Which Breed....

[laeral]

...Goldies on the other hand...everyone loves them!!!

Ah... . not everyone..

Yes.... not everyone

As applies to all breeds!

I recommend Shepherd if you are prepared to put in the hard yards in training the puppy right and being firm but calm and consistant. Also need to be prepared to exercise the dog a lot and continue training as the puppy grows, you may end up with a very high energy shepherd! They are incredibly smart and as a result need a lot of stimulation.

My mum has a golden, she is VERY different as in she is more laid back, happy to just sit there wagging her tail and just wants a pat. She didn't even really get any solid training and was just a good dog.

They are all different though, regardless of breed

I meant Joe Blow lol, I can walk my dog and people invite themselves up for a pat and comment on how beautiful she is etc etc, the same friend I mentioned earlier can walk her Rotti pup and people cross the road to avoid her, unfortunately GSD's often fall into the second category, when they are fluffy pups its all good, but once they start go grow up and look more like GSD's then people automatically think the dog will turn on them, Im only saying this because the OP has young children and she may find that certain mums wont let their kids come to play if they have a 'vicious' dog in the yard...obviously those people arent worth knowing in the first place, but Im thinking of the effect on the kids if nobody wants to play... I know that scenario is unlikely, I think GSDs are awesome dogs and like most other people on here believe its more to do with the breeding and training rather than the breed itself

I am finding these comments a little odd. So the OP shouldnt get a GSD because then her children may end up having no friends? or people will be to scared to talk to them?

Maybe this isnt what your saying and I have got it all wrong but still, strange...

[Silvawilow]

I don't have either breed but we had a GSD when I was growing up. I do have a xbred who's half GR.

From my own personal experience with both breeds I would be tending towards the GR, the ones I know and interact with have beautiful temperaments and are very intelligent - they just need training as all dogs do! I do think a GSD would be easier to train but I couldn't live with the "whining like" noise a lot of them seem to make when their Mum's & Dad's leave them. I only say that because my 20mth old daughter is starting to go through a stage and one is enough atm

[jacqui835]

Goldens are absolutely wonderful and I find them to be a very “forgiving” breed. In general I find my dogs fairly unreactive to things. For example on our walks sometimes children spring out from nowhere and throw their arms around the dogs. The dogs are fine with these sudden movements etc and don’t seem to mind at all.

Not specifically child related but I often have friends come over who yelp in high pitch voices, who cuddle/pat the dogs, look at their teeth, squish their faces, take toys from the dogs mouth to look at etc and the dogs don’t mind at all, even when its people they don’t know very well. My only criticism would be that my girl tends to be a bouncer so if you get someone very loud and bouncy she will take that as a cue to be extra bouncy herself but she is never cross or frightened.

Training wise, I find them extremely easy to train dogs. They love their walks and the little one MUST have her games and training but they are very easygoing and good natured. I’m not sure how to put it but I just find them to be very at ease with most things. They are never quarrelsome.

Hope that helps you more with the golden part of your question!

I have a doberman, and when he goes to the park, strange kids come up and want to play with him. They literally jump on him, take sticks away from him, pull his tail, sometimes half whack him with the sticks etc. He loves little kids. He sits and waits for them to throw the sticks even though he's bigger than them. He loves them to chase him, and he runs with the stick in his mouth looking back to make sure they're still following, just running slowly. We watch him to make sure he still looks like he's having fun, and we teach the kids on how they should approach dogs. The parents always comment on what an excellent temperament he has, but they don't know he's a doberman because he's red with a long tail and floppy ears, and when we tell them they are always surprised.

He is also a guard dog and goes mental if he thinks anyone or anything is threatened. I'm 23, I have no kids and neither did the breeder, but if you get a dog from a good breeder (took me 5 years to find mine) and you put the effort in (training sessions every day, NILIF etc) I don't think the breed makes much difference to how good they will be with kids. He is extremely easy to train. He also lives with 2 cats and has never had any issues with them. He has a very high pain threshold - doesn't notice when he has needles at the vet etc and that makes him good with kids too.

I prefer working dogs to gun dogs because working dogs, and esp the protective breeds have one interest in life, that being people. They don't typically become obsessed with chasing birds or balls or anything else. But I would also say that to maximise a working dog, you need a dominant personality. I have seen how quickly my dog determines whether someone should be listened to or not, and whilst he's never been aggressive, he is completely deaf and even a bit rude with people who are do not sort of give off those dominant vibes. Eg my mother. He loves her to pieces and is always practically ecstatic to see her, but, he will not listen to anything she says. He will always lean against her, get in the way etc (and he's a big 40+kg boy so he really gets in the way), but she doesn't seem to mind this and it works for her lol. She hugs him when he asks for it and feeds him when he looks at her etc, not the way to raise a working dominant breed if you want to have decent control.

