Norwegian Elkhound Or German Shepard

hondavfr

Hi,

We have narrowed it down to one of these breeds as our first family pet. We are very undecided as to which one to go for. I have looked at previous posts about both dogs and see the positives and negatives of them.The GSD does seem to have more positive reviews than the Elkhounds but i also like those dogs. Do you have to muzzle a GSD when walking out in public...this seems extreme. When i first started looking for a pup i just looked at Elkhounds then i started looking at the GSD. Any replies will be appreciated as i hope to get a pup in the next week or so,

Thanks

Sigma Force

Sometimes rescues have german sheps and possibly pups sometimes, might be worth checking some rescues out.

Here's some info (at the end of the page on muzzling etc.)
http://www.anvilireland.ie/fulcrum.html?ep=66

It is ridiculous I know, mind you I've seen plenty of German Sheps and others on the list being walked with no muzzle but I guess it depends how well 'policed' your own area is.

It's good that you are doing research on both breeds but whichever you get it will be mostly down to how you train the dog, thankfully there are more and more puppy classes etc. available now that use humane methods of training, it might be worth checking if there are any in your area first. It helps a lot when it comes to puppy issues like teething, toilet training and basic training.

liquoriceall

Hi My sister got her first Elkhound nearly 11 years ago and she currently has him and another 2 down to her 9 month old pup! When she was getting this pup she did consider getting a different breed but after a few months research she came to the conclusion that you cant beat an Elkhound.
They are all so different you get an Elkhound but you get their personality so impossible to know the exact dog but her 11 year old male is very stupid and stubborn, hates to get wet or muddy and hes pretty lazy ( we still love him!), her 4 year old male is really hyper and Im pretty sure he only sleeps for about 1 hour per week! He spends most of his time hunting mice, rabbits birds etc and is a very happy doggie.
Then onto the female pup, total pet is happiest when cuddling, low energy loves sleeping! So there you have it I hope that helps with your decision

portgirl123

cant comment on the elkhound but we got, well my son, a gsd last jan and she has been the most fantastic dog ever. so quick and eager to learn. a pleasure to own. i can say her only fault is that she dont bark she cries. not so bad you might say, but at 7am 7 days a week it can be a pain. despite that would recomennd a gsd without a shadow of a doubt

tk123

There was a thread on Elkhounds recently - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=74913457

hondavfr

Thanks to you all for your advice. I will hopefully decide soon and get a dog that will spend its lifetime with us.

Caoimhín

I know nothing about Elkhounds but I do have a German Shepard, Boo. What can I say, he is the best dog ever. Very loyal, intelligent, easy to train, gentle and kind.
I got him as a pup and he has not left my side for 2 years. He comes to work with me (im a forester, so lots of exercise) and in the evening he sits by the fire with me.

Boo;05062010008.jpg

hondavfr

Thats a beauty!

Wibbs

Caoimhín wrote: »

I know nothing about Elkhounds but I do have a German Shepard, Boo. What can I say, he is the best dog ever. Very loyal, intelligent, easy to train, gentle and kind.
I got him as a pup and he has not left my side for 2 years. He comes to work with me (im a forester, so lots of exercise) and in the evening he sits by the fire with me.

Boo;05062010008.jpg

He's a beaut alright C. Lovely looking fella. Lucky bugger too with his master and his job. If you take up a sideline as a butcher he'd be in doggy heaven I prefer the longer haired German Shepherd too. Only gorge.

I've had the pleasure of owning both and IMHO I'd say for a first family dog the shepherd is maybe the better bet? Nothing against Elkhounds, they're a great dog, but they're more independent and harder to train. Less recall if they're off lead kinda thing and need more exercise. A GSD is more trainable IME, but then again individuals vary. Both are very loyal and friendly and good with kids(supervised). Both are good watchdogs too.

As an aside and this is just my personal thang here, I'd really try and get a GSD that is of the straight backed variety, rather than the sloped back "trend" that seems to be popular(to the point of being utterly bloody stupid and irresponsible, again IMHO). I'd also defo ask for hip scores (and other health checks) on the parents and back off if the breeder looks puzzled at this. They can have bad problems in that area. The elkhounds don't seem to suffer as much with this - though good info on the parents a given - and seem to live longer too. My Elky made it to 16, but my GSD only made it to 9 and he came from "very good stock", even had one of those poncey pedigree/crufts names. He had trouble with his hips and heart.

Caoimhín

Agreed Wibbs.

While I would never leave a child alone with any dog, my lad is perfectly happy around small kids and other dogs. I suppose it is down to basically socialising them young.

