What breed of German Shepherd do i look at? What breed does the police use? Im gonna be looking to buy a guard dog for our family and home. We have a large yard. The wife and I have a 6 year old boy. We have been waiting to close on a new home. We have been planning on buying a 6 week old german shepherd pup to raise as our family pet and guard dog. Do i want a male or female and why? I dont want it having puppies. I dont want it jumping the fence to mate either. I do know a want a darker colored one. More black than the classic tan look. I want this dog to attack on command if needed. But yet i want to be at ease around my boy and wife. I have heard if you fix a dog it makes them less aware or more calm? I dont really want it fixed if that is the case. Im looking for a smart obedient dog. I have grown up with lots of dogs as a child but no real guard dogs. My friends have had guard dogs that were a pain in the neck. Basically i just want an intimidating looking, dark colored german shepherd that will eat you up if you jump inside my fence or attack my family. Any suggestions? My wife plans on taking the dog on walks with her daily, riding bikes while it is on a leash. We have a huge field behind our house so i can throw frisbie and such with him. I plan on getting educated on training the dog before i purchase one.

And....any good breeders around the huntsville area? I think there is a large german shepherd breeder on the back side of green mountain. I always heard they were a breeder for the police dogs. I had planned to contact them to buy one of theirs. I am afraid of buying a puppy and getting stuck with a dumb useless one. Any suggestions? Thanks

Buy one from working lines and make sure it has health clearances, preferably from a breeder that provides a health warranty.

As far as a “protection” dog, Google is your friend, days of reading available at your fingertips. Bham Fred on here knows about protection work.

Good luck.

Thanks Lonster!

Paging BhamFred please.....

Are females a better guard dog and easier to train? Or do i want a male?
I don't really want puppies but might be open to that later but no big deal. Do i need to fix the dog? Will it affect it in training?
Do the police dogs neuter or spay their work dogs?
I have seen yall mention the Malinois breed. Are they a lot more protective other than a lot more hyper or energetic? I would be open to a dark colored Malinois but dont really want a dog that i have to worry about my son being around it alone for a few minutes. I have not researched a lot yet. Figured i would start here with you men. Any input is appreciated.

Most importantly....what do i need to be looking for when i walk into a kennel searching for a smart dog to buy? Im really wanting a good foundation to put the effort and time into making a great family/protection dog.

Focus more on a developing a loyal and trusted family member (which is what a great dog becomes) that will protect his/her family because of the attachment and love it has for your family. Training, both obedience and situational protection, only enhances that well connected canine. Attachment first, training second. I'm not saying it doesn't work in the opposite order. Every dog and family is unique.

There are numerous breeds that can be what you described:
German Shepherd
Dutch Shepherd
Belgian Shepherd
Belgian Malinois
Norwegian Elkhound (my breed)
Doberman Pincher
Beauceron
Etc...
On paper these are well known as family friendly yet protective breeds, but every dog has its own personality.

Many people love the various cur dogs too.

I had a sheperd for 10 years. Most gentle loving wuss ever. NO DAWG SHEDS MORE! One time he tore out the door going crazy. I called him off and he came back in. This was in a camp ground and hundreds of people walked by regularly. Next day I got up and my truck was being broke into and contents were spilled on ground.. He just sensed sonething different and was a different fierce animal that I never saw before or afterwords.

Yes sir i plan on being around the dog a whole lot. Building that family bond as a young puppy. I feel that is number one. Carrying him out from the begging to know how to act around different situations.

I would love to hear yalls stories as well. Thanks

I’m doing the exact thing your doing. I even considered the GS. I have decided to go with a Giant Schnauzer instead. It rivals the GS in schutzhund trials and is a VERY loyal family dog, doesnt bark much, leary to strangers unless introduced, protective, and DOES NOT shed.

All of these were pluses for me. I have had a hard time getting straight answers out of anyone when it comes to training a dog. It’s like it’s top secret or something. I am however going to find a schutzhund club when it’s time. I’m also looking at a WORKING line dog not a show dog. Find reputable breeders that put out limited litters.

Furnfeather might be able to point you in the right direction.

Sounds like you need to get her a poodle and a .38 It’s going to be difficult to get what you are wanting without risk.

