DO YOU THINK THAT GERMAN SHEPHERDS make a good family dog???

Question

I HAVE A ONE YEAR OLD AND LOVE GERMAN SHEPHERDS BUT AM WORRIED THAT IF I GET ONE IT WILL BITE HER WHAT DO YOU THINK WHAT ARE YOUR EXPERINCES

Answer 1

German shepards are amazing dogs!!! They're extremely friendly, love to play, are loyal, VERY intelligent, and if anything happenned, they would protect your family. If you want to get a calmer one though, you should go to the shelter and get an adult. Puppies bite (not their faulting, teething), and they're really hyper. I'd suggest getting an older dog than a puppy. There's really good ones at shelters. German shepards are only aggressive if you teach them to be. I know a dog that's a shepard mix, and he has the exact qualities of a german shepard, just not the look. He's AN AMAZING dog. I hope you get one and enjoy!

Answer 2

German shepherds are individuals, as are all other dogs. If your dog is well socialized, has a stable temperament and is a friendly dog, who has accepted you as the pack leader, you really shouldn't be too worried. A child that age should not be left unsupervised with the dog anyway. Kids have to be taught how to treat dogs and the dog will learn that this very small human is also the pack leader.

If your dog hasn't shown any signs of aggression, I don't think you need to worry but you do have to supervise them until your 1 year old grows up a little and you know that she and the dog respect one another and get along.

Answer 3

Any breed can be a good family dog with the right training. Bigger breeds tend to be better family dogs than little "ankle biter" size dogs. Personally, I've met more aggressive dogs from "non-aggressive" breeds than I have of "aggressive breeds". It's all in how they are raised, trained, and cared for. Whether it's a german shepard or a lab, it still needs to be trained properly. Especially if it will be around young kids! Don't be afraid to look at the shelters and rescues...just make sure you let the staff know you need a dog that is good with kids. They are more likely to help you find a good dog than a breeder would be. Plus, by buying an older dog, you'll have a better idea of how it will act towards your family. You need to find a dog that's not overly aggressive or overly passive. Make sure you take the dog to training classes, even if it's been to them already, and maintain the dog's training after class is done. Make sure when the dog is with the child, they are supervised. Make sure the child is also taught how to act around the dog (not to hit or grab, etc). If you see any problems start to develop, get the dog to a behaviorist immediately to keep them from progressing.

Answer 4

Do you know any breeders or others who have German Shepherds? Do some research-read some books or online information about the breed. Are you considering a puppy or adult dog?
My mom's family had German Shepherds and they are very family loyal and protective. Remember that they are big dogs and so you have to be careful with them and small children-they don't mean to, but they can knock people over-and they are herders-so the instinct is there. Any animal with a mouth might bite-you will need to teach your children not to take food, bones toys etc away from the dog. I know you will have people who will say that their children can take away the dog's food etc, and we do that with our boxer and old english sheepdog, but it's not a good thing to do.
I have seen dog bites from many breeds in my years in the ER.
good luck deciding.

Answer 5

Absolutely! German Shepherds are extremely loving. There aren't many other dogs I would recommend above them.

I have raised two German Shepherds from puppies and they are just the perfect dog. They are the second most intelligent breed, they are loyal, protective, playful, friendly and very calm & laid back. When my dog was around kids she would just become competly calm. The kids could hang off of her head, pull her tail, anything. She would just look at them and lick them :)

If you get one. Make sure that you get it as a puppy, so you can control how it is raised and introduce it to your child straight away. Be carful not to leave them alone when they are both so younge though, they are both kids after all!

They will bond within days. Good Luck!

Answer 6

I think they are great, IF you take them to obedience school and closely supervise them with the child.

Another great choice would be a shepherd mix, from a shelter or foster home, they make great pets and often have previous experience with children. The foster parents will be able to tell you what they are like with youngsters, so you have a good idea which dog is perfect for you. Whereas a purebred puppy (or any young puppy) will have a long learning curve before it learns not to bite, jump on the child, play rowdy, etc. For these reasons I definitely wouldn't recommend a young puppy.

www.petfinder.com is a great resource for finding dogs in need of adoption.

Answer 7

My sister had a German Shepherd as a guard dog. He was very fierce and terrified everyone until they got to know him (which involved standing totally still while she (my sister) brought the dog out to be introduced!). However, he was the gentlest loveliest dog with family and friends. My sister had a baby about a year after they had the dog and was worried that the dog would be jealous of the baby but this so wasn't the case. The dog absolutely doted on the baby and we have lots of photos of my nephew as a tiny baby curled up with the dog, his head on the dog's tummy, fast asleep (supervised, of course!). So, I'd say yes, as long as you're confident you're strong enough to train a German Shepherd and that you can be the dominant one, go for it!

Answer 8

German Shepards make wonderful pets. I had one for 9 years and couldn't have wanted a better dag. However, with a child so young, I would suggest getting a puppy. That way, they have the ability to grow up together. I recently adopted a German Shepard that is going to have to go back, because while I know that it would make a wonderful family pet for a family with older children, the dog dosen't seem to like little kids crawling all over it. Remember when looking at resuce dogs, the addage of buyer beware comes into play, and when you have young kids, you just can't chance an older dog not liking your kids.

Answer 9

I have had two GSD's and they have both been fantastic family dogs. I do not have children, but my brother and friends do and they have been fantastic with them. The dog that I have now is an over big one, weighing in at 58kilos and not an ounce of fat. I take him to the park every morning and children seam to be drawn to him because of his size. He has always been a complete angel. I grew up with them also. My grandmother had three in my youth, I have pictures of me lying all over them, They are by nature a good tempered dog and it is all how you bring them up like most dogs. I took both of mine to a training school once a week run by police dog handlers. Basically they train you to train the dog. Two things that they always said was that a trained dog is a happy dog and that they are the most loyal of all breeds. One small word of warning if you do not know much about them, ask any Vet and they will tell you that they tend to suffer more problems than any other breed...somethings small others not so. You may be very lucky but what ever you decide make sure that you have insurance. My last dog had a life long hay fever allergy! my present dog (5 years) has just been daignosed with what is basically crohns disease and is having an op next month to fix a cruciate ligament!! Having said all of that, I would never think about getting anything else. They are beautiful to look at, wonderful natured, loving, make you feel safe and secure and are wonderful to put your arms around and cuddle.
Good luck

Answer 10

My God mother has a German Shepherd. He is the best behaved dog that I have ever seen. And great around my son. But I think that this breed of dog needs very extensive training. A dog will only behave the way that they trained.