I hate the sloped back of some breeders/show dogs. My boyo is reasonably blocky 27102011042.jpgbut i think they do have a natural slope anyway, particularly when they stand in the way they are inclined to.

Heres another just to show off,27102011043.jpg i can give you the breeders number if you like.

hondavfr

Wibbs wrote: »

He's a beaut alright C. Lovely looking fella. Lucky bugger too with his master and his job. If you take up a sideline as a butcher he'd be in doggy heaven I prefer the longer haired German Shepherd too. Only gorge.

I've had the pleasure of owning both and IMHO I'd say for a first family dog the shepherd is maybe the better bet? Nothing against Elkhounds, they're a great dog, but they're more independent and harder to train. Less recall if they're off lead kinda thing and need more exercise. A GSD is more trainable IME, but then again individuals vary. Both are very loyal and friendly and good with kids(supervised). Both are good watchdogs too.

As an aside and this is just my personal thang here, I'd really try and get a GSD that is of the straight backed variety, rather than the sloped back "trend" that seems to be popular(to the point of being utterly bloody stupid and irresponsible, again IMHO). I'd also defo ask for hip scores (and other health checks) on the parents and back off if the breeder looks puzzled at this. They can have bad problems in that area. The elkhounds don't seem to suffer as much with this - though good info on the parents a given - and seem to live longer too. My Elky made it to 16, but my GSD only made it to 9 and he came from "very good stock", even had one of those poncey pedigree/crufts names. He had trouble with his hips and heart.

Thank you that is brialliant information to get from someone who has owned both. I have it narrowed it down to someone with GSD females 8 week(both parents have excellent hip scores,temperment,traditional with short hair,IKC reg etc..) and also an owner of an Elkhound Male 11 week,IKC reg etc.. Both look like nice pups & i will hopefully will have one of either in the next two days. My heart is telling me to get the GSD though.

freddiek

can't say anything pro/anti the Norwegian elkhound as i have never come across one but long-haired german shepherd would be a good choice

knows how to act around small kids, in my experience. loyal and friendly too

hondavfr

Caoimhín wrote: »

Agreed Wibbs.

While I would never leave a child alone with any dog, my lad is perfectly happy around small kids and other dogs. I suppose it is down to basically socialising them young.

I hate the sloped back of some breeders/show dogs. My boyo is reasonably blocky 27102011042.jpgbut i think they do have a natural slope anyway, particularly when they stand in the way they are inclined to.

Heres another just to show off,27102011043.jpg i can give you the breeders number if you like.

Thats also a beauty. I also much prefer the more traditional straight back. If i do go for the GSD and dont get one shortly i might ask you for the breeders number if you dont mind. The one i have picked out looks pretty good(hopefully). My kids are getting big so should be ok with either. Thanks

fishfoodie

freddiek wrote: »

can't say anything pro/anti the Norwegian elkhound as i have never come across one but long-haired german shepherd would be a good choice

knows how to act around small kids, in my experience. loyal and friendly too

Well Elkhounds can be great with kids too. The usual caveats apply as with all dogs.

When my niece was learning to walk, she used to get onto her feet by grabbing two fistfuls of hair on my sisters Elkhound & pulling herself upright

This was only possible because the dog used to like to 'mind' her & stay close by.

westdub

Another GSD owner here and would have to say my dog is probably smarter than I am :rolleyes:

The only thing I would add is if you do go for the long haired GSD there will be a lot of hair shedding to deal with.....

My 3 year old......

Miss pics 032 by Lucan Snapper, on Flickr

ppink

nice dog Westdub!

Honda- the advice I have is to get health insurance for your dog
!
i dont know about the Elkhound but GSD's are not your average mutt, as I'm sure you know. They are incredibly attached to their family......moreso to one person I find. Like Westdub I think one of ours is wayy too smart;).
we have a long and a short haired and to be fair they both shed like mad. the long coat dog we have looks more dense than Caoimhin's dog above and really it can be a big job to look after.
Best of luck and post a pic when you get him/her

magentas

I absolutely love german shepards! our hands are full with 3 collies but myself and my boyfriend have said that if we ever get another it'll be a GSD. Collies are my first love but I have so much admiration for GSDs, they are awesome. TBH the fact that they are a restricted breed (which is total BS) was one of the reasons we didn't get one before (but mainly because I am obsessed with collies!) but it is an issue to consider because it does increase your responsibility.

Good luck with your new family member! Put up pics ASAP!:)

hondavfr

Westdub- Thats another beauty.

