What are the best Protection dogs out there? both personal and estate.

[fordraceing_man]

Ok first of all let me state i won't be getting any type of dog for a long time, i currently have 2 boxers right now and they are more then a handful. one is only 2 and i won't be getting another dog until they are gone and to be honest it will probally be another boxer.

ok with that said i just love learning about dogs, after seaching threads on here i just learned about the fila. it seems like they are amazing dogs for how protective they are, ive been around rotties and dobes that would just lick any stranger to death but after reading about these filas it doesn't seem like there are many like that.

again i just love reading and learning about dogs, don't know why but people won't even go into barns and noble with me any more cause i spend the whole time reading the dog books lol. so again im just asking about this for general knowledge.

So what are the best protection dogs, from everything ive read it sounds like the fila but what are like the top 5 and why?

thanks

 

[oriondw]

Id say for personal protection best dog would be a protection trained GSD ( not american bred) or one of the belgians (such as malinois).

Fila is a good dog for predator control.

Properly trained and bred boxer can be a pretty good protection dog.

 

[lakotasong]

I gotta vote for Malinois as being one of the top choices.

 

[copperdogsmom]

I have to vote for the Bouvier.My uncle had them at home and always 1 or 2 at his shop to.They are great protection dogs I think but just my opinion

 

[RD]

I can't really say since the best, most appropriately protective dog I had was a shelter mutt.

Filas are excellent protection dogs, but they're not for everyone and they are indiscriminately defensive. Not everyone can handle a dog that works in defensive drive 24/7. That being said I think they are more powerful than a GSD or Rottweiler and a more effective visual deterrent due to their size.

GSDs are lovely dogs, very handler-oriented and responsive. They're easily trained and I think a GSD with the proper temperament (not from psycho sport lines or american show lines) would make a great protection dog.

 

[darkchild16]

I like the fila and my sheltar mutt two very territorial and protective breeds. Anatolian Shepard and Treeing Walker Coonhound.

But for jsut personal protection i would go with a GSD(german bred) or Belgian.

 

[Renee750il]

Filas are excellent protection dogs, but they're not for everyone and they are indiscriminately defensive. Not everyone can handle a dog that works in defensive drive 24/7. That being said I think they are more powerful than a GSD or Rottweiler and a more effective visual deterrent due to their size.

Actually, that's not entirely accurate unless you've got an owner who just doesn't 'get it' or really wants to do the BIG SCARY DOG thing.

A well socialized Fila is always aware of their surroundings and what is going on, but is well content to observe. They can and will, however, change gears about as fast as a Formula One Porsche - with roughly the dog equivalent in speed.

Something abnormal will get their attention. Something possibly threatening will move then to take an alert, defensive position, and something overtly threatening will evoke a quick reaction to halt the threat. They will remove a threatening object or weapon or stop the attacker, usually by holding the threat/attacker down. One of the reasons these dogs were valued highly among slavers and plantation owners is that they could track like a Bloodhound but would run down and hold their quarry without unnecessary damage.

It is abundantly true, though, that Filas are NOT the dogs for 98% of the dog owning population.

Having had both GSDs and Filas now - as much as I love my GSDs, there's just no comparison as far as guarding, protecting, herding . . . just all around.

And I've yet to ever see or hear of any other breed - trained or untrained - that can round up 70 - 80 head of semi-wild cattle, including 2000+ pound bulls, along with calves, spread out over more than 60 acres of open pasture, woods, creeks, brambles and hills and put them ALL in the open barn, not moving even when the dog's gone off to find the rest of the herd

Now, if I could just figure out how to get Kharma to STOP, lol!

I've got to add, too, that after having and dealing with Filas, I don't have a lot of fear of a GSD, Malinois, Doberman, etc. I know I'd stand a good chance of being bitten, but I also know that without the fear I've got a very good shot at neutralizing these dogs.

But, then, I rarely ever go anywhere without one of the Filas, so I REALLY don't worry

 

[RD]

I really need to meet Kharma. The Filas I know *are* quite defensive at all times. Tonka, the only one I've been around without his owner present, was constantly on the lookout for threats and would skip the "defensive posturing" stage and go to the "RAWR" stage if he interpreted something as a threat. He didn't explode at every little thing, but he did interpret any strangers or unusual objects as a potential threat. Not once did he try to go after anyone but had he been off the leash I wouldn't have trusted him not to take a nibble. Then again, I don't think Tonk has had anything NEAR the kind of socialization and impulse control that Kharma has.

 

[ToscasMom]

I guess if I were in the market for a protection dog, I would think GSD and a gun. What i have instead is the gun and a Collie who might just show you where the jewels are if you dangle a piece of dog food roll in front of her. But not before she breaks your eardrums barking.

 

[oc_spirit]

People seemed to have covered the personal guardians pretty well so I will do the estate guardians. My fav would be Caucasian Ovcharka. Someone would have to be down right stupid to cross a fence that has a CO o the other side.

 

[Road dog]

Never had need for a protection dog. I've found that the sign on my front gate with the picture of the .357 Magnum and the words "Never mind the dog, beware of owner." does the job nicely

 

[GSDluver4lyfe]

I love GSD's, Belgians, and Dutchies as PP dogs. Yes, dogs such as Fila's (and other mastiff sized breeds) are powerful, and I mean POWERFUL. The smaller dogs (like STANDARD GSD's, Belgians and Dutchies) are typically quicker and more agile. They sure do meet the big dog's strength with their speed. A smaller dog hitting you at full blast can be just as strong as a bigger dog (and by that I mean mastiff size). My trainer (SCH trainer) has Dutchies and his 65lb Dutch Shep can take down ANYONE, seeing as he is a patrol dog. I have seen his intensity in training and I can only imagine how much stronger he hits when its not just "fun". Remember its not the size of the dog in the fight, its the size of the fight in the dog, .

