Eric, I understand completly. When the Sherrif's Dept arrived at my house, they wanted to shoot my dog. My wife had to out the GSD and everything calmed down. Nug had the back of his thigh for about 15 minutes. My wife said he was biten pretty bad. I'm sure everytime Bruce moved he got bite harder. Nug had a few cuts on his chest and shoulder from the glass in the window, nothing bad.

Best thing out the whole episode is that the local drughead moved away. No one has seen him in our area again.

Also no lawsuit. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

It *is* confusing. *Sharpness* is actually a highly desirable trait in the GSD that is getting diluted. I think a lot of folks tend to think all sharpness is *shy-sharp*. A dog w/sharpness and strong nerves is a heck of a dog for patrol or PP.

A sharp dog, imho, is a dog that is quick to alert. His response to that alert determines how strong or weak his nerves are. I could be way off on this, but Im still trying to learn.

Sounds good to me. I always go back to what Max said about the GSD should be extremely tuned into the environment, be aware of everything. The tricky part would be producing such an alert dog who at the same time doesn't *react* to everything, ie has a good filter installed and knows what needs to be attended to. IMO, you are correct, that is where nerve strength comes into play.

I would consider my three terriers all very sharp. One has weak nerves,hackles up and could be a fear biter. The other two are solid as a rock.

When I think *reactive* or *overreactive* I think, *terrier* . . .
I would probably read the 3 dogs just the way you did. I've got a yr old GSD pup who is aware of absolutely *everything*, but he's solid and only reacts to what needs attention, ie *oh, that's the wind blowing, I'll go back to my nap* vs *oh, that's someone knocking on the front door, this requires a few barks*. A piece of paper skittering by in the wind, he will notice but not respond to. A rag tied to a stake in the ground, he'll notice and react to (becomes tug toy).

Dunno if that makes sense . . .

I love the terrier sharpness/attitude, and that, as you say, coupled with strong nerves will make a great dog. Your pup sounds like what I want. I'm counting the days till my retirement and I get my Working GSD. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Three years. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I would classify my heeler mix bitch as "overreactive". "Oh, Goody!!!! A piece of paper blowing by! Gotta bark my head off! Wheee, how fun!!!"...."A crow standing in the road 500 feet ahead...Gotta chase it! Hooray!". I don't like it. I like my Lab's attitude much better..."What does Mom think of that? I'll just do what SHE does.".

Good job Gitta and Nug
Eric
If he broke into your home, there is no telling what his intend was, surelly no good. And for startling your child you should hit whiles she was tearing him a new a**. No you really did the right thing, by just letting her take care of business. You joining in may have started her bitting everywhere. Like I said I'd take two just like her. I can't believe instead awarding her the medal of dog hero, our girl got 7 days in the shammer. But betcha she do it again to her family, a true GSD.

Crabtree, good job Nugg
A drugging breaking in while your wife or someone was at home is not normal, his intend was more then just trying to steal your TV or money. That the kinda GSD stories I like to hear. Not the stuff about them not being Police quailty dogs. I mean a GSD would probably never be like the Golden story he let some one rape his master. The guy walked right past the dog, while the lady of the house was taking a shower, closed the door as the retreiver layed outside didn't even bark. Of course they got rid of him. Poor dog, wrong selection. Imagine if that was Gitta or Nugg, I pitty the fool. Do they have solid nerves ask Bruce the drugy, end of story.

Oldearthdog
How can you tell one has weak nerves? He won't confront a rat or a person? Does he bark from a distance and the other two charge right up to the prey item? I ask because my female will cower from certain things like a vaccum cleaner, but not a man that hits her with a stick that gets her mad, and hold on baby. I'm saying there's degress of strong in nerves, you got the Rocky " I think I can like my female" and the Robert Deniro nerves like my Male "Are you going to hit me with that, I'm the only one standing here I guess you are talking to me." Make my day (a little Eastwood). <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Goodogu
There are definitely different degrees of nerves. My weaknerved JRT useto overreact with most everything. It has only been with lots of socialization to everything I can that has made him (somewhat) normal. It was hard for him to learn to trust people,places,things of all sorts. He came from a really good hunting line so there are no problems there but every day life would really wig him out until I worked a lot with him. My Border Terriers, will alert just as fast as my JRT, but they don't overreact to much of anything and they love everyone. My JRT is not the average JRT. Most have very good temperment, but most are a pain in the ass to live with unless you like high drive, nuttsy dogs.