Considering a GSD. Few questions about them regarding: exercise, grooming, obedience, etc. Help please!?

1) GSDs are not particularly more or less likely to get along with the cats, however if the pup is raised with them, it is liable to be fine.

2) It's hard to quantify exact amount of play time needed. I'm not sure that I'd even say a pup needs "20 minutes exercise a day". They need quite a bit of play time, but that can count as their exercise component. If you bring the pup home at 8 weeks or so, you certainly won't be giving them 20 minutes straight of exercise, but they will need a lot of attention and play. The good news is that they should also sleep a lot in between. This answer, too, really goes for any puppy and not just GSDs. Adult GSDs will need varying amount of exercise depending on the dog. They're going to need a LOT more exercise at, say, 1 year old than they will need when they are 4 years old or so. Some GSDs can be real couch potatoes and not need a ton of exercise, and some are a real bear to live with if they don't get vigorous work once a day. The best thing you can do is to research the specific lines and try to buy from a breeder whose dogs match the energy level you're looking for. It's very important to note that mental games like training your dog tricks or playing around with tracking and scentwork actually make very good substitutes for some of the exercise requirement. Most people don't realize how much you can truly gain by tiring your dog out mentally as well as physically, and how much milage you can get out of just 15 minutes of training games a day.

My pack gets two half hour walks a day, but we don't have a yard... I would be happy to trade one of those walks for a half hour or more of outdoor romping.

3) They shed. How much depends on the exact dog, but I will say that thick, short coats probably shed the worst. One of my guys has a thin, short coat which doesn't shed too badly. Some GSDs won't need more than a brush through the coat a few times a year, although a thicker coated dog might need a little more often especially during shedding season. Two of mine have plush coats and do best with a quick brushing once a week.

4) Housebreaking really depends on on the dog, and a little bit on how much your breeder gets them a head start. In my experience, housebreaking time isn't much affected by breed *except* for the fact that many small and toy breeds tend to have particular housebreaking challenges.

5) Training GSDs can be a real joy. Many GSDs do best with an owner who is a confident leader and some will walk all over passive personalities, but they do extremely well with positive methods of training and methods that allow them to really understand what you're asking for. I can't tell you how often my dogs have made me look good by learning things on the spot, looking for all the world like we'd been practicing.

6) For socialization, make absolutely sure you get to meet the parents, or at least the mother. Find out as much as you can about how the mom does when she is out and about and in new circumstances. Then try to go with a breeder who does a ton of socialization work with the pups. The most important socialization period is from 5 to 12 weeks -- half that time is with the breeder, so you can only hope they're doing their part. Keep your dog away from scary situations during that period and try to introduce it to as many different *controlled* situations as you can within the pup's comfort level. Obedience classes are great, but make sure that you have a lot of *relaxed* time with new people and with calm adult dogs, as in time where you can hang out long enough for the pup to get comfortable and relaxed instead of breezing in and out of new situations (a la visits to PetSMART).

7) How good the dog is really just depends on the dog. The more you can socialize during that early period, the better. There are lots of GSDs out there working as therapy dogs and service dogs, and plenty who are never taken out in public. Genetics has a lot to do with this too, so choosing a breeder who is serious about breeding for temperament is key. Alternatively, getting an older dog from rescue can take away a lot of the mystery since you'd already know the personality of the dog.

8) The only time you need to really worry about same-gender aggression is if the dogs are unaltered. If two unspayed females don't like each other, it can be brutal. If your dog is good with other dogs, gender shouldn't be a major factor.

9) Roughly 2 cups of kibble or 2 pounds of meat, give or take a bit depending on the size of the dog. They might eat double that during adolescence. You'll just need to keep a feel of the rib cage to tell whether to feed more or less.

10) On Hip displasia, make sure your breeder has OFA or Penn Hip scores on both parents AND all four grandparents and preferably some of the parents siblings. You defintely want to be careful not to overexercise your pup while he or she is still developing, but exercise won't cause hip displasia where it does not exist.

Good for you for doing the research! See if you can visit some breeders or find a local GSD dog club near you -- meet some of the dogs, talk to the owners, and you might get some great leads on breeders. Little tip too, if you find a breeder who really likes you and *wants* you to take one of their pups, price becomes much less of a consideration.

1) The cats are also going to have to get used to the dog. Some GSD's are more mellow than others. Working line GSD's are high drive. Even when not being worked the dogs prey drive will usually kick in bigtime about 6 months or so. For the most part pups that are raised with other animals do fine.

