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I write this article with my German Shepherd at my feet snoring lightly as he relaxes after another stressful day looking after our household. You see, this is a breed that is born to protect, they will lay their life on the line to stop any harm coming to their "pack", or as we would say, family.

I know many people consider GSD's to be an aggressive and dangerous breed, but nothing is farther from the truth, they can be one of the most loving and adorable dogs that you could ever wish to meet. Sure they are large, sure they are boisterous, but sure they are loving and the biggest joyous bundles of fur that you could ever wish for.

A well trained GSD is a joy to behold and a joy to have as part of your family, they are great around children, althoug they are at just the right height to help the kids eat their ice cream and crisps, always a good thing to remember if your GSD is prone to putting on weight as some are. Weight is a major issue with GSD's espescially with them being so prone to hip dysplasia, you must ensure they get enough exercise without too much running that can cause them problems, especially when they are young.

There are two major considerations to think about before you look at bringing a GSD into your home,
1.) They love human company, if you are going to leave them alone for any length of time then expect some damage to your home as they WILL become stressed without you there. A few hours is fine as long as they are exercised well, but any more and you are asking for trouble as your dog will be suffering from not having you around.

2.) They are a very vocal breed of dog, they will welcome everyone from the postman to the paper delivery boy with the same bark.. It may appear aggresive, but that is the purpose. They are only asking why someone is intruding om YOUR territory.

Finally, love your GSD as much as it loves you, if you want it to be a family dog then make sure it is involved in all aspects of your life, you and he (she) will not regret it and you will find you have the most loyal and loving dog you can wish for.

So now I will wake Jake up by rubbing his ears and getting him to go to his bed at the top of the stairs, he has biscuits waiting and a soft cushion to rest his weary head on. Good luck in your choice of dog, I hope you find a companion as faithfull and loving as I have, and if you'rereading dear, I mean the dog!

Learn more about this author, Ian Yates.
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