Is dog aggression common in GSDs?

[Chicagocanine]

I've noticed quite a few German Shepherds who do not like other dogs, or don't do well around strange dogs. Bianca has issues with leash reactivity with other dogs. I am just wondering how common this is? Is this something that is seen often in the breed?

If so are breeders aware of this and is there any attempt to avoid this in their breeding?
If you are buying a puppy, how do you know if they will be prone to these sort of issues due to genetics? Do breeders disclose this info to potential buyers? I know socialization is important but I know people who have done tons of socialization with their dogs only to have them develop issues with other dogs as adults anyway so there must be a genetic component.

[Elaine]

Dog aggression is very common across all breeds and is partly genetics and mostly early socialization and training.

[JudynRich]

At work we have a dog rating book for families when they get ready to choose a family pet, dogs are rated in need for exercise, grooming, good w/ kids. agression w/ other dogs. GSD have good ratings for kids, poor ratings for getting along w/ strange dogs...one word-training!

[LaRen616]

Dog aggression can be more severe in some breeds but I believe the way they are raised also contributes to their aggression. If you want your GSD to be friendly with other dogs you have to socialize them at a young age and keep up with it throughout their lives.

[Emoore]

My dogs are dog-aloof. They have dogs that they're friendly with, but they just don't care about strange dogs. GSDs are not, in general, good dogs for dog parks.

[Mac's Mom]

Mac is 5 months old and wants to play with every dog he see's. Most of the dogs in our neighborhood are adults but smaller than Mac (50 lbs). The older dogs will play with him for a few minutes but end up running away.

[LaRen616]

Originally Posted by Emoore

My dogs are dog-aloof. They have dogs that they're friendly with, but they just don't care about strange dogs. GSDs are not, in general, good dogs for dog parks.

My GSD absolutely loves the dog park. I see a couple of other GSD's there too, they all seem to enjoy it.

[codmaster]

Originally Posted by Emoore

My dogs are dog-aloof. They have dogs that they're friendly with, but they just don't care about strange dogs. GSDs are not, in general, good dogs for dog parks.

When we look at general characteristics among breeds, we can make some generalizations, i.e. pit bulls will fight with other dogs BUT we cannot then generalize this general breed characteristic to ALL individuals of thet breed! Anytime someone does that, they are wrong! For example, could we find a pit bull who is friendly with all dogs that they meet/ YES!

[JKlatsky]

Originally Posted by Emoore

My dogs are dog-aloof. They have dogs that they're friendly with, but they just don't care about strange dogs. GSDs are not, in general, good dogs for dog parks.

Agree.

I think that GSDs (and sort of herding breeds in general) are more geared towards people than other dogs.

As a general rule all the hounds I've known seem to function well with other dogs...which I wondered if it was a function of the hunting pack.

[Liesje]

I think there's a big difference between a dog that is really reactive and wants to charge other dogs and a dog that would rather be left alone. Outright aggression or being overly reactive is not OK, IMO.

I have three dogs and I am VERY relaxed about how my dogs live together and play together. They play together great, even my intact male (who is the most aloof around other dogs). I've never had a dog fight or had to break up and incident among my dogs. But my GSDs are not dog park material. They just don't get any enjoyment out of being thrust into the chaos of two dozen strange dogs running wild. My mutt LOVES the dog park and my DH takes him there. The GSDs would rather do something with me, or do something with each other. I think their pack drive is very strong, so they prefer to be with their human first and foremost, and then with the other members of their dog pack second. Just because a dog is a "pack animal" does not mean the dog should be accepting of all strange dogs and their behavior at any given time.

I like my GSDs this way, wouldn't have it any other way. I have no desire to own dogs that want to be best friends with every dog and person. My dogs know their place and they know who their people are and their "dog" family members are and stick by them (literally and figuratively). My dogs are under my control at all times. Nikon is the least accepting of strange dogs (Coke loves 'em all, Kenya has a few playmates we meet with privately) and yet I already have him off leash in his beginner agility class. He pays no attention to other dogs as long as they aren't hassling him in his face and if they are, I will intervene before my dog does because *I* find that very rude.