re: Dog just snapped at daughter

quote:

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Now, it will vary from dog to dog, but getting a well-bred "protective" breed, like a GSD, can pay dividends

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I should have clarified - was typing on phone the first time.

Our GSD was extremely protective of our family for 7 years. He was extremely intelligent - would literally stop at our property line when chasing a ball or frisbee.

Our issues occurred when he had developed hip dysplasia, and our youngest (barely able to walk) would throw himself onto the dog's back like he would a toy. The poor creature couldn't get up and move without experiencing pain, so growling at our son was his way of telling the child to back off --- but the child couldn't understand any of this.

Since we couldn't monitor the child's location and activity every second, and since the vet (45 years ago) didn't have anything to stop the dog's hip pain, I had no option but to have the dog put to sleep.

Prior to the onset of hip dysplasia, he was the gentlest dog you could ever meet. The neighborhood children (ages 3-7) would literally ring our doorbell and ask if
"Cuz" could come out and play. Or they would come into our house and play with him.

This dog was like a member of the family (he literally slept under the older son's crib starting the first day we brought him home from the hospital). But his status was still below that of a toddler. I could barely see well enough to drive home after taking him on that final trip. I still tear up thinking about it.

Hopefully there are treatments now for this condition. Cuz should have enjoyed a life span about double what he actually had.