I'm so sorry for how long this is. Apparently I can't do short answers!For reference, I am currently unable to get a dog, and I'm unsure exactly when I will be able to as it depends on how fast I can learn how to "adult" and find a place to live that I can afford etc, etc. So that's why some of my answers are vague. (Also I'm sorry if I should've tagged it under breeds instead, but my question is less on "what breeds would suit me" and more about German Shepherds specifically.)Introduction1) Will this be your first dog? If not, what experience do you have owning/training dogs?I have grown up having (at least co-) owned three golden retrievers, one retriever mix and a sheltie. The mix was my own. I know basic training tactics, how to positively reinforce and I know that each dog is different in that each will have a different attention span, intelligence, and grasp on how to learn tricks.2) Do you have a preference for rescuing a dog vs. going through a reputable breeder?I absolutely want to rescue. I would feel really guilty if I "shopped" for a dog whose life wasn't in danger as opposed to adopting one who truly needed a home.3) Describe your ideal dog.Okay get ready, I've been fantasizing:He's a big dog; he looks scary. Creepy guys on the street won't mess with me because I have a big scary looking dog with me wherever I go. He can walk without a leash, and he would fend off an attacker if I was truly in legitimate danger. He's good at being a traveling companion so that I don't have to be so paranoid when going on road trips. He's very stable and even-tempered.4) What breeds or types of dogs are you interested in and why?I'm mainly interested in German shepherds. From what I've read and seen, they are very trainable and intelligent. They're naturally calculating and suspicious/skeptical of strangers which is great because I am too, as a young female. (This is just from reading I've done on the breed)5) What sorts of things would you like to train your dog to do?Walk/run off leash so that I could exercise with him more easily walking or running or riding a bike; Be a travel companion i.e. ride with me in the car for long amounts of time on road trips; Act threatening in situations where something feels wrong/is sketchy; Protect me if it became legitimately necessaryCare Commitments6) How long do you want to devote to training, playing with, or otherwise interacting with your dog each day?I'd like to exercise with him for about 45 minutes a day. As for training, I've read that it works best in 20 minutes increments so as not to lose the dog's attention, and do this two to three times a day. I'm assuming this timeline would depend on what you're training, and the age you're training the dog at, but I'm absolutely willing to put in that time.7) How long can you exercise your dog each day, on average? What sorts of exercise are you planning to give your dog regularly and does that include using a dog park?45 minutes to an hour. Possibly more; it depends on my living situation at the time (I don't plan on getting this dog very soon; I wouldn't be able to give him the right kind of environment right now). Walking, running, playing with toys. (the playing would be more frequent than exercise) Probably no dog park but it's possible. I'd be willing to do more things out in public like that once I have a dog that helps me feel safe from strangers.8) How much regular brushing are you willing to do? Are you open to trimming hair, cleaning ears, or doing other grooming at home? If not, would you be willing to pay a professional to do it regularly?This sounds like a cop-out answer but honestly I'll brush him however often he needs it. And yes I am willing to do grooming when need be.Personal Preferences9) What size dog are you looking for?Large. Preferably bigger than a typical golden retriever, but definitely not smaller than one.10) How much shedding, barking, and slobber can you handle?I can handle shedding. I can handle barking as long as I can get him to stop when I've had enough. I can't handle a whole lot of slobber.11) How important is being able to let your dog off-leash in an unfenced area?Very very.Dog Personality and Behavior12) Do you want a snuggly dog or one that prefers some personal space?I like when an animal can be independent. I don't like when dogs are needy. But I want to be able to hug my dog and chill together on the couch and know we're both enjoying it.13) Would you prefer a dog that wants to do its own thing or one that’s more eager-to-please?I mean like I said above I like independence in that I'm not going to want a needy dog, but from my understanding, training is much easier when a dog is eager to please. So I'm not sure, probably neither extreme?14) How would you prefer your dog to respond to someone knocking on the door or entering your yard? How would you prefer your dog to greet strangers or visitors?Barking the alert if anyone is on my property, for sure. As for greeting strangers/visitors, probably skepticism/uncertainty but not hostility or aggression if I'm there with both of them. Hopefully he'll chill out and be relaxed once he sees that I'm happy to see the person.15) Are you willing to manage a dog that is aggressive to other dogs?I mean I don't really plan on having more than one dog, or taking him to dog parks, but it would obviously be better if I didn't have to worry about it. But as long as it wouldn't affect his ability to walk off leash or stick with me it would probably be fine, actually.16) Are there any other behaviors you can’t deal with or want to avoid?No separation anxiety; not so over protective that there's really any fear of him mistaking a friend for an attacker (I think that mostly depends on training and stability though)Lifestyle17) How often and how long will the dog be left alone?Only while I'm at work during the week. Normal working hours, nothing crazy. And he'll be in a spacious yard (or quite a few acres, depending on my living situation at the time), not inside an apartment.18) What are the dog-related preferences of other people in the house and what will be their involvement in caring for the dog?I'll live alone or with a roommate who is dog-friendly. They won't be a primary caretaker of the dog but will feed him and let him outside and such if I get called away and am unable for whatever reason.19) Do you have other pets or are you planning on having other pets? What breed or type of animal are they?Cats. And maybe large livestock at some point but that's very distant. Cats for sure though.20) Will the dog be interacting with children regularly?No21) Do you rent or plan to rent in the future? If applicable, what breed or weight restrictions are on your current lease?I'm unsure but I will probably rent sometime during my ownership of the dog. But I'll never be pressed for a place to live, so my ideal dog takes priority over a living arrangement that wouldn't permit him.22) What city or country do you live in and are you aware of any laws banning certain breeds?I live in Texas and to my knowledge there are no banned breeds23) What is the average temperature of a typical summer and winter day where you live?The extremes are typically 102° F in summer and 28° F in winter.Additional Information and Questions24) Please provide any additional information you feel may be relevant.I know that I'm asking for a lot. I'm sort of just counting on the idea that if a dog and I really clicked personality wise, we would grow so bonded that loyalty like walking off leash, and protectiveness (the right kind) would come somewhat easily. In reality I don't think it's too far-fetched.25) Feel free to ask any questions below.I know for German shepherds, not all of them are capable of being protectors and that you have to assess them– usually by professionals. But are there some tips in assessing a dog yourself to see if it seems to have some of the makings for the kind of dog you need? I know this is never as sure as professional assessments but I think it would be very useful to know what to look for in the way of stability, temperament, intelligence and capacity to be a guard/protection dog. Also, no disrespect(!) but I'd really prefer not to see people saying that I shouldn't get my hopes up unless I want to pay tens of thousands of dollars on good breeding and pedigree and training classes upon training classes. I know that these will yield the best, most sure results, but i don't have that kind of money so please, off the record, I'd love to hear "unofficial" advice based mostly on personal experience. Thank you so much!!Edit: tl;dr I want a smart dog who will learn to walk off leash and act threatening towards shady strangers via /r/dogs http://ift.tt/2qRRUfe
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