Hello,
My wife and I are interested in the German Shepherd, but we are confused by all the different types. I know that we need to stick to working lines, but even that seems like a broad subject – DDR dogs, WG working lines, Czech dogs, etc. We are looking for a companion dog that will be good with our two kids (ages 3 and 1), but also a dog that is capable of protection, and a dog that we can take hiking and such. I am not looking for a dog for over the top drives.
Also, can anyone provide breeder references in Charlotte, NC area? I've found some breeders in NC and SC thru United Schutzhund Clubs of America, but I am wondering if there are any others? Thank you. Rob

It sounds like you want a VERY stable dog, with less drive (live-with-able) and can be trained to bark to deter intruders while you go grab your gun. You don't want a dog capable or personal protection training...too much drive. Just look around and when they have a puppy that just isn't sport/police material, there's your dog. I don't know of anybody down there sorry. You might want to look at rescues, sometimes they have some really nice dogs, not abused.

You also will have to learn about not letting young kids around the dog esp unsupervised not matter the dog, its asking for trouble. They are too young right now for that. There's a DVD on pack structure and the family pet, that should cover all of that.

Good luck in your search for nice GSD pup.

I'm not in your area, but may (or may not) be able to help. My GSD is exactly what you describe. I answered a Craigslist ad for free GSD to good home. It was a local breeder looking to rehome a brood dam that she could no longer keep. She had been raised with children, was chipped, was housebroken and was crate-trained. She was registered, and I had to purchase her kennel club registrations and pedigrees, but that was well worth it.
That being said, I did not rush in. I spent more than a week researching that breeder and the original breeder that the dog was purchased from. I contacted everyone involved to gather as much info as I could about my prospective GSD before I finalized my commitment. I visited the dog and walked her on a daily basis, partly to make rehoming easier for HER. I also had her examined by my own vet and a professional trainer. I didn't have any children or other pets but, if I had, I would also have had her temperament evaluated before allowing her in my home. This may seem like looking a gift-horse in the mouth, but I was leary of getting a free dog from a classified ad.
Goog luck.

If you are looking for a dog that will actually protect you, there are very few vendors that can provide one.
And a dog that will protect you in a real world event that can also tolerate children is incredibly rare.

You can find tons of breeders that will tell you that their dogs will protect you, but when put to a real test ( and I'm not taking about a dog that will bark and bite a sleeve, you can train nearly any dog to do that ) 98% of those dogs will fail a serious protection oriented test.

"Protection" dogs are pretty much the biggest scam in the dog world today, most would-be owners have no way of telling the fly-by-night scammers from the real thing.
If you're serious about getting a dog that would actually protect you, you have a lot of serious studying ahead of you.

Good luck, and let the buyer beware!

Thank you for your responses.

Tresa,
You summed it up pretty well. I am looking for a dog that will make someone think twice before attempting to break in, but want him to be trustworthy around my family and any frequent visitors. I’m talking accepting visitors but not being overly friendly (i.e. going out its way to greet someone).

Duane,
That’s pretty cool that you were able to get a good dog through Craigslist, of all places. I don’t think that I would ever do that. Maybe if I didn’t have kids it would something to consider.
I heard that picking out a puppy is a crap shoot anyway. But I feel that if I get a pup from a good/reputable breeder then at least I have someone to contact for support if there are any issues.

Will,
I guess I used the wrong term when I said “protection”. I’m not looking for personal protection dog. I’m looking for more of a deterrent, if that makes sense. I’m playing with the idea of doing agility with the dog – but I am on the fence with that.

Once again, thanks for your responses

Rob

I second the need for a temperment evaluation, especially if you end up adopting from a shelter or rescue. Also, I would say to make sure you find someone qualified to do it. There are lots of big hearted, well-meaning rescue volunteers that really just aren't qualified to evaluate a dog. They do their best, but I would only trust a professional where small children are involved.

I also have a wonderful GSD that fits your requirements perfectly. I adopted her directly as a a stray.

She gets positive comments from everyone we meet. Of all my dogs, she is the 'nicest'. She is wonderful with all people- kids, babies, anyone. She will bark alert- a very serious sounding bark, in the house, car, tent, whatever. No excessive barking, but a nice alert for me.

She would NOT actually protect me. She could provide a deterrant. The 'police dog' look alone is a great deterrant.

I think you could find a nice dog through GSD rescue or even animal control. I agree, you don't want a PPD. Be especially careful about health issues for dogs with unknown pedigree.

I love shepherds, and I think they can be great family dogs. You can find what you are looking for.

Of course, small kids should never be left alone with any dog unsupervised.

Absolutely agree, Robert. That's why I described the pains that I went through. I was very lucky that there were people around that were already familiar with THIS dog, so I was able to quell my fears, but this is not the best way to get a dog.
If you want a companion dog that is a deterrant, but who is also well-adjusted and obedient, you might consider schutzhund. SchH is not just for over-the-top dogs and owners. We train at a SchH club, but in all reality may never get past a BH. Sadie loves the obedience and may learn to track. She has the drives and temperament to do the bitework, but her drives were capped in her original home and I'm not gonna push her if she doesn't WANT to bite. She is a great guard dog, but defense, I don't know...

Call Betty, she has a litter on the ground and there may be a puppy that fits the bill for you, she'll be honest and let you know if she has what you're looking for. I have 2 of her dogs and I'm happy. http://www.littlerivercanine.com

here's a dog from her that bites really hard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqdCAYsKqSE&list=UUb45RtXpkX4Sk2yR7sPUY-g&index=30&feature=plcp

Same dog upper body

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUn1wxCfDJM&feature=related

Same dog with the baby playing ball

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FykbVNCj_Ck&list=UUb45RtXpkX4Sk2yR7sPUY-g&index=22&feature=plcp

Forget rescue in your situation, most are already screwed up, not all but most.

What Al said.

Betty might have exactly what your looking for.