Been a long time guys.... Glad to see that some people are still here.
Dismayed to see others...not naming any names...Jerry (or is that wannabe,
either way...).

I'm sort of hesitant about posting, because I really don't like the flames
and being dogged (no pun intended), but you guys have taught me so much
already...well, ya know.

Anyway...here's my most recent delima...

My boyfriend seems to have this wonderful idea that he wants a GSD. Of
course, this is the same guy that says, "I want a Mustang stallion!" after
he tells me that he can tell a horse is a stallion because of the "way it's
standing." (Lord, save the pieces) and has no idea what it takes to own and
care for a stallion (which is a heck of a lot more than a mare or a gelding,
for those that don't know).

Argh, there are so many pieces to this puzzle, I don't know where to start.

I warned you this would be long, and I do so appreciate your patience. LOL

They say the best place to start is the beginning, but heck, I'm not even
sure where the beginning is. I guess he

His dad used to raise GSD when he was young...about 30 years ago (?) So,
he's been around them when he was younger. I think he just thinks he wants
one because they are "pretty." (Personally, I don't even think he knows
what they're *supposed* to look like - breed standard).

I've realized that I'm sort of anal about dog ownership and care, and
especially anal (or at least some people think so) about Jack, my
Aussie/Queensland--we can blame it on your guys and your education LOL. So,
I don't know if I'm being overly judgmental (which makes me feel bad), but
because he doesn't treat dogs the same way I do, I don't feel that he needs
(or deserves, or whatever) a GSD. (Dang this is hard to put into words).

Here's the factors:

Although I know little about GSDs, I have been around a few (Remember
Darlene [Bluedogs] and also my guardian has one). I know that they are
bigger dogs and seem to require a little more space (for exercise). The BF
drives truck and is home 4 days out of the month...well, every other
weekend. He wants this dog to be in the truck with him. I have seen a few
GSDs in trucks, but I just wonder if it is really fair (an older dog I could
see, but of course the BF wants a puppy--don't they all?).

I know that the BF would feed and water the dog....if he sees Jack's bowls
low he'll fill them back up (I free-feed Jack). He was also good about
feeding and watering Jack when we were on the truck (and couldn't
free-feed). So no qualms about that part.

I'm not sure how tolorant he would be of a puppy or how well he would do at
basic training. Jack already has the basic training and manners. The BF is
constantly on Jack about something, though. The BF gets upset when Jack
won't listen to him and when Jack did start listening to him, he acts like
it is some great feat (ok, so it was, but still...). Poor Jack, though, he
can't even move from laying down in the livingroom to laying down in the
kitchen without BF getting onto him about it. I finally had to put my foot
down and tell him to leave *MY* dog alone.

As I said, he *thinks* he wants a puppy and that it will be on the truck
with him. I know the scenerio. It's a *brand new* truck. The first time
he doesn't stop (does he realize he'll have to stop at least every 2 hours
to let the puppy out to potty?) and that puppy potties in his truck, the
puppy will come to the house and *I* will be stuck raising this puppy. Once
I get it housebroke and where it will mind, he'll want it back, yet wonder
why it doesn't want to mind him. sigh

Next, where is he going to get this puppy? Where does the regular, ignorant
(please note that is not "stupid" it is simply lack of knowledge) Joe Schmoe
get a puppy? 1) From the newspaper; 2) From a friend that had a litter; 3)
From a friend of a friend that had a litter; 4) From "this breeder that my
friend knows"...you know the story.

So, I guess these are my questions, to start:

1) Do you think I'm being unfair, or unreasonable, to try and talk him out
of this?
2) Are my thoughts on why I don't think he should get a GSD unfair or
unreasonable?
3) If I can't talk him out of this, any recommendations on how to get a
puppy? (of course, he's going to want it NOW and doesn't want to do any
paperwork sigh)

Wonder if I could find a GSD *looking* puppy at the shelter? He wouldn't
know the difference, I swear...although my luck he probably wants "papers"
sarcasm because *everyone* knows that any dog with papers is a better dog
end sarcasm

This is so frustrating! And people around here are either ignorant or
stupid (and sometimes a little of both)! Maybe I'll contribute a few of the
stupid things I've seen and heard around here in a different thread. (Side
note: I at least talked this girl out of buying a puppy from a puppy mill
the other day....although she did go later that day and bought one from a
"hobby breeder"--who ended up being a supplier to a broker...but that's a
different story).

