Whats the best guard dog/family dog?

lostinrates

We have a very big and scary looking dog. She's ace.

But the real 'guard' dog....the one who lets me know someone is about and the one who makes a noise like a werewolf, and the one who would defend me with her life, is our greyhound.

The more traditionally scary dog is more like a decoy for people. I have even gone so far as to warn our local police officer that I am certain the greyhound will bite and the police were great about it and made a note to be aware of her if they get called to an incident. We have had a few intruders and our local rural crime team I have sadly met, and they have all met the dogs, including her and they have all been wholly positive about her defensiveness and alertness.


bUT, I'm under little illusion. Nowadays people coming intent on a breakin to a rural property like mine come prepped the deal with dogs like mine and the dogs don't generally survive, so it'd rather have need mild little house dogs I could keep safer.

Shepherd1

I have had a guarding breed my whole adult life, German Shepherds. I was burgled as the whole family slept and that includes my two Shepherds, I have no doubt my shepherds would have protected me if they had been aware but like us they were sound asleep. Do not count on a dog to deter burglars.

zaksmum

I always have crossbreeds - for me they are the best. My female would frighten the life out of any burglar - when she barks you would just want to run for your life. She's the softest dog I've ever met, as long as no other dog touches her food.

My other dogs a whippet/lab cross and while he doesn't bark as much, he's ultra protective and wouldn't let anyone he considered dodgy into the house unless I tell him it's ok.

As others have said, I also feel much safer having the dogs around.

Williamf1989

Fluffpuff wrote: »

My partner and I have decided to get a large breed dog mainly for me to feel more secure when he is working away or not home from work but it would have to be good with children aged 5 and 7.

I have been looking at boxers as I know they are great with kids but the only thing that puts me off is that I've been told they are crazy and bounce off the walls. I love samoyeds but don't think they would be good as a guard dog, plus the hair would probably be a problem. So something low maintence hair wise would be good.

I am willing to spend alot of time training the dog too!

Can anyone suggest a good breed?

I am scared of japanese akitas, bull mastiffs and I think german shepherds are best suited to older kids due to past experiences.

However if anyone has any good advice that would be great

I recommend a rottweiler.

Many people do not know but they are excellent with children and very protective of their family, also very mean looking. But lovely.

meritaten

how about a Great Dane? Large with a good deep bark and with lovely kid friendly temperaments.

elsien

On the scary looking front, I have always had English bull terriers. Good as guard dogs in that people hereabouts know I have them and are scared of them - the big sign on the door also helps.
Terrible as guard dogs in that I am 99% sure that in the event of a threat, they'd be legging it and leaving me behind at speed - not a protective bone in their bodies, any of them. And they'd go off with anyone.
My point being that you need to decide if you want a dog that really is going to be protective, or one that keeps people away because of how it looks. The two don't necessarily go together.

RuthnJasper

love_lifer wrote: »

Staffies are gorgeous and protective. Ignore the prejudice and media rubbish, my choice every time.

Agree 100%. My Staffie Jasper actually did save my life on one unfortunate occasion.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers' old nickname was "The Nanny Dog" - they were bred as fighting dogs so that the Victorian/Edwardian impoverished people had a potential source of extra income, either from fighting prizes or rat-catching services. If a Staffie was "profitable" then he would quite often be fed before the (many) children of the family, as he was more vital to the immediate well-being of the household.

A key characteristic of the breed was/is that it could fight valiantly against those it was set against, yet docile enough with "his" humans for a dog-fight referee to separate two battling dogs with no fear of injury.

The "Nanny Dog" moniker came about because of the breed's natural tendency to protect children and women and also because, following a fight, the injured animal would - more often than not - be placed in the pram WITH the family's latest baby, to be transported safely home.

Anyway - rescue dogs (Jasper and his late predecessors were rescue dogs) are often good choices, as they can be more prone to sticking up for those who are nice to them. And one of Jasper's best friends, Eddie, was a Rottweiler and so soft that the local cats would quite happily walk past him without fear of attack.

But - if you are a good and loving owner, which I am sure you will be Fluffpuff - ANY dog that you choose will love you and happily protect you - to the point of giving his/her life to defend you and your family if, God forbid, they are ever called-upon to do so.

There are NO bad dogs in my opinion - only bad owners and the dogs traumatised by them.

Whatever breed you choose, I wish you every success and happiness (more dog-stuff is on my home-page - link on the left ;) )

Best wishes, R. xx

P.S. Dogs are also great pets for teaching children about the responsibility of looking after others' welfare and for being there with a sympathetic ear and friendly paw if they've had a rough day at school/a sibling squabble/an argument with a friend.

Better_Off_1983

Get an alarm! No one gets a dog for protection purposes anymore! If the dog attacks anyone it will be put to sleep and then what?

RuthnJasper

Better_Off_1983 wrote: »

Get an alarm! No one gets a dog for protection purposes anymore! If the dog attacks anyone it will be put to sleep and then what?

You do make a valid point - but I rather suspect the OP's husband is also looking to provide a reassuring and comforting companion for his family, as well as a scum-deterrent...

pawsies

Not a large breed but cardigan corgis are fantastic 'guard' dogs. They have the deep voice of a bigger dog without the extra costs involved.