2007-05-29 08:20:37 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I love her to bits
2007-05-29 08:38:40 · update #1
They are gorgeous, passionate, sensitive, smart, wonderful, animals. They love to please and to protect their family. My next dog may be a GSD.
2007-05-29 08:25:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
When I first thought about getting a German Shepherd, I just loved the way they looked, that big confident head, huge chest, very sure of themselves. However, when I got my first one, i actually did the research that I should have done. I found out that they have only been around since 1899, and how they were bred to work with humans. They were used in WWI as wire dogs, and then how after the War, their natural instinct for protection and herding proved itself for protecting the handicap, and were the first used for guide dogs. SCHUTZHUND, a special sport designed for German Shepherds was created in 1901. They are listed as the 3rd smartest dog behind border collies and poddles (of all dogs), and I believe they listed as the easiest to train.
2007-05-29 18:11:45 · answer #2 · answered by boleen03 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I was a little girl, a stray German Shepherd came to our home and was a great protector for us kids. he didn't stay long....As an adult I've wanted to get one because of the protectiveness that that dog showed to us. My husband bought me one for mothers day and 5 days later the poor little thing contracted Pravo....In that first 5 days, I fell in love with the little 8 week old puppy and even slept on the floor with it during the night before we could get him to a Vet. That Shepherd pup attached himself to my heartstrings so tightly that, SEVERAL hundred dollars later.......I get to go pick him up from the Vet today and I wouldn't trade a minute of that first 5 days for anything. I have other animals at the house and love them dearly......I don't think really that the "breed" of the dog, cat, horse...etc... is the real question, rather, the love and loyalty they show us when we turn our hearts out on our sleeves and let them know how precious they are to us....My Gunnars' coming home today and I couldn't ask for a better gift the whole year through...
2007-05-29 15:31:50 · answer #3 · answered by sred 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They used to be the most amazing breed before the extremists in the dog show world got hold of them. They used to be one of the best breeds to look thru a collar. They are wonderful still but have many inherent genetic problems that removed the breed from my list of dogs that I would consider owning again. The hip dysplasia problem is a heart breaker and very expensive and years of OFA (orthopedic foundation of america - an organization that tracks and registers animals with radiographic and xray technology for physical correctness)
hasnt seemed to stem the tide of the problem.
I watched a physically beautiful breed that could run like the wind and floated when they trotted be turned into a weird looking animal with mule ears, an over angulated rear that makes watching them trot painful and over wound minds that make them hard to handle.
But hands down that was my first love, GSDs, there once was no breed that could hold a candle to them for versatility. I still harbor a secret love for them but I can only think of a few renegade breeders that are bucking the present hideous appearance trend by resurrecting the older look of the breed and trying to restore the breed to its original purpose.
If you dont believe me, you can go online and see how police depts and security cos have switched over to the lighter but healthier Belgian Malinois - but its an uneasy change because the Mals are proving to be a bit too light for the large American frame as manstoppers in a police dog situation. So the police depts are trying out other breeds, German Shepherd European imports where the breed still is bred more for function than appearance. But that has its problems too, they are too hot for the average American household, clingy, barky and high strung - and lamentably nervous - wound up. The German bloodlines look so different from the American breds now that they almost look like 2 different breeds now. I f you decide to get one DO YOUR RESEARCH, take your time and go to ALOT of different websites til you find a breeder that is breeding a GSD that you find attractive and THEN VERY CAREFULLY REVIEW THAT BREEDERS COMMITMENT TO SOUNDNESS AND CORRECTNESS! I cant tell you how many times I had to tell owners of a new GSD that their puppy was going to have a hard time overcoming the health issues we found.
Consider going to a rescue where you can see grown specimens that will have manifested whatever health issues they have already -and you'll be giving a wonderful animal a good home.
2007-05-29 15:59:36 · answer #4 · answered by The wolf runner 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They are very smart not that other dogs are not but if trained right they can do a lot of things that you wouldn't imagine a dog could do but there are other dogs in the working and hear ding groups that do the same things you just hear more about German shepherds
2007-05-29 15:35:42 · answer #5 · answered by Carrie S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you will find that owners of GSD's are as loyal to the breed as their dogs are to them. I own a 21 month old German bred GSD...this is the first time I ever owned one. I see a dog who is extremely intelligent, is eager to please and above all else...he is my heart dog! what is so special about my GSD is the fact that he loves my 3 yr old and will protect him with his life if he had to, and this has been proven in the past. you see my youngest son has down syndrome and one day when we were playing my son got away from me and headed toward a busy road. Kirby, my GSD took off running after him, grabbed him by the hood of his jacket and herded him back to me! how many dogs do you know would do something like that?...not many . for this reason and many others (I could write a book...lol) is why I consider him special, and why the breed in general are one of the best dogs I have ever come across.
2007-05-31 07:53:47 · answer #6 · answered by julie's_GSD_kirby 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are extremly smart. It has been said by scientists that some GSD's have equal human intellagence!! They are also eager to please dogs and will protect you from harm. They have sort of a sixth sense of if there is something wrong it is truely amazing. They are also wonderful with children if socialized well, and have saved hundreds of thousands of lives by working in search and resce, blind, and even police and millatary forces. They truely are one of the best dogs i have ever owned. If you choose to buy or get a german shepherd it will not be a decsion you regret unless of course they are not properly suited for your home.
2007-05-29 15:34:47 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
GSD is part of the 'working' dog group - which means it
is highly intelligent,
easily trained
loyal and brave
of substantial size
even tempered
They are a wonderful breed of dog. But remember, they need to be obedience trained, worked and played with at least 2 hours a day, plenty of exercise and a nice soft bed to sleep in - preferrably in the house.
2007-05-29 15:32:10 · answer #8 · answered by Barbara B 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
My chow and shepherd mix is so lovable. They protect you and chew lots of things. My dog does not let anyone in he doesnt know. As we talk to him he looks at you and moves his face back and forth.
2007-05-29 15:40:07 · answer #9 · answered by Yvonne S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're very smart and trainable.
Their body stance is also very "attractive"
They're good family dogs, watch dogs, and just all around good dogs.
I love my German Shep Roxy :]
2007-05-29 15:38:54 · answer #10 · answered by This Gurl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the same things that are special about any other dog.
2007-05-29 15:31:16 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