[Joza]

Ok, so we are due to pay our non-refundable $200 deposit today fro our German Shepherd puppy. I have asked a couple of times to go out to the breeder and see their other dogs (the pups are too young) but they keep coming up with reasons why we cant (which makes me nervous as we dont want to pay the money, then get there and the dogs are not what we expected and we lose $200) They are very good breeders though, have won alot of awards for breeding etc, but there is no feedback from people who have brought their puppies on their webste which I'm also querying...
I am also nervous though as I have had a fair bit of negative feedback from friends about having a Shepherd around my baby (and any future babies).
Our original thought was a GR, but we want it to be inside and I am worried that a GRwill be just WAY too boisturous for us in the early years?? We also loved the look of Labs, but I KNOW they will be too full on...
So I am asking, for a loving family pet, who will live mostly inside, and at times I will have to leave the room so it will be with my child alone (obviously I cant make baby or puppy follow me everywhere...) We want ease of training, loyalty and obedience....
So, should we get a German Shepherd OR a Golden Retriever???
Thanks so much, all feedback is very appreciated!!

[LittleWhiteDove]

We have one of each! Ours are outside dogs though. If I had to choose, I'd go the German Shepard - much smarter and the "puppy" stage didn't seem to be as long. He was also much easier to train.

I think there is a lot of negative feelings about German Shepards, but the vast majority is unfounded. I used to feel the same, but would never be without a GS now, and if something happens to our GR, we'd probably replace him with a GS instead. They are very loyal to the family, and I know ours would never intentional hurt our boys.

We did, however, ensure we bought our GS from a reputable breeder, and my one stipulation was that he had to be a purebred, not for the pedigree (though he does have papers), but for temprement. My two boys often play outside with the dogs without me there, and Master Two, especially, loves to rumble the dogs!

I can understand your reluctance to pay a deposit though, I'd be leery to pay sight-unseen. We first met our
puppy at 5 or 6 weeks, and then could take him home at 10 weeks. I'd be more concerned about the breeder's reluctance to show you the pups than your friends negativity.

Good luck choosing your new family member!

[Joza]

Thankyou! I was hoping I would find someone with one of each
The breeder has sent us pictures, and we are able to go and meet her in about 2 weeks (the pups are just too young apparently). I was just nervous that they didn't want us going out and seeing their other dogs... They said we will meet the puppies soon enough!
Especially as our deposit is non-refundable...
You have put my mind at ease a bit now though, so thankyou!

[cabbagepatch]

We have a lab - he is two now. We got him before we have children so that he is out of the puppy stage and not as "boistrous" for when non-fur babies come along.

He lays inside with us, walks everywhere with us and just loves being around people. Now the only time he gets too boistrous is when he's playing with other dogs - almost like he forgets people are around. But wave a toy and whistle and hes sitting at your feet waiting for you to throw it.

I've never had a German Shepherd so I can't really comment on the breed.

But i grew up with labs, and I wouldn't have a different dog now, they're easy to train as they are very food oriented, and by no means stupid. But if you get a puppy they are alot of work (can't walk them more than 10 mins or let them use stairs for the first year). I would probably look at buying an older dog that has finished showing/breeding from a breeder if I had small children already. You can usually find ones that have been bought up with children and lived happy lives indoors.

As for the breeder not letting you see the parents is a big warning sign for me - I would be looking else where TBH. How old are the puppies that they are too young to be seen? Have you had photos or checked the Breeder registration board to check their credentials? All a bit over the top I know, but thats what you do when buying a lab as they can have health problems down the road and you need to check lineage etc...
Maybe its different with German Shepherds - I don't know if they have the same/similar health problems...

ETA: I see the owners are letting you see them. Good luck with your purchase! No doubt your new puppy will bring heaps of love and enjoyment to your family!!!

This post has been edited by cabbagepatch: 15/07/2010, 09:12 AM

[greenmother]

We have a golden retriever, and I have previously had german shepards. For a dog with a baby, I would definitely go golden retriever, even though I would never leave a dog alone with a baby, I feel like I could with ours. He seems to know to be gentle with out 7 month old girl, and doesn't even flinch when she pulls his ears and rips his hair out and pokes him in the eye.

