Wife wants a dog....

[cpals]

My wife's sister in-laws are having German Shepherd puppies and she's always wanted a dog, but I've been holding out due to us just getting married and settling in. I always wanted a cocker spaniel, but would consider something different if appropriate.

Few questions though:

1. We live in a relatively small house (1300 sq ft on a 1/4 acre lot) - 3/2. Is a German Shephard too big for this size house? We have a backyard, but it's only 2/3 fenced in (both rear and side neighbors have chain fence), so we couldn't just let him out to play. We would want to keep him indoor as I don't like keeping dogs outside.

2. How much exercise would he need? We both work 40 hour weeks, but the wife works different hours and could come home on lunch breaks, etc and I would be there during the nights and weekends.

3. Anyone know how they are with allergies? I have allergies that I'm getting shots for and slightly allergic with dogs, but I don't seem to have a reaction around my parent's cocker spaniel. I don't know if German Shepherds shed more than Cocker Spaniels?

4. If we had a kid in two years or so, how would a dog react that is already in the house? Would it be better to wait until after there is a kid?

5. How much is 'puppy kindergarten'? I would definitely want to do that for something like a German Shepherd due to their tremendous potential. We're on a semi-tight budget right now so don't have a ton of money to blow.

6. The puppies aren't from a breeder or anything and the German Shepherd parents are outside dogs. Is there anything I should be conscerned about with getting a dog not from a breeder? What age should they be ready to go home with a family? Should the family with puppies give them all the shots, etc are is that only normally done with 'breeders'?

7. Also, our rear neighbors have what I believe are also two german shepherds that they leave in their backyard at all times and bark. They don't seem to be treated well and the guy is always yelling at them, etc. Could there be an issue with my dog getting bad habits from his dogs?

8. Anything else I've missed about dog ownership or reasons we shouldn't get one?

And for the people saying if I have to ask about it, then I'm not ready... I don't understand that point. Just because I research things before I jump into it means I am not ready or committed? If we did get a dog, I would make sure he gets the proper attention.

Thanks.

 

[loup garou]

Spaniels fucking suck. Dumbest dogs on the planet. Go for the shepherd.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

If you're not committed to ownership a Shep is probably not the right dog for you. They're dogs with amazing potential. They're smart, naturally protective, friendly, great with kids and adaptable to almost any environment. They're also strong-willed and need a strong leader and lots of attention. If you're not the boss of the dog the dog will likely try to be the boss of you. They can also be mischievous if left on their own a lot of the time and confining one in small space for long hours would probably be trouble. A cocker sounds like a better fit for your current situation.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: cpals
I'm still holding out, but her sister's in-laws are having German Shepherd puppies and could possibly get one for free so she's making a big deal about it. I always wanted a cocker spaniel, but would consider something different if appropriate.

Few questions though:

1. We live in a relatively small house (1300 sq ft on a 1/4 acre lot) - 3/2 with double garage. Is a German Shephard too big for this size house? We have a backyard, but it's only 2/3 fenced in (both rear and side neighbors have chain fence), so we couldn't just let him out to play. We would want to keep him indoor as I don't like keeping dogs outside.

2. How much exercise would he need? We both work 40 hour weeks and are gone mostly on Sundays.

3. Anyone know how they are with allergies? I have allergies that I'm getting shots for and slightly allergic with dogs, but I don't seem to have a reaction around my parent's cocker spaniel. I don't know if German Shepherds shed more than Cocker Spaniels?

4. If we had a kid in two years or so, how would a dog react that is already in the house? Would it be better to wait until after there is a kid?

Anything else I've missed about dog ownership or reasons we shouldn't get one?

Thanks!

that's enough room for a German Shephard. They don't really need a LOT of room, not like a St Bernard or Mastiff.

as far as the kid.. that's all on you. I say that, because its not hard at all having a kid once you have a dog... you just have to maintain authority over the dog and make sure you don't allow it alone with the child, and introduce the child to the dog and make sure he understands the baby is above him despite his size.

And if the dog is 2, he'll be at the point where he is settling down and acting more like a normal, behaved animal (if trained properly).

Best bet, if you get it as a puppy... enroll in puppy kindergarten. It's great for people who are knew to raising dogs, as they don't raise the dog at all, it's mostly for the adults so they can learn how to react to things the dog does. You'll learn proper training and reinforcing commands.

edit:
Like Gag above said, they are definitely a dog that has a strong head on its shoulders, and they love to take command of a situation. I've definitely experienced that before. But puppy hood is when they demand a lot of attention, and having someone around is necessary. If you work near your home, or your wife does, and this is gonna be this way no matter what type of dog you get.. go home on lunches, take turns maybe (if possible)... the dog will need to be let out to go to the bathroom, as a puppy does not have the ability to control for 8 hours. Cage training with kennels is a very good way of training the puppy too.

