Good afternoon, My mom is looking into getting a German Shepherd or a German Shepherd mix. Do these dogs tend to be one-person dogs? I have also heard GSDs are very territorial hence being good watch/guard dogs. She is most interested in getting a young puppy. Any thoughts and information is welcome. Thanks!
My own impression is based on the working dogs I have had dealings with. Yes, the most attention, respect and devotion is reserved for the person who carries out the training, and puts down the food dish. However, play, exercise and general care also build bonds, so if a family centred dog is what you are looking for, all members need to share in these various forms of interaction with the dog. GSD's (and some other breeds I won't mention), do seem to be very reactive to sound, but this is not necessarily guarding, it is just an alert response. A true guard dog should be socialised sufficiently that they can recognise the difference between fear and threat. Any mixed breed is a gamble. The GSD/Border Collie is a spectacular working cross, but would perhaps need too much work to be a good pet for the average older couple. I would expect a GSD/Lab or Golden mix to be rather different, far less driven, and a lot easier to live with.
My only experience of GSD's is the one I owned many years ago. At the time I also had a Border Collie x Fox Terrier and a Heinz 57, all female and a similar age. Of the 3 the BC x was the most territorial and the best guard dog and the other 2 were "everybody's" dogs. Having said that the GSD's I've met recently tend to be highly strung, unpredictable and far more territorial than I remember! I'd call Georgina, my Pei (a guardian breed) a one person dog. Her garden,house, me and my other dog are the most important things in her life, and she's protective of us ... in the nicest way possible! When strangers come to my gate, my Mini Schnauzer will bark and stay by the gate, whilst my Pei will come to find me and wait by my side whilst I talk to them. If I let them into my property,she'll watch their every movement until she's happy they're not a threat and then will settle down somewhere where she can keep her eye on them from a distance. She does have one other person she loves ... her trainer, but even so, if they're doing something together during classes, she always looks to me for approval that she's being a good girl! .
I have 2 GSD's [my brother's & lodger's dogs] living with me, yes they are somewhat a one person dog, but they will obey others in my home & will bark like any other dog at any noise outside [postman/binmen] but will stop when told to.
With GSD’s it is more a case of who will belong to the dog.) Mine have always bonded with the whole family but they also have all chosen one specific person to be particularly attached to, they will also listen to other family members, but the sun rises and sets on their chosen one. Heiko is like Velcro to my Hubby yet I do most of the work. They are protective of their property but friendly with any visitors and with my friends. I think this sums them up pretty well. https://thedoggerel.wordpress.com/2...et-a-german-shepherd-puppy-11-things-to-know/
