08-18-2016, 11:35 PM
(08-18-2016, 09:55 PM)LP link Wrote:German Shepherds can have a mental condition, I cannot remember what it is called but it is a result of the breeding which causes them to be timid. That generates fear in them. It's the reason so very many of them are rejected by the military and police as service dogs, they come across as aggressive basically because they are scared and react defensively unpredictably in unexpected circumstances.
When the forces get a dog they put it through of series of special tests to determine if they are suitable for training, most are not. I have heard the success rate is as low as 1 in 40!
Subjectively I have been told it is the same condition that causes those little dogs to tremble all the time. So in reality, if that is true, it's the fault of breeders.
All the Sheps we have had were the opposite, no fear at all, protective yes but never timid....but they are not a dog you walk up to in the street and try and pat or get friendly with if they dont know or trust you.
We had a older Gentleman hit our dog with an umbrella for no reason other than he had a bad experience with the breed as a younger person, his family who were walking with him apologised saying that German Shepherds scared him..problem is now anyone carrying an umbrella is viewed as a potential assailant and the hair goes up on the back of her neck and she adopts an aggressive posture which makes other walkers etc think she is savage which isnt the case.
I'm not saying you dont get poorly behaved Sheps and in MBB's brothers case I'm sorry that happened and understand he wouldnt view the breed favourably...IMO though they are a maligned breed due to the profile they have as military/ police/guard dog where every film you see them they are portrayed as vicious...the reality is more attacks on humans are committed by Labradors but they dont have the aggressive image profile of Sheps and are seen as the ideal family dog...
Nothing annoys me more than people saying you have a German Shepherd just as a guard dog and thats all they are good for...