Kids and dogs do go together.? Gosh, every kid should have a dog as a family member, to sleep with and learn responsibility for another life.? However, in this day and age of negotiating with 1 yr old kids, perhaps not every parent is qualified to add a dog to the household, especially a GSD.? If you can't be a pack leader to your own kids, how can you deal with a GSD?? I evaluate the family and how they deal with their children.? If the kids are respectful and LISTEN to the parents, that is a good?clue as to how those same kids will deal with a dog in the family.? And, how the dog will be integrated into the family.? I have no issue with kids as long as the parents have control of them.? This means they will control the kids and the dog.? I would prefer people with prior experience with dogs but if?new dog owners?are willing to learn, take basic obedience classes and have the right reasons for getting a GSD, I have no issue.? My main peeve is the people who only want a GSD for protection.? I see that pup in the backyard with no?family interaction or socialization.? I'll take a family with kids and willing to learn any day over the protection people.? JMHO. Laura???? ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2007. 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 - www.showgsd.org ============================================================================