Alright, so folks have been asking me about my experience, or what I’ve seen, with this Border Terrier German Shepherd mix. It’s not like you see one every day, right? But yeah, I’ve got a bit of a story there, or rather, I saw one of these pups grow up, and it was quite the journey, let me tell you.
My Neighbor’s Unique Companion
It started a few years back. My neighbor, old Dave, decided he wanted a dog. He wasn’t after anything fancy, just a good companion. He ended up with this little fella, a cross between a Border Terrier and a German Shepherd. We all kind of scratched our heads at first. I mean, a tiny, wiry Border Terrier and a big, noble German Shepherd? What in the world would that even look like, or act like?
Well, we found out soon enough. The pup, they named him Scrappy – fitting, as it turned out – was a real character from day one. When he was tiny, he had that scruffy Border Terrier look, all wiry hair and that classic mischievous glint in his eye. But as he grew, and boy did he grow, the Shepherd side started showing through. He got these bigger paws, a slightly longer snout, and ears that couldn’t quite decide if they wanted to stand up straight like a Shepherd or fold over a bit like a Terrier. One usually stood up, the other kinda flopped. Gave him a permanently quizzical look, which was pretty funny.
The Day-to-Day: Living with the Mix
Now, living with Scrappy, or rather, watching Dave live with Scrappy, was an education. Here’s what I noticed, my sort of on-the-ground observations:
- Energy Levels: Through the ROOF. I mean, Border Terriers are busy little bees, and Shepherds need a job. Put ’em together? Dave was out walking that dog for hours. If Scrappy didn’t get his exercise, he’d find his own entertainment, and that usually involved chewing on something he shouldn’t or digging up Dave’s flowerbeds. He had a real passion for digging.
- Intelligence: Sharp as a tack. That Shepherd brain was definitely in there. Scrappy learned commands pretty quickly when he wanted to. Dave would show him something once or twice, and he’d get it. But, and this is a big but…
- The Stubborn Streak: Oh, that Terrier stubbornness was strong with this one. If Scrappy decided he wasn’t doing something, well, good luck. He’d just plant his feet or give Dave this look that said, “Yeah, not happening.” It was a constant negotiation, it seemed.
- Watchdog Instincts: Excellent. Too excellent, sometimes. He was super alert. A leaf falling in the next county? Scrappy would bark at it. Not aggressively, mind you, just a very enthusiastic announcement that SOMETHING WAS HAPPENING. Dave got a lot of early warnings for the mailman.
Training wasn’t straightforward. It was like dealing with two different dogs in one body. One moment he’d be focused and eager to please, doing his “sit” and “stay” like a little soldier. The next, he’d be off chasing a butterfly, completely deaf to any command. Dave tried a few different trainers, and they all said the same thing: “He’s smart, but he’s got a mind of his own.” Consistency was key, and a whole lot of patience.
I remember one time Dave was trying to teach him to fetch a ball in the park. Scrappy would chase it, pick it up, then parade around with it, daring Dave to try and get it back. It was more “keep away” than “fetch.” Took ages for him to get the “bring it back” part.
Final Thoughts From What I Saw
So, after watching Scrappy grow from a bundle of fluff into this, well, unique adult dog, what did I really take away? This mix is a real wild card. You get the intelligence and some of the loyalty of the Shepherd, for sure. Scrappy was devoted to Dave, followed him everywhere. But you also get that independent, sometimes downright bull-headed nature of the Terrier.
It’s not a dog for the faint of heart, or for someone who wants a perfectly obedient, low-maintenance pet. You need to be prepared for a dog that will challenge you, that needs a lot of mental and physical stimulation. It’s like, you get a powerful engine, but the steering can be a bit unpredictable. Dave loved that dog to bits, don’t get me wrong, but he also admitted it was way more work than he initially bargained for. He always said, “He keeps me on my toes, that’s for sure.” And I reckon that’s the best summary of a Border Terrier German Shepherd mix – a dog that will absolutely keep you on your toes, for better or worse, but probably for better if you’re the right kind of person for such a spirited creature.
