I'm curious about American lines..

rashadlc · 04-09-2011, 09:26 PM

I'm just wondering if American lines GSD are good at family protection? I'm not looking to see if they are the best but are average to decent compared to other breeds.

zyppi · 04-09-2011, 09:59 PM

The presence of any GSD intimidates most people.

Emoore · 04-09-2011, 10:02 PM

What do you mean by 'family protection?'

rashadlc · 04-09-2011, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emoore

What do you mean by 'family protection?'

Not really aggressive drive but barks or growl only when necessary. Or if an intruder breaks in. Are they more passive or will they stand their ground.

There are some breeds out there that will stand their ground and not on the top list of guard or protection such as chows, dalmations, etc..

I'm just wondering how the american bloodlines rank with other breeds.

KZoppa · 04-09-2011, 10:10 PM

any well bred and socialized GSD will surprise you.

lanaw13 · 04-09-2011, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rashadlc

Not really aggressive drive but barks or growl only when necessary. Or if an intruder breaks in. Are they more passive or will they stand their ground.

I think most dogs will do this, but as stated earlier, GSDs are impressive looking…..
People think my boxers look scary too, ….. please don't tell them they're harmless…. it's all in the perception.

trudy · 04-10-2011, 09:17 AM

ALL lines have good and bad, find a line you like, get to know a few, find a breeder who breeds to the standard, and carefully screens potential buyers. THEN buy the pup the breeder feels best suits YOU, then take that well bred, well matched pup to as many places as you can. Socialize, and train. A well bred, well trained dog is a joy to see and own, and NO one will confront the person whose dog loves him and stands at his side not trying to run away.

My Am/Can line dog was evaluated by a schutzhund trainer and a retired K9 trainer for police, both were impressed with his solid/fearless temperment, nothing shy or spooky or bad nerves here. The retired guy, walked up first time staring into Ty's eyes, when he reached us he said he had Never seen a dog who didn't get nervous when confronted like this, they usually start looking away or growling, but TY stared back. He is very self confident and the staring wasn't a threat he needed to react to. I was told this was a once in a life time dog, and guess what I have him!!! His younger sister missed the essential socializing but is almost as good, and this from a dog locked away for most of her first year, so heredity won out with her, she is stable and when she joined us she rebounded.

cliffson1 · 04-10-2011, 09:36 AM

Retired police guy sure hasn't seen many GS, all of my puppies will not shy from direct eye contact.Whew!

lemans · 04-10-2011, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trudy

His younger sister missed the essential socializing but is almost as good, and this from a dog locked away for most of her first year, so heredity won out with her, she is stable and when she joined us she rebounded.

That's a sign of sound nerves, genetics always win.

RubyTuesday · 04-10-2011, 05:03 PM

Agreed, Cliff. All of my dogs, including my daughter's rescued puppy mill Toy Poodle, were comfortable with direct & prolonged eye contact. A part of that might be that I'm an eye to eye person & they're accustomed to it. Another part might be that I socialize 'em to the idea that people are not inherently threatening & shouldn't be feared. Genetics probably plays a role as well. The Toy Poodle had puppy mill conformation (poor), & some health issues as he aged, but his temperament was solid.

04-09-2011, 09:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
rashadlc Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Grand Prairie, TX Posts: 47	I'm curious about American lines.. I'm just wondering if American lines GSD are good at family protection? I'm not looking to see if they are the best but are average to decent compared to other breeds.

04-09-2011, 09:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
zyppi Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Back home to Louisiana! Posts: 4,942	The presence of any GSD intimidates most people. __________________ Anne Nothing is as simple as it seems or as complicated as we make it~ Attitude is everything -- Pick a good one! Sofie AKA Ussina vom Haus Brezel Jack von Jagenstadt Tatty - Burmese bad cat

04-09-2011, 10:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
Emoore Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North DFW, TX Posts: 9,214	What do you mean by 'family protection?' __________________ Rocky vom Backyard- 10 years young Kopper vom Felssclucht Bach - 17 months At the Bridge: Cash van der Animal Shelter 2006-2010

04-09-2011, 10:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
KZoppa Crowned Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Maryland kinda missing CO Posts: 13,809	any well bred and socialized GSD will surprise you. __________________ The more people I meet and talk to,the more I love my dogs and their intelligence. www.krystalscollarcreations.weebly.com Riley GSD/BC 1/10/05 Zena GSD 6/1/03 Shasta GSD 5/5/10

04-10-2011, 09:17 AM	#7 (permalink)
trudy Master Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 920	ALL lines have good and bad, find a line you like, get to know a few, find a breeder who breeds to the standard, and carefully screens potential buyers. THEN buy the pup the breeder feels best suits YOU, then take that well bred, well matched pup to as many places as you can. Socialize, and train. A well bred, well trained dog is a joy to see and own, and NO one will confront the person whose dog loves him and stands at his side not trying to run away. My Am/Can line dog was evaluated by a schutzhund trainer and a retired K9 trainer for police, both were impressed with his solid/fearless temperment, nothing shy or spooky or bad nerves here. The retired guy, walked up first time staring into Ty's eyes, when he reached us he said he had Never seen a dog who didn't get nervous when confronted like this, they usually start looking away or growling, but TY stared back. He is very self confident and the staring wasn't a threat he needed to react to. I was told this was a once in a life time dog, and guess what I have him!!! His younger sister missed the essential socializing but is almost as good, and this from a dog locked away for most of her first year, so heredity won out with her, she is stable and when she joined us she rebounded.

04-10-2011, 09:36 AM	#8 (permalink)
cliffson1 Knighted Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,929	Retired police guy sure hasn't seen many GS, all of my puppies will not shy from direct eye contact.Whew!

04-10-2011, 05:03 PM	#10 (permalink)
RubyTuesday Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,315	Agreed, Cliff. All of my dogs, including my daughter's rescued puppy mill Toy Poodle, were comfortable with direct & prolonged eye contact. A part of that might be that I'm an eye to eye person & they're accustomed to it. Another part might be that I socialize 'em to the idea that people are not inherently threatening & shouldn't be feared. Genetics probably plays a role as well. The Toy Poodle had puppy mill conformation (poor), & some health issues as he aged, but his temperament was solid.

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