Hate to break it to you, but they do shed. It’s not much, but they aren’t hypoallergenic.

I would just get a big, smart dog that learns to love and be loyal to your family. Most dogs will naturally be protective of those that are “theirs.”

German Shepards SHED LIKE ALL HELL. They are great dogs though. Mine is 10 years old. He is friendly enough but very protective of us. When he was younger and my kids were younger I had to keep a eye on him when they had friends over. They don't understand that kids play and chase each other yelling but aren't a threat. My only regret with him is I didn't socialize him enough with other dogs, so now he doesnt play well with others.

females are usually more easily trained, males usually have more stamina.

most police dogs are neutered, my Mal was. Your descision.

I would not advise a Mal. I've owned several, my K-9 dog was a Mal(Taz), best , smartest dog I've ever seen or had. Period. BUT, they usually have a LOT of energy and require a different slant on training and a different hand than a GSD. If you have some experience with training, and can get some pro help with training tips they can make by far the best dog. My Taz loved children, the younger the more protective she was, I never worried about her around children no matter what they did to her.

One of the most protective dogs I've ever seen was a GSD that some neighbors 1/4 mile away owned. Their 8 year old daughter would walk to our house to play with my sister. God help the dumbass that messed with that little girl.

We have a Doberman. 6 months. Tall enough to lay his head on a kitchen counter and about 60 pounds. Sire was 105 pounds. Sheds but not like a shepherd. Smart. Mischievous. Jury still out on what kind of temperament. He's currently a giant coward.

Aren't most professionally trained in German/Dutch etc real deal dogs like $20,000 when all said and done?

What you need is a Killer Attack Dog! Dachshunds have no fear!

I would get a female. I have never owned a male dog other than a dog I had for stud when I raised and sold rat terriers. All of my hunting dogs and companion dogs have always been females. Females are much easier to train. Personally, I will NOT own a male dog.

As far as spaying, get it done if you don't want puppies. I had my current dog, Sadie, spayed at one year old. The spaying had no affect whatsoever on her drive and energy. She will chase and tree a squirrel now as hard as she ever has. Spaying had no affect on her personality whatsoever. I personally think it makes them a better dog.

Another reason to consider spaying is keeping a female dog intact and never breeding her can set her up to develop pyometra, which is an infection of the reproductive system. Unbred female dogs that have NOT been spayed have a higher risk of developing this infection than female dogs who have puppies. Spay her and you won't have to worry about pyometra. It can still happen but chances are very low and it's not common for it to occur in spayed females.

The only thing you need to keep a check on after spaying is just make sure they don't get overweight. I make sure Sadie gets plenty of exercise every day. I also measure her food in a measuring cup when I feed her twice a day. She gets 3/4 cup of food twice daily and she is trim and really muscular at 45 lbs.

My grandparents used to be breeders of German Shepards. I have been around them a bunch while growing up. As stated, they do shed quite a bit. They are loyal and protective companions. Socialize your new pup a bunch. That's important.

Post up some PICS when you finally get a pup.

Our GSD is 2 years old. She's fixed. She was a breeze to train. VERY obedient. Socializes with other dogs quite well. Unfamiliar people, not so much. She's very protective as long as you aren't within arm's reach. At that point, she's a wuss. They don't call 'em German Shedders for nuthin'. She weighs in at 105. Sire was around 110-115. She's a working line pup. The energy level is way up there. If you go GSD route, I recommend professional training/support early. We started ours at about 8 weeks and carried her through to about 1 year.


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We have a female GSD and she is a great outside dog. We also have a dachshund inside. If someone comes around we know really quick.

I have a black mouth cur and would encourage you to give them a look. Mine is smart as a whip, great with kids and other dogs, yet has a side that is all business, if necessary. No question in my mind that your 6 yr old would have a great friend as well as a defender. They take that job very seriously.

I've had four and worked with each quite a bit. Three of them, If I told them to get you, you were got, if they barked, you better look because something was wrong or someone nearthat didn't belong. The last weighed over 150lbs and never really got real pissed at folks unless they approaced my wife or daughter. She would absolutly not let other dogs other than the ones we owned come any where near the house. Smart bred.