Newbie

[MomtherOfDragons]

Hello! We are new to the dutch shepherd breed! We have had several german shepherds and came across a german/dutch mix that is an absolutely cutie, so now we are kind of obsessing over the breed (and i cant believe we never looked into dutch before!). We joined to learn more, but also wanted to get the opinion of others on whether or not these are dutch german mix pups or if they are something else being adopted out as a more desired breed mix.

Can anyone advise?

Also, I’ve read a lot about how good of a family dog dutch shepherds make, do they have a high prey drive? We have chickens and goats that we would properly socialize them with, but we do have a dog that loves to eat field mice and I’m curious if a dutch or dutch mix would have the same gross drive

Thanks!

[MomtherOfDragons]

Whoopsies didnt mean to put that last one twice.

[centrop67]

Welcome to the forum.

Also, I’ve read a lot about how good of a family dog dutch shepherds make

You will find that many if not all experienced owners of the breed believe this to be entirely false. They do indeed have an extremely high prey drive, and also a super low tolerance for unacceptable correction or treatment. This can make for a dangerous situation in houses with small children or other small pets.

Dog "breeds" are not naturally occurring, and in fact are a result of genetic engineering to produce an animal with specific traits. The Dutch Shepherd was specifically bred to be a protection animal, which requires a level of violence that is unsuitable for every day families.

Are there Dutch Shepherds that make for good family dogs, I would say yes, but it would be a rarity.

The breed has a tendency to bond very strongly with only a single person and just tolerate other family members.

also wanted to get the opinion of others on whether or not these are dutch german mix pups or if they are something else being adopted out as a more desired breed mix.

In all the pictures there is really no evidence of any of them having a DS mix, but the last couple look very much like Belgian Malinois puppies - a breed very similar to the Dutch Shepherd.

The Dutch Shepherd arrived to the US as imports for Police and Military applications. Most are mixed with German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois (aka KNPV), and very few are FCI pure-breeds.

We are new to the dutch shepherd breed! We have had several german shepherds and came across a german/dutch mix that is an absolutely cutie, so now we are kind of obsessing over the breed (and i cant believe we never looked into dutch before!).

Don't let the cuteness (Or, what I like to call sinful charm) fool you. Behind every "what a gorgeous dog you have" comment from others, I have a bruise, and in a few cases a bite to show you.

Having GSDs is a good start if you're serious about the Dutch Shepherd, but you may be in for a surprise around the chickens and goats. They need a job, and if you train to herd instead of attack the farm animals you might have something special.

[MomtherOfDragons]

Very informative, thank you!

[Dutchringgirl]

I do not see DS in any of these pups. The first one looks to be a Rottweiler. I had a rot/pitt mix and she was the best, but at that time I did not have a family, I had my horse farm where she thrived, she was not super friendly though at first meeting, but if you let her make the first moves ( as you should with any dog) then she would be your friend for life.

Unless you are doing a specific training, Ring sport, Schutzhund, or something and not just wanting a dog, then this breed is not for you. I have had two, and as much as I love them, i did many many years of protection sport training. With out that training, no way would I get these dogs.

Yes, they look cool and are loving to their human, but to anyone else, they can be difficult.

These are protection dogs and they will protect. You can, with very good training from a trainer, have them work with and protect your livestock. For that is what the breed is meant to do, as any shepherd is meant to do. they will eat gross things but they will mostly keep them away or send them to your dog who will eat them. My Sadie will catch stuff then play with it. EWWWWWW

[Joxgirl]

My DS has a 2 chicken kill count now and a nip to a horses nose. She has prey drive especially if it’s in our yard.