Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd

erichesin

So we have decided to make our spoiled, sweet German Shepherd our ring bearer. We have talked to our florist about making a necklace of flowers to go around her kneck. We are trying to decide the best ways to have her go down the isle, and just be there during the ceremony.
She will be taken home after ceremony, as they dont allow dogs in reception area which is perfectly fine.

tidetravel

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:27179ef3-96c0-4c8d-a3a8-91abbe68d9f2">Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]So we have decided to make our spoiled, sweet German Shepherd our ring bearer. We have talked to our florist about making a necklace of flowers to go around her kneck. <strong>We are trying to decide the best ways to have her go down the isle, and just be there during the ceremony</strong>. She will be taken home after ceremony, as they dont allow dogs in reception area which is perfectly fine.
Posted by erichesin[/QUOTE]
My vote is that you make the Best man wear one of those padded suits that they use to train police patrol dogs with, and then let her at him.  Stuff tender parts of the suit with steak, just to be sure she makes it all the way to the end of the aisle.  She'll also be able to snack during the ceremony, which should keep her content.

Leave the dog at home.  You're not unique, and it's not cute.  There are other subtle ways to include the dog in the wedding if you really want to.

stina93446

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:418d3bd6-e04f-4c4f-9293-bde145911113">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]Tide, you have committed the ultimate sin.  You made me waste perfectly good diet coke by sending it out my nose with that mental image (which is also, by the way, not a pleasant experience).  You should be ashamed of yourself for being so clever and amusing. Meg, I think we need a WP Newbie of the Year T-shirt, and a secret voting contest to determine the winner.  I'd like to nominate Vicki as a contender based on the above post and several others I've seen this week. OP, a little advice from a tried and true SM. <strong> Never work with small children or animals.  They steal the show, and rarely in a good way</strong>.  Just say no to using your beloved dog as a prop.
Posted by StageManager14[/QUOTE]

<div>SO true. Slightly off topic but Trixie is in my show with me and she steals the show every night.</div>

lalap69

From one German Shepard owner to another, NO.  Don't do it.

vicki0508

Aw shucks!

ECI1151

I have to admit...for one breif second I wanted to do this with my dog because FI and I bascially met because of our dog.

Then I remebered that he usually shits in the store everytime I take him to get groomed and changed my mind.

NMK1208

It's your wedding! My personal opinion I wouldn't have a dog or any animal, but that's me. My friend used their puppy as a "flower girl", she ended up eating the flowers that were on the ground and the junior bridesmaid literally had to drag the puppy down the aisle. All she wanted to do was sniff people that were on the end chairs. Hopefully you have a dog that likes people, but not too much!lol

NMK1208

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:de4d7b17-1f07-470d-9a8a-aa5ef9e32b35">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd : I think I may have just located the source of your BM issues, NMK.  Your planning will go much smoother and you will have far less drama and stress if you strike those words from your vocabulary.
Posted by StageManager14[/QUOTE]

<div>I didn't mean for it to sound nasty. I just meant it's their wedding, if they want to have a dog they can have a dog. I originally said "her" but was referring to the OP. I would just prefer not to have an animal in mine. Everyone's tastes are different.</div>

Simply Fated

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:8f7f198f-243c-4ec4-a6bb-0c31513a4ee2">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd : I didn't mean for it to sound nasty. I just meant it's their wedding, if they want to have a dog they can have a dog. I originally said "her" but was referring to the OP. I would just prefer not to have an animal in mine. Everyone's tastes are different.
Posted by NMK1208[/QUOTE]
The thing is, they aren't taking the guests into consideration. It might be their wedding, but as good hosts they should think about their guests.

It has nothing to do with different tastes. You should treat the guests at your wedding as you would had you invited them to your home. If you invite someone over and they're allergic to dogs, would you let the dog loose to sniff their crotch all night? No, you would put the dog in a room or put up a gate or what ever set-up you have for dealing with guests.

Some people are sooooo sure their guests wouldn't mind. Don't be so sure.

And just to clarify, I had a cat who I loved with all my heart and we always locked her up when company came who requested it. So I am not talking from inexperience here.

trix1223

No.  No.  No.  Let me add that I love dogs.  We had a dearly loved dog.  My DD and SIL have two dogs that are terrific.  My son and DIL also have two dogs that we love.  I get that you love your dog.  But it's a DOG.

I just don't think that animals belong in weddings.  I think it takes away from the solemnity of the occasion, and actually takes away from the bride and groom.

