Help me choose!

I was attacked by a German Shepard at a little girl's birthday party when I was 11 years old. I was raised with dogs and loved them, so I didn't know to be afraid of this particular breed. I was talking to the girl who owned the dog, and reached out to pet him when he lunged at me and attacked my face. Three and a half hours of plastic surgery, permanent wires in my face where the bones were crushed, three years of braces and a heap of emotional trauma later I would recommend ANY other type of dog. They are unpredictable, like Pits, and sadly, they do attack children. I would never own an aggressive dog for guard or other purposes... it's too risky. Get a big sweet tempered dog that only appears threatening, that is my suggestion. Trust me, you don't want it on your conscience if your dog bites somebody... especially a child.

Both breeds are pretty cool, intimidating to look at but with the right upbringing would never really harm a fly! With the Shepherd, try to avoid touching his ears as a pup or they wont stand up - he'll end up with floppy ears - a friend of mine used to have one & when they got a new pup they were telling me about it - they standing up ears make them more intimidating to look at! They're protective, yet gentle - i guess you need to look at whether it'll just be a guard dog or a pet - whether you have children & what ages they are. I think either breed would be a great choice - maybe if you are wanting less grroming time, go with the Rotty!

I had a rottweiler when I was young it was a beautiful Dog very Loyal, although was poisoned... We had family friends that had a German Sheppard and it wasn't a friendly Dog although I'm sure it was to the Family who owned him.I remember they used to have to lock itaway when people would come over... I also had a rodiesan Ridgeback which was the most Loyal and Protective of Me I loved him so Much he was really good with our cats too.. The choice is yours really yours but to choose out of the two you have said I go with rotweiler but recomand a Ridgeback if you come across one of those....

Well, both breeds are famed for their protective instincts, but I've noticed Rottweilers tend to be more trainable and less independant thinking. Most of the Shepherds I've met are very unstable in temperament and not to be trusted, while I know Rotties that are both loving family pets and a force to be reckoned with when it comes to trespassers. I'd go with a Rottweiler myself if I had to pick one of the two, but only because I don't trust Shepherds farther than I can throw them. The only dog that ever bit me was a german shepherd, and another shepherd attacked my puppy. If you have kids, look for something else.

Hi sunslinger, There are some things that you have to consider when buying a GSD. Let me take a few notes. However, I am here just sharing information. I do not claim to advice professionally. I think I say this based on my experience. I have two GSD which I got to have while they were still puppies. And I think, I was able to raise them well. First up, you have to consider that getting a dog entails a discovery of certain happy complimentary between the owner and the pet. Yup. Dogs have personalities too. And they have to find convenient compliment with the owner. For instance, you may not get a very playful Golden Retriever when you are at most part of the day melancholic as a person. That would be a disaster. The same goes true for getting a GSD. German Shepherds are best for dog lovers who themselves show certain dominant or proud comportment. Proud here of course does not mean being arrogant. It's a comportment characterized by certain confidence and straightforwardness. GSD are not as playful as Golden Retrievers or Pugs. But they are not as indifferent as, say St. Bernards (at least for most of them). So in choosing a GSD, you have to remember that you must find your personality in your prospective dog as well. Next, try to find a pup which responds to you immediately. I am not sure if this is a thumbrule for every dog buyers. But yes, the very first sign that the pup is for you is that, when you enter a room full of pups, the one that responds to you most likely is the one for you. It's more of instinct? I am not quite sure. What I am sure though is that the pups that respond to you - given that you are a stranger that time - gives you already a leverage to nurture the initial bud of relationship. That is a sign, yes. But of course, it's not a textbook advice; it's my advice. Getting a GSD as guard dog is definitely a good idea. GSD are very faithful. Not to mention that since they are working dogs, they do their job quite well. But you have to know that not all GSD are cutout for guarding. Some of them may manifest certain indifference when it comes to people. Some of them may manifest real agression. I guess, the catch here lies on how you are able to raise them. Get them as pups to be with people always, and they grow up loving people. Seclude them while they are still pups, and they grow agressive to people. So while they are still pups, you can choose to raise them with the kind of dog you want them to be. Generally though, GSD are great learners. They may not obey you at times (not as much as GSD or Labrador do) but they are sure learners and trick learners. I am not sure if I could advice you with the Rot. They are generally agressive dogs; if not, possessive. But Rots and GSD are great guard dogs. Goodluck on your choice. Hope I was of any help.