Whats the best guard dog/family dog?

Fluffpuff

gettingready wrote: »

OP - have you had a dog before? If so, what dog was it and how old were you then?

With 2 young children, a puppy will be a lot of work.

Yes I have had dogs before. Had a bearded collie as a child, then got my first dog aged 11 which was a border collie, had a chihuahua since I left home which we lost a few years ago so been without a dog for about 3 years.

With two young children and a puppy it will be hard work? Bit patronising as I know this already. I also know that the bigger the dog the more costly. I also know that a dog is for life and not just for christmas. I also know that a dog shouldn't be left alone for long periods. I also know alot of things but obviously can't include my whole knowledge of dogs in a forum post!

My post was written quickly asking for peoples opinions and suggestions on different dog breeds not on my capability of looking after a dog.

This is what winds me up coming on here. You write a post asking for advice and people start making assumptions and patronising you with their posts. Its all going off topic!

If you haven't got any suggestions and advice from your own experience with larger breeds then don't post.

little_miss_muppet_face

What about a labradoodle, big dog, big bark, but a softie at home, ours can be a bit anxious outdoors and not so great with strangers, but thats due to lack of socialisation before we picked her up at 12 weeks,
But her bark would hopefully put someone off approaching our house and entering without being invited.
Good luck with your search

gettingready

I did post re doberman: large dog, short hair.

I asked if you had a dog before as from experience I know it is easier to go for a breed that one already knows.

Re 2 small children and a pup - very hard work.

Your replies to people's posts do not really encourage. But I am sure you are aware of that.

I do not think anyone means to be "patronising".

All the best anyway.

codemonkey

Fluffpuff might be stating the obvious but why not pop down to your local rescue centres. A lot of the bigger breeds get rehomed and you'll be giving a dog another chance as well as getting a family pet. We got ours from Dogs Trust and the staff there were fantastic and really helped us find a dog that would fit in with our situation and he's a great dog with no behavioural problems at all. He also has a big bark even though he's a spaniel cross.

unholyangel

Fluffpuff wrote: »

A dog with a deep bark would deter, not so sure about smaller breeds my sisters westie barks at everyone but youonly have to pick him up and he goes completely still and quiet lol.

Its usually the actual bark thats the deterrent as thieves dont like any attention being drawn to what they do. But it does involve teaching the dog to bark/not telling them off for barking. I let mine get a few barks in then say "enough" and it goes quiet again

Do a lot of research before deciding. Think about grooming, feeding, bathing etc. How much walking are you realistically going to give the dog? If you're not big on walking, dont get a dog that requires a lot of walking else you'll just end up with a destructive dog thats bouncing off the walls through boredom.

alfiesmum

A dog that is encouraged to be protective when your husband is not there, probably won't switch it off when hubbie comes home. Be careful what you wish for sort of thing. If you just need a dog to look like a deterant then you don't need any advice really, as you'll know what they all look like already.
I don't think anyone was meaning to be patronising when they mentioned the hard work involved. Perhaps they read about you being on your own a lot raising two small children, and thought it worth mentioning that's all.
Briards and Bernese are both huge dogs, and make a lot of noise when strangers approach. Also generally good with children.
It depends how good the children are with dogs usually though, not the other way round.

Dunroamin

Fluffpuff wrote: »

It goes without saying that the dog would be a loved member of the family and isn't solely for the purpose of being a guard dog hence why I put FAMILY DOG in the title.

Lots of people have larger breed dogs not only as a family pet but to feel a bit more secure. Doesn't mean the dog isn't loved nor does it mean the owners have mental health problems! I don't need counselling thanks. I doubt counselling is going to protect me and my children from an intruder in the middle of the night. What am I going to do talk him to death with counselling techniques?

The dog would be as a deterrent not be trained to be aggressive.

Go and jump on the bandwagon on someone else thread please.

Have you had many intruders in the middle of the night? I have to agree that, if this is a risk, a good burglar alarm system would make more sense.

Fluffpuff

codemonkey wrote: »

Fluffpuff might be stating the obvious but why not pop down to your local rescue centres. A lot of the bigger breeds get rehomed and you'll be giving a dog another chance as well as getting a family pet. We got ours from Dogs Trust and the staff there were fantastic and really helped us find a dog that would fit in with our situation and he's a great dog with no behavioural problems at all. He also has a big bark even though he's a spaniel cross.

The only thing with rescue dogs is that its hard to tell what their temperament is like especially with young children. They could be the loveliest friendliest dogs and suddenly turn and snap if they get too stressed so for that reason I would rather get a puppy to bring up with the children x

Fluffpuff

unholyangel wrote: »

Its usually the actual bark thats the deterrent as thieves dont like any attention being drawn to what they do. But it does involve teaching the dog to bark/not telling them off for barking. I let mine get a few barks in then say "enough" and it goes quiet again

Do a lot of research before deciding. Think about grooming, feeding, bathing etc. How much walking are you realistically going to give the dog? If you're not big on walking, dont get a dog that requires a lot of walking else you'll just end up with a destructive dog thats bouncing off the walls through boredom.

Walking isn't a problem as I go for a run most nights and would take the dog with me, we're also at the park some nights and most weekends, and the dog would be coming on beach holidays with us throughout the year so would get lots of exercise x

unholyangel

Fluffpuff wrote: »

My post was written quickly asking for peoples opinions and suggestions on different dog breeds not on my capability of looking after a dog.

This is what winds me up coming on here. You write a post asking for advice and people start making assumptions and patronising you with their posts. Its all going off topic!

If you haven't got any suggestions and advice from your own experience with larger breeds then don't post.

I dont think anyones trying to question your capability. Just sadly its not unusual for people to get a dog because they like how they look, with no regard for the characteristics of that breed or the needs of the dog itself.

Indeed, its why a lot of dogs end up in rescue homes.

Obviously you know that you have experience with dogs, but we didnt know that until you told us. Perhaps you should keep that in mind before blasting members for making sure you were aware of the commitments?

While perhaps it rubbed you the wrong way, it was likely done with good intentions of not seeing another dog end up in a rescue home. As a dog lover, i'm sure you can appreciate those intentions.