Well yea i'm looking at getting a puppy and we've always had labrador retrievers but I find myself attracted to the German shepherd breed. I just think they are so cool. Think I want to get one but i've heard bad things about how home owners insurance plays hell when you have a shepherd or any other dog breed that's deemed aggressive. Anyone here have one of these so called dogs and have problems with insurance. It ticks me off that companies blanket a certain breed because IMO it's all in the owner. you can beat any dog and make it mean it has nothing to do with breed.

and no one please don't suggest a lapdog. I'm sorry but if you have one those damn things are not dogs in the least. My friend got a pomeranion six months ago and I swear to god i'm gonna beat it senseless one of these days. It bites everyone other than him for no god damn reason. I've tried to tell it no and show dominance but it just don't wanna give up the only way to get it to stop is to roll it onto it's back and hold it down until it quits fighting. even then it only takes like 10 min before it tries again. and don't get me started on how it pees in the house every 5 min.

 

I did not know Sheppards were considered "aggressive"...Have you talked to your insurance agent yet?

 

I have 110 lbs Pit

 

I own a Rott, which definitely makes that list. Now, as far as insurance, we were never asked about dogs, but we kind of just got homeowners insurance. Here's what I mean. My father-in-law built our house so he had insurance on it while we were building. When my wife and I got married, I just joined her insurance. Both her and her father had the same insurance agent. When we purchased the house, it was just transferred to our name. So, we never had to fill anything out.

My sister-in-law had a german shepard and it was an awesome dog. I wouldn't hesitate at all to get one because as you said, it's all in the owner on how a dog will behave. As far as rotts go, I'll be the first to admit, they are not for everyone. They are a stubborn, persitant dog that will push the boundrys of who's the boss. Luckily for me, I'm more stubborn than she is. German Shepards I see in the same way.

My best advice is to get a bunch of books and start reading. I grew up around rotts and I still bought 4 or 5 books to better understand the breed. We also did obediance class' to 1) make us be consistant with training and 2) to get her used to being around other dogs and people.

I could go on for a long time about how ignorant people are and how much it drives me insane, but I won't. I'll just get all worked up.

Good luck and post pics if you get one. They are very cute pups. Here is a pic of our "kid eater"

 

See no I havn't talked to our insurance agent yet because if I think it's gonna be a problem with them then they just arn't gonna be told about it. I was just talking with my dad about it because he had a shepherd way back and this would be my first dog that I would be the main caregiver I guess you woudl call it. I've just heard this from general people havn't really looked into itwith insurance at all and don't see it being a problem but figured I'dput it out there no what i mean? i'm pretty dead set on a boy shepherd pup it's jsut a matter of when. From talking to the AKC breeder referall forshepherds It may be awhile till Iget a pup because most pups are spoken for before they are born.

That's a helluva dog you got there man. the bigger the better I say.

 

My dog is all bark no bite. She is half lab and half sharpei. She always gets beat up from other animals, cats, puppies, any thing. I would suggest a lab. Great all-around dog. A shepard would be a good choice too. Good luck!

 

I got a 35 lb mutt scared to death of everything but squirrels. He'll run down a squirrel and kill it faster than you can blink. Must think they're gonna take his nuts. Oh, too late the ol' lady already did.

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We've got a ferociously affectionate Jack Russell Terrier. He's not nearly as hyper as most, nothing like the general perception of the breed. He's smarter than a lot of people I know and definitely has more personality than a lot of girls I dated back in the day. He's pretty much got his own agenda and needs gentle reminders now and then as to who really runs the house. We knew nothing about Jacks when we got him and were in for some fun surprises and a bit of a learning curve, but I'd get another in a heartbeat if anything happened to him now. He's about 18 pounds, 17.5 of which is solid muscle. He'll go nose-to-nose with a 100+ pound Lab, not realizing how small he is in comparison. Good compromise between a cuddler and semi-serious guard dog, if you ask me.

Just my two shiny pennies for your consideration...

 

hey the smaller dogs are always the meanest... I am a firm believer that how you raise them is the best bet for anyone.

this little guy scares the crap out of just about everyone... 70 lbs, tons of muscle and all baby! Just ask anyone who met him on the Aug 4th wheeling trip we did.

 

He even matches your truck