German sheperd one or two?

laurajamie

Hi guys,
This is my first post and was hoping somebody out there could help me.
I have just bought a detached house on one acre of land and I want a dog as a deterrent for intruders and peace of mind for my partner when I am not home.We also have a lively one year old boy.
I have never had a dog and am leaning towards German sheperd but have been told that two dogs would be better as they could keep eachother company.The dogs will be alone from 6am to 7pm mostly Monday to Friday and they would have our company most weekends.
I would not be in a position to walk them Monday to Friday and would realistically only have 20 min or so for them.Plenty of time for them sat and sun.Problem is the cost of two,would it be cruel to have only one considering my limited time to spend with them?
I have a vision of the dog or dogs running around the acre,knowing not to pass the small fence is this realistic?With insurance and vaccines and food etc for two I am starting to get a little nervous,anybody got any insight on this?
Many thanks in advance.

andreac

laurajamie wrote: »

Hi guys,
This is my first post and was hoping somebody out there could help me.
I have just bought a detached house on one acre of land and I want a dog as a deterrent for intruders and peace of mind for my partner when I am not home.We also have a lively one year old boy.
I have never had a dog and am leaning towards German sheperd but have been told that two dogs would be better as they could keep eachother company.The dogs will be alone from 6am to 7pm mostly Monday to Friday and they would have our company most weekends.
I would not be in a position to walk them Monday to Friday and would realistically only have 20 min or so for them.Plenty of time for them sat and sun.Problem is the cost of two,would it be cruel to have only one considering my limited time to spend with them?
I have a vision of the dog or dogs running around the acre,knowing not to pass the small fence is this realistic?With insurance and vaccines and food etc for two I am starting to get a little nervous,anybody got any insight on this?
Many thanks in advance.

I'm going to be honest and say your situation isn't right to get one dog let alone two.
You can't leave dogs alone for that length of time everyday esp when they aren't getting daily exercise. Dogs have to be walked everyday!!
Shepherds are working dogs so need more exercise than your average dog so your situation wouldn't be anyway fair on the dog at all.
I really would urge you to reconsider getting a dog unless you can provide a lot more than what you have posted about in your post as its not fair on any dog and even more so for a high energy dog like a shepherd.

I'd get two so they can play with each other, just make sure they get along
edit: Assuming what you said about someone coming in to walk them a lot is true

Bullseye1

With the level of time you could dedicate to walking, exercise and training I would look for another security option. Invest in a good security system with CCTV.

porker36

Hi
I'm in same situation as you,I'm on two acres and have had my two Shepards for the last 8 years they get plenty of excersise running about playing away and u have plenty of room on 1 acre for two dogs.

I've never had a problem with them and I have two males the older guy rules the place,they are great dogs to have and get on great with my kids

andreac

A garden no matter what size is no substitute for daily exercise. Dogs are social animals and need lots of attention and stimulation and they won't get this being left alone for so long everyday with no exercise. It's a recipe for disaster.

Dogs don't spend then their time running around the garden all day. They usually sit waiting for their owner to come home.

boomerang

It's just not going to work, OP.

I can foresee once your little lad is big enough to begin taking little forays into the garden, those two, big, rambunctious, under-exercised and un-trained dogs are going to knock him over in their enthusiasm and you'll be saying they have to go. Two intelligent dogs with that little stimulation, training or exercise won't make good pets and it's unfair on them.

Bored dogs won't stay in the garden, unless it's Fort Knox.

With little time to take them anywhere, they're not going to get adequate socialisation so you'll have two big scaredy cats that woof and lunge at other dogs (or even people) when you are out on walks. You'll be public enemy number one. That's if you can manage two big German Shepherds on a walk. If you don't teach them to walk nicely on the lead, they'll pull you off your feet, especially because they will be so keyed up.

Have you thought about how you will get two big shepherds in and out to the vet, or anywhere else you need to take them?

I can also see your neighbours complaining about the bored dogs running the fence line and barking when anyone passes the house.

Please don't do it.

laurajamie

boomerang wrote: »

It's just not going to work, OP.

I can foresee once your little lad is big enough to begin taking little forays into the garden, those two, big, rambunctious, under-exercised and un-trained dogs are going to knock him over in their enthusiasm and you'll be saying they have to go. Two intelligent dogs with that little stimulation, training or exercise won't make good pets and it's unfair on them.

