Are all GSD's Natural Protectors? - Page 1

Hello all,

I was wondering: Are all GSD's Natural Protectors?

For instance, without training a showline or working line GSD in protection work, will the individual GSD have an innate sense of how to protect? I am not talking about attacking on command, but I am curious if a GSD will protect if it has too, or send warning signals to the opposition.

Examples of opposition: A robber breaking into a house, an intruder on property, suspicious person in public, a kid napper trying to steal a baby

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Nope. My first GSD had about ZERO protection instinct. She probably would have helped the burglar by holding his flashlight! :D

About the only thing she did was bark when someone knocked on the door.

Absolutely not....
that is a myth that all GSDs are innately natural protectors without training.
I wish it would go away, it hurts the breed....as people that don‘t know anything expect this from them.

So about how much protection work must a GSD go through to be labeled a protector?

Also, is it possible to have a family dog + a protection dog? (I have heard that this is not a possible combination to have...found my sources online awhile back..but again I am not sure so that is why I am asking)

Sorry lygsd,
But your second posted  question above doesn't make a lot of sense as asked.
Keep reading, keep researching, and you will gain the answer.
Yes, it is possible to have a dog that protects your family, but it is not that simple and the answer is too detailed to even attempt right here.

no problem to have natural protector that is social as can be, and most dogs you can train as much as you want, but they will never protect you, but can be real good deterrent

"The German Shepherd Dog MUST be well-balanced (with strong nerves) in terms of character, self-assured, absolutely natural and (except for a stimulated situation) good-natured as well as attentive and willing to please. He MUST possess instinctive behaviour, resilience and self-assurance in order to be suitable as a companion, guard, protection, service and herding dog."

Read it somewhere.....

"The German Shepherd Dog MUST be well-balanced (with strong nerves) in terms of character, self-assured, absolutely natural and (except for a stimulated situation) good-natured as well as attentive and willing to please. He MUST possess instinctive behaviour, resilience and self-assurance in order to be suitable as a companion, guard, protection, service and herding dog."

Yes I have come across this too. That is why I was wondering if the GSD is really a natural protector or if extensive training has to be involved for it to be that protector. But from the replies I have read, it seems that GSD's aren't natural protectors.

Personally for me I am not looking to get into sport with my future GSD. I just want a GSD as pet but would be nice to have it as extra security or a deterrent towards bad people.

Most people were scared of my male GSD because he was big and had a dark face and a booming bark.

My postie would refuse to deliver my mail if he were outside and hanging his head over the gate.

Once someone was let into the house, he'd be offering them his favourite toy to play with within 5 minutes.

Mostly it's the bark and appearance that acts as a deterrent. Most people DO NOT want a dog that will actually hurt someone. The threat is usually enough.

A fully trained protection dog can be a liability in this sue-happy world.