Mali

"Mali More" wrote :
So, I guess these are my questions, to start:

1) Do you think I'm being unfair, or unreasonable, to try and talk him
out
of this?

No.

2) Are my thoughts on why I don't think he should get a GSD unfair or
unreasonable?

No, and I don't think it applies to GSDs only. I'd say _any_ puppy would not
thrive in this situation. Add to that, after _you_ raise this dog are you
going to be willing to part with it? I wouldn't.

3) If I can't talk him out of this, any recommendations on how to get a
puppy? (of course, he's going to want it NOW and doesn't want to do any
paperwork sigh)


I think your best bet is to impress upon him the troubles of raising a puppy
in his situation. If stressing why it is unfair to the pup is unlikely to
reach him, make clear why it would be a royal PITA for him. Pups run around,
don't listen, bite, chew, pee, poo and everything else. Believe me, I'm
having a refresher course here and this puppy is really quite good.

An older dog would probably do much better, and in fact may really enjoy
hanging out in the truck with him. It would be less expensive, less
troublesome for the BF, fewer potty stops and you'd be saving a life. I'd
contact rescue and talk to them.

Andrea Stone
Saorsa Basenjis

"AndreaS" wrote:

2) Are my thoughts on why I don't think he should get a GSD unfair or
unreasonable?

No, and I don't think it applies to GSDs only. I'd say _any_ puppy would
not
thrive in this situation. Add to that, after _you_ raise this dog are you
going to be willing to part with it? I wouldn't.


I'm not sure about the parting with it part. I would like to say, "As long
as it is understood that once the dog is 'raised' it goes on the truck. I'm
fine with that." However, I can't say that, because I do get really
attached. It's not like the dog would be gone forever, but after I raise it
and it goes on the truck, it won't be the same dog...it will be with the BF
all the time, so it will change to how he works with it (which is probably
definitely not the same way I do things....you can omit the "probably").

About an older dog....I think that is a great idea. My question would be
whether or not a rescue will adopt a dog to us with the circumstances (don't
they require yards and stuff?). Even at home I don't have a fenced yard
(and I rent....which in and of itself is sort of a problem, in that if we
ever move to a different rental, it is rather difficult to find rentals that
allow pets...especially large pets). I do like the older dogs, though, and
it definitely would be a better idea than a puppy.

Mali

"Mali More" wrote in message
om...

"AndreaS" wrote:

2) Are my thoughts on why I don't think he should get a GSD unfair or
unreasonable?

No, and I don't think it applies to GSDs only. I'd say _any_ puppy would
not
thrive in this situation. Add to that, after _you_ raise this dog are
you
going to be willing to part with it? I wouldn't.


I'm not sure about the parting with it part. I would like to say, "As
long
as it is understood that once the dog is 'raised' it goes on the truck.
I'm
fine with that." However, I can't say that, because I do get really
attached. It's not like the dog would be gone forever, but after I raise
it
and it goes on the truck, it won't be the same dog...it will be with the
BF
all the time, so it will change to how he works with it (which is probably
definitely not the same way I do things....you can omit the "probably").

About an older dog....I think that is a great idea. My question would be
whether or not a rescue will adopt a dog to us with the circumstances
(don't
they require yards and stuff?). Even at home I don't have a fenced yard
(and I rent....which in and of itself is sort of a problem, in that if we
ever move to a different rental, it is rather difficult to find rentals
that
allow pets...especially large pets). I do like the older dogs, though,
and
it definitely would be a better idea than a puppy.

Mali


Just be sure your landlord allows pets. What's in the lease?
Saving a mature dog at a rescue is a great way to go. Good for all sides.
~Q

"Mali More" wrote:
snip
About an older dog....I think that is a great idea. My question would be
whether or not a rescue will adopt a dog to us with the circumstances
(don't
they require yards and stuff?). Even at home I don't have a fenced yard
(and I rent....which in and of itself is sort of a problem, in that if we
ever move to a different rental, it is rather difficult to find rentals
that
allow pets...especially large pets).

First step, have proof your landlord allows pets. Then talk to the rescue
folks. Different organizations have different requirements. My breed club
does rescue and we do not require a fenced yard.

