Humans with large dogs- any special things I should know?

Their meat is not as tender.

Don’t come down on them from the top until they get used to you. Especially Germans. They’re fairly protective of their space and they’ll see anyone coming down on them as a threat. Approach them on their level and make sure your kids know this. They’re very loyal and protective. Good for you and hubby and the kids.

The bigger the dog, the more it believes that it is a lap dog.

@ragingloli . . . you’re thinking of age not size. besides, it all depends on what you’ve been feeding it.

Congrats new doggie mom!
Big dogs have big poop.

@Adirondackwannabe Oh, I don’t think this dog sees anything as a threat right now! As soon as I took him out of his crate at the pet store, he was leaning all over me, kissing me, head butting me, rolling over for me to love his belly. He’s a big pushover!

I’ll post some pics in a few minutes.

@WillWorkForChocolate Good. Just make sure he displays the same behavior with everyone in the family. displaying his belly and neck is a good sign.

He’s been really trusting and laid back with the kids. He’s even being completely non-aggressive with our cats!

Good. Sounds like you have a winner.

Congratulations on your new family member! Any names picked out yet? WillWorkForDogTreats maybe?

This beautiful boy is our new doggy!

Oh my! He is adorable! I love his ears.
Name?

@Kardamom I don’t know about the naming yet. He’s been with the rescue woman for quite some time, answering to “Tank” and I don’t know whether or not we want to change it. I sort of thought “Jedi” would be cute, to go with our two cats, Chewy and Yoda, but I’m not sure if we really want to change his name.

Wow, he’s a knockout. What a beautiful dude. And hubby is a hunk too. No wonder you’re always horny. I like two syalable words for names for dogs.

Yep, hot hubby and cute doggy! I’m a happy girl!

And great kids. It’s a triple threat.:)

He picked out his own bed and lovey while we were shopping. Smart dog!

Sounds like a cutey! I’d recommend getting his hips checked for dysplasia. Shepards’ are susceptible.

We have two puppies that are now 16 months old, take them to puppy training and more…. We went to five different classes.

He’s a beauty. :)

Awww, what a great doggy! He looks happy and content and very loving. Congrats!

Good looking dawg & I like the name Tank, definitely a keeper especially as he already answers to it.
Only one piece of advice, big dogs need loads of exercise…put ya hiking boots on.

Sweet doggie! I love the idea of naming him Jedi, but if he’s already familiar with Tank, I wouldn’t change it.

@ucme That’s one of the reasons I like him. He’ll make me get off my butt and go for walks. Hopefully, he’ll help me jog off the rest of the pounds I want to drop!

@Tropical_Willie Yes, we’re considering some training classes, just for fun and bonding.

I passed all of y’all’s compliments on to him, and he said, “Rowrt!” I think that’s dog for “I’m sexy and I know it!”

@WillWorkForChocolate Good stuff.

Gorgeous doggy! I love how his ears flop over.

The main thing for me with big dogs is that I don’t ever want there to be a doubt in their mind who is the boss. I have usually had dogs that weighed as much as I do so being alpha from day one was always important. I love dogs in general but I never forget that they have the potential to hurt me if they choose. Do not accept behaviour when you are dressed in jeans that you would not like if dressed for work, meaning consistency is very important. And as I said before, obedience classes are a must for you and the dog, they train you how to handle your dog. With big dogs, I would suggest a class that is run by someone with military or police dog training experience.

Nutrition – get it right or his hips will pay sorely. My poor Wolfie (Alaskan Malamute) had Parvo when we got him, long story, so he couldn’t absorb his food properly, and got severe hip dysplasia in the end had to be euthanised at 8 years as he could walk at all!!

Also remember Big dog – Big Poo
bigger dog – bigger poo!!

We had a Saint Bernard that was one of the most gentle dogs ever. 180 pounds of muscle and so loving, but don’t bring a cat near her.

Haha, my male cat was very assertive the first day, and swatted the dog for getting too close. They’re gradually getting used to each other, but did wake us up with a hissy fit about two this morning.

I have a little dog now and two cats. one cat is the boss and stalks the dog he is terrified of her, the other cat is the dogs play thing he loves to lick out her ears!