The only thing that is niggling me is that they are on they RB list but i think i will put up with that. Hopefully i will have one very shortly and if not i will go for the Elkhound. I will def put up photos. I think that they look nicer as they get older as most dogs look at their best when they are puppys..something about the GSD i cant put my finger on that draws me to them. My next post will hopefully have a photo!

hondavfr

Finally got our German Shepard,she is 8 weeks and a handful!

What age can you start training them on a lead. She is pretty good at going to the toilet but needs to go alot,there is some slip up's though.

andreac

Lovely puppy, where did you find a breeder in the end? Were the parents hip scored?

Regarding toilet, the puppy cant hold its bladder at this age so will just go when its needs to. So its up to you to make sure you bring the pup outside as often as possible. You will have accidents so be prepared for those.

I suggest crate training as its great for toilet training your pup.

Caoimhín

andreac wrote: »

Regarding toilet, the puppy cant hold its bladder at this age so will just go when its needs to. So its up to you to make sure you bring the pup outside as often as possible. You will have accidents so be prepared for those.

I suggest crate training as its great for toilet training your pup.

Well said, for the first few months I got up at 3 am to let my wee lad out of his crate for a pee outside. Crate training really is the only way, my newest little lad is getting the hang of it after only 2 weeks. You have to be patient though, expect a few accidents but always remember to praise him when he goes outside.

Beautiful pup, hope everything works out well.

hondavfr

Thanks andreac & Caoimhín.
Both Parents are hip scored and i also got to see her 1 year old older sister also and she was a beautiful well mannered dog with a lovely temperment as is her Mother. The lady i got the pup off had started toilet training her on paper and she was well used to kids etc... She is very fond of coming into the house and we do not really intend on having her as a house dog but she loves company and i hate being cruel by sending her out. Hopefully we will get it right. It is just like starting all over again with a baby!!

ppink

honda be careful not to isolate a GSD (or any dog really). Their entire world revolves around you.
I honestly feel you and the whole family will miss out big time by leaving her outdoors....you only get a small fraction of her personality that way I think.
Is she a bit young to be outside too at 8 weeks?

hondavfr

she sleeps in a nice warm bed in a kennel in a garage with her teddy.She spends alot of her day with us and we still keep her company in the evenings. we will have to look at her spending more time in the house as we do want a happy well socialised puppy. hopefully it will go well,thanks.

andreac

Why does she have to sleep outside? 8 weeks is far too young to have a little baby all by herself out in a shed. Why cant you have her in the house at night, in a nice cosy crate?
I would never put a young pup outside all by itself...:(

tk123

I wouldn't have a pup that age out by itself either tbh epecially with those little eyes lol! Anyhoos I crated my guy at night and got up with him during the night to take him out to the loo and he was trained in a few weeks. I wonder how this will work out thou if she's out in the shed at night - where is she going to go to the loo - they don't like to go near their bed which is why crate training works..if she's locked up in the shed and has to go to the loo there she's not going to know that she should be going outside and I'd assume then you'll have problems with accidents when you have her in the house?

Squall19

I know what you are saying Honda.

I have my fella sleeping outside as well, he is inside when we are home and in the evening out he goes.He's a northern arctic breed and seems to prefer being outside.

Like a GSD he would have been fine outside even at 8 weeks, but they are just babies then and need love.I introduced him to the dog house at 5 months when he started getting big.

Enjoy the first few months when they are small Honda, she will be big very fast.

His friend Mischa inside his house

chris139ryan

westdub wrote: »

Another GSD owner here and would have to say my dog is probably smarter than I am :rolleyes:

The only thing I would add is if you do go for the long haired GSD there will be a lot of hair shedding to deal with.....

My 3 year old......

Miss pics 032 by Lucan Snapper, on Flickr

amazing pic and beautiful dog

wolfpawnat

My best friend has both, have to say the GSD is easier to train, more loyal and less adventurous (does not tend to wander off overnight no matter what she does to try and stop him) than her Norwegian Elkhound. Both lovely animals. The Elkhound has more grooming, but as an extremely intelligent the dog, the GSD needs more mental stimulation.

wolfpawnat

westdub wrote: »

Miss pics 032 by Lucan Snapper, on Flickr

I'm in love!!!!!

hondavfr

i do bring her to the toilet at midnight and again at 07:30 and the kennel is large and i leave paper in one corner and she will wee on that and then go into her bed. the paper does not get very wet either. i will try bringing her at 3 am and see how that goes and if not not maybe the house for a couple of months. It is not a cold garage by any means either as it is attached to the house. I am learning also.