 

[BigDog2191]

This all depends on how MUCH protection you want. There are a lot of extremely high-maintenance big time PROTECTION dogs (mainly what I'm talking about here are Livestock Guardian Breeds) and then there are dogs that are easily sociable but know when, as Renee said, to switch gears and so depends on what you're looking for.

Regular home protection, as I own one, I can confidently say that a German shepherd certainly does the job. Generally, it's best to go for German bloodlines as there's more of a pure and working line aspect, also their body structure is more true to the original GSD rather than the watered down American version.

My GSD, Rocky, jumps at the sound of any noise around, he can go from being extremely friendly and very family oriented to jumping in front of us with his hackles raised and barking like crazy. He's always ready to sacrifice himself for the family.

So for regular home-protection I'd recommend a German shepherd, if you need something more than just about any Livestock Guardian Breed will do the job.

 

[Renee750il]

I was amazed when I saw the speed and agility of the Filas. Much quicker and far more agile than the modern GSD by far. Not quite as fast as a good Doberman, but far quicker than any human. And their bodies are far more flexible than the standard dog. Their spines will flex much like a cat's.

Kharma can almost keep up with Bimmer, and even Charley admits Bimmer is faster than any of the Dobermans.

One of the most impressive things I've seen firsthand is a seven month old female pup remove a large steel bar from the possession of an athletic, 350 pound man. Scared the hell out of him, lol!

The K9 dogs here like to bark at mine - as long as they are at a long distance. If we're closer than 30 feet or so they get very quiet and drop their tails. And, I am proud to say, my Grrrrls just give them a disdainful look and walk on by.

One of the few other dogs I'd feel as secure with would be the CO. I don't know if they are as quick and agile as the Filas, but my guess is that they are very close. But again, they aren't right for at least 98% of dog owners.

The size of the fight in the dog is one thing, but it won't compensate for everything. Most humans have an innate fear reaction to a charging dog, but when you take that away, a small dog like a Dutchie suddenly doesn't have any real advantage. Especially if one is accustomed to dogs that are two and a half to three times the size and quicker.

 

[ToscasMom]

GSD, what's a "Dutchie"?

 

[GSDluver4lyfe]

GSD, what's a "Dutchie"?

A dutch shepherd. They are very similar to the Malinois when it comes to body structure and size. They are still very rare and have not been destroyed...YET.

 

[GSDluver4lyfe]

I was amazed when I saw the speed and agility of the Filas. Much quicker and far more agile than the modern GSD by far. Not quite as fast as a good Doberman, but far quicker than any human. And their bodies are far more flexible than the standard dog. Their spines will flex much like a cat's.

Kharma can almost keep up with Bimmer, and even Charley admits Bimmer is faster than any of the Dobermans.

One of the most impressive things I've seen firsthand is a seven month old female pup remove a large steel bar from the possession of an athletic, 350 pound man. Scared the hell out of him, lol!

The K9 dogs here like to bark at mine - as long as they are at a long distance. If we're closer than 30 feet or so they get very quiet and drop their tails. And, I am proud to say, my Grrrrls just give them a disdainful look and walk on by.

One of the few other dogs I'd feel as secure with would be the CO. I don't know if they are as quick and agile as the Filas, but my guess is that they are very close. But again, they aren't right for at least 98% of dog owners.

The size of the fight in the dog is one thing, but it won't compensate for everything. Most humans have an innate fear reaction to a charging dog, but when you take that away, a small dog like a Dutchie suddenly doesn't have any real advantage. Especially if one is accustomed to dogs that are two and a half to three times the size and quicker.

If what you say is true then the police forces would be looking for oversized GSD's, Rottweilers, mastiffs, ect becuase a "small" dog cant do the job. If a Dutchie couldnt handle it (a very dangerous job), then the K9 units would not use them. In fact, the working dog world is shifting towards the Mali's and Dutchies, and the GSD is being replaced because they typically are stockier (especially from german lines) bigger dogs. I can say from personal experience that Dutchies CAN and WILL take you down (even a 300lb man) if they are properly trained and have adaquete fight drive. You would have to KILL my trainer's dog to win (and by that I mean shoot him or stab him to death and he will fight to his last breath, as will many patrol dogs and properly bred workng dogs). Their intensity compensates for their size. I mean what would be the point of having a "useless" dogs patroling the streets with you.

 

[ACooper]

I vote for Dobermans............hehe, not biased or anything!
Personal protection is their whole reason for being, that is what they were bred for originally, read their history!!

and most do not need to be trained for this (personal protection) it is in their nature to protect those they love!

 

[ACooper]

and think of the benefits..............short hair= not much grooming, bathing, or shedding!!

 

[whatszmatter]

I was amazed when I saw the speed and agility of the Filas. Much quicker and far more agile than the modern GSD by far. Not quite as fast as a good Doberman, but far quicker than any human. And their bodies are far more flexible than the standard dog. Their spines will flex much like a cat's.

.

Not sure what GSD's you've been watching, but I have to seriously disagree with this statement to the n'th degree. a good Fila is a nice dog, but they do have their limits, I haven't seen any that are even close to as quick or agile as the GSD's we work, let alone surpasing them.

to the OP, be sure you're aware of all the liability and extra responsibility that comes along with a PSD or Estate guardian dog. I think I'd rather have a security system much less hassle, and most people don't know how to control one of these dogs, so they're much safer.