Bored dogs won't stay in the garden, unless it's Fort Knox.

With little time to take them anywhere, they're not going to get adequate socialisation so you'll have two big scaredy cats that woof and lunge at other dogs (or even people) when you are out on walks. You'll be public enemy number one. That's if you can manage two big German Shepherds on a walk. If you don't teach them to walk nicely on the lead, they'll pull you off your feet, especially because they will be so keyed up.

Have you thought about how you will get two big shepherds in and out to the vet, or anywhere else you need to take them?

I can also see your neighbours complaining about the bored dogs running the fence line and barking when anyone passes the house.

Please don't do it.

Thanks for the responses guys I just want to clarify a couple of things.
I am intending on playing with the dogs.The 20 minutes a day Mon to Fri does sound a bit sadistic but I am being realistic on certain weeks that is all they will get obviously,that will not always be the case.
By the sounds of things if I threw a ball around the garden for 15min on a winters evening for a full week they will turn into unfriendly, unloving dogs and could not be trusted with children.
It is not am ideal world we live in but if the above post is half correct I think my mind is changed.

andreac

Dogs have to be walked regardless of the weather. If we only walked them when the weather was good they would prob never be walked.
Playing in the garden just isn't enough for any dog. They need mental stimulation and get this by going out for walks and away from their surroundings.
It would be like you never getting out of the house everyday, you would go off your head.

Unless you can give a lot more than you have mentioned, then a dog regardless of size, breed isn't for you, sorry.

laurajamie

is it not better for the dog to be running around an acre of land then to be walked up and down a road?

andreac

No, it's not. Think you are missing the point. A dog needs mental stimulation and regular controlled exercuse, and needs to be taken out for walks to diff places to get this.
Have you researched about dog ownership much? Have you ever had a dog before?
Have you researched German shepherds as a breed and their requirements to be an owner of one?

kylith

Chasing a ball in a garden is no substitute for the mental stimulation a dog gets from a walk. 15 minutes of chasing a ball will do nothing to tire out a German Shepherd anyway, it wouldn't even tire a Cavalier. You could employ someone to walk them an hour a day, but it's likely to wind up quite expensive - one site gives a price of €40 an hour for two dogs on a private walk.

Unless you can afford ~€200 a week to have them walked I would say that your current circumstances are unsuitable for a dog of any sort. You would be better served with a good alarm system.

laurajamie

Ok thanks for your input, to answer your question ,no I have never had a dog before but I think Porker36 seems to make sense with his 8 years experience .

kylith

That's because he's telling you what you want to hear.

andreac

We are all very experienced dog owners on this forum. I've had dogs all my life and I'm 33. I grew up with dogs. I currently own two Rottweilers and they are walked twice a day, everyday.
If you can't be a responsible owner and be able to give the dog it's basic requirements then owning a dog isn't for you.
You asked for advice on your situation and we have told you it's not ideal for any dog let alone a high energy working breed dog that needs a huge amount of training, socialisation, exercise, company and so on, which you have clearly outlined you cannot give.
The dog or dogs are the ones who will suffer in this situation, no one else So it's very unfair to take on a dog when you can't offer it the most basic of things like a daily walk.
Sorry if its not what you want to hear bit it's the truth.

borderlinemeath

Mental stimulation from human and canine interaction is not the same as having the run of an acre garden. I've 2 setters and have an acre garden and if they don't get their walk, they tell me!

Dogs need interaction with their human family and other dogs. On a dogs daily walk even if they don't meet another dog they sniff and scent other dogs that have marked the area on posts/trees etc. This is mental stimulation for them.

