George J asked:
I am a first time dog owner and I am planning to get one of these dogs from a rescue. I think that rescue dogs are trained somewhat and need a loving home. I am financially ready and any one of these dogs will get plenty of excercise. I am looking for a good watch and protection dog. So which of these types would best fit for a family dog. We have no children under 16 in our family. Thanks for your comments.
I am a first time dog owner and I am planning to get one of these dogs from a rescue. I think that rescue dogs are trained somewhat and need a loving home. I am financially ready and any one of these dogs will get plenty of excercise. I am looking for a good watch and protection dog. So which of these types would best fit for a family dog. We have no children under 16 in our family. Thanks for your comments.
They are all 3 good dogs for first time dog owners and theyn will all 3 pertect their family and they are loyal
Neither if you have no experience. Both are wonderful animals, but they are strong, smart and willful. There are easier going dogs to start out with to include mixed breeds who are many times more even tempered… The family of labs, retrievers, are a nice large dog that may be a better choice. Australian shephards need exercise and running space, but are loyal and very smart. I take that back, ALL dogs are loyal!
As I said before, I would go with the German Shepherd Dog. They are intelligent and loyal. While they require firm and consistent training, they are likely to be less willful than Dobermans. This should be evaluated on a case by case basis though. Individuals vary.
Both could be a handful for a first time owner. Please be aware that some rescues are there because of behavior problems, as well as the trained pet that they just couldn’t keep. Both breeds can overwhelm an inexperienced trainer as the tend to be dominating and protective breeds (which also makes them so loyal). I grew up with a German Shepherd and own my second Doberman (the first passed away of old age at 14 1/2). Just be sure to take obedience lessons and be sure you have time to work with the dog and give it plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. I think finding a dog you are comfortable with (either breed or totally different) will be most important.
A Doberman is just more of a patrolman than the Shepherd, the Shepherd is mellow comparatively; he is an energetic dog but has the herding heritage and once things are checked out he will happily time out. Most Dobe’s are up in a flash and also pacing the house, if you get one that is mellow your in luck, great dogs but kicked up a notch from the German Shepherd. Either is great! Be sure to attend a group handling class with your new dog, it will really increase your confidence and bonding. Have a great life with your new companion!
id go for a shepard – dobes are lovely but will test you – as they are very intelligent –
there are always gsd’s in rescues just watch out for behaviour problems and enrol in a training class – my training partner rescues gsd’s and hers are all so soppy and loving – despite coming from terrible backgrounds!
best of luck!!
I’d go for the German Shepherd.
If you are adopting an adult dog through breed rescue and are very honest with the rescue about your experience and what you and your family are looking for then either breed could work well for you. While it is true that dogs of either breed from working lines are NOT generally a good choice for first time dog owners, there are many individuals of both breeds that are easy keepers and fine for first time dog owners. A breed rescue will match your needs to a dog…they will not adopt out a dog that is unsuitable for first-time owners to someone who has never owned that breed (or any dog) before. For either breed obedience training is a MUST. Even if you find a rescue dog that has been completely trained and earned obedience titles one of the first things you should do as a new owner is sign yourself up for an obedience class. This will help you learn how to communicate with your new dog and it will help to build the bond between you and your new pet.
Go hang out with some of these dogs and their owners and ask them questions. Make a list of things you need in a dog, things you want, things you can live with even if you’re not crazy about them, and things that you absolutely can not stand and would not be willing to tolerate. Compare the breed descriptions to this list and see if one of them stacks up better than the other. Take your list with you to the rescue so that the know what you are hoping for or expecting out of a dog.
If you have done your basic breed research and have decide that either of these breeds would fit into your family’s lifestyle, then why not submit adoption applications to breed rescues for both breeds and see what happens? There is no guarantee that a breed rescue will have a dog that is right for your family and they DO keep adoption applications on file and keep an eye out for dogs in need of rescue that would be a good match with applicants who didn’t find the right dog right away. In fact, of the dogs that my local GSD rescue placed over the past year about 1/4-1/3 of them never even made it up onto the adoptable dogs page of their website because they already had an approved home who was waiting for the right dog. Even if the rescue does have a dog that would fit your family, they want this to be a forever home and they will not mind if you come meet the dog and then go home and think about it for a day or two.
there good dogs. Just because you have never owned a dog before does not mean you have to go and get a lab or a golden..they are just popular dogs. Dont let anyone talk you into a trial period with a breed that you are not interested in before you go and get the the dog breed of your dreams. Talk to some breeders of these two breeds and do a little research, it does not take a rocket scientist to care for any dog! just love,walks and vet visits. oh yeah and you have to feed them
I’ve always found the Shepherd to be the best around children, and there are always children around somwhere, the Doberman is great too, but for a first time owner , if you do decide to go with these breeds, which do need a STRONG LEADER, you would do better too go to a breed specific rescue, they know these dogs, have more time to sort out the dogs problems because they know what to look for and I’ve found that go to a breed specific rescue go there because they know the dogs will be placed in a home suitable to that dog owner, it’s a shame but sime of the shelter’s have a hard job just caring for the animals there, let alone checking for any hidden vices the animals my have, because some seem fine, but from bad expierence’s they may have things that can set them off, that the regular rescues just don’t have the time to test for. good luck, I have 2 from breed specific rescues that were really matched for me and each other, my last one was a rescue I saw her, told them I wanted her, filed out papers that no one read and got her the same day, 97lbs of muscle, she’s great I love her, but I know I was Just very lucky. Be Smart
I’d go with the German Shepherd.
It doesn’t make any sense that this same question keeps coming up but you never say whether the dog will live indoors or out and ALSO lots of people have advised AGAINST a rescue dog for a first time owner! If this dog has issues from being passed from owner to owner, you may not be prepared to deal with this and it could prove dangerous for your family! Please read the answers and provide the info that would be neccesary to give you a proper answer! INDOORS OR OUT???
i personally love german shepherds. its the dog i have right now. we got him from a rescue and he didnt have a happy past (he lived in a little concrete box) but he is one of the sweetest dogs i know. they are very family oriented and love attention, if you are ready to give and recieve lots of love get a german shepherd