CAN A GERMAN SHEPHERD AND GOLDEN RETRIEVER BE FRIENDS?
WRITTEN BY XENA
Dear readers of our blog WORLD OF CATS AND DOGS, we are at the neighborhood playground in Bjelovar to introduce you to the DOGS of the Ivanovic family - two friends, a three-year-old GERMAN SHEPHERD, Abba, and a nine-month-old GOLDEN RETRIEVER, Bella.
As we know, both BREEDS GERMAN SHEPHERD and GOLDEN RETRIEVER belong to the group LARGE DOGS, and recently there was an article on the blog about the BREED GERMAN SHEPHERD, as well as a video about LARGE DOGS (in 4 parts) on our YouTube channel Snjezana Xena- M., so it would be interesting to recall. With this, I am also announcing a recent article about GOLDEN RETRIEVERS.
In the beginning, we will ask the owner, Mr. Branislav Ivanovic, about his PETS. It should be noted that this family is a true animal adorer, so except from two DOGS, in their home, you will be greeted by a cheerful group of CATS, a BUNNY, and a colorful PARROT.
EDITOR: Mr. Ivanovic, tell us where all this great love for ANIMALS came from and how it all started?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: The love for animals started from a young age. My parents have had PETS since I was born. I am constantly surrounded by ANIMALS. I’ve never been without a DOG or CAT, and for a while, we had, even hamsters, guinea pigs, and goldfish. The fact that we live in a house provides more opportunities to keep PETS than if we were in an apartment.
EDITOR: As far as I know, you have always had GERMAN SHEPHERDS in your family?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: Yes, you are right. Before Abba, I had a male who was with us for 16 years.
EDITOR: What happened to him?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: He died of old age. He waited for us all to gather at home, then to exhale.
EDITOR: Too bad! I believe it has affected your entire family. Tell me, was the DOG trained, or not?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: No, no he didn't, but he understood some commands, for example: sit, lie down, come…! He was otherwise very attached to his family and was terribly smart. I remember, when we were raising rabbits, so when a rabbit ran away, he would corner the rabbit and wait until morning, until he heard one of us get up, and he would report that something was going on.
EDITOR: So he showed the personality of a GERMAN SHEPHERD to the fullest, he was a real GERMAN SHEPHERD in every sense?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: Yes, we could say that. He was a real GUARD DOG.
EDITOR: Since you also have a CATS, and as we know, there is an eternal antagonism between CATS and DOGS, but in your case, it is not so.?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: Oh, no! They get along very well. They are together from an early age, eating from the same dishes, and sleeping together. So there is no talk of any antagonism and hostility.
EDITOR: As we can see, you have a GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPPIE. How come you decided to buy another DOG and why a GOLDEN RETRIEVER and not another GERMAN SHEPHERD?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: We already have a GERMAN SHEPHERD and he is always outside, and we wanted the other DOG to be the DOG that will be with us in the house. As we already had a GOLDEN RETRIEVER who stayed in the house and proved to be very neat and obedient, the logical choice then was the GOLDEN RETRIEVER. In addition, they have a benign nature, so this has greatly influenced our choice.
EDITOR: Yes, it is common knowledge that GOLDEN RETRIEVERS are among the most peaceful DOGS. Since you said that she (Bella) was staying in the house, how did you solve the problem of MOLTING?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: You can't prevent molting, especially in the molting season, and hair is everywhere, so regular cleaning of the living space is necessary, and a good BRUSH and regular BRUSHING can solve the biggest problem in this regard. We brush both DOGS regularly, but the GERMAN SHEPHERD does not as often as the RETRIEVER because it does not molt as much as the RETRIEVER.
EDITOR: Speaking of beautifying PETS, tell us, how often do you bathe them?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: We don't bathe Abba the GERMAN SHEPHERD at all. If, for example, we walk next to some water, then it wants to jump into the water and thus refresh itself, just like the RETRIEVER Bella that we normally bathe. Bathing is on a monthly basis with shampoo once or twice, and up to twice a day with clean water.
EDITOR: Do you use special DOG FOOD, or do you cook for them for their NUTRITION?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: We use DOG FOOD, which we buy in specialized pet stores. We don’t have a specific manufacturer we would prefer. It’s mostly dry FOOD and canned food from time to time, and we also buy them beef bones. Cans, as I said we use to a lesser extent, due to the delicate digestion of the GERMAN SHEPHERD.
EDITOR: You mentioned digestive problems in the GERMAN SHEPHERD in case of inadequate nutrition, but it is common knowledge that they have hip problems. What are your experiences on this issue?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: I have always had a "WORKING" BREED of the GERMAN SHEPHERD, which has no problems with the hips because the back end of its body is straight and not low. Abba is a WORKING DOG, not a show dog, so her physical characteristics as a GERMAN SHEPHERD are not so pronounced. In this case, it turned out to be positive, because there are no problems with the hips.
EDITOR: In your experience, would you say that the GERMAN SHEPHERD is a healthy BREED, or is it prone to disease?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: I can say that I have never had any health problems with her and that the GERMAN SHEPHERD definitely belongs to a healthy BREED OF DOGS.