Human interaction with their family is vital. If they don't get it they will go crazy, and most likely destructive. You could come home to find that they have either broken through/gone under the fence or that there's large holes dug into your lawn. The fact that you have so much land suggests that you're not in a town/city setting? If you're rural and there's farmers around, and if your dog(s) escape then there's a chance they will be shot by a farmer protecting their livestock. A dog doesn't have to actually attack an animal to be legally shot, they just have to be worrying livestock, ie even running up to a herd of sheep wagging their tail can be considered worrying.

aonb

Just so that the OP wont feel 'attacked' by our pro-dog attitude on here, I would suggest that to help with the decision s/he look at the pure finances which seem to be a consideration:

1. Two large breed dogs need to be vaccinated each year as absolute minimum vet requirements. This alone would cost over E100
2. You will need to worm them about 3 times/year. This will cost about E20
3. Feed will not be inconsiderable for two large dogs who are kept outdoors
4. When you go on holidays, as an absolute minimum you will have to have someome come and feed them daily, and check on them at least twice/day. If you dont have friend/family you will have to pay someone.
5. A kennel/housing
6. Two bored dogs left alone all day wont stay behind a small fence if another dog passes on the road or something interesting is seen outside the fence. You will have to improve your fencing in all probability
7. Leashes, bedding, other items are all considerations
8. Neutering? An unneutered dog will certainly not stay behind a small fence if theres a bitch within a couple of mile radius! an unneutered bitch will attract dogs to your property
9. Two loose GSDs on your property could be a target for thieves
10. Insurance?
11. This is before you buy an expensive GSD.


Really, if you are buying these dogs (and two would at least be company for each other), look in your heart and think seriously about whether its fair on any dog to be left alone all day to mind your property.

boomerang

Well said aob.

OP, I don't want you to feel that there is a rush to judgement here or that you're being attacked. I know my own reply was pretty negative but it's going on my own long experience with rehoming dogs and my knowledge of German Shepherds. All the possibilities I mentioned have happened again and again in my own experience with people talking on big dogs naively when they didn't have time for them.

I'm not saying your two sheps wouldn't be safe with children, but unless you train them and give them enough of your time they will certainly overwhelm your little fella once he's walking and playing in the garden, and you won't want that. If I had a penny for each time a dog was put up for rehoming because the kids were getting jumped on and knocked over...

Shepherds need plenty of early socialisation in lots of different settings and with lots of different people and different dogs or they may never be comfortable with anyone or any dog that's unfamiliar to them. Dogs tend to express that discomfort with growling, barking, lunging and if pushed to it, biting. I can only go on the information you've posted, but I don't think you're in a position learning-wise or time-wise to take this responsibility on.

We're on a few acres and my dogs make no use of the space at all unless I am out there with them. They just hang out at the door. They won't even take up a toy unless I initiate it. That's normal for dogs. So the key thing is not space, but exercise. And you have to provide the exercise, or the dogs end up bored, frustrated and getting into all manner of trouble that might push you to rehome them.

aonb

Just one more thing to add on this subject.
We live on over an acre, in the country.
Our property is 'dog-proofed' with fencing all around. Our dogs are house dogs (except 1, a rescue who wont come into the house - even after 13 years!)
A friend left his CCTV/camera recording project in our house last week. We had to go away for the day, and left the dogs outdoors as a treat (they are in/out the house all day with me usually, but as it was sunny/warm, thought they'd prefer outdoors - plenty of shade, lots of water, and a kennel available). We left the camera recording to see what they get up to.
Our poor dogs, instead of being happy to be outside, play a little, bask in the sun, run around, have fun etc. sat and whined at the door. the odd howl, lots of sighing and scratching to come in, bewildered woofs and general fed-up-ness. When they heard our gates opening they went berserk with joy. Dont tell me a dog will exercise himself when you're not around - they will mope and sleep and wait for their beloved humans to come home

ShaShaBear

Unless there is someone there to do extreme boundary training (which will likely be moot when you are not there to catch them wandering, or if you don't bother to spay or neuter them) and tire them out physically and mentally before and after work hours, you have not a hope.

Taking the ONLY post that massages your hopeful way of thinking isn't the best approach.

Hooked

2 years ago I was new to this forum and thought some of the replies were a little heavy on the 'high horse' side. 2 years and our first dog later, I have to pretty much agree with andreac (in particular) and others.

We are dog owners and lovers. We get them for company, to exercise, to train, mentally stimulate and to be part of the family. They're a 'pack' animal, social and crave attention. None of this takes place alone for 11 hours a day, 6 am till 7 pm. 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year for 12, 13 years upwards.

I'm just back from my second of 2 one hour walks today. This takes place every day. Not just weekends. Next week I'm going camping with herself... And Hugo. Our husky. He's the absolute best evidence that all of what I've learned online from boards and in books was true, despite my not wanting to admit it at times.

