german shepherd or boxer?

[Roly]

Well we are planning on buying a dog and we narrowed it down. Its between a german shepherd or boxer. Do any of you have experience with either or both?

 

[Reefdaddy1]

Iam Dog hamdler amd have shown Sheps as well as Bouviers and Bull mastiffs. Was also a Dog handler in the Army, Sheps are the way to go, Super intelligent and outstanding loyalty to families. As a matter of fact Iam getting a Shep pup in about 3 weeks. Can not beat them for Fun and Protection.

 

[spongebob lover]

i love german sheperds they're very very intelligent and just a nice family dog.... now if i was me, i'd get a pitbull or a rottie :lol: .... rotties are very loyal and smart too , pitbulls... before i met my neighbours' dog i'd have said ... ohh god no way, they're aggresive and just scary BUT since i've been around my neighbours' dogs (2 female pits), they're just the sweetest dogs ever and they are very very smart too .
ok back to sheperds ...one of my uncles used to own a german sheperd, he used to be a very awesome dog (hehe in mexico you don't see to many pure breed dogs so definetly he was very pretty ), he was a smart dog right until you'd show him a ball because then he'd jump all over you :lol:.
One day my uncle decided to put him on the roof (my family and their ideas ) so obviously the dog got all exited and decided to jump off the roof...well let's just say ...poor dog .
Anyways just remember that when you go looking for a dog, think about how much attention you're gonna put on the dog and if you'd be able to meet all the dog's needs .

 

[Bunny]

Ohhh Shepherd forsure!

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Dachshunds, the smaller the better!

 

[Jan]

I've had a couple of shepards.

My only issue with them is the hip displasia, as it seems to be rampant in the breed (or at least it used to be), and it affects the dogs quality of life as well as life span. Has this changed at all in recent years, and is there any way to know if you're getting a puppy with future hip problems?

 

[spongebob lover]

is there any way to know if you're getting a puppy with future hip problems?

i think the only way to know is by talking to the breeder (finding a good good breeder) and knowing about the parents health problems imo ....but i'm not a dog expert .

Dachshunds, the smaller the better!

dashhunds are so so so cute .

 

[Bunny]

My dog is shepherd, and he came with a certificate of helth for both of his parents saying that neither of them had hip dysplasia or deafness. a good breeder will have that information on some if not all of the grandparents as well.

 

[Mrktplayer]

I've had a shepherd, but not a boxer. A friend of mine has a boxer and she says they never grow up and they're very jumpy. I'd take the shepherd, but since we keep our dog indoors I chose a Doberman instead. Shepherds shed a lot. Even with daily brushing they keep shedding, although I met one Shepherd that didn't seem too bad. I was really impressed with that dog.

German Shepherds are one of my favorite, but due to the hair I'll stick with Doby's. Dobermans are more expensive due to cosmetic surgery, otherwise they look ridiculous with those dumbo ears. I think dobermans are one of the most graceful and elegant looking. Shepherds have a unique stride, which is pretty cool looking.

If this is your first dog I recommend obedience training. Obedience training isn't for dogs, but really for the owner. Dog's have their way of communicating and the classes help the owners learn it. Makes it more enjoyable.

I recommend looking at the parents. AKC preferred, and you should ask about health history. Like with horses... it's all in the genes.

 

[spongebob lover]

My dog is shepherd, and he came with a certificate of helth for both of his parents saying that neither of them had hip dysplasia or deafness. a good breeder will have that information on some if not all of the grandparents as well.

where did you get your dog ? .
my 4 year old wants a puppy and we've been thinking about it hehe.... we're still gonna wait a few more months but definetly we're on the look where people are getting their pups .

 

[Jan]

We get all our animals at some kind of rescue organization. It's fun to save a life.

 

[spongebob lover]

We get all our animals at some kind of rescue organization. It's fun to save a life

we tried that before our son was born because i wanted a dog really bad, but they denied us twice and on top of that for every application thingy we needed to pay 50 bucks ...it'd be nice to adopt a dog though

 

[Jan]

Wow, it shouldn't be so difficult to adopt an animal. We got our last chi at a local "toy breed" rescue org, and you didn't have to pay a fee to apply. Same with PAWS, and the groups who go through PetSmart. (We did have to lie on our PAWS application though, and state that we had less animals than we really do. :badgrin

 

[Mrktplayer]

A friend of mine got one of those rare all white german shepherds, sorry I don't know the correct name. My friend spent over a grand on her. She did her research in finding a breeder, so she may be able to find a reputable breeder whether like her's or your standard shepherd.

