Watching The World Burn wrote Quick question for - we just had a neighbour move in with two Shepherds, one female, one male. I've had two shepherds growing up as a kid, but it's been a while naturally.
I met both of them on a walk, the female seems reasonably affectionate (she's 5 years old), the male (3 years old) was ambivalent about me, took a quick pet and then went back to his life. However, it was mostly I think because there was another dog there (not mine) and the male shepherd was hyper focused on it - very territorial. Did a few charges at it, seems like he has a strong prey drive.
Are any of yours like that? How specifically are they around kids if so? My concern is more my children (who love dogs) - I've told them they are not to pet either dog until they ask permission from the owner, but under no circumstances are they to put their face down to the dog like they do with ours. They understand.
I'm just wondering if the prey drive / territorial nature might extend to children too. I suspect it could. Either way, I'll have to watch my dog with these shepherds.
In the picture of the three above, the black/tan on the right has become extremely attached to my wife. It was not like that until Covid hit, and he had spent a lot of time with just the wife at home.
He actually passed CGC in May of 2019, but digressed so much (being protective of his turf and her), that we put him back through CGC in 2021 (then went on to pass A and U in 2022). It was a ton of work to get him somewhat sociable with other people. All the females I've owned - never had an issue with people (some has issues with other dogs).
Personally, I think female GSD's can assess situations at all times, determine what's a threat and what's not. Makes them more calm in many situations. Male GSD's are reactive to what happens in the moment, much of what you witnessed.
In either case, I've had some very mild mannered sheps that were killing machines to groundhogs and racoons in the yard. That black/tan has that instinct while the other 2 do not. My last all-white shepherd would never hurt a fly either. My all-black female, nicest dog to kids and adults...but if it had 4 legs, it was going to die quickly.
ShopVac - we just had a neighbour move in with two Shepherds, one female, one male. I've had two shepherds growing up as a kid, but it's been a while naturally.
Esteban to open one of his own..... 
RickFLM4 you can’t keep the King waiting!
