Facebook page.Hi Everyone
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nolannorwood
- Just Whelped
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Thu Jul 24, 2025 11:03 am
- Tell us about yourself: I am a new shepherd, looking to purchase some healthy sheepdogs to care for my flock.
Hi Everyone
Hi Everyone. I am new to this forum and looking forward to reading the posts. I am looking to find a Dutchie puppy for my daughter. I was raised around GSD, so I am familiar with the shepherd needs and mentality. My daughter is graduating college and as a single woman, she is looking for a running buddy, personal protector, and a BFF. We have a 3 acre fenced area and a mature Cairn as a buddy. We are just north of Pittsburgh (Go Pens! ) Would love to rescue a young dog. Thanks to all for allowing me in your group
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Jean512
- Puppy
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2023 10:35 am
- Tell us about yourself: from US now living in Finland, enjoying life with a long-haired Dutch shepherd (FCI) born 2022-09-25
- Location: Finland
Re: Hi Everyone
Welcome to the forum! Sounds like a great choice for an active young woman. I love running with our Dutch shepherd. He yelps like crazy with excitement when we first start, though maybe he'd be more chill about it if I ran more often, haha. He's also very affectionate and always down to snuggle, an excellent BFF.
Just a heads up, we have a GSD and a Dutch shepherd and it's good to be prepared for some differences even though they're both shepherds. For example, our Dutchie is like an acrobat and can jump onto high things while our German just barks at him. So a fence that worked for one might not block the other.
Also, a Dutchie may be more sensitive and quick to growl if something hurts or seems unfair. When another dog steps on him while he's napping, he gets BIG mad. If you're used to the way a German shepherd doesn't care at all about grabbing the scruff of the neck, pushing its heavy body off your legs during the night, etc., you might be surprised at how opinionated a Dutchie is. Positive reinforcement and telling him what you want him to do will work much better than trying to make him stop doing something with intimidation or force. With a strong relationship, your Dutchie will never want to hurt you and will only use his mouth gently as a communication tool.
Maybe you've already done enough research to know all of this, but I figured it can't hurt to mention!
Just a heads up, we have a GSD and a Dutch shepherd and it's good to be prepared for some differences even though they're both shepherds. For example, our Dutchie is like an acrobat and can jump onto high things while our German just barks at him. So a fence that worked for one might not block the other.
Also, a Dutchie may be more sensitive and quick to growl if something hurts or seems unfair. When another dog steps on him while he's napping, he gets BIG mad. If you're used to the way a German shepherd doesn't care at all about grabbing the scruff of the neck, pushing its heavy body off your legs during the night, etc., you might be surprised at how opinionated a Dutchie is. Positive reinforcement and telling him what you want him to do will work much better than trying to make him stop doing something with intimidation or force. With a strong relationship, your Dutchie will never want to hurt you and will only use his mouth gently as a communication tool.
Maybe you've already done enough research to know all of this, but I figured it can't hurt to mention!
--Jean