If you can be dominant, go the working breed or the retriever - whichever you prefer on looks or whatever. If you can't, go the retriever. Or some other smaller breed even.

[Crisovar]

I don't think it matters that you are torn between 2 different breeds that are so different, many of us have a quite eclectic

canine family, I like others have a great appreciation of many and varied breeds and enjoy the diversity that living with such a blended household brings.

IMO go with the breed that you feel you can do the most justice and gain the most enjoyment from at this time. 2 years down the track you may feel that you want to experience the other side, and if you are ready for another then you may just have both of your chosen breeds.

Neither is superior they are simply different.

Edited June 19, 2010 by Crisovar

[all that glitters]

I've had both and love both breeds. I have three kids 22 month, 4 and 6. I lost my last Golden just over two years ago and the house just didn't feel the same without one. I went back to the breeder I got our original boy from because they breed for great temperament as well as doing all the health checks. They are fantastic dogs. Make sure you meet these breeders and have a good talk to them. If they show or trial, ask when their next outing is and if you can go and meet them and their dogs.

Do you know the only thing that would sway me between the two is the sound of their bark? I can't stand the GSD bark, it radiates through me. Though all my dogs are trained to only give warning barks, I still cringe when I hear a GSD bark. Strange I know.

Yes, the shepherd bark... it does happen a lot

[huski]

I have a doberman, and when he goes to the park, strange kids come up and want to play with him. They literally jump on him, take sticks away from him, pull his tail, sometimes half whack him with the sticks etc. He loves little kids. He sits and waits for them to throw the sticks even though he's bigger than them. He loves them to chase him, and he runs with the stick in his mouth looking back to make sure they're still following, just running slowly. We watch him to make sure he still looks like he's having fun, and we teach the kids on how they should approach dogs. The parents always comment on what an excellent temperament he has, but they don't know he's a doberman because he's red with a long tail and floppy ears, and when we tell them they are always surprise

Wow you're a lot nicer than me - I would be FURIOUS if some idiot parent let their kids jump on my dog, pull their tail, whack them with sticks

Even though my dogs are friendly, it's disgusting kids would do that to a dog and bloody dangerous too

[~Shepherd~]

Goldens are absolutely wonderful and I find them to be a very “forgiving” breed. In general I find my dogs fairly unreactive to things. For example on our walks sometimes children spring out from nowhere and throw their arms around the dogs. The dogs are fine with these sudden movements etc and don’t seem to mind at all.

Not specifically child related but I often have friends come over who yelp in high pitch voices, who cuddle/pat the dogs, look at their teeth, squish their faces, take toys from the dogs mouth to look at etc and the dogs don’t mind at all, even when its people they don’t know very well. My only criticism would be that my girl tends to be a bouncer so if you get someone very loud and bouncy she will take that as a cue to be extra bouncy herself but she is never cross or frightened.

Training wise, I find them extremely easy to train dogs. They love their walks and the little one MUST have her games and training but they are very easygoing and good natured. I’m not sure how to put it but I just find them to be very at ease with most things. They are never quarrelsome.

Hope that helps you more with the golden part of your question!

I have a doberman, and when he goes to the park, strange kids come up and want to play with him. They literally jump on him, take sticks away from him, pull his tail, sometimes half whack him with the sticks etc. He loves little kids. He sits and waits for them to throw the sticks even though he's bigger than them. He loves them to chase him, and he runs with the stick in his mouth looking back to make sure they're still following, just running slowly. We watch him to make sure he still looks like he's having fun, and we teach the kids on how they should approach dogs. The parents always comment on what an excellent temperament he has, but they don't know he's a doberman because he's red with a long tail and floppy ears, and when we tell them they are always surprised.

He is also a guard dog and goes mental if he thinks anyone or anything is threatened. I'm 23, I have no kids and neither did the breeder, but if you get a dog from a good breeder (took me 5 years to find mine) and you put the effort in (training sessions every day, NILIF etc) I don't think the breed makes much difference to how good they will be with kids. He is extremely easy to train. He also lives with 2 cats and has never had any issues with them. He has a very high pain threshold - doesn't notice when he has needles at the vet etc and that makes him good with kids too.

I prefer working dogs to gun dogs because working dogs, and esp the protective breeds have one interest in life, that being people. They don't typically become obsessed with chasing birds or balls or anything else. But I would also say that to maximise a working dog, you need a dominant personality. I have seen how quickly my dog determines whether someone should be listened to or not, and whilst he's never been aggressive, he is completely deaf and even a bit rude with people who are do not sort of give off those dominant vibes. Eg my mother. He loves her to pieces and is always practically ecstatic to see her, but, he will not listen to anything she says. He will always lean against her, get in the way etc (and he's a big 40+kg boy so he really gets in the way), but she doesn't seem to mind this and it works for her lol. She hugs him when he asks for it and feeds him when he looks at her etc, not the way to raise a working dominant breed if you want to have decent control.

