Herro derr!

[Owly]

HiHi. So I'm new. I don't have a dutch shepherd, or a dog for that matter. I did have a dog, but she died; then I moved across the country (Sometimes I question my sanity on this, especially after last winter) from the bottom of the map in Louisiana to the top of the map in Ohio. I decided to hold out on getting a new pooch until I was confident that I'd settled in. It's been a couple of years since my move and I'm confident that I've settled in. I'm a student, I work at a veterinary clinic, aaaand I occasionally work at a zoo. Sounds like a plateful, but I make it work. Why join a dog forum when I don't even own a dog? Because I'm extremely picky about what I want and in my search for a dog (I've been looking for one since late April, 2014) I discovered Dutch Shepherds. I knew nothing about them. I only happened across them because someone was trying to sell me a brindled Belgian Malinois. I was under the impression that Malinois didn't come in a brindled coat, and after some digging I discovered this lovely breed. Now I'm here and you're stuck with me ^_^.


As a timid offering, here's a photo of my derpy cat that thinks it's a dog.

[Stacy_R]

ha-ha! welcome!

[johninny]

Welcome, and herro to your goofy cat, also.

[karenz]

Haha. I love the cat. Welcome. So what has interested you so much in the Dutch shepherd? Just asking because you may be half crazy to want one, especially if you have read much on here. Lol

[Mobil]

That cat rules.

Welcome!

[Owly]

Thanks for welcoming me in!

Haha. I love the cat. Welcome. So what has interested you so much in the Dutch shepherd? Just asking because you may be half crazy to want one, especially if you have read much on here. Lol

Oh so many answers to a simple question! I've always preferred big dogs, more specifically working class/breeds. My favorite breed has always been the German Shepherd, with the Malinois being my second favorite, and the Catahoula cur being a third. With the first two, it's just one of those things where I'm attracted to what makes these breeds tick. I love the intelligence and their willingness to work. Some can say that for just about any breed, but for me there's just something about shepherds (Many different kinds, not just GSDs) that stands out above the rest. Why Dutches though? Well, I guess the main appeal is that I'm told they're a little bit calmer than Malinois, or can be anyway. I don't know how much of that is true, which is why I'm here. I don't know much about the breed other than what I can find on the internet, and I can't say much on personal experience because I've never met a dutch shepherd (or at least, I don't think I have). I have met plenty of high drive dogs though. At work I've come into contact with all kinds of dog breeds, some more than others. Because of the type of facility I work at (Emergency clinic, regular veterinary care, boarding, medical boarding) we have this stance on accepting everyone. It's a preferred clinic for the local law enforcement, and they board their dogs there whenever they go on vacation or for whatever reason they need to leave the dog behind. There are a few extremely high drive dogs(GSDs and Malinois, and crosses of the two) that I have to deal with and I absolutely love them. Supposedly there is a Dutch Shepherd that boards, but I haven't had the chance to meet her yet. >_< There are probably a dozen more reasons why I can say that I'm attracted to this breed, but most of them have less to do with a specific breed and more to do with why these breeds are chosen for the work that they do.

Why not a GSD if I like them so much? I like them so much because it's what I grew up with. I didn't know anything else. That doesn't mean I should rule out other dog breeds. What attracted to the Malinois and ultimately led me to the Dutch is their size and the health. In my opinion, show breeding has just about damn near destroyed the GSD. Belgian Shepherds, mainly Malinois and Dutches are still so new here that breeding for show hasn't yet had a chance to ruin the breed. Or that's how I feel anyway.



**and going on the dogs that I've interacted with, I've also met my fair share of untrained monster dogs with high drive too. and oh mmh gee! If there's one thing I've come to appreciate, it's owners who actually took the time to train their dogs.

[Mobil]

I totally agree with you that the GSD has been ruined; I think backyard breeders had a big hand in it. It's probably why so many GSD fanciers and those looking for working GSDs are seeking out Czech lines.

I also grew up with and owned GSDs. We are DSD owners by accident. Someone dumped ours and we didn't know what they were at first.

[LyonsFamily]

Welcome! Where are you at in Ohio? I'm in Southern Michigan, but my husband is from Ohio and we have family in Columbus and Cleveland. I'm assuming you're near Toldeo if you've worked for the zoo? You may want to consider coming to our UKC National Specialty in the Spring. It's in Michigan, but you'll see a ton of DS and even the ones that are show dogs in this breed (at least the UKC ones) are also working dogs.

[Owly]

I'm right outside of Toledo and 5 minute walk from the Michigan state line; it's only a street or two over! I will definitely have to check out the UKC National Specialty event thing. I do have intentions of doing some sort of obedience related sport if I ever manage to find the right. Mingling at those sort of events seems to open all kinds of doors.