My 3 y/o is a service dog & socialized enough to travel with me just about everywhere and does.
The older is not cut out for "dynamic" environments if you get my meaning. So he's most comfortable in his space with people he knows.
The younger one is being socialized for being a service dog as well.
That's fantastic! You do the training as well?
I grew up with bred for purpose guard dogs, Dobermans. They were not social but extremely obedient and loyal. Then we had Alsatians. And an akita that outlived all of them.
I train my own dogs. But I am not a professional. I've had professional trainers that are my mentors in this space for a long time to guide me through some situations. But other than that I do the work myself.
One of said mentors is a dobbie human. Probably the best with working dogs I've ever met. She can figure out the "why" and "how" to address in just a few minutes of observation sometimes over a short video clip.
My pops was a professional breeder of german shepherds for many years when I was a child. I know that breed well (the working ones and not the show lines).
If you were getting one, would you stay with doberman or a different breed?
Is there a difference between GSD and Alsatian?
Training is hard work! Good on you for doing that. Pits are sadly the most misunderstood but they are a great breed when done properly with consistency. People only need to meet one well behaved Pit that will change their mind about the breed.
If I were to get one, I would seek out a rescue. I'm not particular with the breed tbh. It's more for saving a dog or two. However, to answer your question, I'd go for the Alsatian/GSD or any of the mountain dogs that can stand the cold. I live in the mountains and we have brutal winters. We have Swiss mountain or shepherd dogs that are perfect for the role as well.
Alsatian and GSD are the same. I grew up calling them Alsatian when I learned english. It's probably outdated. 😄
Super!
both of my pits are rescues. I had a female pit many moons ago that lived to be 16.5 years old. And she was quite mobile and athletic until the very end. Maybe the last 4-6 months of her life. In addition to being misunderstood, they are also one of the most resilient breeds, IMO.
