No matter what anyone thinks about the Gsd .You ask most people (specially of a certain age )What guard dogs they can think of and they will say Gsd's ..or as my dad still calls them Alsations..lol

We have a Briard, they are a flock guardian, with a very loud bark, good at warning you about anyone who dares come anywhere near the house. Otherwise a lovely family pet, daft as a brush most of the time.

I have always felt quite secure with 2 Great Danes and a GSD in the house....if anyone comes around our doorbell soon barks to let us know. The GSD is definately very protective of us and the property and most people, once they have come face to face with our 2 year old dane, would think at least twice before coming back unless one of us is around

blue shadow i think im inlove with your dog, please dont tell my husband lol

lol Motley, I promise not to tell!

Sorry to post pics on this thread but I also have a great pic of our new garage alarm system!

Some of my GSDs have shown guarding traits but many haven't. Nearly all of them have shown great interest in sheep & I wouldn't trust them with them as they were untrained. Had one bitch who herded a group of bullocks when she was 14 months old. Most of my other GSDs had been wary of cattle but she herded them not like you see on One Man & His Dog she didn't drive them towards me she herded them together by circling them then moved them to me still constantly circling them.
As for wariness of strangers had a bitch in the 70s who I entered under a German judge at the BAGSD. He comented on her being overweight & she jumped up on his white suit with muddy paws & kissed him. At the talk next day my father asked the judge if dogs could be too friendly. Someone explained which bitch it was & he laughed a lot but he said they could not be classed as too friendly & a good dog should know who to be friendly with & who to be suspicious of. He did not mind a dog being aloof with strangers when working but they should definitely not be afraid of strangers.

but wasnt that test brought about because of the way they were to be used in police work?

So being trained to do so, as Jodee said.

I was under the impression that this is why the test is there so they can 'filter' i.e. if the dog is unsuitable for the job.....so training rather than breed.....

but thats the problem.

Fashion has meant that some breeds lost credability which was unwarranted and others gained it.

Another point no one i dont think has said dobermans ..
They would have been high on my list...

how do you know that if you are not there?