I had a K-9 trained German Shepherd & use it daily while on patrol. You train with these dogs and they do amazing things but Armed Bear and 1911 are right. YOU DON'T want one of these dogs for a home dog.
Then you got a dog that was poorly trained, or more likely a very poor temperment.
I've owned, bred and trained German Shepherds for many years (used to compete in Schutzhund Sport), and trained with many trainers from all over the states, as well and Germany and other parts of Europe.
I've had many people (especially after seeing my dogs "in action", while training) what it would cost for a trained "personal protection dog". I tell them to let me help find the right dog---no training required. If you have a dog with the right temperment (and intelligence, which is usually a given with a GSD) they will behave quite well in "social" situations, as well as when strangers are "allowed" into the house. However, upon any threat to a family member, in or out of the house---well, its gonna get ugly.
My most prized dog (who died a few months back), was titled in Schutzhund Sport, as well as AKC obedience (including the "Good Citizen Award") by the time he was 2 years old. He was around thousands of people and other dogs at the various show we went to, including children that would pull his ears and tail and get right in his face. This dog would NOT react to any of this. However, if someone threatened my kids or me, or my girlfriend, they would be in SERIOUS trouble (he was a bit big for a GSD, like 125 lbs. and he was skinny!)
Case in point: my kids were playing in the front yard one day, and a "stranger" (just someone from the neighborhood walking by, I think) came into the yard and was talking to them(the dog was trained to stay within the limits of the yard, even though there was no fence)...I was in another room when I heard a horrendous crash....It was my dog putting his head through the front window. He took issue with someone getting a bit to close to "his" children.
Case in point #2: When I used to compete with this dog, my GF/children would have to go "hide" so he wouldn't be TOO distracted, while he was working. You see, if they were around, he HAD TO keep an eye on them to make sure they were safe. If you wanted to make him really nervous and schizoid, go to a park and have one kid go in one direction and the others in another direction, and then set off in your own direction. You could literally see the stress in the dog , because he couldn't keep track of all "his people".
So my vote would definitely be a GSD (not that there aren't other good dogs/breeds)...but they'll do what you want them to with little or no training...Its just genetically engineered into their makeup.
I help found a local rescue group for GSDs(although we've rescued dogs from as far away as Texas)...You might contact them...They have had some
extremely nice dogs go through the program...And the President is my ex-girlfriend, so she knows how to judge their temperment (although she'll sometimes call me, for an evaluation, in special circumstances)
Their website is
www.brightstargsd.org