I got friends that only get rescued animals, and I think it's great since how a lot of orphan dogs are tragically thrown away.... For me personally, I'd rather get the best of the best since they're going to be a family member for 10+ years. My doberman trots like a horse, which is a sign of agility among dogs. We are very proud owners

If you're looking for high end german shepherds let me know, I'll ask my friend. Otherwise I wont ask her because she's been wanting to go out with me and I'd rather not. lol.

Like a protein skimmer, I suggest spending as much as you can. We take our doberman to the dog park all the time, and once in awhile another doberman is there. My dog has a huge chest, and the other ones are skinnier and don't have the cosmetic surgery. The owners feel embarrassed and never come back.

I included a picture of my baby.

 

[Mrktplayer]

my last paragraph sounded a bit snobbish... Some parents, when other kids out perform their kids they feel a bit ashamed. There's nothing you could really do because your kids are yours, and you can't change that. With dogs, you can buy good genes. But I guess if you don't care for such things then that's good. Being vain has its downside, haha.

 

[brandyrb]

We had a male german shepard when I was a kid and he was "very" protective. He liked some people and wouldn't let others in the yard. I think he sensed something about those people. He was a nice dog with our family, but did try biting a little kid and an adult for messing with his bone. He was fun to play with especially with the sprinkler. Our family got him after he was already grown, so I don't know what the puppy stage would be like for a shepard.

I knew someone that bred boxers and I thought that breed was way too hyper and annoying.

We recently purchased a Golden Retriever. Of all the dogs I've had, they are the best. Eager to please, lovable family dogs. Our golden retriever is almost a year old and the only problem we've had in the puppy stage is chewing. I had a golden retriever when I was a kid too. The golden was my favorite dog, the shepard was my second favorite.

 

[Mrktplayer]

golden retrievers are great family dogs. As far as biting for messing with the bone, that is food aggression. Some dogs have it and others don't. I take it as their natural instinct and you shouldn't bother them when eating anyways.

I'm not sure if german shepherds are in the same classification, but if you are a home owner with a pitbull, rottweiler, doberman, or the like, you will have difficulty getting home owners insurance. They are considered dangerous dogs, and it is well advised to raise those pups with love. Raising a hand to them increases the chance of aggression, which could lead to a lawsuit.

I had a german shepherd chow chow mix. That was the most furocious dog I've ever had, but never growled at me. He would sacrifice his life to save me. I really miss Chester.

 

[Reefdaddy1]

I've had a couple of shepards.

My only issue with them is the hip displasia, as it seems to be rampant in the breed (or at least it used to be), and it affects the dogs quality of life as well as life span. Has this changed at all in recent years, and is there any way to know if you're getting a puppy with future hip problems?

You can pretty well get Displasia Id'd before the p[up is 16 weeks anymore, no worries. Vets are all over it, Plus Shep breeders have been real good about destroying the gene pool that got so diluted here in the states that caused diplasia. Get a shep and never regret it.

 

[spongebob lover]

If you're looking for high end german shepherds let me know, I'll ask my friend. Otherwise I wont ask her because she's been wanting to go out with me and I'd rather not. lol.

LMAO!!! :lol: :lol: .
you got a very kewl looking dog dood >) .
i was reading the German sheperd society thingy and boy do they ask you questions ... which is good .

I'm not sure if german shepherds are in the same classification, but if you are a home owner with a pitbull, rottweiler, doberman, or the like, you will have difficulty getting home owners insurance. They are considered dangerous dogs, and it is well advised to raise those pups with love. Raising a hand to them increases the chance of aggression, which could lead to a lawsuit.

woou dood i didn't know that.
I love Rotties they're very very loyal and lovable but you do need to put your heart and soul into the dog hehe .
one of my neighbours has a rottie, i totally feel bad for the dog because they leave the dog the whole darn day outside and sometimes you can hear him crying or if you pass by... he'd bark to anyone, but he's a very gorgeous dog .
back when i was living in Mexico, my uncle used to have a rottie too, another awesome dog ... he'd never bark, he'd lick you all over and he was just a sweetie, but one time someone broke into my uncle's house and stole the dog like i said he was just to friendly .

 

[spongebob lover]

uhh by the was, has anyone ever owned an old english sheep dog?? those dogs are just way to cute :lol: .