Interpret certain behaviour

[gsdlover4ever]

How would you interpret certain behaviour regarding GSD's?

For instance:

You are walking the dog at night; dog is walking nicely by your side.
A few drunken hoodies are coming towards you and your GSD can't take their eyes off them... watching them like a hawk, but not barking or growling....
They walk passed and GSD is still watching them now and again, especially if they become rowdy... until they are out of site.

What would you class the above behaviour as, nervous, protective?

[Tedsmum]

Without see the dog's entire body language it is hard to say.
There is a difference between alert and nervous.
I would expect any dog to be alert to unusual or erratic movement by strangers, especially a GSD.
I could be a mixture of self protection and protection of you too.
A week ago he growled at a youth under very similar circumstances and I was actually quiet glad of it whatever his motivation was.

[sams mum]

Sound to me like he is just very aware and sensed that you were a bit nervous/aware of aliens approaching and picked up on this and was protecting the two of you by watching till the possible danger out of site...

[claire_88]

Body language is hard to read man!

Be interested to see what Wildmoor makes of this thread............

[Shrap]

It's hard to tell without seeing but if it was very controlled then no doubt protective. Dino has done it with me, he stands between the threat and me and waits for them to pass.
He has growled at somebody walking directly towards us at close range before too.
He will stop if I tell him to but will watch.

Nervous would be backing off and more aggressive looking, or calming signals.

[Kaz and Harvey]

Harvey doesnt like "hoodies", he doesnt bark at them but watches them closely!

I like to think he is protecting me and himself

[wildmoor]

you would have to say more about his body language - tail, ears etc

[Stuart]

I would say that he is simply aware,... he isnt particulary being protective, and he probably isnt nervous,.. but he is aware of whats going on around him,... the next stage in the dogs behaviour would be down to what the yobs did next

[LOVEGSD]

I would agree with Stuart, your dog is aware but not actually reacting to anything, although it would be interesting to see the whole dog's body language.