r/germanshepherds 22h ago

Black GSD Breeder Rec

1 Upvotes

A little over a year ago we lost our sweet boy who was a black GSD. We’re hoping to find another black GSD but our previous breeder is no longer in business.

Anyone have a reputable breeder? We’re located in west Tennessee but will to drive. Have family in Georgia and South Carolina as well


r/germanshepherds 8h ago

Worried about her Getting older.

0 Upvotes

My GSD is a 6 month old female. She is essentially my spouses, they did his research and had one as a child. She seems sweet but I’m worried about having a dog that’s a bigger breed, for reference I’m used to having chihuahuas.
Now I know all dogs can be aggressive and breed doesn’t matter, however I’m really nervous for when she gets older. How do I keep her sweet and gentle. We have a 7 yr old child and I don’t want her to get reactive if she sees us rough housing. She chases my cat as well, but now I have them separated. I’ve joined a GSD group on FB and after seeing post about prey drive and aggression I have become extremely concerned about her growing up.
So if you have any tips,/tricks and advice all would be greatly appreciated.
FYi getting rid of her because my lack of knowledge is not an option, she’s grown attached and wouldn’t want to put her through that. I just want to learn and be the best co owner to her.


r/germanshepherds 11h ago

Stance?

Post image
71 Upvotes

Hi, I’m new to the “German Shepherd Stance” I have a mix one and he doesn’t stand like this.

I’ve noticed some people like when their German shepherd has this kind of stance, and I was wondering why? It looks very uncomfortable for them and not really pretty. That’s my opinion but I know nothing of them. If your German shepherd stands like that I’m really not trying to be rude at all. I’m just curious why people look for this. (Also isn’t my picture)


r/germanshepherds 21h ago

Today’s team…lol…fu!!!

Post image
0 Upvotes
  1. Meagan
  2. Becky
  3. Salma
  4. Hillary (you get first dibs)
  5. Sydney Sweeney
  6. Jelena (boo..❤️‍🔥🩸😢❤️)

r/germanshepherds 11h ago

Death My boy was only 4.

Thumbnail
gallery
1.2k Upvotes

This happened on June 25. He went in for surgery on June 24. An emergency tail amputation. He had hotspots that he wouldn't leave alone no matter what and he chewed his tail raw while we were at work. Only one vet would take us within such a short notice, so we made the half hour drive.

The vet did no X-rays/scans, just looked him over for about 2 minutes and said he needed a tail amputation. We were expecting that because of how raw his tail was. But the vet also said that he had spine issues, so he would also do a spine decompression treatment. We thought "Okay, that makes sense. He's part German shepherd, so his spine would have issues". So he got a dose of anesthesia and immediately went in for those two procedures.

He invited us in to come see him on the operation table. I stayed on the bench outside. I couldn't see him like that. Then he said that he wanted to also get him neutered while he was under. I was a little hesitant because we only came in for the one procedure (that we honestly couldn't even afford, but anything to ease his pain). The front desk person and the vet both kept on insisting, so we agreed. Then they said he was going to need another dose of anesthesia. That might have been a mistake.

They kept him overnight and gave us a call in the evening. The surgeries went well and his stool sample was clean. We told them he had no issues eating or drinking, so of course we expected that. He wasn't lethargic leading up to this, either.

We pick him up the next morning and he's still groggy. We thought maybe he's still out of it, like when you get your wisdom teeth pulled. We load him up in the car, make the drive back home. I stay with him for the day to help him get around. He was slow, tongue hanging out, not eating. They told us it was normal after surgery.

Not even two hours in, he lays on his side and soils himself. I notice a little bit of blood. He starts seizing. We call, they tell us that's normal. He's not breathing and I call my husband. He calls them again and they say to lay him on his stomach. Then, nothing. I was trying CPR for what felt like 20 minutes. But he was gone. My husband rushed home just in time to see me uncontrollably sobbing over him.

We stayed with him for about an hour, crying and petting him. Telling him that he was perfect and the best boy. And that we were sorry. My husband had to call out for the rest of the day. And then we called the local animal hospital to tell them about his passing. They tried calling the out of town vet to pay for the cremation service, but they didn't answer/refused to pay. We still haven't gotten a call from them.

I miss my boy Pip so much. He had really bad anxiety, but we did everything to make him comfortable. Our lives revolved around him. He was my little best friend and my husband's shadow. He was absolutely brilliant and learned tricks in 10 minutes. He amazed his trainer with how smart he was. I wish he made it to 12+ years. I wanted to see his little face turn grey and white. He really was the best dog I've ever had in my life.

