[kramsay]

I have been researching an looking for a breeder for months now. I liked everything I read about the breed and decided one would be a good fit for my family. We plan on getting an 8 week old female pup come spring. My husband owned one as a kid and it very excited about getting another. I was getting excited too until tonight; some family friends came over and we got to talking about dogs. They have farmed all of their lives and so have their parents, like us. The conversation ended up on the topic of putting down dogs that have killed livestock and stories about dogs killing stock ect. He kept mentioning German shepherds. He even owned a couple in the past, and told me they have a bad blood drive- or what ever you want to call it. But they killed no matter how you raised them sooner or later they would kill either your live stock or a neighbors, he named 10+ stories all but one of was a dog who was raised correctly..... I have never read anything like this online, but then again most people who raise expensive dogs don't have livestock. I would like to know if any one has had this kind of experience with a german shepherd, and I don't mean a stray I mean some ones pet. My dog will be a house dog with a fenced in yard to run and play, but I still can't take the risk...

 

[kramsay]

Let me clarify that he wasn't "dissing" the breed, he loves the breed he was just his honest opinion about having them on a farm, and he wasn't saying they are cold blooded killers, just have a higher prey drive. I should have worded things differently

I totally understand that a dog is a predator and will act like one with out proper training. I have 4 terriers right now, and they have a crazy high prey drive. My dad had to put down two of his favorite dogs (Boxers) on Christmas morning in 04 because they attacked and killed 3 calves. They had been broke of chasing calves, but they just got a wild hair that night. He put them down on site.. in our family if it kills one animal (poultry exempt) then it has the taste for blood and it has to be put down, just to much of a liability.
I was really worried when he started telling me about the shepherds, but I realize one constancy in the stories, it could have been prevented days/weeks before they killed multiple animals. In one case a dog had chased a lot of feeder pigs, did not hurt them just chased them. They did nothing. Came back the next night and had 5 died, the next night the whole lot was died (30). This was a neighbors dog, and after the 3rd night he was put down. The dog should have been chained, or locked up at night after that first night, the second night he should have been died once he got the taste of blood.
I hate to sound harsh but that is how I feel about it and this puppy will be a part of my family. She will sleep with my husband and I, play with my son, go on rides to the farm. Our dogs are like our kids, we love them to death. I don't want to be put in the position where I have to put my beloved dog down because she has to high of a prey drive and kills livestock.

I feel much better after reading your guys replies. My yard will be fenced in with chain link and a row of woven wire behind that, she will never be allowed in the goats pen. I will socialize her with every type of livestock from the time I get her.

I think I may have been rambling but I was just so worried after hearing all of that, but I am feeling much better now, thank you so much.

Laura do you know of any breeders in the Kentucky/Indiana/Ohio area?

 

[kramsay]

I would like to thank every one for your replies

I went to the link, and read all of his site. I have never seen them actually used to herd, I think it's great that he is using them for what they are originally bred for. I don't think I would train one to actually herd because there isn't much need around here for them to herd, although I might look into it, since we do have cattle that need to be moved from time to time.

I am still really interested in getting a puppy. I know any breed of dog can kill, but this is the breed I want, I have researched for a long time and I like the qualities of the breed. I need to find a good breeder some where close to me, I looked on the AKC site and I think they where all show lines, but I will check again.

Thank you for sharing you thoughts and stories with me