 

[Kelemvor]

Here's a good summary.

Mainly they do need exercise as they are a working dog. Walks every day, play time, etc. ANd they can be very large depending on the size of the parents.

http://www.kingdomofpets.com/d...ds/german-shepherd.php

 

[cpals]

<edit>
All questions moved to top.

 

[Kelemvor]

Honestly, If you didn't get the one from her sister or whoever, I'd find a Rescue in your area and go there. Unless you are going to show the dog or something....

There are rescues for most breeds and you still get a purebred dog but it's far cheaper than a breeder and you'll be helping out a dog in need of a loving home...

http://www.google.com/search?n...ue+florida&btnG=Search

 

[ZzZGuy]

Originally posted by: Kelemvor
Honestly, If you didn't get the one from her sister or whoever, I'd find a Rescue in your area and go there. Unless you are going to show the dog or something....

There are rescues for most breeds and you still get a purebred dog but it's far cheaper than a breeder and you'll be helping out a dog in need of a loving home...

http://www.google.com/search?n...ue+florida&btnG=Search

Make sure the dog has no issues. When i was a kid, my parents decided to get a dog from the local SPCA (animal shelter). My sister was set on this one dog and nothing could change her mind, but it had behavior issues where it was abused (some idiot tried to train it as a hunting dog but ended up abusing and dumping the animal). Parents buckled and are regretting it to this day, it's untrustworthy, aggressive, will try to bite strangers without exception and is f***ing hard to train. It's small to medium size is the only thing that kept us from shooting it, but it's still large enough to be cautious around.


@op, just make sure it's (a Sheppard) well trained, i have relatives who have no idea how to train a dog and have a large black lab, and it's a on going battle with them and the dog. It's friendly and all but when a dog like that is hard to control it can really wear you down.

-edit- Oh, and the black lab is in a regular size hose with a tiny back yard. The dog does fine, only problem is you need to walk the energy out of it or play fetch in the back yard for a while. -edit-

 

[Kelemvor]

Well yeah. Rescues are generally very different than the Humane Society, SPCA, etc. Rescues specialize in just one breed of dog and generally make you go through all kinds of steps to get approved for adoption and to make sure they find you the right dog.

 

[dougp]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
...naturally protective, ...

My aunt was walking her German(Baron) when a pit bull broke loose from one of the yards in their neighborhood. Baron stood between the Pit and my aunt, and when the pit attacked and latched on to Baron's back leg, he reached around and ripped the eye/socket muscle off of the Pit's face. Baron needed a few stitches, the Pit died from bleeding before someone could take care of him ... Only problem w/ a GS that I know of is they're prone to hip dysplacia (sp?).

 

[1sikbITCH]

Originally posted by: cpals
If we did get a dog, I would definitely be commited to it, I'm just being cautious before I jump into a big thing like this.

I'm at work 7a-5p, but off on Wed, Sat, Sun. Wife works different shifts at a grocery store but always off Sundays.

Couple more:

1. How much is 'puppy kindergarten'? I would definitely want to do that for something like a German Shepherd due to their tremendous potential. We're on a semi-tight budget right now so don't have a ton of money to blow.

2. The puppies are just from her family in-law where the German Shepherd parents are outside dogs. Is there anything I should be considered about instead of getting a dog from a breeder? What age should they be ready to go home with a family?

Thanks.

For a German Shepherd, you need more than just "puppy kindergarten". If you are not educated and willing to to be a strong leader for your dog, he will end up dominating you and your house and soon he'll be another rescue dog.

I found this out as well, and for the first year my GSD ruled my house, nipped a few people, and dragged me up the street attempting to attack other dogs. He was in charge. A few weekends with a trainer taught me that I had to be "pack leader", and 6 years later my dog and I are doing great.

Buddy

Oh and dogs are ready to be separated from their mother at 8 weeks.

Finally, you should NEVER let your dog outside unattended in most neighborhoods. My dog goes out with me watching him from the door or outside with him.

 

[cpals]

<edit>
All questions moved to top.

 

[Chiboy]

Just decide who is going to pick up the fvckers shit everyday, not to mention having to take it for a walk. I see people with dogs & sometimes it seems like the dog owns the person.

 

[zanejohnson]

german shephards are great dogs.... friendly, smart, protective.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I have one pure GSD, one 75% GSD, and a 100% pure 80lb mutt in a 700sq-ft house setting on a 80x120 fenced lot and they are fine. I work 40 hours a week midnights and in order to be lazy I've installed a big ass doggy door so they can just go in and out as they please. I also walk them around an hour nearly every day. Only bad habit I'd worry about yours picking up from neighbors dogs is barking.

