Rachlean wrote:Hi NancyLFE! How is your Venus with other dogs? Is she okay with family and friends coming to your home if properly introduced? Also, have you tried letting her run off-leash, and if so, will she come when you call? Wondering about the "recall" factor and stubbornness of the breed. It's great to hear you say she's sweet. Thanks!
Rachel
Mine recall just fine and are almost always off leash when legally allowed where we won't run into loose dogs (at home on our 5 acres, on my parents' land, etc). They're highly prey driven and will need a lot of training to proof off of distractions, but they're nothing like a hunting dog when it comes to running off or a husky running for days since they're people oriented. I'm a professional trainer, so they get plenty of practice, but compared to the beagle and english setters I've had and competed with, recall training for a Dutch Shepherd is much easier.
As far as getting along with other dogs, that's an individual thing. Herding breeds, in general, have statistically higher chances for leash reactivity due to their desire to control situations, but that doesn't necessarily mean aggression. Odin does fine with large dogs that he knows and any and all Dutch Shepherds and Malinois because of their similar play style. He can be leash reactive, but is easily manageable with a good handler. I always introduce with a basket muzzle on, same as with people. Elli is pretty much good with all dogs, but she gets reactive when she's restrained and can't play and she plays hard. She can't be let off leash with small dogs because she'll hurt them. You also might find some same sex aggression in the breed with females having it more so. That's also an individual thing though. Lisa on here as 2 females and they do fine together. I personally will only live with one female at a time.
Now when it comes to visitors, mine are not ok with anyone unannounced. Odin will bite 100% of the time someone that walks into our house that's not one of the less than 10 people he knows. It takes him a while to be properly introduced and it's always done with a muzzle on and there's a ton of management with him. He does fine at shows out and about, but I don't let people pet him.
Elli is more inviting, but puts up a huge show until told to settle. Neither can be trusted with children in the home, although I don't allow them to be properly introduced to children since there's no need. They're usually caged when guests come over unless it's my parents who they love dearly.
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