Don't forget Joyce that ACD's think they are the biggest dog in the world when it comes to protecting you, your house, your car, etc. They are NOT a breed for the first time dog owner or ones who haven't owned a high drive herding breed, working dog etc. They need a firm owner who won't take any of their sh!t and you always need to be one step ahead of them. They are tough, stubborn, and can be very over-bearing with their owners, trying to walk all over you! LOL!
not for beginners
- Thread starter Maxy24
- Start date
I normally don't recommend GSD's, aussies, malinois, borders, to first time dog owners. However, I, do think it depends on the person.
What I do suggest, IF they want a breed I wouldn't recommend, is to seek out a really good breed specific rescue and go with an older dog that is already "set"..IF first time dog owners go this route, they are usually matched with a dog they can handle and live with.
A first time dog owner could never live with 2 of my 4 dogs,,the female gsd (czech lines) would have been dead by now I'm sure and my female aussie would have probably been returned. They are both high energy very demanding dogs, friendly but a walk a day wouldn't cut it for either of them..
)
diane
What I do suggest, IF they want a breed I wouldn't recommend, is to seek out a really good breed specific rescue and go with an older dog that is already "set"..IF first time dog owners go this route, they are usually matched with a dog they can handle and live with.
A first time dog owner could never live with 2 of my 4 dogs,,the female gsd (czech lines) would have been dead by now I'm sure and my female aussie would have probably been returned. They are both high energy very demanding dogs, friendly but a walk a day wouldn't cut it for either of them..
)diane
Sorry if I offened anyone by saying that my GSD is like a weapon. Due to being a single mom in a horrible neighborhood people often tell me that I should get a gun due to all the break ins, etc. I always tell them that I don't need a gun because my "weapon" of choice is my GSD. I don't like guns and I trust my GSD to protect me, my son and other dogs and she's proven me right time and time again.
RD - I couldn't agree more. My GSD is of working lines (of course it was my husband who got her and left her to me when he left) but I did the research before and after she arrived and spend ever second possible training and working with her. In return I have a wonderful dog.
I also do understand from all my rescue work that not everyone is willing to research or spend the time with their animals. I'm sure that we can all agree that we hope that people who have dogs will treat them as well as we all do.
RD - I couldn't agree more. My GSD is of working lines (of course it was my husband who got her and left her to me when he left) but I did the research before and after she arrived and spend ever second possible training and working with her. In return I have a wonderful dog.
I also do understand from all my rescue work that not everyone is willing to research or spend the time with their animals. I'm sure that we can all agree that we hope that people who have dogs will treat them as well as we all do.
I have to disagree with this. A GSD is definitely not for everyone. Being in German Shepherd Rescue I can tell you that the majority of dogs I've seen turned in for behavioural issues (and they include American lines and BYBs) do just fine once they're placed in competant homes. Don't get me wrong, I love the breed and will never own anything else, but they are NOT an easy dog that I would recommend for anyone. That said, I don't think it's as important that you've owned a dog before as that you're prepared for what owning a dog entails and that you get a dog that is suited to your personality and lifestyle. I would recommend reading up on the breeds that interest you. Find out what their personality traits and temperaments are like. Look for dog that feel is best suited to you.
Ok, time for my two cents:
If you have to ask someone what kind of dog to get, then maybe you shouldn't get a dog at all. A person really needs to do their research on their own to determine what kind of dog fits their family, lifestyle and requirements. Some people are better with a lazy dog, small dog, large dog and so forth. A beginner can actaully do well with any kind of dog as long as they are willing to do the research and make the commitment necessary to properly raise and take care of that dog. Far too often I have seen people choose a dog because they are cute without any kind of research into the breed only to find out a month later that the dog won't fit with their family.
When I chose my dog Polly, I did alot of research before I made the decision to pick her up. I read, asked questions and had several conversations with my family to dicuss the pros and cons of owning a dog of that nature. Now, the only regret is stepping in poo at 2:00am.
