getting a dog

make them have sexy time together, then take the son of the bitch.

Why of the 600-odd (or whatever it is) known dog breeds do you limit yourself to those two, especially when they are breeds with very different functions and temperamental characteristics?

I mean, I could comprehend Lab vs. Golden, or Shep vs. Mal, for instance. Those would be intelligible choices.

Both breeds suffer from being enormously popular. Hence, there are a lot a badly bred examples of both out there. I would go so far as to say most dogs of both breeds are nothing I'd want.

Contrary to their popular image, a lot of Golden Retrievers are very fight-crazed. I well remember when one charged and attacked my Little Love Dog, Jessie. Wasn't much of a fight. Within a few seconds the retriever was screaming in anguish until I was able to pry Little Jessie's jaws off her. An ER nurse told me years ago that Goldens were responsible for a large percentage of the dog-bite cases.

There are some very fine working line Sheps, mostly from European stock, but they are wa-a-ay too much dog for most pet owners. A lot of your American pet-bred Sheps combine unruliness and low trainability with a lot of human aggression. I have met some very nice ones, though.

Lefty can probably give you a more knowledgeable answer, but I'll be surprised if it differs much from mine.

You know you're a very nice guy on every other topic, but does every single instance of dogs being discussed have to end up with you starting a cock measuring contest about dog fighting? I don't think I've ever seen you post about dogs in a way that shows someone who wants companionship and a love for an animal that doesn't involve having to validate itself by being tough or maiming other dogs.

Besides temperament, you should heavily take into consideration your living situation. Both Goldens and German Shepherds need a lot of outside time to run around and play. I saw too many people in college living in cramped apartments with Goldens and it was hell for the dog. You really need a backyard or a nearby dog park to keep them exercised and happy. That's the main reason I've held off on getting a dog of my own through college and law school. One of my roommates right now has a rescued Boykin Spaniel mix, and he's got to take 2-3 walks per day, plus dog park 3 or 4 times a week to stay socialized and happy. I've grown up with Collies, and I want to get one of those or a German Pointer.

Plus, a Golden is kind of a yuppie dog, you know?

I had a German Shepherd from the time she was a pup that passed away at age 16 a few years ago. She was without a doubt the smartest dog I've ever had or seen. She was very easy to train, eager to please, and wonderfully socialized for being around people and other dogs. However, she was also very protective of me and my family. If she sensed that I was afraid, nervous, or angry at someone, then she was ready to take charge, without warning. She was a great dog, and I really mean it; however, because of liability concerns, I chose a different breed after she died. By the way, they shed profusely, very profusely non-stop.

I couldn't agree more, ample space for exercise is needed. Also, consider whether you want to travel with your dog, and if so, how often. I like to take my dog with me when I travel by car, but didn't do it often with my German Shepherd because of weight limits in hotels, and because it wasn't easy with a dog of her size.

Also, some home owner insurance policies as well as landlords prohibit German Shepherds from being in the residence.

Wow, really? I'm surprised about a homeowner's insurance policy having that provision. I've lived in apartments, but not apartment complexes, but I know that most of my friends who have lived in complexes say that the lease typically has a "no 'aggressive breeds' " provision or something to that effect.

^Yes, quite a few insurance companies have lists of proscribed breeds in their policies. I think we discussed that in "lefty's random dog thread" awhile back.

While I've never owned one, Ive trained and handled a few GSDs and I believe that it is one of the best overall dogs out there. That said, it will be very difficult for a novice to find a well bred GSD. And a poorly bred dog of that size is a liability.

The GR for the most part has now been bred to be a pet companion only and has been dumbed down to have a puppy like mentality. There is some hunting stock out there and I would start looking among those dogs and breeders if you want to see what the breed could be.


I don't have much if any experience with GRs so can't speak to them being fight crazy, but I agree with everything else Jan said. I would say that there many unstable GRs out there.


Some people like gladiator or protection breeds of dogs. I do. Given the desire for canine companionship, I would choose a dog whose temperament fit closely to my needs - home security and personal/family protection. I don't need a dog to bring me ducks.


This is very true. Thick double coat that blows twice a year.


Also true. They are big dogs and will always be associated with LE and security. People will fear your GSD. Get used to it.


Personally, I wouldn't want a dog that loves everyone. Aloofness is a trait I admire in a dog.

The two breeds you list are very different as Jan pointed out. Unless you have experience with both I would spend some time meeting as many breeders and dogs as you can. One of them will speak to you.

lefty

But you like APBTs. As you well know, well-bred specimens are usually exuberantly friendly with everybody and very easy to steal.

In point of fact--and you probably know this much better than I do--the qualities desired in a "gladiator" dog and protection dog are quite disparate. A lot of highly bred fighting dogs--both Tosas and Pits--are quite man-shy. Much ado was made about how meek and timid many of the Pits rescued from Michael Vick's yard were, the presumption being the poor dears had been traumatized by the cruelties of Vick and his cronies. As I think I remarked in a previous thread, I suspect they wouldn't be much different if Michael Vick had been the kindest man in the world--they had been bred for gameness and fighting ability, and man-shyness was a matter of indifference to the breeders if the dogs weren't man-eaters. I think a lot of people don't realize that shyness is very natural to dogs--just look at wolves, coyotes and other wild canids. In a state of nature, there is usually no survival value in friendliness to other species and much in shyness/suspicion.

My Newf will eat your Tosa. (and retrieve ducks and small children) Just get a mutt.

I have every intention of picking up a long-haired German Shepherd when I am finished university and have a home with a nice big yard. I'd say go for a GSD simply for their keen intelligence, loyalty, obedience, and guard dog abilities.

Which he could do with great ease since all my Tosas are dead!