Shepherds shed like crazy. Its not really even fair to say they shed. They molt but its really only bad in the spring when they drop their winter coats. The shedding isn't what causing the allergies its the dander and unless you get certain couple of foo foo dogs your stuck with it.

As somebody else said hip dysplasia is their big problem and is only $3k give or take to fix if you are unlucky enough to get one with it. And 8 weeks is ok but waiting till 10 weeks is better before picking up the puppy.

 

[RKS]

I love GSDs and really wanted one. My wife, however, always being the more rational insisted on a more docile breed.

GSDs need a lot of work but are probably more loyal than Labs. This can also be part of the problem. They are great with your family but what happens if someone the dog is not familiar with comes over?

Bacon (in attack mode) will growl and bark when anyone approaches but unless the person is deathly allergic to Lab saliva; they have no reason to worry. I am not sure about GSDs but Labs make great vaccum cleaners, taste-testers, and foot stools.

 

[SketchMaster]

Originally posted by: cpals
1. We live in a relatively small house (1300 sq ft on a 1/4 acre lot) - 3/2 with double garage. Is a German Shephard too big for this size house? We have a backyard, but it's only 2/3 fenced in (both rear and side neighbors have chain fence), so we couldn't just let him out to play. We would want to keep him indoor as I don't like keeping dogs outside.

Your place isn't too small but having a good dog park close by will help. Really you should look at the mom and dad and ask yourself ?is this dog too big for my house??

2. How much exercise would he need? We both work 40 hour weeks and are gone mostly on Sundays.

LOTS, at least an hour a day. And that is a lot of time to leave a dog alone, this alone is enough for me to say it's not the best idea.

3. Anyone know how they are with allergies? I have allergies that I'm getting shots for and slightly allergic with dogs, but I don't seem to have a reaction around my parent's cocker spaniel. I don't know if German Shepherds shed more than Cocker Spaniels?

Don't know about this one. If you can try and spend a day with the pups and see how you do.

4. If we had a kid in two years or so, how would a dog react that is already in the house? Would it be better to wait until after there is a kid?

This depends on the dog's temperament and how well the dog is socialized. If you keep the dog inside and never let it play with kids it could turn out nasty.

Anything else I've missed about dog ownership or reasons we shouldn't get one?
Thanks!

Look at the mom and dad, how well do they behave? Do they have a medical history that you should worry about?

The biggest thing is if this is your first puppy I wouldn't recommend taking home the first puppy you get offered. And there is no such thing as a ?free puppy?, example:

Exam: $40
First of three booster shots: $20-$25 each
Rabies shot: $13
Humane society licence: up to $40
Spay/Neuter: over $200

Now I'm not trying to scare you, I'm just letting you know getting a puppy isn't as easy as some people think it is. Like I always say, ?Getting a puppy is a great idea, until you bring it home.?

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

Honestly, if you come into ATOT for advice on how to be an owner of a German Shepard, you have no right owning one. Like what Gag said in the second post, they'll take command if you let them. Also, IMO, you need more room for that dog.

 

[BZeto]

Originally posted by: loup garou
Spaniels fucking suck. Dumbest dogs on the planet. Go for the shepherd.

"Hey guys i knew this spaniel that wasn't very smart SO EVERY ONE OF THEM MUST BE DUMB LOL" ATOT Logic ftw.


Anyways, we've had cocker spaniels for years and they are amazing animals. However the pure bread ones seem to be prone to ear and skin problems.

 

[0roo0roo]

30 minute walk is probably enough.
let it romp in the yard a bit if you think it needs some more outside time

 

[cpals]

Updated post and thanks for all the replies.

 

[Codewiz]

Based on the questions you are asking, I do not believe that a German Shep is the right dog for you.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: BZeto

Originally posted by: loup garou
Spaniels fucking suck. Dumbest dogs on the planet. Go for the shepherd.

"Hey guys i knew this spaniel that wasn't very smart SO EVERY ONE OF THEM MUST BE DUMB LOL" ATOT Logic ftw.


Anyways, we've had cocker spaniels for years and they are amazing animals. However the pure bread ones seem to be prone to ear and skin problems.

Actually, I was a vet tech for 4 years and dealt with them on a daily basis. Mindless animals. Goes for springers even more so.

 

[cpals]

Originally posted by: Codewiz
Based on the questions you are asking, I do not believe that a German Shep is the right dog for you.

For example? Size of house... our work week, etc?