Hi everyone, I’ve just come across the name of a dog breed I’ve thought was stunning since I was a kid: the Timber Shepherd. I’d love to get some information about their temperament—are they difficult to train? I really want to get to know the breed properly before adopting one so I don’t make any mistakes, so if you have any advice, I’m all ears. Thanks in advance!
Cheers!
Translated from French
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The breeder asks potential owners to be completely up-front about their lifestyle. And yes, they are "stunning", but looks aren't everything, after all. I think you should have a chat with some current owners and ask them for more advice. This breed needs someone around and plenty of exercise...
Hi there,
One thing that worries me about what you wrote is the phrase "I think they're stunning."
Yes, that wolf-like look attracts a lot of people, but as the breeder says, adopting this kind of dog just to "show off" that you have a wolf is a massive mistake.
Owning these dogs only works if you have the right temperament and the commitment to meet their needs.
If those two boxes are ticked, training them is no harder than training any other breed. There is no such thing as a breed that is suitable for everyone. You can head for disaster just as easily with a shepherd or a gun dog as you can with a Timber if you aren't meeting their requirements.
The breeder provides plenty of information. I just hope they know how to properly vet potential adopters.
Also, be wary of what some owners tell you. Many will complain about "flaws" when the real issue is that the breed's needs aren't being respected. Things like the dog being lonely without another canine companion, owners being away from home too much, not enough off-lead exercise, a lack of socialisation with other people, too much anthropomorphism, a lack of discipline or being too lax, and a lack of a real bond with the dog...
Hi there, your best bet is to get in touch with the breeder 'Le Pacte des Loups' (they’re the only breeder for this breed in France). Their website, https://lepactedesloups.fr/index.html, is also really detailed and has loads of info on the breed. If you’re on Facebook, there are plenty of private wolfdog groups with lots of owners of all types of wolfdogs where you can ask for advice.
The only encounter I’ve had with this breed:
- Highly primitive nature: much more so than a Husky, Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, etc.
- Very poor dog-to-dog sociability. (It actually dragged its owner along the ground trying to get at mine!)
- Calm temperament.
I’m not sure about their energy levels.
But I definitely wouldn’t recommend this breed for a first-time owner, in any case.
Hi there,
Looking into the 'breed' didn't take long—there’s only one breeder, and they seem very passionate and reputable.
The website is very well put together and detailed, and they ask potential owners to get in touch so they can assess if you're a good fit for one of their puppies.
One thing that might be important, considering your current situation and the salary you might be on once you're back in work: prices start 'from £1,700'... 😊
I don't really have a set routine; it just depends on how long my dog wants to stay outside.
I'm in a flat at the moment but I'm moving into a house. I haven't got a job right now so he has all my time, but I work outdoors anyway, so the dog would be by my side constantly. Thanks for your replies.
I’ve also read that Timbers are quite stubborn and fairly difficult to train.
But you know, the Timber Shepherd isn’t actually a breed; they’re a mix of several crosses (German Shepherd, Northern breeds...) which I don’t think are recognised by the Kennel Club (based on my research).
“This breed has retained many wolf-like characteristics. As such, they are prone to wandering off and can be aloof with strangers. Nevertheless, they remain gentle, sensitive, and rarely aggressive. In fact, they form a very strong bond with their owner and stay very close to them. This explains why they don't cope well with being left alone and can become destructive if they get bored.
Furthermore, they are pack dogs and get on well with other dogs.”
