mydiamond Posted May 28, 2013 Report Share Posted May 28, 2013 Doing my research here I really love these dogs and plan to own one in the future, so guess it's time to learn more about the breed no breed description can tell me what kind of dogs they really are better than someone who actually owns a GSD. Right? so if you own a GSD or know a lot about them, please spare your time to answer my questions 1. I know they shed heavily, and I really don't mind the fur, but do they shed more or less than a husky? 2. My neighbor's GSD barks every time someone walk past his home--even when he's being crated! Do they all do this? Is it a natural behavior or do they need to be trained to do that? 3. Sadly this is a breed prone to a ton of health problems is there any way to prevent them from getting any of these health problems? Like, for example, grain-free dog food? 4. I'm a terrible runner, so I need a dog that would be fine by doing a long slow-paced walk only. The walks would be at least 60 minutes long and I'm gonna walk them twice a day. Do you think that's enough exercise for this breed? 5. I know they're a one-man dog and wary of strangers, but how do they get along with other dogs? Are they also wary of strange dogs? If there's anything else that you think I'm gonna need to know, please tell me thanks for your time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Angel n Auroras Mum Posted May 28, 2013 Report Share Posted May 28, 2013 I can answer having a cross. but im unsure what traits he has that are husky and what ones are gsd. yes he barks. no he doesnt bark at strangers. i cant run with storm but hes too lazy anyways he pulls a lot his brother has hd, im lucky storm doesnt. storms a very friendly chap. gets on with all people and dogs. like i said im unsure if hes more husky or gsd in personality Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormy Posted May 28, 2013 Report Share Posted May 28, 2013 As you know Skye is half German Sheperd. She has ALOT of husky traits but a couple of GSD traits that really stand out. She is a fantastic guard dog she will alert me if something is not right and she will get very angry and growl and then bark if any strangers come into the back garden that i have not let in she will also do this in her crate. She did it once when some kids were climbing over my fence i didn't dare let her out as i was very unsure of what she would do to them but she was not happy atall. So i believe this is a natural behaviour in them and instinct to protect their home and when i say she will alert me it wont matter where i am she will come and get me to show me what is wrong but if there is someone there etc she will bark very loudly hackles up and if i dont come she will THEN come and get me and i have to reasure her its okay if it is okay and i do praise her for it also, so i feel safe in knowing she would alert me if anyone came in that should not be! However she is fine with anyone i let in or people she knows through the front door and is very friendly to strangers but this may be more the husky side there as they are very friendly as you know. She barks at every dog that comes past the garden which the GSD down the road also does where as shadow does not do this atall. Every GSD i have seen generally walk at a nice pace with their owners so i dont think you would have an issue here Skye does not do this due to her husky side. GSD's can be nervous which i have had this with Skye and still have at times now she went through a couple of "fear" stages which is more a gsd thing than a husky thing and i spent time working with her on that by if she got fearful we would stop and observe whatever she was scared of in one case it was a bush lol so we sat and watched it and then got closer and closer and she realised it was fine so something to think about definitely a dog to socialise early and take out to lots of different environments etc as she was wary of pretty much everything at first including people. I cant really answer the dog friendly thing as i think huskies are extremely friendly towards other dogs so Skye is although she is more nervous that shadow would be and she used to bark at all dogs she saw when she was fearful of them but alot of socialising sorted this out and i believe this is a gsd thing as i see alot of gsds even now that are adults and still do this i think due to not being socialised properly when young. Also another thing she does which i believe is GSD is herding she likes to herd things like for example when we were walking at the yorkshire moors there were lots of sheep she naturally decided to herd them she did not want to hurt them and was actually scared of them if she got to close but she was rounding them up!!! Health problems i cant help you with either i have no idea sorry Hope this helps slightly i know she isn't full GSD but she does show some of the main traits of one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted May 28, 2013 Report Share Posted May 28, 2013 We have Echo (White GSD) She was a rescue and came with a host of behavioural problems. Shedding, Echo is short haired and doesn't shed anywhere near as much as the Huskies. They are very loyal.and will love you and your family without exception. They will guard you from other people and dogs If you get a puppy and socialise them properly (Echo wasn't ) Then you can minimise this. They can be trained for excellent recall. Yes they need as much exercise as a husky, however you can get around this with ball throws. They love to chase a ball and bring it back for you to throw again. We haven't had any health problems with Echo (fingers crossed) Barking.Echo Barks if someone knocks on the door. on walks she will ignore people as long as they don't talk to us. Other dogs across the street or passing us she will bark and lunge