Guard Dogs - Should You Get a German Shepherd to Guard Your Home If You Have Small Children?
A question I am often asked by people who need a guard dog and are thinking of getting a German Shepherd, is this: "If I have small children, is it a good idea to get a German Shepherd Dog?" I never answer the question directly.
I first ask a question myself to find out more about the person who is thinking about getting a German Shepherd: "Do you intend confining the dog to your back yard, or will the dog be a house dog and companion for your children?" I am a father and grand-father, who has been breeding German Shepherds for show and obedience competitions more than 40 years.
My dogs are all obedience trained and are also exceptionally good guard dogs.
I can truthfully say that I have never ever had any bad experiences with my dogs and my children, grand-children or children of friends who come to visit.
If your main reason for wanting to get a dog is guard your property and it is not going to be a house dog, then perhaps the German Shepherd is not the right dog for you.
A German Shepherd is a remarkably intelligent animal that thrives on human companionship, love and attention.
If the dog is left on its own and its main purpose is to guard the home, the dog will do this job satisfactorily.
But the animal will never develop its full potential.
In fact there is a distinct danger that the dog might become vicious.
A German Shepherd, brought up with the family and with children, can prove to be completely reliable and trustworthy in every way.
It can also be a dependable guard and protection dog - an excellent dual purpose dog.
In recent times, with the huge increase of housebreaking, theft and violent crimes, it has become more and more necessary to have a reliable guard dog at your home.
A well-bred German Shepherd, with a strong protective instinct, can prove to be an exceptionally good guard as well as a delightful companion for your children.
If you want a dog that will be a companion for your children and also a good guard dog, there are some important points you must consider before getting a German Shepherd.
These are questions you must ask yourself:
It is an unfortunate fact that many German Shepherd Dogs being bred today lack the strong protective instinct that was once a very marked feature of most German Shepherd Dogs.
This applies to manytop winning show dogs.
You have the opportunity of getting the best of both worlds ; a German Shepherd Dog that is a wonderful, completely trustworthy companion for you and your family, and an excellent guard dog with a strong protective instinct.
Before you buy your German Shepherd Dog pup ask the breeder for details of the bloodlines and make quite sure the pup you get is the type you want and need.
I first ask a question myself to find out more about the person who is thinking about getting a German Shepherd: "Do you intend confining the dog to your back yard, or will the dog be a house dog and companion for your children?" I am a father and grand-father, who has been breeding German Shepherds for show and obedience competitions more than 40 years.
My dogs are all obedience trained and are also exceptionally good guard dogs.
I can truthfully say that I have never ever had any bad experiences with my dogs and my children, grand-children or children of friends who come to visit.
If your main reason for wanting to get a dog is guard your property and it is not going to be a house dog, then perhaps the German Shepherd is not the right dog for you.
A German Shepherd is a remarkably intelligent animal that thrives on human companionship, love and attention.
If the dog is left on its own and its main purpose is to guard the home, the dog will do this job satisfactorily.
But the animal will never develop its full potential.
In fact there is a distinct danger that the dog might become vicious.
A German Shepherd, brought up with the family and with children, can prove to be completely reliable and trustworthy in every way.
It can also be a dependable guard and protection dog - an excellent dual purpose dog.
In recent times, with the huge increase of housebreaking, theft and violent crimes, it has become more and more necessary to have a reliable guard dog at your home.
A well-bred German Shepherd, with a strong protective instinct, can prove to be an exceptionally good guard as well as a delightful companion for your children.
If you want a dog that will be a companion for your children and also a good guard dog, there are some important points you must consider before getting a German Shepherd.
These are questions you must ask yourself:
- Will your dog be brought up in the family and regularly play with the children?
- Are you prepared to take your dog for basic obedience training?
- Have you seen both parents of the pup you intend buying and are you completely satisfied that both have sound, stable temperaments?
- Are you quite sure that at least one of the parents of the pup has a strong protective instinct?
It is an unfortunate fact that many German Shepherd Dogs being bred today lack the strong protective instinct that was once a very marked feature of most German Shepherd Dogs.
This applies to manytop winning show dogs.
You have the opportunity of getting the best of both worlds ; a German Shepherd Dog that is a wonderful, completely trustworthy companion for you and your family, and an excellent guard dog with a strong protective instinct.
Before you buy your German Shepherd Dog pup ask the breeder for details of the bloodlines and make quite sure the pup you get is the type you want and need.
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