My husband and I are still deciding what kind of dog to get for our second dog. At first we were wanting another golden since we know and love the breed, but my husband wants a German shepherd. I like them, but I don't know much about them. So far what I've gathered is they usually are attached to one person, are protective of their families and aloof with strangers.
I would be fine with those qualities as long as it was still playful, as my golden is very playful and eager to please.
Are GSD playful and eager to please?
Also, can anyone give me any comparisons/ differences between the two breeds? I really don't know much about them so any help would be much appreciated! Thanks!


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sdhgolden
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wow those are polar opposite breeds.... I am not a shepherd fan (don't forget to check with your homeowners insurance about shepherds) so I would be interested in seeing what others have to say who have experience with both breeds.

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Shalva and the Milbrose Retrievers and Irish Wolfhound
Milbrose Retrievers and Irish Wolfhounds

The shepards I have all met... I have not liked. They are very skittish and very nervous dogs. I do see them when they come into the vet's office I work in so not the best environment. I don't trust them. They would not be a dog for me personally. Plus all the health issues... even more than goldens. That is my experience anyway.

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Double post

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I know it's only my personal interaction, but every GSD we've met with Shadow has growled at him and scared him - one even attacked him (grabbed him by the neck and shook him when he was only 4 months old - and this was in the lobby of our building). We steer clear of them now.

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I was attacked and bitten in the face as a 5 year old by a highly trained German Shepard. He was with his handler, and I leaned in to pet him (as far as I know, I was allowed to do this by the handler). I have scars on my ear, eye brow and lip remaining from that attack. It took me 20 years to even get close to a dog. I would NEVER have one.

And this happened in Germany, not sure that this matters, where the breeding of this breed has much stricter guide lines, and the training of these dogs is above and beyond what you may find here.

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For Anthony, I will always miss you honey. 1973-2006

My experience with them isn't good either. Neighbor 2 doors down has 2. I was walking Ky on leash and one of them jumped the chain link fence and headed right towards me, I got bitten on the hand before Ky got it by the throat and ended the encounter.

I know they can be trained just as any other breed can but for me, I have no desire to be around them. Ky feels the same way

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I grew up with GSD's and wanted one pretty badly, but my wife convinced me to get a GR for our first dog together.

Our shepherds were always great dogs, loving, playful, good with other dogs.

When raising them from pups it is VITALLY important, way more than a GR to socialize them both with other dogs and people, so when their protectiveness kicks in later on they don't think every other person they meet is a threat.

After our last GSD passed my parents got another puppy, and as we had all left the house and they were getting older, it didn't get the kind of socialization it needed, and while it loved them and us, it was a different story around other dogs/people.

So, raise them right and they are fantastic, and still my fav breed!

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I have had both GSD and GR's. Like GuliblGuy mentioned above they are raised very differently. Unlike a golden that loves everyone instantly, a GR is very reserved. They also want to herd everything, so if you have a cat, it might get quite annoyed with the GSD. I did have to teach my GSD to fetch, it doesn't seem natural for the breed. When I did puppy class with my GSD it did great with the other pups since it was raised in a multiple dog household. But it did poorly with humans and definitely was a one person dog. I loved her and she was wonderful. Not sure if I would own one again due to not being a friendly dog.

I think it's also important when picking a GSD to research the breed to see what medical problems they have. I think they have back leg and hip issues that are pretty severe.

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