her prices by another grand.

I may have to float a loan.  Or disguise myself as an illegal. I hear there's money in that. 

Quote from: Grammy on June 16, 2021, 09:10:09 AMI may have to float a loan.  Or disguise myself as an illegal. I hear there's money in that. 

        

Check into a GSD rescue in your area, though they may charge a fee, the dogs are well mannered and placed in homes that fit your personality and lifestyle.
Some, not many were abused, most were neglected and never bonded with the owner, so you're still getting a blank slate to work with.
GSD is the easiest dog in the world to train, they come with a full spectrum of talents and intellect, all you have to do is work with their strengths, they'll never disappoint, they hate screwing up, they tend to be somewhat of a perfectionist at their assigned duties.
Praise is their reward.

I've been training dogs since 1968, I do have the experience, just not that much patience for other breeds, the GSD is the easiest of all breeds to train. They want to work...