You don't need a dog OP. Especially not 2 puppies, alone 11 hours week-daily. By all means, ignore the advice... And regret the decision in a few months time.

Or just swallow the bitter pill. And invest in CCTV for security. It'll cost a lot less.

Bullseye1

Is it the alert that the dog gives or the deterrent to provide? There maybe alternatives. Alternatively have you considered a dog walker to come by a couple of times a day to bring them on walks but that still leaves long periods alone but would help in their socialisation and stimulation. Your current hours away is going to be the biggest obstacle to ensuring a well balanced dog environment.

If its to alert you you could consider geese who make excellent guardians and have been know to chase away would be trespassers. It sounds like your property is ideal for them.

fatmammycat

OP, I've a german shepherd and I would strongly suggest you rethink this. They require a lot of work/exercise/stimulation to make confident sociable pets. Two dogs alone, with no boundries with little or no human interaction during the week is a recipe for disaster. I understand your desire to protect your home, but for the hours you work I'd invest in a top notch security system and forget about GSDs for the moment.

Elottois

As an owner of a male Giant Schnauzer, I can offer the following advice:

Don't do it.

We have our guy in daycare from Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, where he gets three walks a day and has plenty of other dogs to socialise with. We learnt our lesson, as A year ago we had to leave him at home for a couple of days with our Miniature Schnauzer, he dug a humongous hole under the six foot high fence and successfully escaped. Luckily a neighbour encountered the two and took them in until we returned from work. we also received a complaint from another neighbour nearby that he had howled and barked all day.

I will also add that tasks such as the delivery of post, groceries, oil etc will be an nightmare as the dogs will be territorial, particularly of they are left on their own all day.

Sittingpretty

I'm afraid I'm going to have to agree with the majority here.

I have an almost 7 year old shepherd.

While you may want a dog, I don't think anyone who is out of the house 11 hours a day is a suitable dog owner, let alone owner of 2 German Shepherds.

I think you've gotten very good advice here from very experienced posters. I think the security system may be a better option for you.

Quality

Op just to point out that the dog you are looking at is a restricted breed.

If you are goin to get one or two, make sure they are not allowed roam publicly and are muzzled when out for walks.

inocybe

I think the risk to your child is far less from intruders than it would be from 2 unsocialised guard dogs. Sounds like a really bad idea.

Chinasea

In case the OP is still reading.

Just to add, dogs aren't burglar alarms. Please get a good alarm system instead. One that you leave switched on if you are in the house and alerts you if someone tries to gain entrance.

AgileMyth

I'll leave the part about them being left alone because its been well covered above.

We had a Shepherd we could never keep in. No matter how big the area was 'her territory' expanded further and she had to patrol it. No matter how high the fence she'd jump it.. Or tunnel under.. Or just walk right through it!

Great great dogs and I'll have one again myself as soon as I have a place with the space. You have to be ready for a huge commitment though. Particularly in the first year or so. Our one went everywhere with my father. She sat under his desk at work!

CBRLizzie

Just to add to all this - I have a german shepherd who I adopted last year, he's 7 tomorrow. He doesn't seem to want to go walking at all. Every morning and evening I have to coax him out the door, he'd be as happy to stay curled up in the house. When I'm at work all day my neighbour says he stays in the garage, he has the garden and garage and a shed outside, but he stays in the garage. When we are walking, he doesn't really sniff a lot, avoids all other dogs and people and just stays within a few feet of me. He's also a fantastic guard dog, any car door within 5 houses of me and he starts barking. Apparently this is just when I'm home. Also when I'm home he won't go walking with anyone else - I've been ill a few times and he refuses to leave my side. Even when I'm not there and I arrange for someone to walk him (I've hidden in the car one of the times I was ill while he was being walked) he won't go far with them.

My fear is he'd get too territorial if I didn't have him out walking and trying to socialise him. But maybe OP could consider an older dog? One other thing I would say though is that my sister lives on an acre in the country and she can't keep her dog in. They've had to put in a run for him, because even when there're outside playing with him, he'll suddenly bolt and go running across the fields. You will have to invest in a lot of fencing, or a dog run, which wouldn't be fair to leave them in all day. She only uses it when she goes out, otherwise she has the dog in the house with her, or outside on a lead. Really not ideal.