Do you think GSDs are mean/untrustworthy?

We have had our GSD since she was 8 weeks old (she's almost 11) and she has never shown one ounce of aggression towards anyone. She has had a lot of training from a young age, so that has a lot to do with it, but they are a very loyal and loving breed when raised properly. They're not the dog for everyone and I would never recommend the breed to an inexperienced or frist-time dog owner because they are a huge handful and require an enormous amount of training. I always feel very safe with Kodi around!

This is our Kodiak:

I think that part of the "problem" with GSDs is that they are so family loyal. If they are not raised by someone who believes in super socializing them, then there can be some problems.

My mom's dog is a GSD mix (high mix) that I pulled from a shelter when he was a pup. He is extremely intelligent and overall well trained. But he has only had real socialization with my dogs and up until he was 6 month old he went to daycare. So he can get really snarky with other dogs. He has also snapped at my nephew (who was allowed to climb on him). I am not the least bit afraid of him (though he is 110 lbs giant) and if something were to happen to my parents, he would come live with us. He likes people, but he is also quite standoffish. He sleeps in the livingroom when he stays with us, while all of my dogs sleep in our bedroom. I realize that he is not the good will ambassador of the breed, but I have also been exposed to many GSDs througout my life and most of them have had a lot of very similar traits to Obi.

I guess I would say that I don't think a GSD is a good dog for a novice owner. I am positive that there are exceptions to the rule, just like not all goldens make a good first dog regardless of what people say.

My ex (who was a police officer) and I got a GSD from a breeder who bred and trained her pups for rescue, search, and attack dogs. She became very ill and had to get rid of the litter before she could train so we picked on up. We use to train with his officer buddy's attack dog and our fire department's search dog. She was a VERY smart dog and thankfully was VERY loyal to both of us.

My ex was slightly a moron who thought since I didn't have the bite sleeve on the dog wouldn't attack me when he gave her the que.... She ran right to me in full attack mode and grabed my arm but it looked like she realised who I was RIGHT before chomping down. She had a soft hold on my arm and let go and just started to wag her tail and look at me. I could have KILLED my **** ex that day but was VERY VERY glad the DOG was smarter than my ex.

ONE issue with the GSD was when she was a pup and in her teething stage she didn't understand how **** strong and sharp her bite was. She was trying to play with me and sunk her teeth right into my shoulder. That sucked. I know she didn't mean it in a mean way but from then on I had to limit rough play BIG TIME.

At least the golden has a very soft mouth. I always tell her no when she gets mouthy but i'm still glad it's a soft touch.

I really did not know how to answer your poll. I voted:
I'd only trust one of any lines that has proven himself to be reliable

I have owned two GSD's.

One had bad fear agression, we worked it out with a behaviorists, but he did bite before that. He was excellent with his family and those who were not afraid of him. He was afraid of his own shadow. Not sure if we did not socialize him enough as a puppy or if it was just the way he was.

The other I rescued at 1 year, she had a lot of insecurities we had to deal with. She ended up being an excellent dog. Did not have to train her, she just knew English, she just always knew what I wanted from her.

Both dogs, even though they had issues, were very loyal, perpetual toddlers, and I know they would have risked their lives to protect us. I always felt safe, but I had to be very careful when I had guests.

If I were to get a GSD again, I would very much research the lines he came from, and make sure the lines were very stable. Plus I now know so much more about raising puppies.

I wouldn't lump them with pitbulls. For one Pits should never show aggression towards humans - even when provoked. Like any bushel of apples you have good ones and bad ones - but the bulk of my experience with GSDs as a breed is that you just never know what they're likely to do. If a rott or a pit intends to take a piece out of you - you know it - you can see it coming 500' away. GSDs don't seem to have that warning and seem to go from zero to aggressive without warning or any signs that they're going into a bad place. I've also seen more than my fair share of fear based reactivity in GSDs - more so than in any other breeds - even from lines and breeders that are supposed to be (and should be) stable and even in the hands of very experienced dog (and shepherd) owners. I think there's a trend right now that is putting way more "german lines" high drive dogs in homes that shouldn't have a dog - let alone a GSD.

Should they be banned? No. Should people do more research before buying a GSD? Yes - absolutely - any breed. Are there bad breeders out there really screwing up the breed? Yeah - and just as many golden breeders screwing up the breed too. Would I ever own a GSD or a GSD mix? Never. Would I cross the street to avoid one if I saw one walking with their owner on a sidewalk? Probably yes and especially if I had my dogs with me. And I've pulled my so-far qualifying dog from stays next to a GSD too.