ONE more thing about GSD's--They do not need to be aggressive to protect you. Many people were afraid to approach Xena, because she was so BIG. A dog can protect your other livestock, but, after you've trained your dogs (or horses) to be safe, THEN, you find yourself considering how to protect...
Thanks a lot, ruth--posting pics of your GSD's Rex and Scarlett!
Now I get to cry all over again over the loss of my GSD/Collie cross, Xena (RIP, Feb., 2008)
Xena was a GREAT animal guard dog. She wouldn't kill ANYTHING--in fact, she pouted when we killed some baby possums whose mother had...