A question I am often asked by people who need a guard dog and are thinking about getting a German Shepherd is this: “If I have small children, is it a good idea to have a German Shepherd?”
I never answer the question directly. First I ask myself a question to find out more about the person who is thinking of having a German Shepherd:
“Do you intend to confine the dog to your backyard, or will the dog be a house dog and companion to your children?”
I am a father and grandfather, and have been breeding German Shepherds for show and obedience competitions for over 40 years. All of my dogs are obedience trained and are also exceptionally good watchdogs. I can honestly say that I have never had a bad experience with my dogs and my children, grandchildren or children of friends who come to visit.
If your primary reason for wanting a dog is to protect your property and you are not going to be a house dog, then the German Shepherd may not be the right dog for you.
A German Shepherd is a remarkably intelligent animal that thrives on human companionship, love, and attention. If the dog is left alone and his main objective is to take care of the home, the dog will do this job satisfactorily. But the animal will never develop its full potential. In fact, there is a clear danger that the dog will become vicious.
A German Shepherd, raised in a family and with children, can be completely reliable and trustworthy in every way. He can also be a reliable guard and protection dog, an excellent dual-purpose dog.
In recent times, with the huge increase in home invasions, robberies and violent crime, it has become more and more necessary to have a trustworthy guard dog at home. A well-bred German Shepherd, with a strong protective instinct, can make an exceptionally good watchdog and a delightful companion for his offspring.
If you want a dog that will be a companion to your children and also a good watchdog, there are some important points to consider before getting a German Shepherd. These are questions you should ask yourself:
- Will your dog be raised in the family and play regularly with the children?
- Are you ready to take your dog for some basic obedience training?
- Have you seen both parents of the puppy you want to buy and are you completely satisfied that they both have healthy and stable temperaments?
- Are you sure that at least one of the puppy’s parents has a strong protective instinct?
This last question is very important. It is an unfortunate fact that many German Shepherd Dogs being bred today lack the strong protective instinct that was once a very marked characteristic of most German Shepherd Dogs. This applies to many of the top winning show dogs.
You have the opportunity to get the best of both worlds; a German Shepherd who is a wonderful and trustworthy companion for you and your family, and an excellent guard dog with a strong protective instinct.
Before you buy your German Shepherd puppy, ask the breeder for details of the bloodlines and make sure the puppy you get is the type you want and need.