Have pictures taken of you in your wedding finery with your dog.  Use pictures of your dog for table numbers.  Give cookies shaped like dog paws or dog bones as your favor.  Use your dog in your STD's.  Make a shutterfly book filled with pictures of you and your dog, and have your guests sign it "yearbook style" for your guest book.

Just don't put the animal in the ceremony.

tidetravel

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:ceaa9813-c280-4759-91ff-d05cfd28b38d">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]It's your wedding! My personal opinion I wouldn't have a dog or any animal, but that's me.<strong> My friend used their puppy as a "flower girl", she ended up eating the flowers that were on the ground and the junior bridesmaid literally had to drag the puppy down the aisle. All she wanted to do was sniff people that were on the end chairs</strong>. Hopefully you have a dog that likes people, but not too much!lol
Posted by NMK1208[/QUOTE]

Case.  In.  Point.

stina93446

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:ceaa9813-c280-4759-91ff-d05cfd28b38d">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]It's your wedding! My personal opinion I wouldn't have a dog or any animal, but that's me. <strong>My friend used their puppy as a "flower girl", she ended up eating the flowers that were on the ground and the junior bridesmaid literally had to drag the puppy down the aisle.</strong> All she wanted to do was sniff people that were on the end chairs. Hopefully you have a dog that likes people, but not too much!lol
Posted by NMK1208[/QUOTE]

<div>Funny story, but a waste of flowers and a lot of annoyance for the junior bridesmaid. Animals are unpredictable. I have a puppy and I would NEVER put her in a wedding because you wouldn't know what she would do.....dogs CAN get stage fright or howl during a prayer, etc.</div><div>
</div><div>Also, my dog is just so stinkin' cute that no one would be looking at me....lol</div>

jenn.daniel

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:ceaa9813-c280-4759-91ff-d05cfd28b38d">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]It's your wedding! My personal opinion I wouldn't have a dog or any animal, but that's me.<strong> My friend used their puppy as a "flower girl", she ended up eating the flowers that were on the ground</strong> and the junior bridesmaid literally had to drag the puppy down the aisle. All she wanted to do was sniff people that were on the end chairs. Hopefully you have a dog that likes people, but not too much!lol
Posted by NMK1208[/QUOTE]

hehe.  I think that's cute, but I hate flowers.  Maybe the flower girl should have thrown kibble.

If the dog is well trained and the event is well planned, I have no objection to a dog in the wedding.  I'm not convinced that your dog is obedient enough for this to work.  Will he listen to the person you would pay to look after the dog?  Will he obey YOU from across the venue?

I love German Shepards and will hopefully have at least one someday.  However, FI says some people are afraid of German Shepards.  I don't get it, but then again, I'm afraid of lady bugs.

DNAtime

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:dabcfabc-b3fc-48a0-9b5b-446583cc7a1b">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd : hehe. .  Maybe the flower girl should have thrown kibble. Posted by jenn.daniel[/QUOTE]

HA Ha! I am literally LMAO about this!!

Seriously, I own two dogs, they are my furbabies and I love them.  I advise also to leave the dog at home. 
If you must put your dog in the wedding. PLEASE put it on a leash!! so many people don't leash their dogs and as the person who either has a dog with them or smells like dog I am a dog magnet and it drives me crazy!!!

lalap69

I also want to mention that FMIL is TERRIFED of large dogs.  I didn't realize how bad it was until she came over to meet my parents and the dog barking at her reduced her to a shaking mess.

You can't know that none of your guests have a phobia like that.  You need to care about that.

SSaltzman87

I say to just have your dog be in a few of your engagement pictures, that way he's involved without the unpredictability of his behavior during the ceremony.

That's what I plan on doing with my dog since I know her great love of people would prevent her from calmly going down the aisle, she's be too busy jumping into peoples' laps :-P

bablingbrooke

No one but you will find this cute.  It's also a lot of work--someone (and it wont' be you) will need to be the dog wrangler before, during, and after the ceremony, basically for all but the 15 seconds he will spend in a wedding.  That means you need to hire someone since it won't be fair to ask a friend or family member to take care of your pet and miss parts of the wedding for it.  Plus German Shepherds are BIG dogs and not always in control of themselves, particularly in front of 100 strangers in an unfamiliar location.

kmd0501

Since you were asking for ideas on how to use your dog and NOT OPINIONS on whether its a good idea or not...i would ask one of the BM if they didnt mind or if you have a jr BM or RB that would be old enough to handle the dog.  My FI and I are going to use our pitbull puppy (who will be almost 3 when we get married) and my stepson will be 7 so he will walk the dog for us.  Of course she'll go back home after but to me, people get really uptight about this but it comes down to the fact that its YOUR day so do what you want.  If the dog does something silly, like eating flowers, just laugh!  It gives your wedding day a unique story. The dog will not steal you spotlight, i promise.  No one will continually comment on the dog that ate the flowers and forget all about your big, gorgeous white dress or the new bling on your finger.  If your dog mean that much to you, then they should be present.  Maybe its just me, but I really dont need some super uptight wedding.  And all of my guests have met my dog at some point or another and if there is anyone that does not care for dogs, she wont be interacting with the guests anyways!  I would look online for a nice white leash to use to walk her down the aisle.

