Dog lovers come in

[angelsnight]

We've been talking about getting a dog for a long time now, and we think it is finally time.  My husband will be starting a midnights job soon and I would love to have a dog home with me.

I'm hoping to get a German Shepherd or a german shepherd mix, and I would like a girl dog.  Partly because I think it would get along better with our two boy cats, but also because I just want a girl.  MH seems to think a boy dog would be more protective of me and LO at night.  Any thoughts?  Any major differences between boys and girls?  I haven't had a dog since I was a kid but I would think either sex would be protective of its humans.  Besides it's not like we're getting it for a watch dog, he/she will be part of the family, I will just feel a little less jumpy alone at night with a doggie in the house.

[lakecountrygal]

We have a male German Shepherd and he is super protective of DS and I. When we got him at 8 weeks we weren't sure what direction things would go, but we got him for the same reasons you are considering. He's also more of "my dog" because I am the one he can count on for walks, taking outside to potty and food/water.

We also have a male and a female cat, they tolerate him but don't like him. The cats were around for 3 and 4 years before we got the dog. The female (who is now 6) struggles more with the dog while our male cat (who is now 5) gets along with him better.

Either way GSDs are great dogs and either will be protective of whomever is their primary caretaker.

I feel like I need to add that we got really lucky with how gentle he is with DS because we thought that the dog may end up being too aggressive.

[bsouls]

I would either try looking it up online or ask a breeder. Sometimes breeders say there is a difference and one is more loving or protective than the other. Or, they think one gets along better with other pets. Also, ask when picking out a puppy from a litter if one of the puppies has the personality you're looking for.

[younglove316]

We have a Shepard mix that is a female and she is super protective of the house. If someone comes over she doesn't know, she's barks and goes crazy. She's a huge baby so her bark is definitely worse but at least she tries? Haha

[ntdane]

I'm sure it varies by individual but our female dogs have always been more protective. We had Great Danes and people who stopped by would be watching our male because he was huge while the female would sneak up behind and scare them.

[fish8412]

We have a female beagle who is very protective of our house. She is a great guard dog.

[zandeela]

how protective am animal is has nothing to do with gender, it's varies from dog to dog. Be sure what ever you get that training is involved. I have seen so many gsd's recently that are so high strung and eventually go after their family and small children, not just strangers. But any breed has that potential.

Good luck, puppies are a lot of fun

[maganonymous]

I have a male dog and a female dog. The male dog is DEFINITELY more protective. I can't take him on walks without DH because he is so protective of his humans and his little doggie buddy that he jumps around and acts so crazy when we see other dogs that I physically can't handle him. He is a 120lb dane/lab mix. With his family and people he trusts though he is so sweet and affectionate. The little doggy is a 10lb schnauzer/mini poodle mix. She is also the runt of the litter. She is super friendly, very very excitable, and has separation anxiety issues.

Also, a tip about getting dogs...you need to assess your tolerance for dog hair EVERYWHERE. My big dog sheds insanely bad, and there is hair on everything. My little dog does not shed at all but she needs professional grooming. Now that I've had both, in the future, I will probably look for dogs that do not shed because i can't stand having my big dogs hair in my food, clothes, and refrigerator!

[angelsnight]

May 9, 2015 21:25:51 GMT -5 maganonymous said:

I have a male dog and a female dog. The male dog is DEFINITELY more protective. I can't take him on walks without DH because he is so protective of his humans and his little doggie buddy that he jumps around and acts so crazy when we see other dogs that I physically can't handle him. He is a 120lb dane/lab mix. With his family and people he trusts though he is so sweet and affectionate. The little doggy is a 10lb schnauzer/mini poodle mix. She is also the runt of the litter. She is super friendly, very very excitable, and has separation anxiety issues.

Also, a tip about getting dogs...you need to assess your tolerance for dog hair EVERYWHERE. My big dog sheds insanely bad, and there is hair on everything. My little dog does not shed at all but she needs professional grooming. Now that I've had both, in the future, I will probably look for dogs that do not shed because i can't stand having my big dogs hair in my food, clothes, and refrigerator!

I know it will be more, but we have two cats.  I'm used to the hair.

[mrssmith613]

May 9, 2015 21:25:51 GMT -5 maganonymous said:

Also, a tip about getting dogs...you need to assess your tolerance for dog hair EVERYWHERE. My big dog sheds insanely bad, and there is hair on everything. My little dog does not shed at all but she needs professional grooming. Now that I've had both, in the future, I will probably look for dogs that do not shed because i can't stand having my big dogs hair in my food, clothes, and refrigerator!

Glad I'm not the only one with this hair problem... I'll be eating lunch at work and find a piece of hair in my food and just pick it out and pray no one seen it.. This is also why I don't participate in pot lucks!

