QOTW QOTW #3 with German Shepherd Coffee Company - Love of the breed (2/3)

[administrator]

We’re back with another Question of the Week and another awesome prize courtesy of our friends at German Shepherd Coffee Company. Huge thank-you to them for supporting us for a second week in a row!

About the Sponsor​

German Shepherd Coffee Company is an animal-loving, rescue-supporting brand that donates 20% of all profits from their coffee, tea, treats, and merch to over 300+ animal rescues across the USA. Incredible mission and incredible people behind it. In fact, Oliver, the Founder, just confirmed that @murph's coffee bag is being freshly roasted right now. You can learn more about them here.

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This Week’s Question:​

“Why did you choose to get a German Shepherd?”

Perfect for everyone:

• Have a dog now? Share why you got a GSD.
• Don’t have one yet? Share why you want a GSD or what inspired you to learn more.
• Had a dog in the past? Share how they touched your heart.

(Serious, funny, heartfelt, all answers are welcome.)

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How It Works​

• Staff will choose a winner on Thursday, December 18th
• Likes help, but aren’t the main deciding factor
• Winner receives the QOTW Trophy
• PLUS: A free bag of coffee from German Shepherd Coffee Company (Prize available to USA residents only)

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Special Thanks + Member Discount​

Massive thanks again to German Shepherd Coffee Company for continuing to support our community. Use code GSDHQ at checkout for 15% off your order and you’ll be helping animals in need at the same time.

 

[Malakai The Great]

I chose a German Shepherd because I wanted a dog that actually partners with you. Something intelligent, driven, and emotionally tuned in not just a pet that exists in the background. They’re versatile, honest dogs. You put work in, they give it back tenfold. Hiking, training, problem solving, just living life side by side, a Shepherd wants to be part of all of it. That kind of connection is hard to beat.

 

[Dale F]

I chose a forest goblin.. I mean German Shepherd because it's been the breed I've loved since childhood. I wanted a breed that I'd have a great connection with but also something that would give me a challenge. Pip may not be fully GSD but she's been the best friend I needed. When I was looking at dogs I tried to avoid GSDs because I had no space but something just called me to look at these puppies. Obviously I fell in love with Pip as soon as I met her. I will forever own German Shepherd's

 

[MalikethGSD]

My current Shepherd, Maliketh, is my first, and he is truly what cemented my feelings about this breed.

To paint the picture however, growing up my family avoided big dogs and fed me plenty of "horror stories" about them. Even early in my career working in boarding kennels, GSDs honestly intimidated me. I admired them, but I vowed not to get one until I was 100% sure I could handle their needs.

A turning point was working in Veterinary Medicine. Seeing various working dogs in high stress situations showed me their resilience, versatility, and the unique bond they had with their owners in a way I hadn’t seen before. Between that real world experience and doing my own research, I was incredibly impressed by what they could do.

I chose this breed because I realized I didn't just want a pet anymore. I wanted that level of intelligence, drive, and partnership. not just someone taking care of an animal, but two companions raising each other up equally.

But getting Maliketh wasn't just a purchase, it was fate. I saw a "Found Dog" post for a wandering Shepherd they believed was dumped. I felt an instant connection, and after abit of a wild goose chase I took him in. Now I couldn't imagine life without him, we've had many ups and a few downs, but we have always been there to support each other

 

[AmberLovesHerDogs]

I chose to get a shepherd because my first experience with a dog was with a GSD/Collie named Sheba. She was my grandfather’s farm dog and glued to him. And wrangled cattle, managed the farm and was so gentle with us as kids. She was tragically killed by coyotes defending some new calfs and her story always stuck with me. Growing up I also had a shepherd mix that was my soul dog (RIP Riley!) and an ACD. When my boyfriend (now husband) and I started planning for a dog, I knew I wanted a herder. I learned that he had never had a dog bigger than 30lbs and I had just learned of a reputable breeder not far from where I worked. The stars aligned and we met Crosby. An all black GSD who was the only one in the litter not going to a police organization. His remaining littermate was affectionately being referred to as “Hellion” and we were told we could not adopt him because he would eat our whole family. But this goofy little cutie that didn’t have the chops for police work would do just fine. Crosby is the near spitting image of Riley. They not only look alike but act alike. We’ve probably all seen A Dog’s Purpose and I know that a part of Riley came back to me through this boy. He’s been my joy for nearly 12 years and I cherish every day.