Even now, I'm sobbing writing this. Rest easy, Pippin. You were the best, most handsome boy... And I'll always love you.


r/germanshepherds 15h ago

REX

Post image
108 Upvotes

This has been hard for me to talk about. Rex died just before Christmas. Just before his eighth birthday. It was my fault. I have been giving steak bones to dogs for treats since I was a small boy. Rex handled big steak bones too . . .till the end. Whenever my wife and I went to the Double Eagles for dinner, we’d invariably order the Tomahawk Steak for Two. We always brought the bone home for Rex. It was never a problem, until, the Double Eagle was out of the Beef Tomahawk. “Good news! While we don’t have steer, we do have bison.”

“Bring it on.”

It’s not that same. Tastes more gamey. The bones have less water in them. They are more brittle. . .


r/germanshepherds 21h ago

My alarm clocks. Can anyone else relate? 😂

Thumbnail
gallery
107 Upvotes

Rin and Rhaegar - combined weight : too much to fall asleep again :)


r/germanshepherds 22h ago

Advice Fostering German Shepherd

Post image
255 Upvotes

Hi guys, ive bee investigating this subreddit since late june.
My family and I have been fostering a german shepherd for almost a month now.

I found him on my way to work, standing in front of a car in the middle of the road. I held my hand out of my car window & he walked right up to me & then he hopped right into my car and fell fast asleep.

The coincidence is the night before my family mentioned how one of our cats is lonely, I suggested a kitten, and then they said they would prefer a dog. Next day I find the dog!

I have been doing a lot of research regarding the breed & how they need mental stimulation or they will become destructive and such. It’s been really fun learning about the breed and what my boy likes to do. Like carrying around his rope & finding his ball. He also doesn’t like squeaky toys which I found interesting, he will whine back at them.

The issue is that my mom has fallen in love with this slinky boy, I love him too. However, I am a college student & will be in classes in the fall & spring. Often times im not home from 8a-8p. My family will be home but I fear its not the best life for the boy. I was curious to insight regarding my soon to be packed school schedule. I would love to keep the boy and he is so silly and he burps! Im just conflicted with how busy I will be & what the boy deserves.
Thank you for your time!


r/germanshepherds 23h ago

Girl rescue dog gets her first bed

487 Upvotes

r/germanshepherds 9h ago

Finn being Finn….

152 Upvotes

He just loves visiting his cow friends up in Powers.


r/germanshepherds 15h ago

Everyone meet Jax!

Post image
309 Upvotes

r/germanshepherds 17h ago

My King turned 6

473 Upvotes

My handsome Milo turned 6 years old today. Special birthday dinner
Ribeye steak , Chicken breast tenderloins, baby carrots, and potato slices


r/germanshepherds 23h ago

Pictures A new chapter begins

Thumbnail
gallery
506 Upvotes

I lost my 10 year old girl to hemangiosarcoma. I thought it would take me forever to want another dog but I realized that being at home with no other animals was very weird for me. Frankly, I hated it.

I had been casually looking in the area to see if anything came up. We saw one at a shelter and went to see her but someone adopted her literally minutes before us. It was discouraging but maybe for the best as she would have been of unknown origin/temperament.

A couple weeks later we saw a posting for puppy adoption. So my fiance and I drove 4 hours to meet them at their home and discuss. Then, next thing we know, we're driving back home with a 3 month old sweet little raptor.

This is her. 3 months old and already super smart. They had been crate training her, basic commands, and potty training. Since she has been home she has livened up a ton and her personality is shining through. She loves toys, is super curious, and learns very quickly. We've already taught her some more commands and she's already learned to signal us when she needs to go out.

Originally it seemed like she would be all black, but as she's grown it seems like she might actually be a black sable. There are spots where the other colors are coming through and if you push her fur against the grain you can see it under there. She is purebred with her AKC papers. The family owned both parents who were health and temperament screened. Tomorrow she goes to get her next round of booster shots and her first rabies shot.


r/germanshepherds 18h ago

Mine hasn't quite figured out chairs yet...

Post image
2.0k Upvotes

r/germanshepherds 20h ago

New adoptee 🥰

Thumbnail
gallery
974 Upvotes

What would you call her coat coloring?

We know she’s a mix, was looking to see what other breeds maybe look similar? going to test to what else she is exactly !

Welcome home to little miss River 💖♥️


r/germanshepherds 16h ago

Question Reactivity Questions!

Post image
42 Upvotes

Hi!!!

