If nobody posted that video would anyone even be paying attention to it if they saw it on TV? Heck I saw that video n thought "what a cool dog" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> It doesn't bother me one bit, for every 1 idiot that freaks out over my german shepherd, there's 20 people who wanna pet him, compliment me on a beautiful dog, or just simply ignore that there's even a dog there. I had a lil girl come up to me one day talking to me about german shepherds, how she wants one, how she sees em on TV helping people and saving people etc etc etc, it was cute... she pet Cujo, he licked her, she had a positive experience with the breed and saw positive things about them... more people associate a GSD with a police dog or a SAR dog than they do a vicious animal. If people are fearful of GSD's then great, less likely that someone wants to encounter one when breaking into a house. PitBulls have all this negative publicity surrounding them because of the type of people the breed appeals to more than the breed itself.

I agree with you Mike. In my little corner of the world here, I very rarely pass someone in a park or on the street that automatically cowers when my dog (GSD) is near them. However, it has happened in, strangely enough, a nursing home! For a short time my dad was in two different ones last month; you're allowed to bring dogs to visit if they've had their shots. But, each time I brought my very well behaved pooch (no other kind is allowed), the staff would almost run the other way seeing him walk down the hall toward them! Despite my repeated assurances he was extremely friendly, they wouldn't go near him <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> .

In my post I should have added that all the patients (80+ years old) loved seeing him and, every time, asked if I'd bring my dog into their room so they could pet him. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> . He brought them so much joy I even thought about making him a therapy dog.

Mike, I posted to this thread yesterday.I find it over the top as far as its message(don't smoke,even if they change the name,its still bad!)Big,Bad,GSD! After school yesterday my granddaughter came home in tears after my brother's son told her they couldn't come play any more because we have BAD DOGS!(my brother and his wife are afraid of our dogs, even though the dogs have never done anything to them or their kids)I really believe this kind of propaganda is not positive for the GSD or Mal breeds!The kids had seen the commercial on TV and it scared them to death.(at least that's what I was told when I called my brother)

Beth I know you didn't post to me but I wanted to add my 2 cents. I'm sure you're right. I'm new to the dog world and just learning about breed bashing. Luckily I haven't directly experienced it yet but based on everyone's posts on this board in general, I'm sure breed bashing will raise it's ugly head in my neighborhood any day.

I'm kind of new and mostly just read the posts. But, I had to respond here. It's a breathtakingly obnoxious commercial. I wish it were possible to sue the producers for stupidity and damages for defaming GSD breeders nationwide (just venting). I raised and handled guide dog puppies for over 10 years and was privileged to handle some GSD's that were terrific ambassadors for the breed. The ignorance out there is incredible, my dogs were smarter and had better manners than many of the people. The Sixth District Court of Appeals in Ohio just ruled that BSL is unconstitutional. Maybe there is hope. This is a great website.

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In my little corner of the world here, I very rarely pass someone in a park or on the street that automatically cowers when my dog (GSD) is near them.

You can't take a Shepherd out for a walk on a nice day without people shying away down here and saying, "don't be pettin' that dawg...that's a K-9."

Right..my almost ten year old girl....a big fierce tough K-9.

Either people in this area love GSDs (doubt it) or well I don't know why I'm not hearing the negative stuff. What I hear EVERY place I take him, no exaggeration, is some version of "Wow is he gorgeous". Maybe he's so pretty people forget he's a big, bad shepherd <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ! When I finally figure out how to post pics, I will!

See things like this is why there is BSL. Now all the stupid people want to go out and buy a GSD just because of that commercial depicting the dog as vicious. I think they should BANN commercials like that. He was a very beautiful dog though, shame he had to be seen like that.

There is hope as long as responsible dog owners do not allow the government to bann these great breeds. Why punish responsible owners. They are trying to bann any dog that looks mean. Which is a crock if you ask me. I do not believe that people should be aloud to tell people what kind of dog they should be able to own.