2) Keep in mind an adult GSD has the capability of going 90 miles in a day when used in herding. You'll rarely if ever wear out an adult GSD physically. Exercise their mind by hiding food and making them search for it. There's plenty of things to do to keep them occupied. Walking won't make the dogs hips any worse. Usually mild exercise is good for dysplatic dogs because it builds the muscles around the sockets. Look for a breeder who has health clearances on their breeding dogs. DO NOT think an OFA prelim is sufficient. Many will hype their dogs by stating the hip prelim was good. Prelims mean absolutely nothing. Make sure they have the clearance.

3)They shed a lot. Usually grooming once a week will suffice. When they blow their coat feed them more food to help bring the new coat in.

4&5) Training is going to depend on how good you are in letting the dog know what you want it to do. Housebreaking can take a couple days to a few weeks. GSD's are extremely trainable but all that goes out the window if you can't effectively train it. GSD's will let you slip up every now and then but if it senses you're a poor trainer, the dog is eventually going to walk all over you.

1) I had a GSD growing up on the farm and she was amazing with all of our cats! We had some barn cats and a cat that stayed in the house and our GSD and inside cat actually slept in the same bed. They can be very good with cats especially if they grow up with them around.

2) If you have a large backyard, you can make a dogwalk for it to get some great exercise on if you can't offer the time required. Adults need walked for 30-45 minutes at least twice a day. Puppies play anytime they aren't sleeping!

3) Shedding depends highly on diet. If you feed the dog a good, well-balnaced diet, shedding can be kept at a minimum. Grooming once or twice a week will help tremendously!

4) GSD's are very smart dogs! Crate training is the best method when training any dog but remember, it will take time for the puppy to be able to control it's bladder properly so don't expect 100% housebroken in a matter of a week or so. Won't happen unless the puppy is older when you get it. Generally, good control comes after 4 months of age.

5) As stated above, GSD's are very smart dogs which is why they are used as working dogs. Learn commands easily and are very loyal.

6) Have people come over often to your house to keep it used to company, if you know anyone else with a dog, socialize them together OFTEN. It will get good socialization with the cats as well and your family.

7) If they are raised around a variety of ages of people, they can be great with all kinds! Ours used to pull us on the sled around the yard when we were toddlers and never once did she show aggression! She also loved my grandparents.

8) Female GSD's are generally pretty dominant dogs - common in a lot of females of most breeds. As long as they are socialized well with other dogs of the same gender, it shouldn't be a problem.

9) The bag will tell you how much to feed according to age and weight. Remember to feed it puppy food for large breed dogs as a puppy and when switching to adult, do it gradually by mixing the foods so you don't upset it's digestive system by switching too fast.

Large breeds dogs are more prone to hip and elbow dysplasia this is true but as long as they are fed the right diet, exercised properly, the chances are much lower! Good luck!!!

We have a German Shepherd who weighs 85 lbs..we also have a 4 lb Chihuahua and 3 cats...he's very good with all of them. He is 11 months old now...and we've had him since he was 3 months old...it's important to get a puppy if he/she will be living with other pets...especially small ones. We NEVER let him around the small pets alone. If we go some place we put him on the porch (built in). German Shepherds shed a lot...it's best to keep up with the fur rather than wait until it gets really bad! Our puppy was very easy to house break...no problem at all..he LOVES to run in the field by our house and go for walks...he also has a swimming pool that he loves! You would think he's a hunting dog...because he loves water! OH...he is a long haired Shepherd too...so grooming is a little more for him! Only problem with our puppy is he's really big...looks like a bear...and I can't control him! He listens to my husband...but I might as well talk to the wall...he's VERY hyper! Shepherds are good dogs..and they have such soul full eyes! Beautiful dogs!

1.)My 2 gsd's are very good with cats, if you get one when it is a pup and it grows up with them, it will be fine. My gsd's are also very good with children, they absolutely LOVE them. They are so gentle.

2.) As much as the puppy can. Play with it til it gets so tired it wants to lay down. make sure it has plenty of fresh water at all times.

3.) They blow their coats 2 times a year. once in the spring and once in the fall. Get a good dog brush and brush til no more hair comes out. The big shedding time usually lasts about 2 weeks each, brush about 10-15 min. a day. On the regular days, you can quickly brush every other day for like 2 minutes.

4. and 5.) Gsd's are incredibly smart. I had my 2 housebroken, they knew sit, stay, speak, come, shake, hi-5, fetch, down, leave it alone, quiet, and heal ALL IN THE FIRST MONTH I HAD THEM!! I got them when they were 8 weeks old.

6.) Go to PetsMart puppy classes and take it every where you go.

7.) as i said before if you take them and introduce them to all different kinds of people when they are young they should be fine dogs.

8.) I don't know where you heard that. But my dogs love other dogs. Again it goes back to socialization. If you introduce it to many different kinds of dogs when it is young it will grow up to like other dogs.

9.) the bag of food should tell you. remember to buy a good dog food.

Vigorous exercise means running and stuff like that.

