Thinking about buying a German Shepherd..thoughts?

seguidordejesus · #1 12-03-2009, 09:43 AM

We're thinking about buying a German Shepherd/Husky mix. We live in a large apartment with all tile, plenty of sunlight, and lots of room to run around outside on a leash. We have a 2.5 yr old daughter. The weather here runs 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit year round, so there wouldn't be a significant time when we couldn't walk the dog.

Input, anyone?

ManOfWord · #2 12-03-2009, 09:46 AM

My favorite breed! Purebred Shepherd though. Huskies are pretty high strung, so personally, I'd shy away from them. The mix might be OK though. I've had a few shepherds. Smart, well behaved, good with children, great watch dogs. Just remember, big dog, big "pile." LOL

I love shepherds. I've also had a St. Bernard as well........slobbery!! Great to play with though!

seguidordejesus · #3 12-03-2009, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

My favorite breed! Purebred Shepherd though. Huskies are pretty high strung, so personally, I'd shy away from them. The mix might be OK though. I've had a few shepherds. Smart, well behaved, good with children, great watch dogs. Just remember, big dog, big "pile." LOL

I love shepherds. I've also had a St. Bernard as well........slobbery!! Great to play with though!

Thanks for the input. For what it's worth, the dog is 3/4 Shepherd and 1/4 Husky.

revrandy · #4 12-03-2009, 09:59 AM

Unless your will to spend a LOT of TIME with the dog I wouldn't...they need much time and training....

ManOfWord · #5 12-03-2009, 10:02 AM

Hmmmmmm.....always wondered how they measure that!

I used to be a Lab Tech for OSU Lab Animal Dept. many years ago and worked with a number of different breeds. Huskies were more prone (maybe not a lot) to be unpredictable than shepherds. I really do think Huskies can be great family dogs and it may be more a matter of preference than anything. I've just always personally liked shepherds. I like a dog who can put his front paws on my shoulders and look me in the face! LOL Not hard for me since I'm short......but not Epley short!

tstew · #6 12-03-2009, 10:06 AM

I can speak to the Shepherd part. Personally, I think they are the best dog when it comes to the mixture of temperament and protective qualities. Is this a very little puppy or an older dog? That is something to consider, particularly with the age of your child.

And here are a few gratuitous shots of ours

revrandy · #7 12-03-2009, 10:08 AM

Sadly ours got out one day and somebody picked her up...She was beautiful...a solid white German Shepherd....called a "Swiss" Shepherd...

tstew · #8 12-03-2009, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revrandy

Sadly ours got out one day and somebody picked her up...She was beautiful...a solid white German Shepherd....called a "Swiss" Shepherd...

That is terrible. Was she a puppy?

revrandy · #9 12-03-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstew

That is terrible. Was she a puppy?

A year and half old... her name was Shelby...

Timmy · #10 12-03-2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seguidordejesus

We're thinking about buying a German Shepherd/Husky mix. We live in a large apartment with all tile, plenty of sunlight, and lots of room to run around outside on a leash. We have a 2.5 yr old daughter. The weather here runs 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit year round, so there wouldn't be a significant time when we couldn't walk the dog.

Input, anyone?

But you'll have to convert that to Celsius, for a German Shepherd.