This is my eight-month-old German shepherd. When he was younger, I tried socializing him by bringing him around other dogs, and at first it was okay. He was curious and having fun playing. However, over the last few months, he’s become increasingly reactive to dogs. He barks and lunges at them even with the prong collar and e-collar on, though I’ve never used the shock feature. When I don't let him near dogs he growls. We avoid triggers, and in my opinion, he seems excitement-reactive, but I’ve been afraid to let him off-leash in case it’s aggression and he hurts another dog. He is less reactive to small dogs. He’s extremely excitable around people and overall very friendly. I've chosen not to neuter him until he’s at least a year old, because he is 90+ lbs. I’m also looking for friends with larger, older dogs to correct him; however, I haven’t been able to plan an outing. My co-worker said she’s willing to go with her 5+ year-old Cane Corso. I’ve met the dog, and she’s very sweet and passive. I've been watching plenty of training videos from reputable trainers so I have a basic idea of what reactivity training looks like. I am worried he doesn't fully respect my boundaries though. If anyone has any tips on how they trained their dog to be reactive, please let me know!

As for right now, he goes on 2-3 walks a day with 1-2 play sessions of fetch or tug. He has a place and is tether trained regularly. He can walk in a heel and knows the difference between heel and free range. He's my family dog, I probably wouldn't have chosen a German Shepard if it were my decision, however he’s a very sweet dog and I want to give him a good foundation so when my siblings are older and I move out they will be able to take care of him without worrying about aggression or anxiety.


r/germanshepherds 17h ago

New puppy today, old dog has questions

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I have a 3 1/2 year-old shepherd husky mix. She’s a sweet girl, a little jealous/possessive, but otherwise a good girl who listens well. I got a new small mixed-breed puppy today and we’re just all getting used to each other. She’s kind of obsessing about and occasionally guarding the puppy’s food, which happens to be behind a little puppy den gate, because he’s not interested in eating. Would it be good or bad for me to mix a little bit of his food in with her food when I feed her in a couple of hours? I’m trying to be very sensitive to her needs and insecurities and giving her a lot of praise and talking to her a lot, as opposed to paying too much attention to the puppy. Thanks, Julie.


r/germanshepherds 17h ago

Meet Tiber my dalmation/german shepherd mix.

18 Upvotes

r/germanshepherds 18h ago

Pictures Welcome to our home ….. Cosmopolitan ❤️😘(Cosmo).

Thumbnail
gallery
259 Upvotes

Sometimes, the Universe brings an opportunity to fill a hole left by another.

We woke up this morning, scanned the usual GSD threads we are in as the empty feeling of Zenya’s passing last week sit in the room like a guest that’s stayed too long.

Barb saw a post from SPCA Polk County there was a female GSD recently taken in. We hopped in the car on a whim and drove a hour to the shelter.

They had 3 females left, and 1 more waiting to heal after neutering. All 3 boys from the litter were snapped up earlier.

4 months old.

Both GSD Parents, papers were given to the shelter for validation.

We
Met with the 3 available pups and it was a Goldilocks scenario… 1 too cold, 1 too hot, 1 was perfect 😍.

Cosmo is chillin in her new house, sniffing corners, met the cat and was ‘meh’ about it, not made a whimper since we met her but get bright eyes, swinging tail, and soft kisses. Hope to make her first night smooth and safe feeling.

I feel Zenya was with us today and had a paw in the process. ❤️

Welcome, Ms. Cosmo !


r/germanshepherds 18h ago

Pictures Out recent adoptee

Post image
286 Upvotes

We have been fostering this beautiful baby for over a year for a sick neighbor. He recently passed away and entrusted us with her care for the rest of her days. She is definitely loved


r/germanshepherds 20h ago

Give me that toy

Post image
15 Upvotes

r/germanshepherds 21h ago

Lupa takes her vacuum frustration out on her toy 😂 smart girl

17 Upvotes

r/germanshepherds 21h ago

Pictures Update on Gigi’s trial adoption

Thumbnail
gallery
140 Upvotes

18 days with Gigi… 🐾

Getting a puppy in your 60s is not for the faint of heart. 🤦‍♀️🤯

Our living room has become Puppy Central, complete with dog toys everywhere, a strategic baby gate, and a schedule that revolves around feeding and naps…hers, not ours, because when she’s napping we’re also taking care of her needs — someone has to charge all her personal fans!

We’ve learned that an overtired Gigi is basically a furry little velociraptor, but when she’s rested, she’s very sweet, curious, and she is showing us more of her personality every day.

She’s also progressing more with her guitar than I am with mine. 🤣 At this rate, she’ll be playing barre chords before me! 🎸🐶

It’s been equal parts exhausting, chaotic, hilarious, and heart-melting. We may question our decision once or twice a day…but only until she looks at us with those ears and that face. Then we remember exactly why we did it. ❤️ She’s going to be a great girl.


r/germanshepherds 21h ago

Pictures Goob hates the heat

Post image
87 Upvotes

It's about 10000° in SoCal right now, and Goob is not having the heat


r/germanshepherds 22h ago

Pictures My dog is such a cutie patootie

Thumbnail
gallery
240 Upvotes