male/female German Sheperd agressive behavior

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tux

Hi,

My wife and I are thinking of buying a German Shepard. I would prefer
a male, she would prefer a female (-: I can't imagine why :-). My
wife is under the impression that male German Shepards are harder to
handle and that the risk of agressive behavior is higher with them.
Considering that we have three small kids, this is not a point I can
ignore.

My personal experience with dogs is that I never had a problem
handling male dogs, but this might be my rather assertive ("alpha
male" if you wish) kind of personality. My wife is also concerned
that while I might be able to handle the dog just fine all hell might
brake loose as soon as I turn my back (that is already somewhat the
case with our kids anyway).

Are her concerns founded? Is there a significant difference in the
behavior of male and female German Sheperds, in paticular concerning
obedience and agression?

Are male German Sheperds more likely to be a risk for small kids?

Many thanks in advance for any advice,

TW

Tiger Lily

all small children (under 10) need to be supervised with the dog at all
times

as for the gender of the dogs........ there is a reason they call the
females a bitch

:-)

i'm with you, a male is going to be calmer

"tux" <tuxwins@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:8a8fe7c1.0406161555.72827fa2@posting.google.com...
> Hi,
>
> My wife and I are thinking of buying a German Shepard. I would prefer
> a male, she would prefer a female (-: I can't imagine why :-). My
> wife is under the impression that male German Shepards are harder to
> handle and that the risk of agressive behavior is higher with them.
> Considering that we have three small kids, this is not a point I can
> ignore.
>
> My personal experience with dogs is that I never had a problem
> handling male dogs, but this might be my rather assertive ("alpha
> male" if you wish) kind of personality. My wife is also concerned
> that while I might be able to handle the dog just fine all hell might
> brake loose as soon as I turn my back (that is already somewhat the
> case with our kids anyway).
>
> Are her concerns founded? Is there a significant difference in the
> behavior of male and female German Sheperds, in paticular concerning
> obedience and agression?
>
> Are male German Sheperds more likely to be a risk for small kids?
>
> Many thanks in advance for any advice,
>
> TW

Child

AndreaS

"Child" <dawg@alaskaSPAMFREE.com> wrote
<snip>
> Not in my experience. Females are more short tempered and cranky.

Males seem to be more predictable IMO. Neutering may also help decrease the
liklihood of dominance issues since it sounds like a concern of yours. That
and it eradicates the danger of unwanted pups. I like both sexes and think
either can make a great pet, but the boys are sort of special. (Ed? Yes, but
that's okay. I like goofy.)

If your wife is concerned about her ability to control the dog, she should
be the one to feed and train him. And she should take him to obedience
classes. I find, as the main dog person in the house, the dogs listen to me
more than my husband. It has nothing to do with who is "more alpha" and
everything to do with how much time each of us has put into working with
them. Of course, if your wife tends to cave in and be a complete softie,
well... Yeah. The dog might not respect her. But that would be the case with
either sex.
--
-Andrea Stone
Saorsa Basenjis
http://home1.gte.net/res0s12z/
The Trolls Nest - greenmen, goblins & gargoyle wall art
www.trollsnest.com

The Puppy Wizard

You're an idiot a liar a dog abuser and a mental case.
You spray BINACA in your dogs eyes and choke them.

"Child" <dawg@alaskaSPAMFREE.com> wrote in message
news:10d1pnhb37inq1b@corp.supernews.com...
>
> "tux" <tuxwins@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:8a8fe7c1.0406161555.72827fa2@posting.google.com...
> > Hi,
> >
> > My wife and I are thinking of buying a German Shepard. I
would prefer
> > a male, she would prefer a female (-: I can't imagine why :-).
My
> > wife is under the impression that male German Shepards are
harder to
> > handle and that the risk of agressive behavior is higher with
them.
> > Considering that we have three small kids, this is not a point
I can
> > ignore.
> >
> > My personal experience with dogs is that I never had a problem
> > handling male dogs, but this might be my rather assertive
("alpha
> > male" if you wish) kind of personality. My wife is also
concerned
> > that while I might be able to handle the dog just fine all
hell might
> > brake loose as soon as I turn my back (that is already
somewhat the
> > case with our kids anyway).
> >
> > Are her concerns founded? Is there a significant difference
in the
> > behavior of male and female German Sheperds, in paticular
concerning
> > obedience and agression?
> >
> > Are male German Sheperds more likely to be a risk for small
kids?
>
>
> Not in my experience. Females are more short tempered and
cranky.
>
>

flick

jrprice

as a kid growing up, we had GSs of both sexes at one time or another. the
males tended (IMHO) to be a bit more fun loving, though both were wonderful
animals.

