Quote: Lauren Jeffery

People see a shepherd like her with some obedience training and seem to assume she its trained to protect...You are correct, nobody will mess...when they see a mal.

Very well said, Lauren. Thank you for that reminder.

 Quote: rob abel

Like all breeds, sounds like there is some significant variation within the breed. I've seen Mal on video that were so high strung they were absolutely quivering and shaking during training.

Something to keep in mind, how they are at training isn't neccessarily how they are at home. I have a dog, nicknamed "Mac the Mouth", who is a NUT when working. You can see some videos of him on my website at http://www.dantero.com/videos.php just look for "Mac". This same dog is the calmest, most "chill" dog around the house. Very laid back. I have other dogs that are nearly as nuts when working, but also aren't as calm around the house, so ...

I am going to add a house alarm to attempt to help protect the dogs that are 'protecting' me?

http://www.examiner.com/x-2111-Dog-News-Examiner~y2010m6d21-Rescue-Ink-takes-in-Rottweiler-injured-while-heroically-defending-family-and-home?cid=examiner-email

Most of the general public doesn't know a malinois from german shepherd. And in most cases mals are smaller then your average shepherd. If you were to go out & ask people what a malinois was, most would not even know it was a dog. They just look like an all brown GSD. The main deterent is the black mask that gives them a more serious look. I have had a black faced GSD that gave the same reaction. When I would walk both my dogs down the sidewalk, people would move out of the way or cross the street. It was pretty funny. Most people just see GSDs or GS looking dogs as police dogs. That is the main deterrent especially now that there are so many police depts that have dogs on the street now.

I also have an alarm system in my home....It's called layers of protection.

If looks are a concern enre as perception, one can always get a Tervuren or Belgian Shepherd.
Tervuren.
http://www.belgiantervurenrescue.com/belgian-tervuren.php

Belgian Shepherd.
http://www.dog.com/Breeds/Breed.aspx?breed=45

Not many see these dogs in the same preconceived notions they do when looking at GSDs or Mali-adjusted-nuts.

Call me crazy, but I'm perfectly cool with a dog that makes me and my wife unapproachable. If I want to greet someone I will on my terms for the most part. I'm a very friendly person but people are obnoxious when I'm out with my puppy. They immediately reach to pet or try to let their dog meet mine.

Also, if my wife is out and about while I'm at work, I'm good with her having a dog who carries fear in his muzzle! Muahahaha! LOL

Another note...many people are more 'put off' by an all black GSD. They also seem a bit more 'scarey' to the general public then other sable shepherds. See Randy's pic of Strider above.

Awww Anne, I think he's CUTE!!!!

Hey Kel, I do too....but John Q Public would be less 'tickled' then we are.

 Quote: anne jones

Another note...many people are more 'put off' by an all black GSD. They also seem a bit more 'scarey' to the general public then other sable shepherds. See Randy's pic of Strider above.

One of my clients recently told me about a friend of hers that owns two solid black GSDs, whom she lovingly refers to as "The Monsters" because people can't move out of her way fast enough!

I think you are right about the effect of the mask. Tasha doesn't have a full mask but most of her face is really dark. It definitely does add to the imposing look. That is until she decides someone is a friend and she turns into a total submissive wiggle butt puppy.

There was this one time when I was walking her at night when she was about 8 months old. This weirdo drunk guy started walking just behind me and trying to talk to me. I must have gotten a little nervous, because just when I turned around to tell him to take a hike Tasha turned and did a hop towards him.

He threw his hands up in the air, jumped back, crossed the street and walked FAST in the other direction.

Good girl!

The look is definitely a significant part of the reason I chose GSD over other energetic large breeds. I'm single, live in a section of the city that borders on bad neighborhoods, and walk my dog at weird times because of an unusual work schedule. I have to say the only times I haven't felt safe has been when we encounter someone who is truly crazy.

I'm not sure if anyone has asked on this thread Spencer, but is there any reason why you have decided not to consider a GSD?