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Are German Shepperds good family dogs?

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Answer by Genuine55
Submitted on 8/5/2004
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The answers isn't going to come in a yes or a no. To generalize all German sheperd dogs as being wonderfull family dogs isn't exactly a safe consumption. Due to all of the uncontrolled breeding of this wonderfull dog over the past 40 years a few problems have shown up in some dogs. However most germen sheperd'sare great dogs. There great because they seem to have a very deep concern for what you want them to do. This is why they make such excellent working dogs. As with any dog if you don't socialize the puppy it could lead to behavioral problems later as the dog becames an adult. If you show a well bread german sheperd what is excpected of him or her in a consistant and caring matter,(like how to be with and protect you children). Then you may be suprised at how loving, caring, and protective the German Sheperd dog really is.

Answer by Elyse
Submitted on 2/6/2005
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My father grew up with german sheperds and now my family has had two. The first dog i had was names matt. He was the nicest dog could ver meet. Some people where scared of him because he was a very larger lean german sheperd but when they got to know him you could never forget him.MAtt had hip desplacia even as a puppy wich effected him his hole life. By the time he was only 7 I could almost beat him in a running race. Matt died at the age of 7 but would always be remembered. The second dog i have is named Sasha. She is almost 3. She is not as gentle as matt but just as friendly. She is very hyper at times but still is great with all ages. She is a very powerfull german sheperd, she has a very musular bilt and can jump over any fence if she wanted to. Sasha gets so determind some times that she will chew throught the wire fencing on her cenle and climb out through a hole a little bigger then here head, just to come play with you. I would trust sasha with almost any one. I have no regrets about having german shepards. They are very smart and loyal animals with the will to please. And thats whats so great about them.

Answer by Jax
Submitted on 5/17/2005
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My dog, Roxey, was a German Shepperd/ black lab mix. She was a good, well trained, affectionate dog for seven years. She was an excellent guard dog, hostile only towards strangers and smaller dogs. A few weeks ago, my 4 year-old-niece was in the kitchen with Roxey, playing, when she made a sudden movement and Roxey attacked her. Angelina was lucky, Roxey'sbite only cut her in three places around her eye. While it was bad and she will have permanent scars, we know it could have been much worse. We never could have known that our family dog would ever attack the little girl she was used to playing with. Sadly, we put Roxey down, because we couldn't take another chance. While she was the best dog I ever had until that day, I will never again get a dog of that breed. It's just not worth it.

Answer by candice
Submitted on 6/3/2005
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we have a GSD & he is great, he will be 7 years this month. we didnt have children till 3 years ago, he is alright with them, takes care and watches over but i am already haveing problems with his hind quarters. he has saved my life- no really- more than once, i know that if i didnt have him something bad would have happened! the two coats of hair is a problem, i sweep up a pile every night. they (well mine) seemed two think he was a puppy till he was about 5 1/2 years old. all i wanted was for him to grow up a little, now i wish he would slow down! the tail is a tree trunk! he is really smart and catch on to things quick, example i had to take him into the vet witch he hates they had to run some x-rays on him so i thought for sure he would need to be put under,nope my 112 lb dog just laid there for them.anyways they are really cute when they are puppies and their ears start to stand up! i dont know what i'mgoing to do for a dog when he is gone, i just lost my greyhound of 16 years last week, and i know i cant have another greyhound, and i'mnot sure i could replace my "scout" with another either.anyways hope i helped, and hope you get the chance to enjoy this beautiful breed!

Answer by Tango
Submitted on 9/5/2005
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I agree with all that is been said about the qualities of the bread. As people, all dogs are different.I had good and bad ones with the kids and visitors. The common pattern of the aggressive ones where that they had been raised alone, specially at night and with very poor socialization. The famous question of where is your dog tonight? applies very specially to German shepherds. If you want a sound and reliable family dog make him sleep in your bedroom and get mixed with kids and people in general since his early stages. Never put him in a kennel nor tied him up. Give him obedience buy handling him yourself from six months onwards. A good German Shepperd should be gentle with everyone and courageous when the circumstances require it. Emotional stability is particularly desired. In order to deploy those qualities they need lots of affection. Aggressiveness is in the nature of the dog so don't push for it. And remember that dogs are particularly influenced by its owners character.

Answer by Michelle
Submitted on 12/12/2005
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I have grown up with dogs all my life. As a child my parents bred Dalmatians. And through the years there were labs, border collies, chihauhaus, huskies, and pit bulls as family dogs. Moving out of home and living by myself was a sad experience mainly because I missed having a dog. Even though I know it is often a bad idea to get a puppy when your life is unsettled as mine is, I soon accepted the fact that my life will never be complete without a dog at my side. And so started my love affair with the German Shepard breed. I had no prior experience with them, but looking at two Shepard pups in almost cruel conditions at a puppy mill will really make your heart commit fast. I brought home a male, solid black shepard pup and named him Diesel. He was malnourished, antisocial, and terrified of men right off the bat. And he was already 18 weeks old. I worried at first that he would grow to be a terror of dog equal to my weight. But I treated him no different than any of our homebred, well socialized pups - I took him everywhere. He went to parties, parks, restaurants, and even worked with me at a horse farm I was employed at. About 3 weeks after the day I got him, he came out of his shell. Diesel has never shown aggression in any way - children can hang on his ears, and the only danger they face is being licked to death. He is extremely loyal. No leash required. I walk through crowds, he follows at my side. Obedience seems to be a strong point, he's very trainable. And the breed itself posesses incredible intelligence. I would recommend shepards as family dogs to anyone with the time to raise any puppy. But your time with a German Shepard will be especially well spent. Even with Diesel's shaky beginning he is an example of the breeds' strength of character. But as with all dogs, be sure to research other breeds and really focus on what YOU need in a dog. Shepards can require alot exercise, as most working breeds often do. And a community with a leash law and no fenced in yard may not be an ideal enviroment for a German Shepard. Hope my opinion helps to answer your question.

Answer by Danielle
Submitted on 4/8/2006
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yes German shepherds are VERY good family dogs i have 3 of them and they are all very intelligent. They are protective but not too protective they will back off at my command. shepherds are loyal and smart too. they are always by your side and act as a guardian for your child or children. they will stay by your side as well. Easy to train because they are smart. My shepherds even open my front door like the one with the turning knobs, and i didn't train them to do that! shepherds will also get along with anybody you welcome into your home and they get along with all children my shepherds will play with my sons who is 8 friends but not too rough they know how little they are, and they will get along with any pet you have and with anybody elses pet as well. so i hope this answered your question because German shepherds are the best dogs ever! Love, Danielle (me!!) Sabre (shepherd 1) Lilly (shepherd 2) Dagger(shepherd 3) and i even have 6 cats and 2 horses and they get along with them too!!!! <3 xoxoxoxo