Guard Dogs:Can A German Shepherd Be A Good Guard Dog And Also Be Good With Small Children?

Guard dogs: Can a German Shepherd be a good guard dog and also be good with small children?

By Dennis Fisher

People thinking about getting a guard dog for their home often ask me this question: "Can a German Shepherd be a good guard dog and also be good with small children?

Before answering the question I want to know more about the home in which the German Shepherd is going to live, so I reply by asking this question::

"Do you intend keeping the dog confined in your back yard, or will the dog be a house dog and companion for your children?"

I then tell them:

"If your main reason for wanting to get a dog is guard your property and the dog is not going to be a house dog, then perhaps the German Shepherd Dog is not the right dog for you."

I go on to explain that I have been breeding German Shepherds for more than 40 years and although my dogs are all excellent guard dogs, I ha ve never ever experienced any problems with my dogs displaying aggression towards children. The reason for this is because all my dogs, over the years, have been brought up with small children. First with my own children and now with my grandchildren.

A German Shepherd is a remarkably intelligent, sensitive 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. There is also a possibility that the dog may not be good with children.

A German Shepherd, brought up with the family and with children that has some basic obedience training, can prove to be completely reliable with children and trustworthy in every way. It can also be a dependable guard and protection dog - an excellent dual purpose dog.