We ha e friends that lived in Germany for a few years. The Husband is a big Finance Guy with a German Bank.
When they moved back here, they got a Dog. Not any Dog mind you, a German Shepard trained in Germany. Black face, massive build and he responds to German commands. There is something about an owner barking commands in German that would make me think twice.
He is a sweetie and they have four Boys that he adores. But, if he senses a threat to the Family, all bets are off. I think they should have named him Gort.
My cousins had a"from Germany" German Shepard. It wasn't as big as the American breeds, but it was much more aggressive and quick. They had a campground and kept it chained outside the store. There were a few times when a camper's dog would get loose and wander down to check him out and sometimes get into it with him. They all ran away yelping in fear, even the big German Shepards.