be sure that no matter which way you go, you have them spayed/neutered, you
have them obedience trained (probably should involve the whole family, tho
you should talk to a reputable trainer about that) and you get them well
socialized with people and other dogs. the "problem dogs" that i've
encountered were usually the ones that seemed to have been kept isolated
from people/other dogs, probably because the owner feared their fierce
reputation. a dog, irrespective of breed, is only as good (or bad) as their
owner.

bob p
"tux" <tuxwins@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:8a8fe7c1.0406161555.72827fa2@posting.google.com...
> Hi,
>
> My wife and I are thinking of buying a German Shepard. I would prefer
> a male, she would prefer a female (-: I can't imagine why :-). My
> wife is under the impression that male German Shepards are harder to
> handle and that the risk of agressive behavior is higher with them.
> Considering that we have three small kids, this is not a point I can
> ignore.
>
> My personal experience with dogs is that I never had a problem
> handling male dogs, but this might be my rather assertive ("alpha
> male" if you wish) kind of personality. My wife is also concerned
> that while I might be able to handle the dog just fine all hell might
> brake loose as soon as I turn my back (that is already somewhat the
> case with our kids anyway).
>
> Are her concerns founded? Is there a significant difference in the
> behavior of male and female German Sheperds, in paticular concerning
> obedience and agression?
>
> Are male German Sheperds more likely to be a risk for small kids?
>
> Many thanks in advance for any advice,
>
> TW

Pat

If you wife has any fears at all.....why not chose another type dog.
With three young children that have never had a dog maybe NOT a good idea to
have a GSD.
If children are made to respect a dog then that fine.
With a male the only reason I could see a problem is if he gets frustrated
and has not done.
I have always had two dogs....one always being a German Shepherd.
I have to say they are a dominant dog.
Pat.

"tux" <tuxwins@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:8a8fe7c1.0406161555.72827fa2@posting.google.com...
> Hi,
>
> My wife and I are thinking of buying a German Shepard. I would prefer
> a male, she would prefer a female (-: I can't imagine why :-). My
> wife is under the impression that male German Shepards are harder to
> handle and that the risk of agressive behavior is higher with them.
> Considering that we have three small kids, this is not a point I can
> ignore.
>
> My personal experience with dogs is that I never had a problem
> handling male dogs, but this might be my rather assertive ("alpha
> male" if you wish) kind of personality. My wife is also concerned
> that while I might be able to handle the dog just fine all hell might
> brake loose as soon as I turn my back (that is already somewhat the
> case with our kids anyway).
>
> Are her concerns founded? Is there a significant difference in the
> behavior of male and female German Sheperds, in paticular concerning
> obedience and agression?
>
> Are male German Sheperds more likely to be a risk for small kids?
>
> Many thanks in advance for any advice,
>
> TW

Sionnach

"flick" wrote:

> Statistically speaking, the dogs most often involved in serious
> dog attack/bite cases are *unneutered male dogs.*

And IIRC, statistically speaking, they most often bite male children of
elementary and middle-school age, in and around their own homes.

However, I think the statistics don't tell us some pertinent facts- one of
which, I suspect, is that an unneutered male PET has a higher probability of
belonging to a male HUMAN who encourages bad behaviour and/or being a
neglected/ignored/untrained dog.
IOW, I suspect that the lack of neutering is as much or more a co-symptom
than it is an actual cause.

Which is not to say that the OP shouldn't S/N whatever dog he gets- he
should, since it's best to do that with a family pet for a multitude of
reasons.

House\O\Dogs

Over the years I have had numerous GSDs bunking here with me. Males tend
to be a bit goofier, more hard headed and good playmates for kids. Females
tend to be a little more serious and more maternal toward children. (Hmmmm)
There are, of course, exceptions to this generalization.