at. (protecting her pack) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mydiamond Posted May 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2013 thanks you guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowpups Posted May 28, 2013 Report Share Posted May 28, 2013 I have a gsd and grown up with them. Hollie barks at everything she a noisey git. She loves other dogs never had a problem really. She never had any issues with health but her parents were health tested. She doesn't let strangers anywhere near me less I allow them too. She is smart ie a alert dog when I have fits she learnt herself what to do. Gsd will walk for ages if you let them just like huskies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormy Posted May 28, 2013 Report Share Posted May 28, 2013 I have a gsd and grown up with them. Hollie barks at everything she a noisey git. She loves other dogs never had a problem really. She never had any issues with health but her parents were health tested. She doesn't let strangers anywhere near me less I allow them too. She is smart ie a alert dog when I have fits she learnt herself what to do. Gsd will walk for ages if you let them just like huskies. I love Holly i miss her can i steal her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowpups Posted May 28, 2013 Report Share Posted May 28, 2013 Yes you can of course she loves auntie storm but I'm sure shads would love jasper myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormy Posted May 28, 2013 Report Share Posted May 28, 2013 Yes you can of course she loves auntie storm but I'm sure shads would love jasper myself I can always take both haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mydiamond Posted May 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2013 Aww I know puppies will have fewer health issues because their parents are health-tested, but I plan on rescuing.... There are just too many lovely dogs in shelters everywhere! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbyerin Posted May 29, 2013 Report Share Posted May 29, 2013 My mum has two gsd which are very well behaved. Ive grown up around them as we got them whilst they were pups 1. Our two shed fur but as im owning my first husky i dont know how much she sheds yet. Ill get back to you on that one. 2. Barking.. well we live on acerage and when theyre outside they will bark at anything, its a good habit though cause then we know something is out there. 3. At the moment our 2 are getting a bit older and so far no health problems! 4. My mum and dad dont walk our two any more living on acerage they run around all day everyday! Seems to be more than enough exercise. 5. We have a pure bred and a gs x husky and they both get along with eachother and other dogs no problem at all. meet Ashleigh and Mya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiberianShepherd Posted May 29, 2013 Report Share Posted May 29, 2013 I have a female GSD puppy just turning 3 months now and they follow you everywhere, she whines A LOT, she isn't the easiest to potty train(at least compared to Sky my Husky), they shed a lot but not as much as Huskies. They do tend to bark, as they are "guard dogs" but that could always come in handy. Huskies and Shepherds make good mates as they both play really rough. Shepherds require just as much exercise as a Husky. I wish I could tell you more but my puppy is still growing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elyse Posted May 29, 2013 Report Share Posted May 29, 2013 I've always wanted a GSD, but their health problems always scare me away. I heard its better to get one from a reputable breeder, that way you know for SURE they will have the proper temperament and is less likely to develop health problems. That being said, you still have to be careful. Avoid GSDs like the plaque who have 'slanted' backs - those that look like this: (this includes: don't get a puppy who has any dog of this body type in their bloodline.) They SHOULD look like this: Typically, I've heard its hard to find 'properly bred' GSDs these days. This is because the KC has accepted GSDs with the slanted back and messed up hips (very, very bad!). You have to be very careful - and apparently its best to get one from a working line (never a showing line - this is very important!). I've looked for GSD breeders in my area, and almost ALL of them bred GSDs with the slanted back. If I wanted a healthy GSD, I would have to travel out of province. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted May 29, 2013 Report Share Posted May 29, 2013 I've always wanted a GSD, but their health problems always scare me away. I heard its better to get one from a reputable breeder, that way you know for SURE they will have the proper temperament and is less likely to develop health problems. That being said, you still have to be careful. Avoid GSDs like the plaque who have 'slanted' backs - those that look like this: (this includes: don't get a puppy who has any dog of this body type in their bloodline.) They SHOULD look like this: Typically, I've heard its hard to find 'properly bred' GSDs these days. This is because the KC has accepted GSDs with the slanted back and messed up hips (very, very bad!). You have to be very careful - and apparently its best to get one from a working line (never a showing line - this is very important!). I've looked for GSD breeders in my area, and almost ALL of them bred GSDs with the slanted back. If I wanted a healthy GSD, I would have to travel out of province. Yes the "Stacking" stance in show dogs is causing hip and back problems in later life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devildust76 Posted May 29, 2013 Report Share Posted May 29, 2013 I was brought up with GSD's and they have all been loyal and loving dogs. Yes they shed but having