I feel the same way about German Shepherds. I know they are great dogs, but I had one try and attack me in 2nd grade, and the only thing that saved me was climbing up a baseball backstop and waiting until an adult came and chased the dog off. It bit me and ripped my jeans trying to get after me. I’ve never trusted the breed since.
I have a German Shepherd. She’s a sweet, obedient and loving dog.
A pet’s personality has to be matched to yours and fit your lifestyle or its never going to work out.
You and the animal have to be comfortable together.
My advice would be do your homework and due diligence before you adopt a dog.
>I feel the same way about German Shepherds. I know they are great dogs, but I had one try and attack me in 2nd grade, and the only thing that saved me was climbing up a baseball backstop and waiting until an adult came and chased the dog off. It bit me and ripped my jeans trying to get after me. I’ve never trusted the breed since.<
Actually, I’ve owned not only German Shepherds, but Belgian Malinois. Neither breed is for everyone, but I owned both breeds for a specific reason. I do sports with my dogs, they are not simply housepets. I researched the breeds and I contacted responsible, knowledgeable breeders. The dogs were trained and never, ever were they allowed off my property without me. I do not have the space to own another, so I will own smaller dogs from now on. I choose my dogs from responsible breeders because I do dog sports. I donate money to rescues and shelters but I will not be guilted into rescuing someone else’s behavior problems.
Rescuing dogs is a crap shoot. My daughter insisted on adoption, and ended up with a mixed breed that bit her boyfriend repeatedly and bit her father.
Back late '50s the Rin-Tin-Tin series made everyone want a GSD. I've read that unscrupulous breeders met the demand by in-breeding their stock, and by the 60's there were a lot of them with temperament and hip problems.