Dutch Shepherd Forum

I have been a GSD guy my whole life, my trainer just convinced my wife into a 8 month old knpv Dutch. What am I in for, or what can I expect with this new addition to the family.

I was in the same boat as you...About 2 months ago my wife and I got our first DS, as our companion GSD for 14yrs had moved on. I'll comment on my recent experience although Tomo(the DS) is only about 5 months old now so a bit younger than your addition. She is alot more energetic than I ever remember my GSD, and her drive is insane. Incredible trainability. Downside is she is alot more energetic(lol), and my wife is short some shoes and not happy.....Honestly I would say in my very limited experience my DS pup is a handful compared to my GSD but its been a while since I had a working dog puppy, but her drive is just insane. Good luck! Oh less shedding as well!

The wife will like the less shedding. I have a working Lin GSD but she knows how to just hang out with family. The DS will be her baby do to the fact our GSD does her work a little better for me, listens to me better too. Thanks for the info.

We just purchased our 1st D.S. last Friday & the shoe fetish must be a character trait! LOL. My guy is now 9 weeks & taking basic commands fairly well. He'll follow me from room to room, all over the yard & has a fit if I'm not in contact range. Great dog, but he better figure out that my wife is not second string. As soon, I'll be back to work & out of town for 3 nights of the week. Crate training has been terrible with this little guy. Should have the outdoor run in our 800 foot kennel finished by tomorrow.
I've had other working dogs in the past & this seems to be one really smart breed. He figure out how to bust out of his first crate on the second night!!!

i'm not so sure you can expect your DS pup to figure out that your wife ''is not second string.'' i would advise researching DS-specific techniques for gently moving him in that direction.