seen some pictures from people when their Husks are blowing their coats then I'd say they barely lose any fur! They do bark, but most breeds do if they aren't Sibes or Mals, they will guard their family and home (which is not a bad thing I guess?) I still miss hearing my parents last GSD barking as I walk down their driveway to the front door he had a great bark All of our old GSD's were socialised well and didn't have problems with other dogs or people in fact their last boy, Taz, was the softest dog I've ever met he was a real mummies boy I won't lie and say they were all perfectly healthy as they all suffered from different GSD health issues in their old age. Although none of them had HD which was a blessing really. As for exercise they were lucky enough that my parents have quite a lot of land for them to run about in and they were walked once or twice daily - nowhere near as much as I would walk Kodiak now though! They are lovely dogs and we did think about getting one when we were researching breeds but we decided that a Mal would suit us better and we have our Kodiak now and we wouldn't change him for the world Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aronoiiel Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 Most Gsd pups are very shy and skittish that I have seen at dog parks and believe me I have seen alot. It takes alot of socialization to get them out of their shell but once they are out they are the life of the dog park like any pup. You really really need to push the socialization though to curb leash reactivity to believe me thats one of my current biggest obstacle poor socilization is so damaging to dogs Barking is a good quality but can be curbed with training. Diesel my rescue mix has alerted me to three attempted break ins since I have had him. However, when we are awake I dont care to know there is a cat outside or child sitting on the porch so I have taught him to go to his kennel when those things upset him during the day. They are extremely smart and he now understands what is ok to alert to and what is not. Shedding depends on the coat but there is a reason they are also called German Shedders lol. Health concerns like all breeds revolve around your lines and what you are looking for. Like choosing any pet do your research and ask around to people who have sheps. Exercise sheps are so amazing. Most I know mine included can catch balls and frisbees until the cows come home or are content to lay at your feet over a good movie. The key like with all breeds is to survive the puppy stage first lol. Honestly Diesel maybe a mix but he has opened my heart very much to the breed and I cant see my life now without a shep and husky in it. If you want some really good info look up ther German Shepard Dog Community on FB they are very biased lol but have excellent info on what you are in for they have helpex me tremendously with Diesel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bec Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 Pfft who would get a GSD when you could get a Malinois! LOL. I really like a nicely bred working line GSD, but Mals are definitely the breed for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mydiamond Posted June 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 Pfft who would get a GSD when you could get a Malinois! LOL. I really like a nicely bred working line GSD, but Mals are definitely the breed for me. aawww but where are all the fur?? LOL seriously I just like fluffy dogs Malinois are great dogs, but... nope, not fluffy enough hang on a second is that your dog there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bec Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 Yep that's my puppy! Mals can be furry, this is my girls half brother, they have the same dad. I really am just joking though Mals really aren't for everyone! Or the vast majority of people lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mydiamond Posted June 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 Aww Bec she's beautiful nooo not fluffy enough hee hee this is my top favorite breeds: 1. Husky 2. GSD 3. Rough Collie 4. Malamute 5. Samoyed so, yeah... fur fur and a lot of fur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bec Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 GSDs aren't that heavily coated compared to Sibes etc? The dog in the pic above would Have longer fur than most sheps. We have two GSDs at work and lots of clients with them too. Or were you more keen on long coated shepherds? I like GSDs but they are very different in temperament to spitzes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormy Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 Skye doesn't have very fluffy fur atall and she is half gsd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mydiamond Posted June 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 GSDs aren't that heavily coated compared to Sibes etc? The dog in the pic above would Have longer fur than most sheps. We have two GSDs at work and lots of clients with them too. Or were you more keen on long coated shepherds? I like GSDs but they are very different in temperament to spitzes! yea I think the long-coated ones are prettier just a tiny bit but then what I call "fluffy" are dogs that have coat that is soft to touch... non-fluffy would be Rottweilers, short-coated Chihuahua, and others. Their coat are short and coarse... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valkyries Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 am gonna get a handbag dog next lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mydiamond Posted June 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 am gonna get a handbag dog next lol LOL what does that mean? Chihuahua? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.