Anyway, please give some consideration to contacting a German Shepherd
(please note proper spelling!) rescue in your area and meet some of their
dogs. Our rescue gets in quite a few dogs that have come from homes with
children. If you buy a puppy from a breeder, you will not really have any
idea of the adult personality of the dog that will emerge as the dog
matures. If you adopt a young adult, the personality will be evident and
not a surprise.

Also, folks from your local GSD rescue can talk to you about the breed and
see if it is a good match for you and your family. As much as I love and
adore these creatures, they are not for everyone.

Yours in GSDs and rescue,

Lea
Virginia German Shepherd Rescue
www.shepherdrescue.org

EGD

"tux" <tuxwins@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:8a8fe7c1.0406161555.72827fa2@posting.google.com...
> Hi,
>
> My wife and I are thinking of buying a German Shepard. I would prefer
> a male, she would prefer a female (-: I can't imagine why :-). My
> wife is under the impression that male German Shepards are harder to
> handle and that the risk of agressive behavior is higher with them.
> Considering that we have three small kids, this is not a point I can
> ignore.
>
> My personal experience with dogs is that I never had a problem
> handling male dogs, but this might be my rather assertive ("alpha
> male" if you wish) kind of personality. My wife is also concerned
> that while I might be able to handle the dog just fine all hell might
> brake loose as soon as I turn my back (that is already somewhat the
> case with our kids anyway).
>
> Are her concerns founded? Is there a significant difference in the
> behavior of male and female German Sheperds, in paticular concerning
> obedience and agression?
>
> Are male German Sheperds more likely to be a risk for small kids?
>
> Many thanks in advance for any advice,
>
> TW

Hi TW
I'm glad you had the good sense to ask advice before rushing out to get a
dog. Good for you!!!
Your spelling of the name of the breed, suggests you haven't yet done enough
research. Not to worry - it's a common mistake. However, armed with the
correct spelling, I suggest you start by doing a ton of research on German
Shepherds. There are many types. Some with very harsh, working type ancestry
and others with calmer type breeding. I suggest you look into a breeder who
breeds for the show ring and family type dogs, rather than one who purely
breeds working dogs for their heavy work instinct.
As with all breeds these days, the GSD is plagued with hereditary problems,
so your choice of breeder will be all important. Make absolutely sure, after
you do all your homework, you hook up with a breeder who can show you proof
of many generations of genetically tested stock "and" the results on paper.
Not someone who says they have no problems in their "line". One who
hopefully does something with their dogs rather than just pumps out puppies.
One who shows their dogs to get some idea of their possible breeding worth,
who probably does other activities such as obedience etc. Make sure "you"
know what to ask and indeed demand, of any breeder you chose. There are many
sites on the net which tell you how to choose a responsible breeder. Know
the questions by heart or write them down when visiting kennels or writing
to a breeder.
There are millions of GSD's out there, bred by irresponsible breeders, who
have cared nothing about the temperament or health of the dogs they pump
out. Be careful. Be knowledgeable.
Re children and dogs. No dog - regardless of how much you trust it, should
be left alone EVER with small children. Children do nasty little things to
dogs when parents are not present and the dog will react as nature equipped
him. He will bite. All children should be taught that dogs are not
playthings or toys. They are not to be hauled around as puppies, teased,
taunted etc. Puppies, like human babies, must be allowed to get many naps
during the day away from human children.
Re which sex is better. Personally, I prefer males. Always have - always
will.
For those who are very into dogs and have a good knowledge of any breed,
keeping whole males is not a problem. I have always kept many whole males
together until recent years with no problems. However, I don't advise that
for new dog owners. A well-bred, neutered male, is probably the best way to
go for you. I have owned and trained many, many dogs and found the boys -
once trained, tend to look after their family rather more than the girls,
who tend to look after themselves first. Found pretty much the same in
horses too. Obviously this is only my personal opinion and others no doubt
have had wonderful females.
A big requirement for you, once you have found your perfect dog, is to join
an all breed obedience class and enroll you and your dog. Preferably the
whole family should attend so all can see what is to be required at home in
his training.
Re risk for children. I think if you do your homework - which quite well
might take several months, spend much time interviewing breeders, find a dog
with a solid, stable, well bred background, obedience train him faithfully,
neuter him, make him part of the family and don't allow him as a puppy, to
do anything you wouldn't want in an adult and make sure your children
respect him - then you should have a great new family member who will be
with you for many years.
Hope this helps
EGD

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