EDITOR: Regarding RETRIEVER Bella, you told me in an informal conversation that she had pancreatic problems. Have you managed to solve this completely?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: Yes, she had problems with her pancreas. Namely, as we had some family celebrations, she was out with us and because of our omission, some of the guests were giving her lamb and pork. She ate a lot of it and then got sick. We took her to the vet and she was diagnosed with pancreatic problems, so she had to receive infusions and injections. But all that is now behind us. Bella has recovered and she is now the same again: a cheerful and playful puppy.
EDITOR: We saw, you have children. Can you bring us closer to the relationship between your children and your DOGS?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: Their relationship is phenomenal and friendly! Children play with them, especially the younger son. He pulls them by the ears and tail and they never react in a negative way. When they get bored of the game, they move away from them and retreat to their "shelter" and that's it. They never attacked them.
EDITOR: We know that the GERMAN SHEPHERD is the GUARD DOG. What is Abba like in that regard, is she distrustful of strangers?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: She is very distrustful of strangers. Until the first litter she just barked, but anyone could enter the yard. After the first litter, she changed her behavior, so now she doesn't let anyone into the yard, not only that she barks, but also she barks and takes a stand, waiting for one of us (the family) to show up. Then he starts wagging her tail and lets the stranger into the yard.
EDITOR: Do you attribute the change in behavior, in fact, to caring for the YOUNG?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: Most likely, because now I notice a greater defensive attitude towards my family and yard than towards the litter.
EDITOR: Although her CUB is no longer in the same yard with her, she is protective and defends her yard and her house?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: Yes, she still kept that defensive position.
EDITOR: You mentioned that Abba had a baby for the first time. Do you want to sterilize it now or will you let it continue to breed?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIĆ: For now, I think there will be another litter, but with a purebred GERMAN SHEPHERD. This time she mated with a black LABRADOR who somehow entered the yard due to a combination of circumstances. I soon shared the DOGS with friends because they are very attractive.
EDITOR: How many were in the litter?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIĆ: She gave birth to five puppies, and three survived. Two were born dead. So I shared those three puppies. One is there next door to my uncle.
EDITOR: That's little Lara. We will also make a story about her soon. And what about Bella? Do you want to let her give birth at least once, or will you sterilize her?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: I will let her have the first litter, followed by sterilization.
EDITOR: You mentioned, how she loves to play with your kids, say, does she have her favorite toy?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: Actually, no. Both Abba and Bella love to play with toy balls and just balls. RETRIEVER Bella also has her rubber duck, who is squeaking. When she starts to play with it, especially at night, then it’s real madness. Especially since she sleeps in the house with us (laughs). But, the two of them like to play together the most.
EDITOR: Is there a dose of jealousy between them?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: Yes, a crumb. Abba is jealous, in the moments when we caress Bella. Then she pushes her snout as a sign that we shouldn't forget about her, that she also wants attention and her dose of cuddling. But nothing more. However, she never directed her jealousy against the RETRIEVER, nor was she aggressive towards her. Although, RETRIEVER knows how to exaggerate in the game. SHEPHERD, just, in that case, growls a little, to move this one and that's it.
EDITOR: Your older son ANGELO is with us, so he could describe his day with Abba and Bella. How does your day start with your PETS?
ANGELO IVANOVIC: First, Bella wakes me up in the morning, taking the blanket off me, jumping on me, and licking me. She knows roughly when I get up, and then she wakes me up. Then I get up, go out and feed one, then the other. Then comes Abba. He licks me, waves her tail, and jumps on me like he wants to hug me. Then the two of them play and so their day passes.
EDITOR: Do you have daily obligations to them, or do you do it voluntarily?
ANGELO IVANOVIC: No, I do not consider it an obligation. It’s more like a game to me. Also, we walk them twice a week. We go to the woods or to the playground. By the way, we have a house with a yard, so they mostly play and run by themselves. Anyway, life with PETS is a lot of fun because if you don’t know what to do with yourself, you can always play with them. They relieve stress, but they also know how to encourage it by destroying furniture and similar stuff like that.
EDITOR: GERMAN SHEPHERD and GOLDEN RETRIEVER, are both pure breed DOGS, so I assume you provide them with all the necessary veterinary care?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: Absolutely! Both are chipped and vaccinated regularly, and we use other veterinary services as needed.
EDITOR: That's very commendable! From this example, we can learn how vaccination and chipping of PETS are necessary because in case they wander or get lost, the owner can find them quickly and easily. Finally, tell us, would you personally recommend to each family a GERMAN SHEPHERD or GOLDEN RETRIEVER as a PET, or any PET, regardless of species and RACE?
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: I would recommend the GERMAN SHEPHERD or the GOLDEN RETRIEVER to everyone because they are very attached to their family, especially children. But it depends on who prefers what. Anyway, I recommend any PET to anyone.
EDITOR: Thank you for the interview!
Dear readers, this was the second story from the section "NEIGHBORHOOD PAWS". Read us further, follow us on our YOUTUBE channel (Snježana-Xena M.):
call us and chat on the FB page WORLD OF CATS AND DOGS:
"We take care of our pets as for ourselves."
Comments