[ILBB]

I have owned Goldies for the last 30 years and would suggest one in a heartbeat. They are great with children, adults and are great companions. They do however need a good amount of exercise, particularly in the puppy years - but all dogs do - so that should not put you off. Buy from a responsible breeder though who will give you hip and eye scores for their dogs - as they are prone to some genetic ailments.

[Nut]

I would be a bit concerned about not being able to see the parents. You know my stance on shepherds so I won't worry about that.

I did buy site unseen. I put the deposit and he brought the pup to me (convenience, he was going to be in Canberra anyway). But had I decided not to take him upon meeting him he would have refunded me my deposit. I got photos of him and the parents and had I driven to Sydney I would have met them anyway so it was more lack of opportunity.

I did my research on the breeders and the parents and spoke to a few members of the German Shepherd Dog League who said they would take care of me and give me a good dog etc. and spoke to the owner. He was so loving when he spoke about the female. Said "She's my girlfriend. She sleeps on the couch with me every night". He was married with children so they also came from a family environment and did not sell as gun dogs etc.

I didn't want a lab or retriever because I wanted a dog with brains. They make the most awesome seeing eye dogs too, being more trainable than labs and retrievers. Unfortunately the shepherd as seeing eye dogs program was pulled after only two dogs were trained as they couldn't be bothered with the paper work. A close friend of mine has one of the two trained shepherds and he's awesome.

My Jaz needs to be walked EVERY day (even when it's 6 degrees and raining outside) or he starts getting a bit silly.

[fionah]

We have a beautiful Stock coat German Shepherd. Bears coat is not quiet a full long coat, but not a true standard short coat. He requires a fair bit of grooming, which I don't seem to have the time for much these days, so we get the groomer to come.
He is the best dog. Bear will be 10 in October. We picked him up at 10 weeks old & we have hardly put any real training into him. He just seems to know what is the right thing to do. He has never shown aggression & is great with the kids. We did also have a gorgeous Shepherd Cross b**ch, but we had her put to sleep after too many little nipping incidents. I was afraid the next time wouldn't have been a little nip.
I like Golden retrievers, but they are a bit too silly for me. I would love a greyhound next, but my hubby says they are too ugly. I have met 100's of grey hounds and never het an aggressive one. I have only ever heard one story about an aggressive one.
I have been attacked by a german shepherd. No warning or anything, it just launched itself at me, grabbed me by the shirt & bra, not a nick on me though. Thankfully the dog was on a leash and the owner was able to pull him away. This was a show dog, after speaking to others in the GSD circle, I found out that alot of her dogs were aggressive and total nut jobs
Bears breeders were happy for us to visit whenever we liked.
I wonder if your breeders are worried about viruses. There is a very unusual parvo outbreak in western Sydney atm. Not common for winter time at all. I wonder if other areas of Australia are having similar problems?
Anyway, I have rambled enough.
I hope your puppy is great!
Fi

[Joza]

Well I just looked them up on the breeders association board and they are there as well as being members of the GSDL...
They spoke with so much love of their puppies too, so I guess it may be a case of overprotectiveness as the pups are onyl a couple of weeks old.. Due to go home the 18th August...
They breed for temprament and companionship too and state that they will NOT sell to breeders or as gaurd dogs...
Maybe I am just being a bit OTT as we just so badly want a good dog... And Im so scared that she will be vicious....

[Guest_shauna+Molly+ Me_*]

Some breeders dont like strangers coming in to their breeding establishment due to risk of transffering illnesses (especially parvo) on to their property.
Some breeders are very anal about that.
Other breeders (like my sister) are happy for them to come just as long as they take their shoes of first and wash hands.
On Dogzonline their is a breeders section. Join up and ask a question about the possible reasons why this breeder is not comfortable with you seeing their adult dogs.

To me its not a reason to totally dismiss the breeder. but I would ask further questions.

Personally I would go with a goldie but I also love German shepherds.
They are both intelligent dogs that are easy to train but I just love the Goldie smile .

My next breed of dog will be a lab but I am aware of their long puppyhood and I will get one when my youngest child is about five or so.