German Shepherds Dominant?

[Blanketback]

Originally Posted by Jo Ellen

After talking with my friend some more, she said by dominant she meant aggressive when unprovoked.

I've had lots of people say the same thing, lol! And that's so funny because unprovoked aggression is NOT what dominant means, but lots of people think that's what it does mean. Strange.

I think GSDs are easier for me, because I like a challenge. My car is a standard, also easier because I concentrate on my driving. I like things that take a little more effort, lol.

[codmaster]

Originally Posted by Jo Ellen

I was talking to a friend this evening about how surreal it is to have my first German Shepherd, after having been fascinated with the breed for years but still very much in the mindset of golden retrievers.

She said, "Personally, I wouldn't have a dominant dog, but that's me." I asked her what she meant by dominant, she said "Opposite of passive." LOL

I wasn't sure how to respond. How would you?

"Stuff it!"

[KZoppa]

Originally Posted by Jo Ellen

Another good golden I'd like to see pictures, do you have any?

After talking with my friend some more, she said by dominant she meant aggressive when unprovoked. So I think what we have here is a case of generalizing the bad behaviors of a few to the entire breed.

I'll say. That falls into the "dog bit with no warning!" catagory too. There is always a warning. Whether people realize it or not. There's not generally unprovoked aggression either.

[Belmont]

Mine is so friendly, I can imagine him ever attacking anyone unprovoked. The only thing dominant about him is his hyperactivity.

[julie87]

German shepherds should not be compared to goldern retrievers. They are complitely different dogs. Honestely I don't understand peole who WOULDN'T want a GSD! Why wouldn't you want intelligent,protective,loyal, easely trainable, super gorgeous dog.... to me GSD is #1 they are the ultimate dog but then again... you are asking people who are on GSD forum what do you expect to hear Also its kinda funny that you even listen to a person who never owned a GSD...why exactly are you so concerned you are better off doing a google search then asking unexperienced people.

[cliffson1]

I wish more people with your friends beliefs that want GS will get Goldens and be happy....haha!

[LoveEcho]

Dominance = unprovoked aggression?? Hm... the only dog I've ever been bitten severely by was a golden, and it was unprovoked (at least in most people's sense of it. It was a dog who truly WAS dominant, had no rules or boundaries, and I was about to sit on HIS couch). Conversely, my GSD is extremely "passive", to the point that he will not start a fight, nor will he finish one. People are wacky. Luckily, this lady who expects them to be Golden's will not be getting a GSD