And if choose a good breeder with good bloodline dogs(no interbreeding) the chance is low that your pup will have hip dysplasia. Again exercise the dog til it gets tired, easy as that.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR GSD!

My biggest concern for you is how the breed has so many health problems thanks to being bred for a specific "look". Dysplasia is rampant in the breed. One health issue that you do not hear much about is that they are also prone to brain tumors. Be sure that the pup/dog you get is health _certified_, not just a vet saying, 'looks good to me'.

That being said, GSDs are great dogs, but do not get a puppy that has been taken away from its mother at too young an age. Unethical breeders try to shove the pups out the door at 6-8 weeks of age. You want your pup to stay with Mom until at least 10 weeks old. Pups not only need mom for nursing, but momma also teaches her babies proper doggy etiquette. 12 weeks is optimum, but not mandatory.

1)If you get a pup you can raise it with cats, just don't expect loving friendship to happen immediately. Are your cats okay with dogs that don't want to eat them? It is a matter of proper introduction and supervision until such time that you can see that the cats and dog are friends.

2)Puppies are all about playing, eating, pottying, and lot and lots of sleep. If they are not doing the last three things, they will want to be playing. To help with teething/chewing, the Kong is your friend. If your pup/dog is a power chewer, don't waste your money on any other brand, so far I have not found anything as enduring. The Kong site has lots of great tips.

3)Dogs with the kind of coat GSDs have shed year round, with them "blowing" their coat in the spring and the fall, the worse (to my mind) being the fall. Their coat gets thicker in the winter (even to some extent in very warm climes) and when the weather starts to warm up, they start losing their winter coat quite rapidly, thus the term "blowing" their coat. When that starts to happen, do yourself a favor and take the dog to a groomer so they can get the majority of the loose hair out. Start brushing the puppy early on, you might want to get an item called the "Zoom Groom". It is a great way to effectively brush your dog without having to worry about metal bristles scratching the skin.

4 & 5)GSDs are generally smart dogs, eager to learn and please their people; but there is always the chance that your pup will not be the sharpest pencil in the box, but that is the way with any sentient species. My dogs are all rescues that were already housebroken, so I have no tips on that.

6)Take your pup around people as much as you can. Have your friends pick the puppy up and hold it, pass it around. This will let the pup know that people, all kinds of people, are friends. It will get used to people touching it, petting it, etc. Off leash dog parks are somewhat intimidating to puppies, so if you choose to take your puppy there, keep it on leash so it cannot wander off and get its cute fuzzy butt into trouble and get scared. Better to go there to meet other dog-parents, letting these animal lovers pet and fawn over your pup. Restrict the pup's interaction with full grown dogs for the first month or two that you start going any off leash park.

7)As to how good your dog is with other people largle depends upon you. Part of what you will learn in class is how to let your dog know that you are the alpha of your pack, and you set the rules. If you and your dog learn this, your dog will be a great four legged citizen.

8)A spayed or neutered dog is a much calmer dog. Since speutering is the best thing you can do healthwise for your pup, the rest of this question is pretty much answered by 6 & 7. If for whatever reason you choose to not speuter, then yes, the dog will be more aggresive to any dog of the same sex, especially if the other dog has also not be altered.

A great forum to get truly professional answers from not just other dog lovers, but trainers, vets, and rescuers is Craig's List Pet Forum.

While it is really great that you are doing your homework about the breed, you need to relax! :D Much of this is dependant on the individual dog. At this point I would hazard to say that you are more informed about the puppy you are considering than many people are about the baby they have, LOL! Relax and enjoy, puppies are a blast and you are going to be a grrrreat dogmom!

Info when considering a gsd

http://www.gsdrescue1.org/thegsd.htm

http://www.gsdrescue.org/breed_gsd4me.html

http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/germanshe...

On getting a gsd pup

http://www.gsdca.org/Noframes/buying_a_puppy2.html

http://www.gsdca.org/Noframes/puppies.html

http://gsdca.org/GSDReviewed/

adult gsd's need 2 hours of vigorous challenging exercise daily there very intelligent dogs and strive for a challenge i'm not sure the exact amount of time a puppy must be walked but my sister adopted one and her puppy need two half hour walks daily other wise he would bite at her younger children they need loads of play time my sister was at work for long hours and her kids go to day care so he would get slightly rough because he didn't get enough attention they need alot of play time they shed alot and need a good brushing daily maybe even twice a day depends on the season. you must socialize them alot and introudce them to the kittens train them not to chase your kittens socializing is very important so they get used to other animals and people.

I personally prefer them on boys. Its not really the meaning that makes me not like them, its mostly because I don't think the -son ending sounds very pretty on a girl. The overall look and sound of the -son names is much more masculine to me. I love the name Addison for a boy, and I would name my son that even if his dad wasn't named Adam.