You might also consider various breeds. I'm not sure what sort of truck your
BF drives, but if it's a big rig an older dog may eventually have trouble
getting in and out, as would a puppy. A smaller dog that's easy to pick up
might be something to consider.

-Andrea Stone
Saorsa Basenjis

"AndreaS" wrote in message:

First step, have proof your landlord allows pets.

Well, the landlord definitely allows pets, since I already have my
Aussie/Queensland mix here.

Then talk to the rescue
folks. Different organizations have different requirements. My breed club
does rescue and we do not require a fenced yard.

You might also consider various breeds. I'm not sure what sort of truck
your
BF drives, but if it's a big rig an older dog may eventually have trouble
getting in and out, as would a puppy.

I had also thought about this...

A smaller dog that's easy to pick up
might be something to consider.

What about a mutt from the pound? Surely I could find something that "look"
GSD, but would be a tad bit smaller It's an idea.

He hasn't mentioned anything lately, and I've been being sure to keep my
mouth shut about it...maybe if I don't mention it, he will forget about it?
hee hee

Mali

I own a white shepherd (GSD...kinda...) and he is wonderful, but that
is because I have the time to baby him, train him, socialize him, and
pay for his proper vet care. Out of any dog breed I am apt to recommend
GSD's if you can find a good breeder that has dogs free of hip problems
(like my Thor is cause he is white), but only if you have the time to
train them. They are big, and sometimes aggressive dogs that need to be
socialized early and often. If your BF is really dead set on getting a
GSD, you should try to convince him to at least get an older one, you
can find them in shelters and the newpaper. all you really have to look
for is the sloping back with slinky legs... thats hip displasia.
I have had GSD's all my life (possibly with the exception of Thor, my
white one, but that is a matter of opinion entirely), and they are the
smartest dogs i have ever seen, you give command and they do it, right
then, all the time (at least with proper training).
They are also extremely protective, especially of women and children,
but also property as well.
GSD's also need a lot of play time and exercise or they do get
destructive, I am not sure if your BF would like that to happen in his
truck.

on 2005-02-11 at 12:05 wrote:

if you can find a good breeder that has dogs free of hip
problems (like my Thor is cause he is white),

how does coat color correlate to hip dysplasia?

all you really have to look for is the sloping back with
slinky legs... thats hip displasia.

slinky legs? and, the slope of the back has nothing
whatsoever to do with hip dysplasia.

http://www.offa.org/hipgeninfo.html

--
shelly
http://home.bluemarble.net/~scouvrette
http://cat-sidh.blogspot.com/ (updated dailyish, apparently)

Gwenny Sue wrote:
I am apt to recommend GSD's if you can find a good breeder that has
dogs free of hip problems (like my Thor is cause he is white)

That's a terrible assumption. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
doesn't have a separate category for white GSDs, but if you search for
dysplastic German Shepherds you'll find that over 2% of the dysplastic
GSDs in their database are white. At a guess, probably fewer than 2% of
the GSDs registered in the US are registered as white, which suggests
that the incidence of hip dysplasia is actually higher in white GSDs
than in colored ones.

all you really have to look for is the sloping back with slinky legs...
thats hip displasia.

No. Hip dysplasia is an inherited, genetic disorder involving
malformed hip joints that are predisposed to developing arthritis.
Dogs with a sloped topline and exaggerated rear angulation (what
you're calling "sloping back with slinky legs") can be free of
hip dysplasia, and dogs with level or roached toplines and little
rear angulations can have severe dysplasia. One thing has nothing
to do with the other.

Dianne

"Gwenny Sue" wrote in message
oups.com...
Out of any dog breed I am apt to recommend
GSD's if you can find a good breeder that has dogs free of hip problems
(like my Thor is cause he is white),

What? White dogs don't have hip problems? Can you please cite your sources?

all you really have to look
for is the sloping back with slinky legs... thats hip displasia.

No, it isn't. CHD cannot be diagnosed visually. There are certainly some
show bred GSD with hip dysplasia, but there are a signifigant number who are
OFA'ed and cleared. The extreme angulation that the show breeders strive for
is unpleasant to my eye, but it is neither caused by or a symptom of CHD.

Christy