german shepherd dogs

Such interesting replies.
Our neighbour is an old man ( same age as me 83) and is currently in hospital with a serious problem. His daughter is holding the fort at home, but I fear for the future of those dogs if their master doesn't come back.
In the past, when we lived in the country, we've helped out a bereaved neighbour with a dog (not here) but Old Bill was a gentle spaniel mix.

I have always loved dogs, and as a child at home, we had various waifs and strays. My dad was a real softie.
Mum had friends who owned a large GSD, and when I was about two, was found snuggled up to him, under the kitchen table.
Our DD and SIL have had two. The first one was enormous, a real beauty, and gentleman. We always felt that we could trust him absolutely.
The second one was different. He had a look in his eye, but never hurt anyone, or anything.
I just had this feeling about him, and never loved him, as I loved the first one.

If well trained they can be fabulous, badly reared they can be terrible - much like any other breed.
There are two sisters who both live near us, one has two GS and the other has 3 or 4 at any one time. They are the most well behaved animals you could wish for, one word from the girls or their children and the dogs do exactly what they say. They always make me smile when they walk towards you two or three abreast, then you hear "get in" quietly spoken from one of the girls and the dogs fall in behind them and close to each other so you can walk past them. They are taught from puppy to walk on the lead with the children - when the kids were 4/5 it was a case of who's walking who sometimes lol.
An old friend always used to have 2 or 3, they live out on the Somerset levels with no near neighbours so the dogs were a bit for security and would always bark if people they didn't know were around. But they were soft as could be once they knew you.

My Nan had German shepherds, and they were very unpredictable (apart from being able to predict that they usually bit somebody, given half a chance)

My Nan wasn't a good owner, though.

When they were the dog of choice (1950’s and 60’s) they were badly interbred.My father once had to kill one as it turned on it’s owner ( a woman) a neighbour who’s screams alerted him.
He was gardening at the time and took the spade with him.
He saved her life.
They are beautiful dogs, but I wouldn’t have one.

No all dogs share the same DNA, but they do have characteristics bred into the breed.

Mine is a terrier, so mice, rabbits, squirrels etc send him into delirious excitement.

Not sure what German shepherds were bred for, perhaps the clue is in the name.

But what I do know is that dogs entirely reflect their upbringing.

So my little terrier, has never challenged a human of any age in his entire 10 years of life. He is totally laid back and relaxed around other dogs unless a male dog has a growl and he will always growl back, but never if it is a female.

So in answer to your question, I suspect that they are entirely fine, but with this proviso - unless I know the dogs and owner very well indeed and have spent time in their company I would never enter their territory unaccompanied by their human owner.

They are highly intelligent dogs. The troubles can start if a. They are from a puppy farm and not well bred. b. The owner does not teach the dog correct manners from the start. If the dog can boss the owner it will try to boss other humans too.

GSD's are a one person dog really. They do not take notice and want affection from people they do not know.

My best friend's mother bred them and her dogs were a lovely stamp. Rock solid temperaments. A joy to own.