Are all GSD's Natural Protectors? - Page 2

Thank you for the info sunsilver. That makes a lot of sense.

Lygsd,
I wanted to add to my last post, but got locked out of answering for half an hour.

The reason that this is such a huge topic starts with the fact that a GSD is not just a GSD. It‘s not like getting a Golden Retriever which is probably a more staightforward breed ...and what you see might be what you get with a GR (but I know nothing about them, so my apologies to GR experts if I’m wrong).

There is no breed that I know of that is as complex as the GS breed.

Before one gets a German Shepherd, A LOT of research should go into it.

Not because they are not good dogs, or dangerous....I love em to death as does every one on this forum, but almost nothing is straightforward and easy to understand in this world to a novice.

I will bow to Sunsilver here....she posted a great link just the other day that explains the different types of GS that the modern day breed has evolved into:

http://www.wildhauskennels.com/gsdtypes.htm

It explains excellently that a GS is not just a GS. So by just getting a GS without the knowledge of GSs is a very tricky undertaking. Regardless.

Hope this spurs all interested in a GS to really do ‘due diligence’!

Add:

And yes, just seeing a gs, or better, hearing one that does a good bark at strange noises... is already deterrent for most burglars and other riffraff. Even without doing the very expensive, very hard and very complex work of protection training.

they supposed to be such but types show/sport/companion dog, prevalent in commercial breeding,
pretty much wiped out this trait.
ask yourself a question - do you have enough knowledge and experience to be able to become a
leader and handle the dog, which is capable not only bark but engage in the fight and stand its
ground with violent, bold person?

as Sunsilver said - in most cases loud bark and intimidating looks pretty much enough to shrug off average malefactor.
after all who would know, dog is barking asking to play with him or warning about readiness to attack :)

I also wanted to add for other readers that are maybe wondering...

...that just because most have answered with “no, a gs is not a natural protector’...does not mean that a badly trained gs will not bite someone.

There are many reasons why a dog will bite or act aggressive that are not related to protecting someone.

So again, nothing here is straightforward and easy to answer.

And, whether or not a gs will even bark when you want them too, is also a matter of temperament or training. Some do it naturally, others don’t.

I had a teacher in university whose home backed onto a ravine. He owned a Shetland sheepdog that would bark at unusual noises or if he saw a stranger. His house was the ONLY one on the street that hadn't been broken into!

 

So, even a small dog can be a good deterrent. Though Shelties are known to be pretty quick with their teeth...  

Thank you all. I really appreciate the information.

You have asked a very broad question...Will All German Shepherds Protect?...Within every breed of dog there are dogs that will do what you get it for and there are ones that just don't...No Matter the BREED...So...

When choosing any dog or animal you must first ask what is it you want out of a dog...What can you handle...What can you train and how much training do you want to do...

I often say "Be Careful What You Wish For"...

All dogs have different personalities...So choose wisely...If you want something for a particular venue then a puppy might not be the way to go...

As others have said...research...Research...RESEARCH...I would go to some training clubs and see exactly what different dogs are like...

For starters...Do you know the different bloodlines of German Shepherds? And what the characteristics of each are? Do you know what they were bred for? Check into them and see what might fit your needs the best...

Forums like this are great for asking questions from people that have different experiences...

And even when you do all that Q Man suggests, it is worth remembering that (whatever breed of dog you get) there may be a, or some, dog(s) in your lifetime with which your personal bond becomes so strong that yes, they may well spring to your defence and bite, to protect you and yours. Given enough of a threat. I think we could all come up with anecdotal evidence of this.

Yes I will keep doing my research.

The main reason why I posed the question: Are all GSD's natural protectors? was because I was curious to see if from owners/breeders experience if the GSD still had the innate sense of protection built in them.

I understand every dog is different, but was curious to know if all GSD's would have that innate sense of protection.

 

Working line in sport protection work have nothing to do with real protection in real life

Most breeders today don,t care about this anymore in the bloodlines and genes
or even  know how to breed this anymore ....very sad....

 You will almost never see any of that flashy famous worldwide  breeders doing real protection ,showline or working lines  today they call biting in a sleeve protection dogs...