are all pure german shepards nice family dogs and are they nice to kids?

Answer 1

Are ALL? No. This is why it is important to buy from a reputable breeder. Some German Shepherds have a hard attitude, better suited for Schutzhund or police work, while some are softer, more suited for a family pet. And too many are from bad breeders - just dangerous & unpredictable!

Go to www.akc.org & contact members of your closest chapter of the German Shepherd Dog breed club. Talk to some breeders & tell them you are looking for a family pet, they can guide you to the kind of breeder you need. Make sure the parent dogs have OFA certification on their hips. These steps will help ensure a great companion for your family - good luck!

Answer 2

I know that at one time GSD bit more people every year than any other breed. At another time it was poodles. But these are very popular breeds and when you have more of one type of dog the odds are that it will bite more often. I've even heard of people being bitten by Golden Retrievers and they are known for being gentle. It is true that some insurance companies charge higher if you have certain breeds of dogs and some will not insure you at all. My friend's insurance policy will not allow rotties, pits or wolf hybrids. How they came up with those specific breeds I'll never know. GSDs can be and more often are very nice. Something set this dog off and you'll probably never know what and he may never do it again. But she should have had him on a leash. My dogs have never shown aggression towards anyone, but they are not allowed off leash anywhere but the dog park and even then I watch them very closely with children. It's just being responsible. When my grandchildren stay with me I tell them to knock on my door and call my name before opening it because the dogs are not used to them being there and might get startled. I know that may sound over the top, but accidents happen even with good dogs. I think you are being very reasonable with this woman. You are not suing her, but you are demanding the dog not be on your property again. I hope she will keep the dog under control in the future and that your son will not walk away with a lasting fear of dogs. I always think that is such a loss for a child because dogs really are great animals.

Answer 3

You really can't GUARANTEE that any dog will be nice with kids, regardless of breed. Most German Shepards I have met are lovely, well behaved dogs. Though they do have a tendancy to get a bit over excited, and this in a big dog can cause a problem. Their size makes it easy to bowl children over, or get a tad too aggressive in play. You would need to make sure your dog was well trained, and well socialised. Although you should never leave children unattended with any dog.

Answer 4

yes they can be, like any dog. keep in mind german shepherds are highly intelligent and active dogs. and will require not only physical stimulation but mental. i suggest you find a pup from a working line that's pet quality and has been temperment tested. some of the show lines are not best. i know i know. someone's going to yell. but it's just my experience with the breed. and years of experience with rescue. take my opinion at will. research the breed, and make sure the parents are health and temperment screened and the line grades OFA excellent or good. and don't buy if you can't see where the pups have been raised and interact with at least one parent. research researc and then research some more. be prepared for vet care, (usually plan on a $1000 for the first year with exams, vaccines and spay or neuter, and a possible emergency trip, cause puppies will be puppies) crates, toys, equipment such as collar, leash, etc...training class and possibly higher end training to keep the dog mentally stimulated. if done right this can and will be the best dog you and your kids have ever had! good luck.

Answer 5

My very close friend has 4 German shepards that are very nice to HER family. Very protective. Get a young pup if you plan on raising around kids.

You need to watch for any dog around any kids. You can never predict all the moods of any animal.

Answer 6

Some can be, some won't be. What I would recommend is doing a temperament test with the dogs you check out to see how their temperament is. If you go to the Pit Bull Rescue Central site, they have a great temperament test you can use on any dog.
One important thing to remember, I don't care what breed of dog it is, never leave a child alone with a dog. Not unless they are very responsible teenagers. Most accidents happen when the child is left unsupervised with a dog.

Answer 7

My parents had 6 of us kids running around. WE had 4, Fritz, Lobo, Tina and Lady, they werepure bred german shepherds from German stock and they were excellent.

They were very protective of us and at the same time they were gentle with us. If we would bother them too much they would get up and move to another part of the room, they never growled or bit us.

A well trained dog who is raised with children usually works out very well.

Answer 8

They have a confident almost pushy way and don't make instant friends all the time. If you are getting a grown dog, buy only from a good breeder. If its a puppy, train it well. Don't leave it out on a chain all day because that makes dogs in general become hostile.

Answer 9

Most German Shepherds are good with their family, including the kids. They can be leery of strangers and will try to protect their family.

Answer 10

german shephards are awesome.. especially for families.. they are very protective of their family... first i would see the type of family the dog comes from.. we have a german shephard and she come from a breeder who used their dogs as show dogs.. she was use to being in a kennel.. so, we had to be patience and get her to be more social.. and now she is a loveable dog.. german shephards are also, work dogs.. they love to fetch and do other things.. so, i would suggest going to a dog trainer to turn in to their talent.