What kind of breed for me? Help..

[Kiro]

I've been researching dog breeds for over a year now. I still can't find a good breed! Maybe someone can help me? Let me explain my situation.

In about a year or so, my mom and I will be opening a pet store on the east coast. We have a plan to change pet stores, or at least let people know there are good pet stores out there. We want a guard dog for the store.... but.... it needs to be good with strangers, children and other animals (dogs, cats, rodents, birds, all animals). Absolutely do not want a German Shepard.

Just today I found a breed that pretty much fits our requirements, but I can find little information on it and no breeders. It's the Appenzell Mountain Dog. Does anyone know any information on this dog? Or maybe recommend a dog breed? Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[pitbulliest]

If you can't find alot of information on it and no breeders, I would suggest a more common breed so that you have alot of different sources to look from..

 

[RD]

OK I just have one question for you.. If you could find very little info. on the AMD, how do you know it fits your requirements????

They are NOT good with strangers unless extensively (and I don't mean just a walk in the park each day) socialized.

 

[Renee750il]

You don't need a particular breed, you need a particular dog.

I had one for years who fit your description exactly. He also became a certified therapy dog and was in great demand at adoption fairs and fund raisers for rescues as an example. He was a pound rescue at 4 or 5 years old and was GSD/Akita.

I'm not suggesting that you try to find a GSD/Akita; quite the contrary. I'm suggesting that you truly change the face of pet stores and consider that the perfect dog for your life and enterprise might just be at the pound.

Also, if you're going to have the shop dog/guard dog roaming in the store during the hours customers are there, you need to check your liability insurance. That might seriously impact what kind of dog you choose.

If you're set on a pure bred dog for your store, you might consider a Collie. As herders, they make good guardians but are not known for being aggressive and shouldn't raise the hackles of your insurance carrier, and if you chose the smooth coat, it cuts down on the grooming.

 

[Brattina88]

I'm confused - a guard dog that needs to get along with strangers?
Are we talking about an intimidating looking dog that is friendly with the costomers, or a real guard dog who's going to protect the shop from shoplifters (strangers)??

Also, if you're going to have the shop dog/guard dog roaming in the store during the hours customers are there, you need to check your liability insurance. That might seriously impact what kind of dog you choose.

I don't understand how having a guard dog is going to be a good thing for business if the dog is trying to intimadate anybody. I'm Confusded! lol

 

[Kiro]

Ok... To clarify guard dog. If some person comes in the store threatning our lives, we would like to have a dog there to protect us. Robbery is a major concern. We'd like a dog breed that is known to love people, and if in danger able to protect the people it's bonded with (family). Not necessarily a dog that will hold a door open while the robber gets away. Shoplifters are something you can't avoid, so they're no problem really. Cameras and such will keep down the shoplifting.

 

[Brattina88]

ooooooooooooooooooooh! I see now
We all like to think that our dogs would protect us if something happened, don't we? I know I do, and I believe (like most people I know) that Maddie would, or at least try. A breed doesn't pop out at me, but if I think of one I'll post.

Edit: a quick search suplied me with a Beauceron, Bouvier des Flandres Canaan Dog and then the GSD. Really I know nothing about these breeds besides what the search gave me. I just typed in what it sounded like you wanted. I can't stress enough how much you should research to find the perfect match, and then search for the perfect breeder. If costomersI agree with what Renee said about the perfect match...

 

[Short_Stack]

a rotttie mabe? i found this
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/appenzell.htm
http://www.appenzeller.org/
http://www.appenzeller-sennenhunde.de/english/appenzellereng.html
hope this helps

 

[Rose's Gal]

Just out of couriosity, why don't you want a GSD? That sounded like a very good dog for you. It will accept strangers that its owner accepts, is good with people and other animals and would defend you if a situation called for it. You actually might even consider a Standerd or Giant Schnauzer if you don't mind grooming. They are exellent guard/watchdogs. The only problem with them I guess is that they can have a prey drive....hmmmmmm.......If you didn't mind drool, a Mastiff might be good for you too.....very laid back, freindly when socialized, good with other creatures, but would defend and protect if the store was being robbed......hmmmm.......

 

[poodlesmom]

A dog doesn't necessarily have to be of a larger size to be effective. I have even heard that a solid black dog is many times more of a deterrent as well. I have 2 standard poodles (male is 64 lbs & female is 48 lbs) and a few months ago they proved to me that they will definitely protect us if the need arises. We had a visitor who they had met briefly in the past. She started rough-housing with my grandsons & both dogs immediately went on the offensive as they thought she was hurting the boys. They went after her growling as I have never heard out of them before. Luckily I was in the same room & immediately shouted NO and both dogs stopped.

In fact I have seen reports that standard poodles actually excelled at police work but due to their stereotype were passed over for breeds that are perceived to be more of a threat to a would-be lawbreaker.

Whichever furpal you decide on will need quite a bit of time with you for the strong bond that will be needed to be established. I am sure you are also planning on doing extensive obedience training which will also be a great help in strengthening the bond.

 

[milo]

How about a dobe they are ok with starnagers but they are very very good gaurd dogs!!
I dont really like people who use dogs for gurding houses ect...
But as what you say is someomne threatening you then yes i would say a rottie or a dobe or even a Great Danes!!there the best i think coz they look scary but there not and i dont think people will ever try attcking you with a big dog like that!!
Anyway good luck!!

 

[Saje]

I'd love to have a great dane. I think some customers might find them intimidating though. I know people find my newfie intimidating and he's really a ball of fur and tail, not much more.

I don't like people using a dog just for guarding either. Is it going to sleep in the store? What if the criminal is casing the place and figures out when your dog has to pee? LOL

Are you going to buy from a reputable breeder and advertise that? I think your dog is in the pound too. Mine were.

 

[candy722]

Why do you need a guard dog in the store?

 

[stirder]

one problem. no matter what the breed...99% of dogs (even a rottie, dobie, gsd, etc) will not do any more than bark and growl unless trained in protection. with a good club, the purpose is not to make a dog aggressive, but to teach it to be confident and how to follow through with a bite, and where to bite, and to be under the owners COMPLETE control at all times. however this takes a LOT of time and training. personally I would suggest a big dog that appears threatening and barks. first though, if your main purpose in getting a dog is for protection...get an alarms system and learn how to dial 911. a dog is a family member and a life long comitment (up to 20 years), and is not just a tool or weapon. I have a highly trained and highly titled german shepherd, if someone was attacking I would be protecting my dog. if you expect a dog to put its life on the line to protect your, dont get a dog. as I said, 99% of dogs wont follow through, and neither should they be expected too. we are responsible for their lives, we feed them, shelter them, love them, provide health care in return for their unconditional love.