[maganonymous]

mrssmith613 I think the worst is when you take a clean pot out of the cupboard, put water in it to cook something, turn on the burner, look down and there is ALREADY dog hair in it!! Lol I love my big dog to pieces, but there are definitely a couple things I won't miss about him when he is gone!

[kaitkat]

Soo we have two dogs! A female and male they are schnoodles and have the same dad different moms! Ella is 2 and a half and soo protective of our family and of callie! People couldn't come near her when she was first born because she was Ella's only mom and dad could come near olaf is 6 months and could care less lol he is just along for the ride haha!

I think every dog has their own personality so pick a dog you love and everything else will fall into place

[maganonymous]

kaitkat funny story, my little dog is a schnoodle named Ella...but she is 3 1/2 instead of 2 1/2

[kaitkat]

Omg no way!! My ella is brown what colour is yours??? maganonymous

[maganonymous]

kaitkat This is my Ella

ETA: Omg sorry about the gigantic picture. I don't know how to fix it!!!!!!!!!

[kaitkat]

Oh my goodness soo cute!! Mine is brown

[Deleted]

What zandeela, is the truth. Personality traits are individualized not determined by the sex of the dog. There are standards breed by breed and reputable breeders and trainers can assist you.

Best wishes on getting a wonderful addition to your family!

[ang32]

I have two big mixed-breed males. Ones a chicken poop and the other isn't.

[kimberpoo]

I have a female german shepherd and a male cane corso mastiff.

I adore them both.The shepherd is hands down the SMARTEST dog I've ever owned. I can speak to her like a human and she understands what I want her to do. she is awesome.

be prepared to clean up a LOT of hair. they aren't smelly at all but shed constantly. your pup will need exercise and discipline - be sure to stock up on tennis balls

[Deleted]

Cat person here..

But I've never seen a difference between a girl or boy dog being more protective..

Edit: for clarity growing up my mom used to breed dogs and my family has always had them.

[kimberpoo]

PS My dh works shift work and is gone a lot at night...having the two dogs there makes me feel 10,0000x better about being alone. they are both super protective of the house and us. I like female dogs just because if they have an accident it's on the floor not on the side of the furniture and they don't try to mark outside, but our male hasn't had any accidents in the house *knock on wood* they both have great personalities.

tip - socialize your pup from day 1. socialization will not make the dog less protective but it /will/ prevent a lot of issues and make your dog more healthy and balanced. I'd also highly recommend doing plenty of training in loud, public places. I trained our GSD in all sorts of different places and now I can call her/tell her to stop/drop/whatever, even in the craziest crowd or when she is chasing an animal, and she freezes like she hit a wall and immediately comes back.

[lostinfaith225]

We have a rescue female daushund. She sits on the back of the couch and looks out the window guarding our house all day. Did I mention she barks at everything?

She is very good with Ds.

[bebeski]

We have an English Mastiff - they are known as "gentle giants". However we got him years before the baby and it was a very difficult transition. I think it definitely would have been better to get a puppy after baby. What I'm trying to say is even though his breed is large and "gentle", we have to keep them separated mostly (and not all the dogs fault - E doesn't know his boundaries).

[Deleted]

bebeski, Your dog is absolutely beautiful! We are paused for the summer but will then resume our dog hunt. I'm uncertain if I want another boxer or make the jump to a Cane Corso. They are similar breeds to Mastiff's are you familiar with them?

[bebeski]

May 14, 2015 10:46:43 GMT -5 @kellbell said:

bebeski, Your dog is absolutely beautiful! We are paused for the summer but will then resume our dog hunt. I'm uncertain if I want another boxer or make the jump to a Cane Corso. They are similar breeds to Mastiff's are you familiar with them?

@kellbell - thank you! He is a beast at 175#.

Cane Corsos are are a type of mastiff but I believe they are in the "not so nice mastiff" category along with Neapolitan Mastiffs. Check out bull mastiffs - they are smaller Than the English variety and very sweet (cross between English and bull dog). Good luck!

[zandeela]

I used to breed and Show Neo's they are not smart enough to know better. even the "smart" ones are dumb as bricks. Had a few that were very sweet that I did therapy with, but I had a few that had personal space issues. Love them though!

Cane's are in the same category as a pitbull. they are highly motivated dogs, can be bull headed, and the ones I have met will lash out with out any warning. there are plenty of good ones just like with pits, but there are just as many that are not trained and are scary when they go off just from their size and bulk.

[lakecountrygal]

angelsnight, I know this is going to sound weird but you may also want to check your homeowners insurance. Some homeowners insurances will drop you if you get a breed of dog on their no coverage list.

Also it's good to check int your city ordinances before getting a dog. Although they will rarely say no to a breed, it's good to know the requirements to have a dog in city limits. We have to buy a city license yearly and prove all vaccines so if anything happens they have our information.