Lisa50

I'm sure the dog thing is cute, but I've never seen it ... not in real life, only in photos. 

I am not a dog person -- I am slightly afraid of dogs and would be a little bit freaked out if a dog paraded down (or is that up?) the aisle.  I would be on pins and needles, worried that it would break free and come near my seat.  And then there's that slobbering ...

tldh

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:b27c3a46-b2dc-4cde-857f-eb71cdf0004b">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]Since you were asking for ideas on how to use your dog and NOT OPINIONS on whether its a good idea or not...i would ask one of the BM if they didnt mind or if you have a jr BM or RB that would be old enough to handle the dog.  My FI and I are going to use our pitbull puppy (who will be almost 3 when we get married) and my stepson will be 7 so he will walk the dog for us.  Of course she'll go back home after but to me, people get really uptight about this but it comes down to the fact that <strong>its YOUR day so do what you want</strong>.  If the dog does something silly, like eating flowers, just laugh!  It gives your wedding day a unique story. The dog will not steal you spotlight, i promise.  No one will continually comment on the dog that ate the flowers and forget all about your big, gorgeous white dress or the new bling on your finger.  If your dog mean that much to you, then they should be present.  Maybe its just me, but I really dont need some super uptight wedding.  And all of my guests have met my dog at some point or another and if there is anyone that does not care for dogs, she wont be interacting with the guests anyways!  I would look online for a nice white leash to use to walk her down the aisle.
Posted by kmd0501[/QUOTE]

Please take this phrase out of your vocabulary.  It never was "your day" as your FI will be present.  As soon as anyone except you and your FI are present at the wedding, it ceases to be "(plural) Your day."

This is a public message board.  If posters see something in the post that may be a red flag, regardless of whether it was the subject of the question, it will be commented on.

As for your wedding, I'd get up and walk out if I saw a pit bull there.  I know that not all are dangerous and much has to do with how they are trained (I grew up with a Rottweiler next door).  However, I'm also an attorney who dealt with too many cases involving dog bites while I was clerking and probably 75% of them were inflicted by pit bulls.  One 3 year oldgirl had her cheek torn off and will have to have plastic surgery every year until she stops growing.  There's a reason so many communities have classified them as dangerous animals.

erichesin

Well thanks for all the comments. I know everyone thinks this is a terrible idea. Everyone at the wedding has met all of our dogs, and knows we are extreme animal people. She is a well trained going to be 5 year old dog. I will take into considerations all the thoughts given though.

lalap69

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:b779ef2e-7582-411e-b0f9-593166b212dd">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]Well thanks for all the comments. I know everyone thinks this is a terrible idea. Everyone at the wedding has met all of our dogs, and knows we are extreme animal people. She is a well trained going to be 5 year old dog. I will take into considerations all the thoughts given though.
Posted by erichesin[/QUOTE]
Even well-trained dogs have been known to act up, especially when surrounded by people or in an unfamiliar setting.

Also, are you sure that everyone at your wedding will be okay with it?  What about people's dates?

There are a lot of good reasons not to do this, and not a single good one to do it - aside from "but I want to."

kmd0501

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:f863dbb7-a6b6-4d7e-962f-66d4660cc2a1">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd : Please take this phrase out of your vocabulary.  It never was "your day" as your FI will be present.  As soon as anyone except you and your FI are present at the wedding, it ceases to be "(plural) Your day." This is a public message board.  If posters see something in the post that may be a red flag, regardless of whether it was the subject of the question, it will be commented on. As for your wedding, I'd get up and walk out if I saw a pit bull there.  I know that not all are dangerous and much has to do with how they are trained (I grew up with a Rottweiler next door).  However, I'm also an attorney who dealt with too many cases involving dog bites while I was clerking <strong>and probably 75% of them were inflicted by pit bulls.</strong>  One 3 year oldgirl had her cheek torn off and will have to have plastic surgery every year until she stops growing.  There's a reason so many communities have classified them as dangerous animals.
Posted by tldh[/QUOTE]


