I had a variety of different dogs, some mixed breeds. I had lost my Steig a St.Bernard mix and really wasn't looking for another just yet. My DH was buying out a snowmobile dealer and I thought he was joking when he asked if I wanted a German Shepherd pup. I knew the funds were next to none so I just said sure, figuring he wouldn't have the money to buy me a pup. Well he came home with a huge load of snowmobile parts and a little black long coated GSD pup. That was my first. He was every bit as smart as my Steig which is saying a lot because that boy was scary smart.

LOL, I guess DH thought since he was starting a new endeavor, you needed one too!

Max is my first GSD - came with the husband. Husband's gone, but I still have Max

We had a wide variety of dogs when I was growing up and I was always drawn to the species. We had a GSD mix when I was a teenager. Bear was an "outside" dog but..... I spent SO much time with him. As an adult I went to talk with a person about getting into SAR and went to their kennel which was full of GSD's. I was drawn to two in particular but the "striped" female (the way she was blowing coat she reminded my of a brindle). The beautiful sable I fell in love with was Bax. Bax ended up being the mother of Tika, grandmother of Chimo (but Tika is not Chimo's Mom she is actually younger than Chimo by 2 years) and great grandmother to KC and Rayne. Bax was one of two dogs I never owned but I loved as deeply as if she was my own. KC had MANY of the same qualities I loved in Bax and she also most resembled her great grandma which I feel is part of why I loved her so deeply.

We too had a variety of dogs growing up, all of who were fabulous in their unique own ways.

GSDs have always inspired and interested me. I love training and I was keenly interested in SchH so I figured I might be a good match for a GS.

Working with a GSD is crazy different from the other dogs we've had - there is no way, no how, that I think I could ever now own a different breed (I do have a soft spot for Newfies and GRs though)!

The level of intensity in training and keen desire and constant willingness to work is nothing short of amazing to me. The ability to work hard, play hard, yet also just hang out and be lovey and goofy is exactly what I desire in a dog. I think a GSDs fits this bill perfectly

My first GSD was only my second dog experience. I had a lab first and had a chance to adopt a GSD that was 18months old. He was beautiful. What a handful for a non-experienced owner of the breed. I thought he would drive me out of my mind. I was ready to kill the next person who ever said to me, "it's a german shepherd thing." As we grew together in our relationship, I discovered that I had a working boy who LOVED to work, LOVED to be with us, LOVED to talk to us and challenge our attention span. His was always much longer than ours. Through learning with him and about him, we got more involved in GSD rescue, worked with quite a few in our surrounding area and had our own small rescue for a couple of years.

Now we have one senior girl who is approximately 9 years old, Sara. She was a return after four years in her adoptive family. She got old and a little crippled up so we got the phone call to come get her back.

We have Reeses, who is a brindle shepherd/pit mix girl, 4 years old next month.

Our new addition is a 5 month old female GSD who is quickly becoming the light of my life. Angel. She's been with us for a month. She is beautiful, smart and anxious to learn and please. Quick to learn everything except; stay out of the garbage, drop the socks, don't chew rocks they'll break your teeth and stick in your gut. She loves her crate that we've only had for 2 weeks. She's got a beautiful off leash heel. Nose straight up at the tips of my fingers, but she hates a leash.

I'd love to post photos but don't know how yet.

Roy Rogers and his dog, Bullet.

I actually don't remember, but I have loved the breed forever. It probably was the look that initially drew me to them and then all of the stories I read. Most of my early GSD books were very old and discussed the history differently than the books written in this day and age.

We had a few dogs for a short period of time when I was growing up. Outside dogs since my mom hated dogs. We had a couple of labs and a malamute mix. I got a mix from the humane society when I was 19 after my husband (well, boyfriend back then) rescued a really tiny (he didn't stay that way) mix. After that I got my sister a Dobe. My mom fell in love with him and that opened up the path for me getting my first GSD a couple of years later. I now have 5 and there is no other breed in my eyes.

my dad had gsd's growing up and had a gsd when he was in the army in germany. My first dog as a kid was a collie mix, queenie. (we always had loads of animals around to)..

The farmer that lived next door got his wife a gsd puppy that she didn't want and kept locked in a chicken coop, well I cried and pleaded until my father got me that dawg:)) Lobo, he was around 5 months when I got him and not the greatest example of the breed but my first gsd nonetheless.

2nd one my sister brought home a coatie who was HW positive, got him thru that, by then we had a lab and another gsd mix my dog as well..

When I moved out on my own, of course the first thing I did was get a gsd, Jake, then Kodi, they both passed away within a year of each other at 13 and 9 respectively, by then I had Sami & Dodge as well, and my female aussie.

Sami passed away 2 years ago this month, Dodge 1 year ago this month..Now have Masi (who saved my sanity, couldn't live without a gsd!) and the 2 comic relief aussies, Jynx & Jag.:)))

If I lived in a colder climate I would probably have Saint Bernards. We had them growing up and I just loved those dogs. My parents bred them way back in the 60's and 70's.

Shepherds were actually my second choice but I wouldn't trade them for the world now!

I think initially it was the look of the GSD that drew me to them. After doing research, I became more drawn to them for less superficial reasons. Their intelligence, loyalty, multipurpose abilities, and working potential. I love active, smart dogs that I can do things with.

Some day, I hope to actually own one. Not just admire them from afar.