Boots42

Agreed! Pictures please

Do they "bond" to other dogs? I.e. if an iggy pup was brought into a family with another dog, would the iggy have a strong (velcroish) relationship with the other dog?

One of the many reasons I love my baby is because he's the only dog I know that would lie there regally watching a raw steak being thrown at him as a treat (that I managed to convince my mum to give him when we were visiting!) and assume it wouldn't hit him. He's the only dog I know that after being hit in the face by a flying raw steak, would give a huff of annoyance at the indignity, and then stalk off as we laughed, refusing to eat the steak.

Ooh! Dog insurance! I looked into that but then put it off because I was looking into getting a horse again and not many will insure horses... but never got around to getting the pet insurance for my boy in the end (didn't get the horse either). Who are you looking at?

Hi Well worth the pain I would have thought. People getting pups through DOL are practically guaranteed integrity. DOL will even help you with buyers who prove to be a PIA. Like someone who wants a puppy freighted to NZ for the price of a postage stamp. Congratulations kascade and Welcome. PIA?

""I can train any dog in 5 minutes. It's training the owner that takes longer." -Barbara Woodhouse" Relevant, perhaps?

My ex brought Boss for me and if my current boyfriend at the time EVER said that to me he would no longer be my boyfriend! Boss is a better man then they will ever be anyway... what more could you ask for really! ... oh good god! (to the first part!)

QUESTIONS: 1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc) My parents always had at least one german shep (and generally two, but sometimes the second dog has been "something else" - i.e. rottie/shep cross, dalmatian, etc), and I currently have an 8 y.o. GSD. So I'd say relatively experienced with companion GSDs. 2. Where and why was the breed first developed? This has been covered well. 3. How common is it in Australia? This has been covered well. Although I have had a few children shyly come up to me and ask if my boy is a wolf... so maybe not thaaaat common! 4. What is the average lifespan? This has been covered but I am curious whether there's a different lifespan between working bred and show bred dogs. 5. What is the general temperament/personality? Watchful, intelligent, expressive. 6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult? Daily, mine has one-two short walks (i.e. "around the block") and one ramble that involves games or at least one or two bursts of sprinting) and this works for us. Others may need to run alongside a bicycle. 7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with? If you choose a GSD aiming for a "middle pup" (i.e. not the first or last to greet you), getting a dog from 10+ weeks and from the start regularly take him for bathroom breaks outside (not giving him the chance to have an accident inside), not letting them go in front of you on walks/through doorways, taking it to puppy school than obedience training, regular walks and dog socialisation, keeping it mentally active with games (whether that's hide and seek for yourself or hiding food depending on the dog's motivations....). So, yes, *if* the dog owner is prepared to learn and put into action a lot more than the average dog owner does. 8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods? A well-adjusted, well-exercised GSD will most likely snooze and eat. A dog that does not have a clear leader/is not exercised/etc will bark, stress and go a little bonkers. 9. How much grooming is required? Bah. I have a long-haired GSD. I can spend hours filling up bags and bags and bags with his hair. 10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)? A young puppy - young adult (up to about 3, maybe even 4) would be unaware of their weight around small children/infirm people but GSDs definitely have an innate understanding that they need to be gentle around these kids/elderly/etc. There's a particularly good nursing home in Adelaide that I was highly amused to find out that one of the managers has a well-trained GSD that roams the hallways during her shifts, saying hello to the patients and wandering in for pats! 11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of? Has been discussed earlier. 12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be) (Has been covered - hip dysplasia is probably no.1)

Would be especially keen on photos/updates on any fluffy GSD girls if there are any!