- Joined
- Jan 29, 2012
- Messages
- 240
Have known folks with Dobermans and known folks with German Shepherds (GSDs). Both say they'd never go to another breed.
In two cases of folks with Dobermans I was struck with how intelligent the dogs were. For instance, after watching the family take family pictures outside on two occasions, the family noticed that whenever the camera came out, the dog would try to show its teeth. It was trying to smile lol Seriously, you say "cheese" the dog attempted to smile. Overall seemed to be great dogs.
I've never ever heard of a German Shepherd owner say they had a bad dog. Out of all breeds, I just have not heard a lot of negative on GSDs. A friend's GSD really took well to me (likely because it also liked my Great Dane and associated me with the Dane) but I had to watch his GSD over a week's time once. The dog was way less work than I had expected. Unlike my Dane, who needs me around a LOT, the GSD was very independent.
For instance, I let the GSD have the downstairs while my Dane and I slept upstairs in my room. I figured the next morning the GSD would come get me or attempt to wake me up. This was not the case. As long as she had a window to look from, she was content keeping watch on the home. I could take her in the vehicle with me and she was great in watching the vehicle at gas stations.
One really impressive story on the GSD's intelligence was when I had her on leash and intentionally split a street sign so that she was on one side of it, I was on the other and the leash became snagged on the sign. Wanting to see how she would react, I went ahead and wrapped the leash around the sign two turns clockwise. When she realized the leash had been snagged, she first tried to go counterclockwise but upon realizing the leash wasn't coming free she took a long look at the street sign (where I'd intentionally wrapped the leash) and proceeded to walk counterclockwise (twice) until the leash was free. That's a high level of intelligence and seems to be the norm in GSDs.
I'll probably decide on one breed or the other by year's end. I don't think I could go wrong with either. I've heard GSDs seem to be more difficult as pups (anecdotally). Also, GSDs have that long hair they shed a lot. On the other hand, Doberman's reportedly are not the healthiest breed. Anyone have experience with either? What are your impressions?
In two cases of folks with Dobermans I was struck with how intelligent the dogs were. For instance, after watching the family take family pictures outside on two occasions, the family noticed that whenever the camera came out, the dog would try to show its teeth. It was trying to smile lol Seriously, you say "cheese" the dog attempted to smile. Overall seemed to be great dogs.
I've never ever heard of a German Shepherd owner say they had a bad dog. Out of all breeds, I just have not heard a lot of negative on GSDs. A friend's GSD really took well to me (likely because it also liked my Great Dane and associated me with the Dane) but I had to watch his GSD over a week's time once. The dog was way less work than I had expected. Unlike my Dane, who needs me around a LOT, the GSD was very independent.
For instance, I let the GSD have the downstairs while my Dane and I slept upstairs in my room. I figured the next morning the GSD would come get me or attempt to wake me up. This was not the case. As long as she had a window to look from, she was content keeping watch on the home. I could take her in the vehicle with me and she was great in watching the vehicle at gas stations.
One really impressive story on the GSD's intelligence was when I had her on leash and intentionally split a street sign so that she was on one side of it, I was on the other and the leash became snagged on the sign. Wanting to see how she would react, I went ahead and wrapped the leash around the sign two turns clockwise. When she realized the leash had been snagged, she first tried to go counterclockwise but upon realizing the leash wasn't coming free she took a long look at the street sign (where I'd intentionally wrapped the leash) and proceeded to walk counterclockwise (twice) until the leash was free. That's a high level of intelligence and seems to be the norm in GSDs.
I'll probably decide on one breed or the other by year's end. I don't think I could go wrong with either. I've heard GSDs seem to be more difficult as pups (anecdotally). Also, GSDs have that long hair they shed a lot. On the other hand, Doberman's reportedly are not the healthiest breed. Anyone have experience with either? What are your impressions?