If you can be dominant, go the working breed or the retriever - whichever you prefer on looks or whatever. If you can't, go the retriever. Or some other smaller breed even.

'jacqui835'

Are you sure you are not telling Porky Pies about the stick whacking children? Sounds a little far fetched to me. As a responsible dog owner if you are being 100% honest, then you should not have let the interactions get to that point. Ridiculous and irresponsible IMHO

Edited June 19, 2010 by Chewbacca

[Just love my dogs!]

Golden for sure. I love ours. She's great with kids and very loyal. But like some others have said, they can be very boisterous and naughty when young (just like other breeds).

Edited June 19, 2010 by Just love my dogs!

[Just love my dogs!]

Ooops double post. Sorry

Edited June 19, 2010 by Just love my dogs!

[Juno09]

Personally I would say a GSD, not only because I have owned 3, but mainly because I grew up with them as a child...I got to interact with them as a toddler and now as an adult. As a toddler my parents GSD were caring, gentle and fun...while 2 were trained protection dogs...and the other a pet...ALL 3 were trusted to play with me and I NEVER got anything but love from them. Now as an adult the 3 I have owned...yes they need work, lots of training and exercise and socialization...but the end product is well worth it to me. Never owned a Golden Retriever, but I love the breed. I love how they look and the few I have known' were beautiful and friendly. Good luck in which ever you decide.

[percyk]

we have had both

the gsd was great and he ignored our kids as he got older but the goldie was absolutely fool-proof...nothing phased him

id go goldie...but they can be boisterous

my choice for kids is a cav

[gsdog2]

Either will make you happy for about 10-14 years, then inconsolable when gone. GSDs take a bit more effort and shed more, but if you love 'em, you love 'em.

Are you serious??? I have two GSD's (one longhair) and one GR and the GR on his own shed's TWICE as much hair as the other two combined!!! And both breeds require effort ;)

The only comment I'd like to add (as someone who shares her home with both of these great breeds) is the attitude you will get from the 'general' public with regard to GSD's ;) When I take my GR out I rarely come accross anyone who's fearful of him, however if I take either of my GSD's out people will often assume he/she's not friendly. I took my female to the Dermatologist at the specialist center last week (she's got a lovely friendly nature) and the other lady in the waiting room immediately picked up her 'small' dog and promised it she wouldn't let my dog bite it

[Nadine83]

There are too many replies for me to thank all of you personally but I do appreciate all of your replies and for sharing your thoughts, advice and stories with me!

We have decided on a breed and we think we have lined up a breeder (we need to visit them first) We will get the other breed later on down the track.

gsdog2- That's very wrong. By the sounds of it that womans dog was probably more vicious then your GS! The only dogs that I get nervous about are dogs that roam around the streets on their own.

[Golden Rules]

Either will make you happy for about 10-14 years, then inconsolable when gone. GSDs take a bit more effort and shed more, but if you love 'em, you love 'em.

Are you serious??? I have two GSD's (one longhair) and one GR and the GR on his own shed's TWICE as much hair as the other two combined!!! And both breeds require effort

The only comment I'd like to add (as someone who shares her home with both of these great breeds) is the attitude you will get from the 'general' public with regard to GSD's When I take my GR out I rarely come accross anyone who's fearful of him, however if I take either of my GSD's out people will often assume he/she's not friendly. I took my female to the Dermatologist at the specialist center last week (she's got a lovely friendly nature) and the other lady in the waiting room immediately picked up her 'small' dog and promised it she wouldn't let my dog bite it

Yes, you need to consider the response you get when out and about. Goldies are likely to increase your 'social contact' with the general public whereas you will have to deal with some people's perceptions of GSDs which may not always be positive.

A long haired GSD is on my list of dogs to own one day

[all that glitters]

Either will make you happy for about 10-14 years, then inconsolable when gone. GSDs take a bit more effort and shed more, but if you love 'em, you love 'em.

Are you serious??? I have two GSD's (one longhair) and one GR and the GR on his own shed's TWICE as much hair as the other two combined!!! And both breeds require effort

The only comment I'd like to add (as someone who shares her home with both of these great breeds) is the attitude you will get from the 'general' public with regard to GSD's When I take my GR out I rarely come accross anyone who's fearful of him, however if I take either of my GSD's out people will often assume he/she's not friendly. I took my female to the Dermatologist at the specialist center last week (she's got a lovely friendly nature) and the other lady in the waiting room immediately picked up her 'small' dog and promised it she wouldn't let my dog bite it

Yes, you need to consider the response you get when out and about. Goldies are likely to increase your 'social contact' with the general public whereas you will have to deal with some people's perceptions of GSDs which may not always be positive.

