Just to put a different spin on this thread. I was bit in the face by our family german shepherd when I was 8 years old. The dog was fed once a day; it was very hot & humid, I simply went up to him and put my arms around his neck while my mother was preparing his food (he was waiting at the counter) and he turned without growling and bit. It was bad enough for stitches, they were punctures not a ripping attack. My mother wanted to destroy the dog. The vet talked her out of it as he said it was the circumstance that the dog thought I was pulling him from his food. That dog never bit again, never growled, was so even tempered and was a loyal protector of us kids for 14 years. I think you need to know all the facts when deciding the fate of the dog. Just my experience.. now, if I had one that was unsound and went for little kids for no reason, I agree, it would be a one way trip to the vet.. Brenda Banister www.midnightsunsheperds.com ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2005. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://www.showgsd.org ============================================================================