Thank you all tres muchos for you help! I'm still a tad confused as to get any dog to fit my life style. I mean, would even an Old English Sheepdog bark at strangers? And also, one of my friends told me to look in the Calssified section of the newspaper to get a dog but I should really get them from an Animal Shelter, right? I'm tres confused. But thank you all!
Guard Dog
- Thread starter willow
- Start date
Hey willow. Sorry if I confused you with the lifestyle thing. It's just that the different breeds of dogs tend to have different needs and temperaments. Some need lots of exercise, other need less. Some dogs are more difficult to train than others. Some dogs drool a lot, other dogs don't. I think you get the idea. But almost any dog will bark when someone comes on their property. So what I'm saying is just get a dog that fits your particular needs/preferences.
Oh how I miss the days where I had my Dane. He was so good to me and always made sure I was safe. I would answer the door and he would position himself between the person at the door and myself until I invited them in. I don't think Norman will ever be like that he's more of the "hold me mommy!" type. Who knows, he's still a pup!
Your tri-pod sounds like a force to be reckoned with....eeeek
It's nice to know they're there though, isn't it!!! LOL!
Your tri-pod sounds like a force to be reckoned with....eeeek
It's nice to know they're there though, isn't it!!! LOL!An Old English Sheepdog would absolutely bark at strangers. They bark at everything else. Seriously, apart from the Basenji, all dogs can bark and most dogs will let you know if there's someone coming up the drive, onto the porch, down the street, into town, etc. I think having a dog as a deterrent is a great idea. My town's had crime waves in the past, but the thieves have never come near my house, which is inhabited (loudly) by a collie mix who weighs around 45lbs and a Yorkshire Terrier who weighs 12lbs. Collies (and herding breeds in general), terriers and the working breeds tend to be the most territorial and protective. Hounds and setters and spaniels tend to be more easy-going about what constitutes their territory and who belongs there, and less effective as watch dogs.
Re: where to get the dog: I always think shelters are good places, but then my experience has been with a good shelter that gives people very good, honest advice about which dog to choose. Some shelters are not very good, and can be less than helpful to people trying to choose a good first dog. If you don't like the vibe in your local shelters, you can try rescue groups - they exist for mixed breeds as well as purebreds. All sources of dogs should be approached with caution and skepticism, especially newspaper ads. Shelters and breeders have some organizations to answer to if you have problems, while the newspaper advertiser can vanish in the night. If they're selling purebred puppies, do research and have a lot of solid questions about their breed, their breeding program, etc. If they're giving away a grown or adolescent dog, consider spending the money to have a trainer evaluate the dog. Personally, I like adopting adult dogs. Skips the puppy mess and medical expenses, and gives you a ready-made companion.
Re: where to get the dog: I always think shelters are good places, but then my experience has been with a good shelter that gives people very good, honest advice about which dog to choose. Some shelters are not very good, and can be less than helpful to people trying to choose a good first dog. If you don't like the vibe in your local shelters, you can try rescue groups - they exist for mixed breeds as well as purebreds. All sources of dogs should be approached with caution and skepticism, especially newspaper ads. Shelters and breeders have some organizations to answer to if you have problems, while the newspaper advertiser can vanish in the night. If they're selling purebred puppies, do research and have a lot of solid questions about their breed, their breeding program, etc. If they're giving away a grown or adolescent dog, consider spending the money to have a trainer evaluate the dog. Personally, I like adopting adult dogs. Skips the puppy mess and medical expenses, and gives you a ready-made companion.
It is a well known proven fact its the barking that burgulars do not like. So if you are uneasy and inexperienced with large breeds a nice small yappy breed like one of your terrriers rat terriers and toy fox terriers come to mind.......work quite well. But no dog is any good against a determined professional burgular........its called a gun.....but for petty theives breaking into your house small dogs that bark and raise cain work just as well as a large dog. Also because certain large breeds are considered a liability because of the attack factor you must check with your home owners insurance to see if they have restrictions concerning this..........also check your state and city and county laws against vicious dogs which "guard" dogs are considered.If you have no experience with dogs are large breeds in particular I would say this is not a good idea.