A German Shepherd is an excellent choice - loyal, obedient, protective.
As far as dog breeds go, I would have to say that the German Shepherd is my favorite. It is a very trainable breed, and overall great with kids.
Here is a picture of our newly elected Vice President with his puppy. Apparently it was a gift from Jill and was selected from a private breeder in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
And here are some earlier pictures of the adorable one:
The breed known as the German Shepherd is also known as the Alsatian. Originating in Germany, it is one of the newer breeds, dating back to the end of the 19th century. Some of the main characteristics of German Shepherds are large size/weight, intelligence, strength, high activity, and protectiveness. Males can weigh up to 30% more than females.
My boss used to have a male German Shepherd that was enormous! He was so loveable and used to jump up on me every time I visited. It was hilarious.
Unfortunately, German Shepherds tend to have occasional health problems. One of the main health problems they experience is hip dysplasia, which is due mainly to careless breeding. This can cause the dogs pain later in life, but not all German Shepherds experience it.
Another problem that German Shepherds sometimes face is von Willebrand's disease, which is a hereditary coagulation problem also found in humans.
The average lifespan of the German Shepherd is about 12 years.