A long haired GSD is on my list of dogs to own one day

Yay! I have to say I haven't experienced much fear in people with Shyla walking past, maybe cos she isn't that big and doesn't look as scary as some big shepherds can?

[gsdog2]

Yay! I have to say I haven't experienced much fear in people with Shyla walking past, maybe cos she isn't that big and doesn't look as scary as some big shepherds can?

I would agree Shelle but Indi's only 28kg (less than my GR) and she looks a lot like Shyla. She is the gentlelest GSD I've owned, so it was very disappointing to get this reaction. Sadly it happens a lot when we visit the vets, despite the fact the staff love Indi as she's been a 'very' regular visitor and enjoys her visits.

Nadine83 congrats on making your selection and I can definately recommend having the two breeds together as mine are all great friends

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

I would pick the GSD.

I have met so many obnoxious, rough, clumsy, food obsessed, toy stealing GRs, and it's hard to imagine any dog but a Saint Bernard shedding more than a retriever. Anyway the problem is that owners rely on the good well meaning nature of a GR and ignore all the faults and fail to put any effort into training. There's one at our local park, a puppy, but big enough to knock adults down and does frequently, loves to roll in the mud - the sticky black stuff in the cricket pitch, and steals other dogs toys (can hold three tennis balls in his mouth at once), and won't let go of my lead (tug toy) when I'm trying to take my dog home. He's got no recall at all and if there is any food or food like substances left at the oval after the footy - you can't peel him away. And the owner is quite happy to have him like that. Well actually maybe she's not. He's getting some special training from a police dog trainer for the recall, which has been delayed after he ate a large amount of persian rug and was sick because of that for a week.

Don't seem to encounter problems like that with GSD - because the owners make more effort to train those. And I find them easy to train at the park too for basic stuff like we're going home now, leave us alone.

If I had small children I think I'd actually choose a dog that was not as tall as them and easy to train. I do like the finnish lappie that I met recently. It was full on (boisterous) but had less (crash tackle) momentum than a GR and seemed much less clumsy/accident prone.

[tarope]

Hi Nadine83,

I have never owned a GR but I can tell you a little about the wonderful GSD. There are two types of GSD's the calm ones and the hyperactive ones, I know as I have one of each and can be either dog or bitch so a calm one would be for you especially with a young family.

The hyperactive ones and much harder to train and can be a real handful, but in time turn out just fine. Obedience training is a must and the best place for this is the GSDL, they will show you how to raise your GSD correctly.

GSD's are not for everyone because many people won't do the training and it's not easy and don't make this wonderful breed part of the family, by this I mean in the house on the lounge etc. They love to be with you and are loyal,loving, very Intelligent and protective. Health and temperament are most important, so I hope your chosen breeder is a GSDL member. Fear bitting and HD were a big problem years ago, but thanks to breed survey this is not the case today.

Archie the vet nurse,

Would you explain to me what you mean by "Narky GSD's"

[aussielover]

Get an AUSSIE

They don't shed that much and share characterisitics of both goldies and GSDs.

Just joking- I know you've already made up your mind.

[Serket]

I would pick the GSD.

I have met so many obnoxious, rough, clumsy, food obsessed, toy stealing GRs, and it's hard to imagine any dog but a Saint Bernard shedding more than a retriever. Anyway the problem is that owners rely on the good well meaning nature of a GR and ignore all the faults and fail to put any effort into training. There's one at our local park, a puppy, but big enough to knock adults down and does frequently, loves to roll in the mud - the sticky black stuff in the cricket pitch, and steals other dogs toys (can hold three tennis balls in his mouth at once), and won't let go of my lead (tug toy) when I'm trying to take my dog home. He's got no recall at all and if there is any food or food like substances left at the oval after the footy - you can't peel him away. And the owner is quite happy to have him like that. Well actually maybe she's not. He's getting some special training from a police dog trainer for the recall, which has been delayed after he ate a large amount of persian rug and was sick because of that for a week.

Don't seem to encounter problems like that with GSD - because the owners make more effort to train those. And I find them easy to train at the park too for basic stuff like we're going home now, leave us alone.

If I had small children I think I'd actually choose a dog that was not as tall as them and easy to train. I do like the finnish lappie that I met recently. It was full on (boisterous) but had less (crash tackle) momentum than a GR and seemed much less clumsy/accident prone.

This has nothing to do with the breed, and everything to do with the owner - that dog does sound very annoying and out of control, but it's not his fault his owner's are clueless. A GSD living with the same family would be just as bad, I'm sure.

To the OP - glad you've made a decision, and best of luck meeting the breeder and finding a suitable puppy