Does anyone here have a pure bred german shepherd?
02-24-2008, 04:01 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,850
well, first of all, what are some helpful tips as a puppy that I might need to know. I'm sure there's some training options I have, also what illnesses should I watch out for.
I just wanted to know the basic general puppy stuff that goes with them.
I just wanted to know the basic general puppy stuff that goes with them.
02-24-2008, 05:59 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, Ontario
Posts: 2,871
hip dysplasia. pretty common, discuss it with the breeder
One of my dads dogs had epilepsy, that's pretty scary in a big dog like that, at least with a kid you can explain the seizures to them. It was treatable and controlled with medication in his case.
They are of course very trainable, smart, but they did have some pretty weird things they liked to do. When he had two, they would go off hunting porcupines every time they were out together, and the one he has now likes to eat entire 2x4's instead of chew bones.
Just remember, they are big, and when they are growing up the puppy has to know you are the boss. Take an obedience class together.
They also shed like a ****. They grow a thick undercoat that will stuff a pillow every year when they loose it.
One of my dads dogs had epilepsy, that's pretty scary in a big dog like that, at least with a kid you can explain the seizures to them. It was treatable and controlled with medication in his case.
They are of course very trainable, smart, but they did have some pretty weird things they liked to do. When he had two, they would go off hunting porcupines every time they were out together, and the one he has now likes to eat entire 2x4's instead of chew bones.
Just remember, they are big, and when they are growing up the puppy has to know you are the boss. Take an obedience class together.
They also shed like a ****. They grow a thick undercoat that will stuff a pillow every year when they loose it.
02-28-2008, 08:34 PM
#9
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: San Diego
Posts: 274
I am an old family red pitbull fan (not the crappy streed-bred dogs, the small, thin, athletic REAL pitbulls) Just like cars everyone has their opinion on the best dog. I have always loved shepherds but their hips can become a problem for them later in life.
Get your shepherd something to chew on. Eating 2x4's and the such can be dangerous. If they have a specified chew toy they can get their "urge to chew" out on something that is not harmful to them, or your furniture. All the shepherds I have been around have a soccer ball. After a good day with your dog it will longer hold air but it still works as their chew toy. I think they like them because they are made from leather and they are not soft like their other toys.
Where are you getting the pup? Are you getting a dog with papers? Are you going to show or compete in events such as agility, schutzhund, etc.) Are you getting a dual registered dog?
Get your shepherd something to chew on. Eating 2x4's and the such can be dangerous. If they have a specified chew toy they can get their "urge to chew" out on something that is not harmful to them, or your furniture. All the shepherds I have been around have a soccer ball. After a good day with your dog it will longer hold air but it still works as their chew toy. I think they like them because they are made from leather and they are not soft like their other toys.
Where are you getting the pup? Are you getting a dog with papers? Are you going to show or compete in events such as agility, schutzhund, etc.) Are you getting a dual registered dog?
03-01-2008, 10:12 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,016
Sheperd seem to be just a bigger version of a border collie...keep them running around, keep their coats brushed and clean, they'll chew/eat anything. If you can cater to those needs he'll be a happy as a pig in ****! Tennis *****, pig ears/noses, big chew bones, hambones are all good ideas for chewing, tennis ***** you gotta watch when they start to break apart which probably wont be long.
Most dogs tend to have joint pain, ask your vet (or maybe someone knows on here) about giving him a suppliment for that like glucosemine. Our one dog was very active but after a while as he ran he would hold his foot up like it had a cut or something on it, he wouldnt but if you touched it he'd yelp in pain. After about a month on the supplements it was like it never happened...It's a great preventitive measure to keep their bones strong if they arent getting enough calcium in their diet.
Most dogs tend to have joint pain, ask your vet (or maybe someone knows on here) about giving him a suppliment for that like glucosemine. Our one dog was very active but after a while as he ran he would hold his foot up like it had a cut or something on it, he wouldnt but if you touched it he'd yelp in pain. After about a month on the supplements it was like it never happened...It's a great preventitive measure to keep their bones strong if they arent getting enough calcium in their diet.