Best Guard dog

[casablanca1]

Hey I understand everything you guys are saying. and no I'm not going to just tie him up in the yard and never bother with him. i plan on training and socialize him and spending quality time with him. I'm also looking for a companion dog for my kids but the fact is I can't go buy a lab, because we live in a ruff area and there is a higher crime rate now in london than ever before. So I would feel better knowing there is a GSD Or a rottweiler in my house in the event something happened.I need a dog with natural guarding abilites.

Having a massive guard breed might give you false peace of mind, but it's likely that the dog will be useless if there's ever a real problem. They're harder to train and to physically control than other types of dogs. Their guard instinct makes them a daily nuisance without constant, strong training and cooperation from the entire family. Too often this doesn't happen and the dogs are so aroused and aggressive when company comes over or there's a knock on the door, they end up being shut in a back room or outside. I've heard too many stories about people being murdered or robbed while their Rottie or similar guard dog was locked in the kitchen.

If you're looking for a biggish dog who can protect your family and your property from casual criminals (ie, those who'd rather just go try the next house once they see your dog) you should concentrate on getting a good, amiable family dog who isn't too big for you and your family to control easily. That way, they'll always be present. Many criminals just don't want to bother with a dog, and those stupid enough to grab a kid in front of the family lab will discover first-hand that all dogs bite.

If you do get a guard breed, commit to obedience training and forget any specialized guard dog training. Handling a dog who's been specially trained to bypass bite-inhibition and make his/her own decisions about whether to attack a human is a full-time job, not something that the kids can do, or that you can do walking the dog half awake in the morning.

Good luck!

 

[Amstaffer]

Interesting swing to this thread....I also feel that training dogs to bite people (unless you are a K9 officer) is wrong in most any case. I hope as a culture we have risen to a point where we don't have our pets attacking other people. I think however we need to defend ourselves; calling the police doesn't always work. Some of us live in areas were police responses can be slow which can be deadly for the victim. I think personal training in some sort of weapon is a good idea to defend yourself, family and dog. I always say I want my dogs to hide so they don't get hurt. I have health insurance and live near some very good hospitals. My dogs getting hurt would be harder and more expensive to fix....so its not only an emotional thing but a logical one.

 

[sonny]

The Reply I posted was in reference to a intruder breaking in your house ..... I'm not commenting on all the scenarios that may make one break in different from another, as to imply shooting a kid WTF are you talking about !!!where do you get taking hold of a CRIMINAL to a kid in a yard! And if my dog did not grab a hold of the criminal , he wouldn't be much of a guard dog or a family protector. And last its mine and your constitutional right to keep and bear arms in your home for self defense, And last point I'm going to make is, I am a responsible person and gun owner so you need not reply or imply that I am not ..And where did you read I would shoot at someone in my yard read it again, IM TALKING ABOUT A BREAK IN!!!!!

Grab your gun..it will help if your dog has a hold of him....oh my...very very scary. This is the talk of a bad dog owner, that person taking a short cut through this yard could be a child. And we wonder why we have such problems with dog attacks etc. A dog should never physically touch a person....ever. A barking dog is just as good an alarm system. Then you call the police, not your gun...lock your doors etc. If I lived next door to someone who would shoot at person and boast they have a dog that will attack I would be reporting that owner so fast it would make their head spin.

 

[sonny]

I can see your point not wanting your dogs hurt or killed, However if your lively hood or perhaps worse your life is in jeopardy your dog will protect you. Now I never said to train him do this ,as I believe they will see the situation before you and act accordingly ,that's where all that good training you applied comes in, as they know the difference from friend or foe from proper socialization . Here in my house , I see it as if someone is here uninvited late at night, after a broken window , chances are they have bad intentions , after that point you and I agree about self defense so...... As for that person who interpreted everything I said out of context, I don't even know why I bothered to explain myself to her (Im guessing its a female) Anyway I'm glad you posted

Interesting swing to this thread....I also feel that training dogs to bite people (unless you are a K9 officer) is wrong in most any case. I hope as a culture we have risen to a point where we don't have our pets attacking other people. I think however we need to defend ourselves; calling the police doesn't always work. Some of us live in areas were police responses can be slow which can be deadly for the victim. I think personal training in some sort of weapon is a good idea to defend yourself, family and dog. I always say I want my dogs to hide so they don't get hurt. I have health insurance and live near some very good hospitals. My dogs getting hurt would be harder and more expensive to fix....so its not only an emotional thing but a logical one.

 

[DogLover4]

Okay I really apreciate everybody's posts, and like hearing your opinions, you all sound very intelligent when it comes to dogs.

I just want to say again that i'm willing to socialize my dog. I want to spend time with him and love him. I also want my kids to love him and be able to play with him, while respecting him of course(not pulling ears, or tails)

I do have experience with a number of different dogs(mostly terriers)

 

[casablanca1]

I do have experience with a number of different dogs(mostly terriers)

How about an Airedale then? They're big and formidable dogs, but they don't have some of the baggage associated with the more usual guard breeds.

