Why are people so afraid of German shepherds? Answers at Dogster Answers.

Sun, Jun 2nd 2013, 15:33 GMT

There is a lot of prejudice regarding this breed, and it is not the dogs fault. German Shepherds are beautiful and intelligent dogs, and with proper socialization and training they have great personalities. The problem is uneducated, lazy dog owners. I work as a vet tech and can tell you that most of the German Shepherds I have worked with have ill-equiped owners who accept the aggressive and uncooperative nature of their dogs. Shepherds are not for beginners and they need a lot of time and energy. Not a breed to buy and throw in the back yard.

ANSWERED BY

Franklin

Fri, Apr 5th 2013, 21:39 GMT

i think it's breed profiling. along with pitbulls and rotties and dobermans people think they are all mean. I have a female shephard too and people will cross the street to avoid us. She don't bark at people and she only barks at my dogs when she's voicing her opinion lol.. I've never heard her growl. My golden and my morkie are more agressive than her. I had her at petco and a little dog jumped right at her and she just turned her head. I told the girl i have a small dog at home and she dominates my shephard. I never have to worry about her biting someone or going for another dog. She's both people and dog friendly.

ANSWERED BY

Sheba

Sun, Dec 23rd 2012, 15:52 GMT

I was under the impression that everybody loved german shepherds!! They are known for being rescue dogs and service dogs! and they are so sweet and loveable!! I didn't know that so many people were scared of them. I thought because of their work with police to rescue people that they were thought of just the opposite.....

ANSWERED BY Member 1142914

Sat, Nov 24th 2012, 09:06 GMT

Sometimes people are scared of German Shepherds because they are so big and sometimes they frighten people. My grandma just got a German Shepherd and I myself am still scared of her but I'm getting there. I just don't like it when they jump at you.☻ So that's my opinion but I ♥ her to pieces, the dog.

ANSWERED BY

Bella

Sat, Nov 10th 2012, 04:55 GMT

Maybe because they are used as police dogs and people think that they always attack people. I feel your pain. A TON of people are afraid of Delta, too. My friend who is scared of a lot of big dogs, now thinks that Delta is the sweetest dog ever.

ANSWERED BY

Delta

Mon, Feb 27th 2012, 10:07 GMT

Ignorance and a willful laziness that prevents people from exploring their assumptions and asking the next question, "Is you dog social? Can I pet him/her?" But fellow GSD lovers, embrace the opportunity to educate those who DO ask the questions and ignore those others. My Doc (short for Doctor) is a great dog we rescued from a shelter. We are so lucky to have had GSD's in our lives for the past 20 years!

ANSWERED BY

Doc

Tue, Feb 14th 2012, 08:34 GMT

Well. I'm not sure about your case, but I have an Akita that's tender but people pet him because you don't see akitas everyday. So I'm not so sure.

ANSWERED BY Member 1080469

Sun, Jan 29th 2012, 22:57 GMT

I have a 75 pound female german shepherd and a lot of people are scared of her too. i think its just her size and the reputation they have from the media. and her teeth are huge so that probably doesn't help anything.

ANSWERED BY

Jackson

Thu, Jan 26th 2012, 02:44 GMT

I am currently the owner of one purebred German Shepherd and a GSD/Husky mix, They are still Puppies but absolutely wonderful nonetheless. I believe a lot of people are afraid of German shepherds because they may have witnessed an ignorant owner not care for theirs and or have had bad experiences with one themselves. GSD are often used for guarding, Not to mention they hold the record for 3rd most dangerous k-9 bite. For instance a neighbor of mine has 2 very un socialized GSD dogs that recently got out, a kid was riding a scooter and the male dog got very defensive and aggressive towards the kid, (he wasn't more than 7)Thankfully the dog was smart enough to just be loud and bark and chase and not Bite but German shepherds are also Believed to be the number 1 biter as well. People have given them a bad name because they need a lot more than just to be popular because they look cool, and because so many people DON'T do the things these dogs need a lot of people fear them.

ANSWERED BY

Onyx

Thu, Dec 22nd 2011, 10:56 GMT

I was raised from two months old with dogs - mostly labradors. I love dogs and big dogs and I have always loved playing with the big breeds. But I am absolutely terrified of German Shepherds since the two times I have been bitten by a dog were both German Shepherds. Now I'm not talking being nicked here - I'm talking about very overprotective and scary behavior. One happened dropping off a paper (ahh to be 11 years old again) and another when a tied up Shepherd at a crowded beach broke free and went for tot that I happened to run un front of. Now I'm sure the fault of these dogs behavior is mostly their owners fault but I definitely feel there is something scary overprotective in the breed.

ANSWERED BY Member 1079267

Thu, Oct 27th 2011, 01:14 GMT

i love german shepherd and my friend has a german shepherd but they are not afraid of her

ANSWERED BY Member 1066623

Mon, Sep 12th 2011, 11:22 GMT

Exercising caution around German Shepherd Dogs is not irrational. First, the Center For Disease Control lists GSD as #3 for fatal dog bites. Second, more GSDs have been trained for protection than any other breed, that is, trained to bite people. Third, poor breeding of GSDs for many decade has created many GSDs with unstable temperament. I see this working in an animal shelter frequently. We get some wonderful Shepherds, but also a few that are too unpredictable to be adoptable. You seem to have found an excellent Shepherd, trained and socialized well, and act responsibly. Unfortunately, not everyone does, and you suffer due the reputation caused by irresponsible owners.

ANSWERED BY Member 1055591

Thu, Sep 8th 2011, 08:46 GMT

There are several reasons people are nervous around the German Shepherd Dog. Unfortunately,some are true. The GSD has become so "overbred" that not only is it having problems in 'structure',it is also having issues in temperament. As a Licensed/Certified K-9 Trainer and GSD lover and co-habitor with this breed for over 45 years,I have worked with clients dogs and my own. Over the yrs I have watched the American lines become completely destroyed,both in structure and temperament. They are a dog I would NEVER consider owning. It would be a total hearbreak and expensive animal to take on. In temperament I often see 'fearbiters' Dogs with very 'weak nerves' that are spooked by almost everything. These dogs are a 'lawsuit waiting to happen.' They also give the GSD a bad name. You see a dog of this temperament walking down the street and they are not a 'pretty sight.' My last male shepherd was of east German lines. He was a beautiful boy. But,he was big,had a very dark mask on his face,and,a

ANSWERED BY Member 1053967

Fri, Aug 19th 2011, 13:53 GMT

i don't get it either. i think they watch to much tv and they figure they are police dogs most of the time so there going to attack. people are just really judgemental like that maybe you should take your dog to a dog park and show that your dog is very social.

ANSWERED BY

nutty

Tue, Aug 16th 2011, 05:13 GMT

I've got the best of both worlds. GSD/Rott mix, and people almost always love her, but there is those certain people who ask what breed she is, and when they get the answer they rudely say, "Your dog will be dangerous because of it's roots" GSD's are police dogs and are trained to hunt people dogs and bite them. Rottweilers are number 2 in dangerous dogs, BUT it's how you raise them,

ANSWERED BY

Alice