Well I'm wondering too...since I already have a lot of little yorkies running around (and 1 cat), would it make a difference if I got a shepherd puppy that I could TEACH to be gentle around them? I had planned on doing training. I want an excellent guard dog that's good with the family, but will go after someone in an instant that tried to hurt me or the yorkies. I had almost completely decided on getting a Great Pyrenees, and then I saw the movie I Am Legend, and I started thinking about them again...I want a GSD named Samantha...
Also, what's your opinion on male vs female shepherds? Would one do better with small dogs and a cat than the other?