And 67% of statistics are made up on the spot.  A friend of mine had a similar scenario growing up where a dog bit her arm and she has had to have several platic surgeries to repair the damage and restore function to her hand.  She was bitten by a cocker spaniel...so whats your point?  Its people like you and your negative, close-minded attitude towards the breed that they have the stereotype that they do.  My parents yellow lab could inflict just as much harm on any person as my pitbull, and that goes for every other dog.  A dogs attitude is completely contingent on the environment in which it is raised, similarly to humans.  Contrary to what people think, pitbulls dont have a "locking jaw" mechanism and are relatively low on the list of breeds with the strongest bite grip.  The number one breed with the strongest jaw is a rottweiler followed by german shepards and bull mastiffs.  The actually also score very high on temperment exams...poodles are considered to be the most aggresive dogs.  So you can bash my dog all you want, but educate yourself before you start pointing fingers at the breed.

tldh

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:3d024264-e167-455a-9b23-297e71c42ed6">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd : And 67% of statistics are made up on the spot.  A friend of mine had a similar scenario growing up where a dog bit her arm and she has had to have several platic surgeries to repair the damage and restore function to her hand.  She was bitten by a cocker spaniel...so whats your point?  Its people like you and your negative, close-minded attitude towards the breed that they have the stereotype that they do.  My parents yellow lab could inflict just as much harm on any person as my pitbull, and that goes for every other dog.  A dogs attitude is completely contingent on the environment in which it is raised, similarly to humans.  Contrary to what people think, pitbulls dont have a "locking jaw" mechanism and are relatively low on the list of breeds with the strongest bite grip.  The number one breed with the strongest jaw is a rottweiler followed by german shepards and bull mastiffs.  The actually also score very high on temperment exams...poodles are considered to be the most aggresive dogs.  So you can bash my dog all you want, but educate yourself before you start pointing fingers at the breed.
Posted by kmd0501[/QUOTE]


Are you actually telling me I don't know what my own caseload was when I practiced tort law?  I didn't say in general 75% of dogbite cases involve pitbulls, I said 75% (3 out of every 4) of the cases that walked through my door involved pit bulls - that means the damage was pretty damn significant.  These weren't just bite marks that would heal.  Almost all of them required surgery.  Sorry if it offends you but I am talking from experience here.   And if you'd read my first post you would have seen that I grew up next door to rottweilers. I'm still cautious around any one I encounter.

pretzelgrrl

Sorry to go off-topic from the orginal post but I wonder if there are more lawsuits against pitbulls since people have such a bias about them they know they have a better chance against pitbull owners then say a poodle or a cocker spaniel.  I think it is so sad when town come down hard on breeds.  I feel pit bulls have gotten bad reps because of irresponsible and bad owners.  If you think about it...say a person wants to get a tough, looking dog and train it to be vicious and treat it wrong...he's going to get a pitbull not a poodle or a terrier.  But, I understand to how people feel about pitbulls because people can be scared of breed based on their experience.  For awhile I was scared of chihuauas (sp) since everyone I met was vicious but then I met some really nice ones and changed my mind.

Robyn5298

OP - I know I'm late to the party but in case you're still reading....

Including your dog in the wedding isn't a very popular idea around here.  However, I believe if having the dog in the ceremony is important to you and your fiance that you should go ahead with it.  I really wanted to include our dog in our wedding, but wasn't able to.  (We got married 3000 miles from our home and it didn't seem fair to put the dog through 2 cross country flights.)

Of course you will need to plan this out to make sure your dog is comfortable and that your guests aren't inconvenienced.  Obviously you need to check with the ceremony venue to make sure the dog is allowed (I know you mentioned she won't be allowed at the reception, and that's probably a good thing.  You don't want her to be overwhelmed around a huge group of people all day.)  Some other questions: Who will bring her home after the ceremony?  Who will be watching her while you're getting ready?  Where is she going to be during the ceremony?  Would you want to hire a "dog sitter" to watch her so you don't have to ask one of your guests to do it?

I think your flower wreath idea is great.  You can also decorate a new collar with ribbons, bows, rhinestones, etc.  All you need is a glue gun to attach the decorations.  Don't forget to get a nice new leash too! 

As for getting your dog down the aisle, do you have a younger relative that might think that is a fun job?  I'm thinking that kids over 10 would probably think they were too old for that type of thing.  Of course you want to make sure whoever walks her knows her well and knows how to handle her.