 

[GSD-Lover]

Thank you for the question.
First off, I only adopt rescues. YuKan is my fourth GSD and my service dog. I find GSD personalities and temperament fit my own, and I'm able to bond and sync up quickly with this breed. I am now partial to all-black GSD as I find their personalities are a little calmer, sweeter and more attentive than the other types I've had even though every single one is their own individual Self so no stereotyping really. It's just the experience I've had.

The first two pics of the all-black is my just previous 3rd GSD, Lady.
The rest are of my current not quite all-black, YuKan.

 

[murph]

Thank you for the question.
First off, I only adopt rescues. YuKan is my fourth GSD and my service dog. I find GSD personalities and temperament fit my own, and I'm able to bond and sync up quickly with this breed. I am now partial to all-black GSD as I find their personalities are a little calmer, sweeter and more attentive than the other types I've had even though every single one is their own individual Self so no stereotyping really. It's just the experience I've had.

The first two pics of the all-black is my just previous 3rd GSD, Lady.
The rest are of my current not quite all-black, YuKan.

YuKan is a beautiful black and tan. I love it.

 

[endurianwolf]

I chose German Shepherd because of their incredible loyalty and just their overall temperaments are amazing. My German shepherds know when I'm down and know how to cheer me up, they know how to behave in every sort of situation, and they are just amazing. I grew up with Rottweilers but ever since I was 8 I always wanted a GSD so i researched them for years before getting my first one in 2012. I've had them ever since and would not be able to live without one. Zac being my current oldest one is now 8 and a half years old, he has been an amazing.

 

[murph]

When I was a child, my parents went through three German Shepherds.

The first one, when I was three, was abandoned, left with friends because we moved. He ultimately ended up in a shelter. My parents didn't really care. They left him because they had to move and didn't want to go through the "hassle" of taking him

The next Shepherd my parents bought was from a flea market. The dog pissed in my dad's car, so he "returned it" (probably to the countryside).

The third German Shepherd they got RAN AWAY.

At the same time, my parents got a Pomeranian. That dog was so riddled with anxiety and every night he screamed for comfort and someone to love him. Until the day he died, he slept in the unfinished closet in my parents basement because they didn't want to listen to him scream.

Growing up, I always wanted a dog, but was never allowed to have my own. This, paired with what I saw, is why I had no idea about canine behavior before Murphy.

Some things can't be changed. I am my father's daughter. And I love GSDs just like him. I cannot deny that. And sometimes I hate it.

It wasn't until I got Murphy and trained her and loved her with all my heart did I understand the implications of what I saw growing up.

Murphy's teeth will never rot out of her head like my mother's Pomeranian. I love my children, but I would never give her away because I had a child. She loves all of my children very much. And I will never EVER EVER, leave her or let her cry alone.

I'm just a dog lady. Who imprinted on the German Shepherd breed from the moment I met them.

 

[PopeHolySmoke]

When I was a kid my neighbors had a GSD and I've loved the breed ever since. My first dog as an adult was a GSD - Husky mix and I could see which traits came from the GSD half, so when I started working dogs I knew I was going to have GSDs. After 20+ years of living with GSDs, I don't think I could have another breed.

 

[MyDogBitz]

My first dog was a German Shepherd mix. He looked exactly like the traditional black & tan GSDs we're all familiar with except his ears were flat. He was 9 weeks old and I was 10 years old when he came home.

