Adapted for clarity from Hans’s original questions and answers. These are summaries, not verbatim quotations.
Choosing your dog
Can a Czech working-line German Shepherd be a family dog?
Yes. Czech working lines include a broad range of temperaments. Some dogs need an experienced handler; others can suit family life. The important thing is to match the individual dog to your household and experience, rather than decide from the bloodline name alone.
Read Hans’s original answer →Are Czech dogs too much for someone who has not owned a shepherd?
They are not all the same. A serious working dog can place very different demands on its owner from a family companion. I need to listen to what you want and understand your experience before helping you choose the right individual dog.
Read Hans’s original answer →Can a family protection dog also live in the home?
Yes, the roles can go together. The individual dog, its training and the way it is handled matter. You need to continue training for the purpose you want the dog to serve. The words “protection dog” alone do not tell you whether a particular dog fits your family.
Read Hans’s original answer →Living and learning together
Will a puppy grow into a dog that is good around children?
That depends on proper training and socialization throughout the puppy’s development. Early socialization is a beginning. You need to continue training and maintain it in everyday life as the puppy grows. Choosing a puppy is also a commitment to that work.
Read Hans’s original answer →Do I still need to train a dog that is already trained?
Yes. Training needs to be maintained by the owner. It is more than teaching “sit” and “down.” You also need to learn how to handle the dog and build a working relationship with it. Everyday practice matters.
Read Hans’s original answer →Why does the handler need instruction too?
The new owner needs to understand how to handle the dog and work with its training. In my original answers, I explain that handler instruction helps the owner bond with the dog and learn to handle it. Ask me about the current handoff arrangements for the dog you are considering.
Read Hans’s original answer →Understanding a working dog
Does a title tell me everything I need to know about a dog?
A title gives you information about training in the disciplines that were tested. It does not tell the whole story of the dog’s everyday work. A well-trained untitled dog may perform its duties very well. Look at the dog’s actual training and the job you need it to do.
Read Hans’s original answer →Is sport training the same as training for everyday work?
No. Sport tests particular skills under particular rules. The training needed for family protection, police work or search and rescue has to fit that purpose. A sport background is useful information, but it should not replace looking at the dog’s preparation for the actual task.
Read Hans’s original answer →What affects the price of a dog?
In my original Q&A, I describe price as depending on the individual dog’s quality, training, titles and pedigree, as well as information about its relatives or offspring. For a current price, ask about the specific dog. Older prices in the archive are historical.
Read Hans’s original answer →Keep learning at your own pace.
Explore Hans’s training videos, or ask him about your particular home and dog.