german shepherd dogs

I've just remembered a nice story - while talking to a child pre-assessment I asked her about her family, and did they have any pets?
"Yes" she said."We've got a dog"
"What kind of dog?"
"He's an Old Station dog". Took me awhile to work that out.

German shepherds are sheep dogs and like all sheep dogs they are happiest if they have a job to do. Not necessarily looking after sheep, they make good guard dogs, police dogs, seekers for cadavers or drugs, or people lying alive under piles of rubble after an earthquake.

They got a bad name in our childhood, when too many were in-bred as getting new stock from Germany was impossible during both world wars. The wars contributed to their bad name, as armies on both sides used dogs which like humans reacted badly to the stresses of wartime.

Another reason many people are scared of them is their superficial resemblance to wolves.

A well-trained German shepherd of reliable stock will be just as delightful a dog as any other, but like all large breeds they need something to do with their time. Two short walks and lazing on a rug all day, is not their thing.

German Shepherds were originally herding and guarding sheep dogs then they were bred for particular characteristics so herding, guarding, and as a family dog. So poor breeding will get you a dog with excessive guarding tendencies etc

I have never had one but would love one of my own

I have been bitten twice by dogs as a child, both were German shepherds. My daughter was also bitten by a neighbor's shepherd when she was 4. However we are both dog owners but wouldn't dream of having a one ourselves. I do understand that a well trained one is possible but I think that I am too wary of the breed.

I've just remembered going 5 doors down to stroke the dog who lived there.

I would call him, and he would stand on his back legs at the gate.

I had to really stand on the tips of my toes to reach him, so I must have been pretty young.

He was a German shepherd. (my Nan lived next door but one with her horrible, vicious dog)

My father used to breed German Shepherds and the local joke was that I was the safest child in the area! They were all wonderful with me and for many years, my Dad had a picture of me aged around 2, fast asleep on the floor with my head on Major, his massive paws over me.
My father loved the breed because they loved to train, they enjoyed having a job!
As an aside, all of my life's been spent with and around dog's. GSD's, Staffies, etc, I have Rottweilers now and the only time I have ever been nipped was by a Corgi!

German Shepard’s are brilliant dogs very intelligent ours is a highly trained working dog

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