06/08/2025
3 of my dogs have genuinely used their guarding instincts. Ryker stopped a burglar getting in my house one Christmas. He woke me up at 2am telling me someone was trying to get in the back door. The man ran off. He blocked Steve getting near me when we had a bad argument once, silently stood between us then when Steve moved closer he let out an all mighty deep growl, one I've never heard since. Kit stopped 2 men trying to break into my car one evening while I was in the woods on my own. While on the lead I alerted him to fiercely bark at them and they ran off. Neither dogs will back off when intimidated either. My 1st German Shepherd saved my arse too. Whilst walking in the middle of know where some men tried to intimidate my dog. I put him on the lead and kept him by my side. I warned them to back off but they kept coming at me. The dog gave a lovely warning growl at them but they ignored that despite me keep telling them to back off. The second one of them put both hands on my shoulders and pushed me back my dog flew at him. That dog didn't leave a single mark on him, he just used his body. Incredible dog. Not working line bred but the protection instinct was there. That same dog would subtly place himself in front of Hannah's buggy if someone came near her. He never did anything else. I think it's a combination of genetics and training, not bite training but the training which provides rules and boundaries and builds that close bond with respect. I know many dogs give the illusion they are guarding you but most of the time they are resource guarding you or trying to save their own arse. In the situations I've mentioned above I believe they were genuinely using their protection instincts.
*Below are not my words but I totally agree with them.
Some people say I should stop calling the German Shepherd Dog (GSD) a protective dog and focus on its herding background instead...
Now let’s educate ourselves:
What is a herding dog?
A herding dog, also called a stock dog, is a working dog bred to control the movement of livestock. But here's the catch: no dog can herd without a protective instinct. Why? Because you can't lead or guard livestock in open fields without the courage and drive to defend them from predators or threats. That’s protection instinct in action.
Let’s get this straight:
The GSD was originally bred not just to herd, but to protect the herd and obey the shepherd's commands under pressure. That's why Germany, after developing the breed in 1899, carefully selected dogs with courage, working drives, strong nerves, and trainability, not softness.
Fast forward to today...
The reason military, police, and para-military units across the world still rely on the German Shepherd isn’t because it’s cute or soft. It’s because it has genetically embedded protective instincts, solid temperament, and the ability to work under pressure.
Our biggest problem now is that some breeders want a "soft" or "pet-style" GSD... so they are busy breeding out the exact traits that made this breed legendary.
Quote me anywhere:
A German Shepherd without protective instinct is not a German Shepherd. It’s just another pet dog in a GSD coat. If your breeding program doesn’t preserve protection drive, working ability, and strong nerves, you’re not breeding GSDs… you’re diluting the legacy.
Whether herding or guarding, the real GSD is a working, protective, and loyal partner. Let’s breed to preserve that legacy, not destroy it.
