re: German Shepherds as Pets (with cats, small dogs, and kids)

I love GS dogs... we always had them and even sold puppies we had. Beautiful. Smart - SUPER Smart. Loyal. That being said, with kids? We have owned a lab, mutt, Weiner dog, Aussies.

One of our GS dogs that we had for some 14 years once sank his teeth into me real good. I was scratching his head, and he had ear mites. I didn't know. He growled a little, but I scratched his head again, and he bit my arm. And my leg. And my butt. And my ear. It got the other dogs riled up, but luckily my mom heard and came out with a broom. My dad asked what I wanted to do. At first, I thought I wanted him put down, but I calmed down and we quarantined him and vet checked him out to reveal the ear mites. Was a damn good dog after that, I would have been heartbroken with any other outcome.

So yeah. I still admire the breed, but they just aren't on the list for us. Do I lump them in with Pitts? No freaking way.