 

[DogLover4]

Well how about a Bull Terrier, some websites say they make a good guard dog and some say they don't

 

[filarotten]

What size of dog are you wanting? That can narrow it down. Short hair, long hair etc?
I also started with terriers. They are great smaller dogs with often testy attitudes. Good start in my opinion to prepare yourself for the larger more protective breeds. I had an Airedale named Nelson, many many moons ago. He was a great dog. Very dog aggressive except for family dogs. He was great with Todd, and was a good watchdog. Terriers have no fear. They think they are 10 foot tall and bulletproof. lol

 

[PFC1]

They might mistake the bull terrier for an pit bull-- an added bonus.

 

[PFC1]

CanadianK9's recomendation of a Belgian Malinois is an inspired choice. Also, the very closely related Belgian Tervuren or Belgian Sheep dog could be good. They can be great family dogs, but they also have been used for police work. However, these dogs are really, really smart, and need exercise. As a result, they may not be a good choice for you. You should throroughly research this breed before you get one.

 

[DogLover4]

filarotten i prefer a dog with short hair. and i don't care about size.

a Bull terrier seems nice

 

[filarotten]

Our best friends have a pit and a bull terrier. They are having many problems with their bull terrier. Cute as can be though.

 

[DogLover4]

Do you know what kind of problems?

And are bull terriers usually larger than pits

 

[Amstaffer]

Do you know what kind of problems?

And are bull terriers usually larger than pits

No Bull terriers on average are smaller than American Staffordshire Terriers (Pitbulls) not by much but they are smaller on average.

Amstaffs, Pit bulls and Bull terriers are usually very trusting of strange humans and don't make the best guard dog.

I really think the Rott is your best answer.

Airedale hair can be a lot of work to keep look just right.

 

[AmberwayGSD]

I think a Rottweiler or German Shepherd would be a good fit.Depending on the age of your kids a Boxer might go well also.They can be quite rambunchious with small kids though and easily knock them down in the hyper play ways.They make great watchdogs also.

 

[CanadianK9]

just as an added note, yes malinois have short coats

 

[BigDog2191]

Doberman, GSD, or Belgian Malinois sound perfect for you, IMO.

 

[amymarley]

I think that most "intruders" will deter from your home if you have a dog. I, myself carry a weapon and WILL use it if my life or my family is in danger, and yes, I would shoot to kill. As for a dog, there are great dogs off all types, wether a mutt or pure bred... you just have to know how to train them well. Like I said, I trained my boxer in several areas, car, home, knife, gun, stick, bat and other stuff, but that is what I do. I have also worked with many police officers on drug and attack training, because they don't usually train the dogs themselves, but have the dog already trained and then get passed on to them while working with the trainer. I agree with a lot of posts above, you don't want your dog hurting innocent kids or people, that's why you should contact a trainer that deals with protective training.

Also, again, if someone came "uninvited" into my home, that's a form of rape.... I will protect my family and myself, shoot to kill, stick a knife in their hand, and THEN call the police...sorry I come from a Green Beret, and police background.....I know it sounds bad, but my family comes first. Bottom line....

 

[RD]

Thats very wrong on so many levels...



And about your previous post... border collie can never be a guard dog..

A watch dog, maybe, guard dog? Dont make me laugh.

Interesting. Border Collies are a highly versatile, all-purpose breed. I wouldn't doubt that certain individuals could be a decent guard dog with good training. I wouldn't say "never". I do see your point, the majority of BCs are more likely to herd the intruder away than to attack.

The best guard dog I've ever met was a Tibetan Mastiff. He was a wonderful, calm, non-invasive dog who was wonderfully intuitive. He knew when something wasn't right, and would just sit and watch to make sure nothing happened to the house or his people. I was with him one night while I was babysitting the family's daughter on New Years' Eve, and several people came to the door and tried to push me out of the way when I answered it. I'd never seen him move so quickly, but he got up and shoved himself between me and the people and barked at them.. Nobody wanted to screw with the furious, massive dog so they left.. But I was so impressed with him. He didn't bite, but gave a very convincing display of barking and a showing of teeth. He wasn't quick to bite at all, I honestly don't know if he ever had to resort to biting, his size alone combined with barks and low growls would be enough to scare any sane person away.
He was so well trained, too. He could go almost anywhere in public and never once wanted to eat people just for walking closely to him, like some dogs do. He was the ultimate guard dog, IMO.

 

[evenstar7139]

I think choosing a breed known for protectiveness that you like is the place to start. Once you've chosen the breed look for the INDIVIDUAL with the traits that best match what you want and need in a guard dog! A good set of traits to look for would be: able to read the situation, uses the least amount of force necessary, scary bark, formidable apperance, but not too much dog for you not to be able to meet its exercise, training, food, and attention needs.

There are dogs like I described out there. Educate yourself, then go out there and find one.