German Shepherds are known for their loyalty, intelligence, and protective nature. They are also known for being excellent family dogs. However, there are times when these dogs can become aggressive towards other animals, including cats.
Traits to look for in a good off-leash hiking dog are dogs with a pack mentality, has good training with a good recall and is high-energy to keep up with you on long hikes.
When done correctly, your dog and new baby can grow up together and be best friends BUT you must think ahead and have a plan in place. Training is key as well as allowing your dog time to adjust before the baby arrives.
When your dog goes after a cat, it’s following a very deeply ingrained instinct. For some breeds, this instinct is harder to break than in others. Herding and hound breeds are especially tricky since their “job” is to seek out and engage with prey items or livestock.