Differences between GSD & Rottie

[johnson1999]

I've decided to get a rottie puppy but a friend of mine also told me to check out German Shepherds before making my decision. Have any of you both a Rott and a GSD in the past - can you comment on their differences?

[Burnsway]

The both have so many great wonderful sides to them!!!!

If you cant make decition do what I would have done if I had a yard.

GET BOTH!!!!...... :D

Sorry I know that didnt help much but that is a hard decition...lol

The only german shepard I had in my life was a hybred german/cayotee

I was very young but remember quit well how good she was with us and other people unless she didnt like you for some reason you couldnt get around her. She was a great judger of people and the few she didnt like she had reason! She was very gental and we could climb all over her if mom would have alowed it...lol.

Just as rotties it seems every person I know that owns a GSD is quit pleased.... :D

[Atti's Mom]

Right now, I have one of each in my house. The rottie is my baby, and the shepard belongs to my brother-in-law who has been staying with us for about a year. My baby is now 16 months and the shepard is19 months old. Based ONLY on my personal experience, here are some differences that I have seen...
#1) They both shed, the shepard a LOT worse.
#2)Shepard is a LOT more hyper, Rottie more layed back.
#3) Rottie has been easier to train and listens better.
#4)Rottie can be left alone in house with no problems, Shepard chews Everything he can get ahold of.
#5)Believe it or not, my rottie is a lot more gentle with the kids.

Now, that is a few of the differences that I have seen, and is only my opinion. I will in all fairness say that they are BOTH great with the kids and the shepard is more loving as far as wanting to cuddle all the time. They are both good protectors and they get along well together although, my rottie is definately the alpha. I think it is a personal thing as far as which breed you decide on. :D I do have to state that I happen to be partial to Rotties! ;) Always have, always will be! Good luck deciding, let us know!! :)

[SelkeysCompanion]

I`ve got a Rott cross GSD,But this not a breed.You can read as many books as you want but talking to people who have worked(training)and owned them is best.
Get the one that SUITS YOUR LIFESTYLE. ;)

[WorkinDogz]

I currently own 3 Shepherds (the German kind) in addition to the Rottie.

The Shepherds do shed considerably more than the Rottie; thus making daily grooming and upkeep something to take into consideration.

As far as working ability, trainability, intelligence, temperament etc....a well-bred German Shepherd Dog is difficult to top.

I can't imagine being without either breed ever again...I love my breeds dearly...although it's getting increasingly difficult to easily find dogs of EITHER breed who meet the "form and function" standard that BOTH breeds were so famous for. :(

When you do find a Shepherd (and it's ShepHERD) or a Rottweiler that is as functional as they are beautiful...then either will work their hearts out, provide unsurpassed loyality and companionship and a die-hard will to excell in ANYTHING.

Training in industrial strength is necessary for either breed; make no mistake about it. Without a clear leader, an owner with dog-smarts, a gentle yet firm training schedule and guidelines established from puppyhood...either breed is capable of making your life miserable.

Find a solid breeder who knows the breed and the function (not just what the perfect top line looks like) and you cannot go wrong with a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler.

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by WorkinDogz:
<STRONG>... although it's getting increasingly difficult to easily find dogs of EITHER breed who meet the "form and function" standard that BOTH breeds were so famous for. :(

When you do find a Shepherd (and it's ShepHERD) or a Rottweiler that is as functional as they are beautiful...then either will work their hearts out, provide unsurpassed loyality and companionship and a die-hard will to excell in ANYTHING.

... Find a solid breeder who knows the breed and the function (not just what the perfect top line looks like) and you cannot go wrong with a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler.</STRONG>

I concur :)

[K9-man]

06/04/2001 10:43 AM CDT

Originally posted by WorkinDogz:
<STRONG> you cannot go wrong with a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler. </STRONG>

This is pretty much how I feel.

Do you feel that S-h-e-p-h-e-r-d-s ;), in general, crave more physical work than Rottweilers?

[German Vanegas]

Well, in Europe the German Shepherd Dog is better known as the Alsatian Dog, since, as we all know, they do a lot more than just herding ;)

[WorkinDogz]

Hmmm...crave more work...

I think I would have to say that any working dog craves a *job*. If the drives are there in either the S-H-E-P-H-E-R-D or a Rottie...then it's really tough to make a perfectly content "house-slug" out of them. Usually they'll be destructive and generally obnoxious in that case. :(

The mind (and drives!) is a terrible thing to waste in a working dog....

[Burnsway]

here are two links with some basic information on both.

It is basic info but a start and maybe you can print it out and see some of the the differences!
http://animal.discovery.com/dog_univ...le.jsp?id=2490
http://animal.discovery.com/dog_univ...le.jsp?id=1120

[johnson1999]

Thanks for all the responses/info - keep 'em comin!

[gparcels]

I have both a male shepherd and a male rottie I just lost a female to cancer and I've always had shepherds growing up but after having the rottie I do not think I would have any other breed he is the sweetest family pet that one could want, not to say that the shepherd is not but the breed seems to be much more hyper and barks at even a bird in the yard where as the rott is much more layed back. But I will add that the rott is more bull-headed and harder to work with than the shepherd. They both have there +'s and -'s it comes down to personal
preference.

[vchacon]

Until recently, two months, I have always had a German Shepard. Out of the 4, only had one GSD that I would call 'hyper' but even that wasn't a problem. He just needed to go for longer jogs. My last GSD, Whiskey, was the best dog I have every had. He was loyal, obedient and a great friend. I never found him to bark at any little thing. He would always let me know when someone he didn't know was on 'our' property Brock, my rottie, does the same. Whiskey was also great with people and kids. He would let them play with him to their hearts content. Even pulling on the his ears and tail didn't get more than a hasty departure. Both Brock and Whiskey, and my other GSDs, were eager to please and relatively easy to train with basic obedience. Also, I never had a chewing problem with any of my dogs ( well, at least no past puppyhood )

Now, it has been mentioned before but the GSDs do require more grooming time. I spend 1/2 the grooming time on my rottie that I spent on any of the GSDs.

Any 'good quality' dog from either breed is an excellent pet if you put in the time and effort.

Victor
Brocks 'Official' Belly Rubber
Miss you much Whiskey. :(

[Tenaj]

Having owned a previous Rottweiler and two GSDs in my life, I guess I will comment. German Shedders is what my husband and I affectionately call the GSD as they are horrible shedders. My rott never shed near as bad. My GSD is extremely intelligent and will use any chance she can to try and outsmart you. But my first GSD was about as dumb as a bunch of rocks, no thinking ability in him at all. The rotten one was a smart yet stubborn dog much more than even my current GSD who can be quite the jacka$$ at times. Both of my GSDs have required alot more exercise, although the one I own now is almost to the point of being hyper. My rottie was a big kisser with me, my GSD is not. My rotten could be quite the cuddler at times, my GSDs were not hardly ever. The rotten one didn't seem to think as indepentdently as my GSDs did and do. I must say, all in all, I have found this past GSD the hardest to care for as she demands alot of strenous activity. But the easiest to care for was my first GSD. I believe alot depends on the dog itself and what sort of drives/temperment it has inherited. I am and will always be a GSD person through and through but I hold a very special place in my heart for the rotten ones and will own one again someday. ;)

[RottnKid1]

Before having Rottweilers, I had German Shepherd Dogs. I love them dearly, but there's no way I could go back. There's just something special about Rottweilers.