If you have to ask someone what kind of dog to get, then maybe you shouldn't get a dog at all. A person really needs to do their research on their own to determine what kind of dog fits their family, lifestyle and requirements. Some people are better with a lazy dog, small dog, large dog and so forth. A beginner can actaully do well with any kind of dog as long as they are willing to do the research and make the commitment necessary to properly raise and take care of that dog. Far too often I have seen people choose a dog because they are cute without any kind of research into the breed only to find out a month later that the dog won't fit with their family.
When I chose my dog Polly, I did alot of research before I made the decision to pick her up. I read, asked questions and had several conversations with my family to dicuss the pros and cons of owning a dog of that nature. Now, the only regret is stepping in poo at 2:00am.
Cattle dogs definetly.
They havn't got the BC "i'll do it because you told me to" they're more like "okay, but first tell me why i should"
They can be very stubborn and they're smrter than most people!
They're known to have issues with DA and chasing small furries (hares, cats etc) they also tend to be very reserved towards strangers.
I love how much work they take. And how i can see when they know exactly what i'm talking about but won't do it because they don't see the point.
Like Harry, he's hugley cattledog in both looks and attitude. (he got the BC tail, facial expressions and energy level)
when mum walks him, she sends him running out ahead, if he see's soemone coming towards them, he just stops dead and waits, but he won't walk all the way back to her because there is no point walking back the way you came just to turn around.
She was walking him one morning, and a cyclist came around the corner. He looked back at her and she was too far away for him to be bothered coming all the way back. So all on his own, he just walked about 10 metres off the side of the path and sat in the grass and waited for my mum to catch up.
Now that is intelliegent.
They havn't got the BC "i'll do it because you told me to" they're more like "okay, but first tell me why i should"
They can be very stubborn and they're smrter than most people!
They're known to have issues with DA and chasing small furries (hares, cats etc) they also tend to be very reserved towards strangers.
I love how much work they take. And how i can see when they know exactly what i'm talking about but won't do it because they don't see the point.
Like Harry, he's hugley cattledog in both looks and attitude. (he got the BC tail, facial expressions and energy level)
when mum walks him, she sends him running out ahead, if he see's soemone coming towards them, he just stops dead and waits, but he won't walk all the way back to her because there is no point walking back the way you came just to turn around.
She was walking him one morning, and a cyclist came around the corner. He looked back at her and she was too far away for him to be bothered coming all the way back. So all on his own, he just walked about 10 metres off the side of the path and sat in the grass and waited for my mum to catch up.
Now that is intelliegent.
And sophie has an uncanny ability of understanding. There are occasions she understand entire sentences.
She's old and arthritic, as a joke once, my mums ex said "go one sophie, take a run up" when they were going back to the ute. Well she did, this dog with all arthritis that had barely trotted for the last few years started cantering along and took an almighty leap at the ute. She hurt her legs on it because she didn't make it, but i think thats a bit too weird.
Or, for instance, our old house. It backed directly onto a paddock. so we would run the dogs there 3 times a day (we had a tiny yard at that stage) and mum went out with them one morning, she forgot her phone and started heading back, she said "wait there sophie, i've just gotta go get my phone then i'll be back" well sophie sat, she waited, while the other 3 ran madly up to the house with mum. And sophie just waited in the backyard for a couple of minutes while mum got her phone.
i think just talking sentences to your dog actually helps in the communication between you, and Buster is the BEST secret keeper i know.
She's old and arthritic, as a joke once, my mums ex said "go one sophie, take a run up" when they were going back to the ute. Well she did, this dog with all arthritis that had barely trotted for the last few years started cantering along and took an almighty leap at the ute. She hurt her legs on it because she didn't make it, but i think thats a bit too weird.
Or, for instance, our old house. It backed directly onto a paddock. so we would run the dogs there 3 times a day (we had a tiny yard at that stage) and mum went out with them one morning, she forgot her phone and started heading back, she said "wait there sophie, i've just gotta go get my phone then i'll be back" well sophie sat, she waited, while the other 3 ran madly up to the house with mum. And sophie just waited in the backyard for a couple of minutes while mum got her phone.
i think just talking sentences to your dog actually helps in the communication between you, and Buster is the BEST secret keeper i know.