Jake is often mistaken for a Belgian Malinois.
A Malinois.
Belgian Malinois dogs and GSDs- German Shepherd Dogs- are used for police work, search and rescue, they work alongside soldiers and SEALS.
I guess Jake gives off that sort of fearless raring to go out in front intelligent high energy vibe. He’s fast, powerful, intimidating, aggressive, determined. Because he is all those things, I occasionally think he missed his calling. He really should be a search and rescue dog because he’d love to ride in a helicopter, he loves to track and find things, he stays when I tell him to stay. Staying is a big deal. Jake is the first dog I’ve ever owned who actually stays.
Jake down and stay.
People stop us all the time to ask about him. Everyone wants to pet him, ooh and aah over him. He’s got those big ears and he’s real cute, but Jake is not exactly a friendly dog. Like most GSDs and other dogs of this type he’s not unfriendly, but he is standoffish. He’ll sniff a stranger’s hand, give a quick wag of his tail and he’s done. Now if he knows someone, like say Pepper’s owners, he goes all puppy and turns into a wiggle worm the minute he sees them coming up the trail. Pepper was the very first dog Jake met when he was on his very first walk. Pepper is a Rottie-GSD mix who was great friends with Louie, Jake’s predecessor.
On the other hand Jake has growled at hikers wearing hats and face masks. If he can’t see a face, he is not a happy hiker. So I do have to keep an eye on him. (And them.)
Fortunately Jake is predictable. I know what will set off his inner alarm bells. And even better, he likes kids and loves babies.
I recently watched this fascinating video segment about working dogs - here you go. Made me cry.
From Lara Logan and 60 Minutes - Meet America’s Most Elite Dogs
Here’s a book rec: Trident K9 Warriors: My Tale From the Training Ground to the Battlefield with Elite Navy SEAL Canines, by Michael Ritland.
Buy here.
The thing about all dogs is that they are inherently unfriendly, but like we humanoids, the friendlier folk are to us the friendlier we ar to them. Like us, dogs get the vibe when someone is pretending and doesn’t like them or who is maybe scared of them and a good owner needs to and knows the signs and can be that little bit firmer in their commands to behave, although when I tell Ishbel to behave I usually get a slap of the back of the head
Xxx
Well, Tom, Ishbel should slap the back of your head.
Some dogs are unusually friendly. Most GSDs are not. I try to pay attention because the bite of a German Shepherd is almost as hard as the bite of a wolf. Louie accidentally got me a couple times when he was going for a toy - his bite could break a wrist bone. Jake has a softer mouth and he’s more careful about accidental contact.
Thanks for this, Julia! I don’t have the energy for a GSD-I have my lounge hounds and all of us are happy arguing over the sofa-but I do admire the breed. I’ve liked every GSD I’ve ever met.
I bought the book. After your post and the 60 Minutes video, how could I resist?
I know, Jaye - after I saw that video I had to buy the book! I love the breed. They become addictive.
Jake is so good! Lucy used to be sweet with everyone. But she has started nipping lately. Gotta keep an eye on her.
Yeah, that Lucy, she’s a little pistol! Plus she probably has small dog syndrome - self preservation! Glad you could comment, Penny!
Jake looks like quite a handsome fellow!
There are certainly pleasures to having a love-bug dog who assumes everyone is his friend, but there’s a very special feeling of partnership & safety to be had when you share your life with a dog like Jake.
My policy is to always trust my dog’s judgment about which people are safe and which are not. That you know what makes him cautious is a testament to your relationship, but it no way diminishes the validity of his caution.
Hello Marcy! Thanks for visiting. My philosophy is - if someone is okay with my dog, he’s okay with me. I trust my dog to tell me the truth. Jake is our, or my, third GSD. I have total faith in their instincts. We had a Golden Retriever when the kids were babies. She loved everyone. That joke about Goldens not only letting in the burglar but pointing out all the valuables is absolutely true.
What a great dog Julia!
Hey Ray - watch the video. It’s sooo good.
What video?
Scroll to the bottom of the post and check out the Lara Logan 60 Minutes segment of military canines. It’s great.
Yeah I figured it out right after I commented! Great vid! I just finished reading about a bomb sniffing dog in Iraq (Rex) a few months ago! They are amazing animals! I believe they get as much as they give in that relationship even with the danger! It’s too bad the world is such a screwed up violent place that there is a need for them to do what they do!
We had a GSD when I was a kid in MA and he was the smartest most intuitive dog ever. He loved women but hated guys with long hair (except me and my brother). He actually liked people but was very protective of our home.cars and even our cats. He LOVED my dad and feared my mom. I still miss him and hes been dead 40yrs.
Awwww. I understand, Ray. A GSD is like a person. Jake is super protective of his cat. His predecessor, Louie, was as well.
It’s funny! My memories of my childhood are fading but I can remember tons of stories about Shane!
Shane is a great name for a dog, Ray.
My Dad named him after one of his favorite movies. I picked him from the litter! Only one who’s ears were already sticking up!
Alan Ladd. My dad’s favorite movie too.