My dad didn't want a dog. I begged him for the puppy. Well, be careful what you ask for. I had to sleep with the puppy, play with the puppy, walk the puppy, train the puppy, feed the puppy, clean up after the puppy, my parents made me do EVERYTHING with the puppy.

He was never crated. He was never reactive. He was great with all the family (big family, tiny house) we had tons of guests, he was always well mannered with them, he was friendly with other dogs and despite all of that he was instinctively protective.

He was the dog that got me over my fear of dogs, taught me responsibility and patience. He was the perfect dog. He didn't have a single behavioral issue. He lived until he was 15YO which was a few years past his time in all honesty.

He is the dog that I measure all of my other dogs against. None have matched his natural ability to read the room, match the energy, and fit in.

That dog made the German Shepherd my favorite breed. There are other breeds and dogs that touched my life but there's nothing like your first love!

 

[murph]

My first dog was a German Shepherd mix. He looked exactly like the traditional black & tan GSDs we're all familiar with except his ears were flat. He was 9 weeks old and I was 10 years old when he came home.

My dad didn't want a dog. I begged him for the puppy. Well, be careful what you ask for. I had to sleep with the puppy, play with the puppy, walk the puppy, train the puppy, feed the puppy, clean up after the puppy, my parents made me do EVERYTHING with the puppy.

He was never crated. He was never reactive. He was great with all the family (big family, tiny house) we had tons of guests, he was always well mannered with them, he was friendly with other dogs and despite all of that he was instinctively protective.

He was the dog that got me over my fear of dogs, taught me responsibility and patience. He was the perfect dog. He didn't have a single behavioral issue. He lived until he was 15YO which was a few years past his time in all honesty.

He is the dog that I measure all of my other dogs against. None have matched his natural ability to read the room, match the energy, and fit in.

That dog made the German Shepherd my favorite breed. There are other breeds and dogs that touched my life but there's nothing like your first love!

That's a big responsibility at 10 years old! That kind of trial by fire will have you hooked for life!!!

 

[MyDogBitz]

That's a big responsibility at 10 years old! That kind of trial by fire will have you hooked for life!!!

MY folks didn't play games. I wanted the dog, I had to take care of him.

 

[administrator]

Thank you to everyone who took part in this week’s QOTW. The responses were great to read, and it’s always great seeing the community jump in and share their experiences.

This week’s winner is…
@MyDogBitz!

My first dog was a German Shepherd mix. He looked exactly like the traditional black & tan GSDs we're all familiar with except his ears were flat. He was 9 weeks old and I was 10 years old when he came home.

My dad didn't want a dog. I begged him for the puppy. Well, be careful what you ask for. I had to sleep with the puppy, play with the puppy, walk the puppy, train the puppy, feed the puppy, clean up after the puppy, my parents made me do EVERYTHING with the puppy.

He was never crated. He was never reactive. He was great with all the family (big family, tiny house) we had tons of guests, he was always well mannered with them, he was friendly with other dogs and despite all of that he was instinctively protective.

He was the dog that got me over my fear of dogs, taught me responsibility and patience. He was the perfect dog. He didn't have a single behavioral issue. He lived until he was 15YO which was a few years past his time in all honesty.

He is the dog that I measure all of my other dogs against. None have matched his natural ability to read the room, match the energy, and fit in.

That dog made the German Shepherd my favorite breed. There are other breeds and dogs that touched my life but there's nothing like your first love!

Congratulations, Bitz! Along with this week’s prize, you now also receive 3× QOTW Champion Trophies, which are awarded to every QOTW winner going forward (including past winners as well). These trophies are yours to keep as part of your QOTW Champion status.

We’ll be reaching out shortly to collect your shipping details so German Shepherd Coffee Co. can send your prize directly to you. Huge thanks to them for supporting the HQ community! Stay tuned, the next QOTW drops soon with more fun.