Dutch Shepherd Forum

Hi,

I'm Rachel - joined this forum in hopes of gaining a good idea of life with a Dutch Shepherd. My husband and I have been thinking about a DS as an addition to our one-dog (Siberian Husky), no-child family for a few years now. I've met a few DS's out and about, and have loved everything I've seen and heard. We are active, energetic, on the go a lot, and would like a more protection-oriented dog, especially as I hike alone quite often and theft can be an issue in our neighborhood occasionally. While our Siberian looks intimidating, he is a complete sweetheart to anyone and everyone, and has no protection capabilities whatsoever. I would love for my husband to meet a DS, to get an idea of the temperament and energy levels. If someone in the Western Washington would be willing to let us briefly meet their DS, and talk to us about their experience with this breed, I would be so grateful! We want to make sure the fit is right for everyone before jumping in to this.

Thank you!

Rachel

Welcome!
Asheley McCleary (formerly Winters) is out in Lakebay, WA (an hour on google maps) and would be my first choice to visit and talk to about the breed. She runs Vrijheid Dutch Shepherds and is also a DVM and knows the breed inside and out. http://www.dutchshepherds.us/ Is her website. Les Flores is also about an hour from you in Olympia. http://www.delasfloreskennel.com/ You're actually pretty lucky to be by two really awesome breeders and should be able to get a good look at some dogs and a lot of first hand knowledge.

Thank you LyonsFamily! I sent Les an email last week, haven't heard back yet but I'm sure he's very busy. I'll try Asheley as well, and I see there is an upcoming Schutzhund event in the area at the end of June - will try to make it to that. Appreciate your recommendations!

Rachel

Hi Rachel,
Since we are both new to the forum just wanted to say hello. I get up to Seattle from time to time and visit some friends, possibly later this summer. If I do I always bring the K9s.

Roger

We live in Bellevue, we adopted Venus last year, she is now fourish years. I don't know if she is typical or not but she is a very sweet dog. Nancy

Hi MultiPurposeK9! Nice to meet you. If you are ever up this way, we would love to meet your pups (if it's convenient for you). We would happily repay with homemade dog treats or people treats (beer?).

Rachel

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

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.

Welcome!

I would say if you're interested in a "protection minded" dog, you'll have to realize they are not going to be labs 99% of the time. Stephanie gave a very good description. There is a lot of management with a dog like a DS, from training to keep them from getting bored, reactivity, exercise, behavior, and bite risk. They are high drive (prey, hunt, toy, food) and there is no such thing as a lower drive DS (especially when it comes to exercise). Some people who are used to the breed will consider a dog lower drive but to someone who's never owned a true working dog, they are still a shock. They are highly protective of property and are not okay with people coming over unannounced. You are very right to do your research before buying! We all love our DS and there are some awesome members on this board with a ton of experience who are more than willing to answer any Qs you may have.

Thanks everyone. Met some last weekend and saw them in action. Beautiful, athletic, and energetic dogs! Looking forward to meeting more.