Good luck!

lalap69

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:d3ff5391-82b2-4bc4-a294-875a30175fe5">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]OP - I know I'm late to the party but in case you're still reading.... Including your dog in the wedding isn't a very popular idea around here.  However, I believe if having the dog in the ceremony is important to you and your fiance that you should go ahead with it.  I really wanted to include our dog in our wedding, but wasn't able to.  (We got married 3000 miles from our home and it didn't seem fair to put the dog through 2 cross country flights.) Of course you will need to plan this out to make sure your dog is comfortable and that your guests aren't inconvenienced.  Obviously you need to check with the ceremony venue to make sure the dog is allowed (I know you mentioned she won't be allowed at the reception, and that's probably a good thing.  You don't want her to be overwhelmed around a huge group of people all day.)  Some other questions: Who will bring her home after the ceremony?  Who will be watching her while you're getting ready?  Where is she going to be during the ceremony?  Would you want to hire a "dog sitter" to watch her so you don't have to ask one of your guests to do it? I think your flower wreath idea is great.  You can also decorate a new collar with ribbons, bows, rhinestones, etc.  All you need is a glue gun to attach the decorations.  Don't forget to get a nice new leash too!  <strong>As for getting your dog down the aisle, do you have a younger relative that might think that is a fun job?  I'm thinking that kids over 10 would probably think they were too old for that type of thing.  Of course you want to make sure whoever walks her knows her well and knows how to handle her. Good luck!</strong>
Posted by Robyn5298[/QUOTE]
Have you ever met a German Shepard in your life?  Anyone under 10 is not going to be able to HANDLE the dog if he gets rowdy.

Robyn5298

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:2098f27f-4f7d-428e-84c0-a1d0f16f7ce5">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd : Have you ever met a German Shepard in your life?  Anyone under 10 is not going to be able to HANDLE the dog if he gets rowdy.
Posted by lalap69[/QUOTE]
I disagree.  I'm not talking about a 5 or 6 year old, but an 8 or 9 year old, sure.

I do agree with you that if the dog has a rowdy disposition it may be hard for a child to handle.  I guess it all comes down to how the well behaved the dog is.

erichesin

kmd0501 I have worked at Vet clinics for a while, and most of the pitbulls I have met are super nice, any mean one has been abused. Its the little chihuahuas and dachsunds I always am wary of.

lalap69

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:3c3bb3c7-3fae-47ce-b38e-a8dad7db58a7">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd : I disagree.  I'm not talking about a 5 or 6 year old, but an 8 or 9 year old, sure. I do agree with you that if the dog has a rowdy disposition it may be hard for a child to handle.  I guess it all comes down to how the well behaved the dog is.
Posted by Robyn5298[/QUOTE]
We have a German Shepard.  We had a German Shepard when we were kids.  If the dog were to become rowdy, my 9 year old brother could NOT control her.  And that's the possibility that needs to be prepared for - the dog becoming rowdy because he's in a new environment surrounded by lots and lots of people.  In that situation, the LAST thing you want is a child being on the other end of that leash.

If the OP is going to be irresponsible enough to have a giant dog at her wedding, the very least she can do is make sure that there's a strong, responsible, trained adult holding onto that leash.

I don't understand how you can disagree with common sense.

I have to ask: have you ever owned  a German Shepard?

Robyn5298

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:bbeb9219-5884-4bfd-8f41-45f483dc1604">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd : We have a German Shepard.  We had a German Shepard when we were kids.  If the dog were to become rowdy, my 9 year old brother could NOT control her.  And that's the possibility that needs to be prepared for - the dog becoming rowdy because he's in a new environment surrounded by lots and lots of people.  In that situation, the LAST thing you want is a child being on the other end of that leash. If the OP is going to be irresponsible enough to have a giant dog at her wedding, the very least she can do is make sure that there's a strong, responsible, trained adult holding onto that leash. I don't understand how you can disagree with common sense. I have to ask: <strong>have you ever owned  a German Shepard</strong>?
Posted by lalap69[/QUOTE]
Yes, we had a Shepherd when I was a kid.  She was a sweetheart and although large, was very well behaved.  My brothers and I walked her all the time and I believe my oldest brother was only 10 when she died.  (I could be off by a year, it was a long time ago.)

I think we ought to leave it up to the dog's owner to decide who will walk her, don't you think?  I know you don't like the idea but there are ways that OP can make this work.  Feel free to repeat all the reasons why you don't think it should be done, but I wholeheartedly believe this is a decision the couple should make for themselves.  After all, they are the ones that know their location, guests, and dog the best. 

Oh and by the way, its SHEPHERD, you're mis-spelling your own dog's breed.