Hello to all ,

I`ve been reading this board for some time and have read some very informative posts regarding working line GSD.
Being an enthusiast of the working dog ( starting to enter this world ) I would like to have some informations regarding the ability of the GSD as a personal and family protection dog.
I`ve read all sorts of exotic breeds and their story , the things they were bred for , their power , their natural protective tendencies , etc.
Needless to say that with some experience and research I found this ridiculous.
I would like to hear your coments and experiences of the GSD as a personal and family protection dog ? Is it possible that a good GSD stops a very strong intruder? Imagine a very strong and bad man and what are the real chances of a well trained and well bred GSD against this man?
Also what traits should I look for in a pup in order to have this well bred and trained adult in a family situation? I know good nerves and middle sharpness are considered the most desirable , but I would like more scientific answers and expert opinions.

Thanks in advance and best regards
Tiago Fontes

I´m no expert on GSDs but I´m sure they have what it takes to stop a man. A breeder I know of sold an awesome looking eastgerman GSD to a person which should use him as a policedog. This dog was a hard one with some rank issues, when the handler tried to correct the dog,the dog broke his arm in two places. This dog has a more experienced handler now, who use him as a PSD. So I guess they have the bitepower and strenght to stop a man, just make sure you find a good one who fits your needs, then it will make an excellent protection and family dog.

Regards

Yes GSDs make excellent family/personal protection dogs. Yes, GSDs have the ability to fight bad men. They do it every day all over the world.

NO dog in the world can be relied opon to beat a man in every situation. The protection dog is just one important part in a defensive plan.



There are many puppy/dog selection tests out there, maybe someone has some links to offer?

Originally posted by VanCamp:

There are many puppy/dog selection tests out there, maybe someone has some links to offer? VanCamp congrats on the new status. One of the topics we were just bashing about on the Den was in regard to working puppies in bite work through Teething Periods.

There were and still are a lot of good arguments for working pups during this time frame as it will tell a person really trying to evaluate future potential as to the pups ability to cope with pain and discomfort, hence the ability to stand up to a man in the future.

My personal feeling is that a good evaluator should be able to make these prelim evaluations before the teething but the thead does have merit and I can see the other sides argument.

http://members4.boardhost.com/boxertalk/msg/1125.html

Jerry

A GSD can make a wonderful family pet and protection dog. Their true benefit is in the deterence issue however. If a big strong man/hewoman is going to chose a house to break into they are going to chose the house without the 90 lbs GSD barking in the window or at the door and go next door where there is no dog or a chihuahua. And to be quite honest if that really bad person decides he wants you anyway he is not going to care about the dog and his gun will do the trick.

I dont mean to freak you out, and yes I am sure some police dogs can break a mans arm, but I think this is not the norm and as was said, this dog was very hard to deal with, so most likely not the best family pet.

Get a good dog, with solid nerves and socialize and train him to the best of his abilites and leave the rest to... Just dont get a dog with the unreal expectations that no one will ever hurt you. Even the best police dogs are killed in the line of duty.

Here are some links to a puppy temperment test- Good luck and welcome to the board.

http://leerburg.com/puppytest1.htm
http://siriusdog.com/pup_test.htm

Hello ,

I know that only one dog and rely my safety or my family`s to that particular dog isn`t enough. A good dog is a part of a security system.
What I mean is : a good GSD to be a personal and family protector. A dog that you take in your car , that you can rely with your wife at night when you`re not home.
I`m not referring to a bad guy kind of organized crime .
I`m referring to the bad guy that you meet at night when you go to the street or that wants to try and steal your car. But this bad guy I`m referring is not the 110 pound man , but the 260 pound man.
The reason I ask this is because I read in a messageboard that a body builder managed to fight back two police dogs and get away . It was said that he grabbed one of the GSD`s by the ears. So I started this topic in order to know your opinions of the GSD against a strong man.

Thanks and regards

what about a very bad and strong monster?
would the GSD be able to fight it without a problem. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Dobe,
I don`t think monsters are in the street , but strong bad guys are, so I only asked something that a person that is doing his homework would like to know.
If I were to be joking I wouldn`t ask it . So if you don`t want to educate don`t do it , but don`t play with it.

Thanks

Well, well...Van Camp the Moderator...this is gonna be good! Congrats!

Tiago;
Give a strong, agressive guy enough rage, dope, alcohol, or maybe all three, and you will see things you never dreamed could happen...as an example, how about continuing to fight after multiple, close range, through and through torso hits with 12ga. #00 Buck or 1oz. slugs??? (several cases well documented)

We have discussed similar questions in past threads, so we don't need to rehash it here. The dog buys you time...time to do the things you need to do to save your life. Use that time wisely and don't let your dog risk his life in vain.

GSD's? My favorite breed, but there are others. Five-O-Joe has a young Rottie that will, with maturity, give bad guys nightmares. Ken Hungerford has a Mal cross that hits the suit so hard you think he is going to break bones (literally!) Another guy in our club has a 16mo. Dobe that...I guarantee...will be capable of VERY serious protection.

Get a good dog that is bred to work and to have good temperament and good health. You will never regret a good GSD. And don't believe everything you read on (most) message boards.

there not in the street, there in the woods and they come out at night, there big bad strong and hairy.

you should make sure your GSD can fight these beasts. these are what you need your brave GSD for. HTH <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />