dog selection

Question
Please give us your viewpoint...  We need a PROTECTION dog as we have had threats against our life.  But, we also need a FAMILY dog as we have a 7 & 9 year old.  The children and I also seem to be alergic to long-haired dogs with dander... and we live in Florida, where I've had an Irish Wolfhound (?) that had constant allergies due to the climate... so, we have concern as to how to keep long-haired dog allergy/dander free in Florida.  (He/she will be kept indoors, but will get to go out to play outside... walks, etc.)  

We chose a pitbull since birth as our family dog 4 years ago... took her to training, etc.  She's wonderfully loyal... but, due to her strength, quickness, and hyperness we wouldn't trust leaving her with any children alone... and, we're moving to a neighborhood where we want to be able to keep our door open to all of the neighborhood children along with ours.  Our neighboring dog, who has been raised just like ours, and is identical to ours just got loose and attacked someone that was trying to seperate him from another dog... thus, the final straw for deciding to rethink keeping our pitbull.

What dog would you suggest for us?  If a German Shep... how do we care for it, to keep the dander out, and hair sheen in Florida?  We were told not to train a pitbull to protect, because that was already its instincts, but would you recommend in our situation taking a German Shep. to a "K-9" type class... after basic training?  Male or female recommendation?  Pure bred, or just one out of the newspaper?
Any other thoughts or comments for us?
Thank you greatly for your assistance.
Sue

Answer
Hi Sue
Pitbulls is one breed I have absolutely no time for.  I fear no dogs, but I would never trust this breed with kids, dogs, and peple .....period.

I breed Pure German Bred West Lines from Germany for health, intelligence, ease of training, loving, loyal, bonding, friendly but protective.  I have some of the best pups in our country.  I have spent alot of money into my investment to raise the healthy, dark pigment, nice standard size, good temperments, etc.

I prefer the Shepherd to any breed and I have allergeries badly, but brushing daily, giving Brewers Yeast and Garlic tabs daily lessens shedding, no dander, no problem with hair and dander for me.  I have 8 Shepherds, just sold a litter of pups all over the states I have pups sold. I ship world wide and have one in Hawaii.

I charge $700 with warranty for my pups and about to breed Cathy to Gino both from Germany in a week, she will whelp pups about June 4.  My dogs have wonderful shiny coats year round even at night being outdoors in kennels, they run loose daily together.  People cannot tell the difference in winter coat from summer, they do not blow their coats in spring, it drops from brushing slowly because of the Brewers Yeast.  The Garlic helps in detering fleas along with Bio Spot that I use for fleas.

I think not just because I breed this breed, but it would be the very best for you to train, be protective naturally but not mean, learns fast, so loyal, loving, mine adore children.  Mine bark when people comes, but tails wag I cannot have mean dogs with neighbor kids playing here in my pool and trampoline.  My grandchildren have grown up, but I love kids so they hang out here.  I am an old lady of near 65 and glad I have such wonderful dogs that play with neighbor kids its so good for them.

I have had many breeds of dogs from the Boxers, Bostons, St Bernards, Airdales, English Bulldog now in house, so I still fall back on the Shepherd for all of mine are under my feet while I garden, swim, etc.  My three acreas is fenced in but they have no desire to leave me.  If u buy from a loyal honest breeder, you should get a two year warranty, know both parents or see them, get references from the breeder, I can send u many from past customers, State Police, etc.

Hope I can helped in your decision, the Shepherd will stand at your side and intimadate, but does not need to be nastey to bite people and they love the K-9 work, Shutzhund work, etc.  Look at my site and see Cathy and Gino my male, those are the next two parents to be.

If u need further help, email me shepforu@adelphia.net

Kind Regards
Patt
WWW.SCHREKNHAUS.COM

Click on the playful page also and see them play together, they know I am the Boss