Whats the best guard dog/family dog?

meher

:rotfl: @ some of :rotfl: the responses :rotfl:

JencParker

Fluffpuff wrote: »

OMG what is your life?

As long as the puppy is fully vaccinated I can take the puppy for a walk as much as I like? Not that I have to explain myself to your single braincell but here we go... MOST nights I go running/walking/jogging whatever.....so say Monday, wednesday, friday the dog will come out with me. Tuesday and Thursday we may go to the park with the kids so the dog will again come with us. Weekends as an active family we are out and about and again the dog will come with us. If I decide not to go for a run one night or to the park then the dog will just be taken for a general walk. There you go is that good enough for you??? Seriously GET A LIFE.

How utterly charming!

If you want a family dog and a guard dog, you are on a slippery slope.

An as for the above comment - yes, you can take your puppy out for as long as you like and as often as you like. BUT, make sure you take out hefty insurance to pay the vet bills when the poor puppy develops joint problems :mad:

Caroline_a

I have had quite a few large breeds, including 3 Danes. They should be walked as little as possible for the first 18 months to enable the bones to grow correctly. I have followed this and never had an issue with hips, joints. I now have a huge German Shepherd and followed a similar regime. He's now 4 and hips seem to be fine, despite having a really long back.

I would say that you never know how a dog will react in a dangerous situation until it happens. Years ago I had a really soft border collie, welcomed in the whole world with open paws. Then husband left (my choice not his). Came back the following night because he'd forgotten something, and I'd gone to bed taking dog with me.

The dog heard him and until (halfway down the stairs) he realised who it was, he would have ripped him in pieces - snarling, hair on end, lips drawn back. I really wouldn't have believed it was the same dog.... so never assume how any dog will react.

wilykit

I have only skimmed through these pages, but have you decided on a dog yet OP?

I have an English Bull Terrier, looks-wise they are very intimidating (people often cross the street or give him a wide berth), but they are absolute clowns and love children! Mine is very tolerant and playful. He even has a Pomeranian playmate who he somehow, despite being clumsy all the time, manages to be gentle with and doesn't hurt him!

As I said, mine LOVES children and follows my nephew around everywhere.

Despite being a big softie, he showed what he is capable of when a random drunk man came to my door one night when I lived alone, he was rather scary and my dog was growling and baring his teeth - he has never done that before, but I just thought if my dog doesn't trust this man then I don't either. He took one look at my dog and left!

I am quite a firm believer that no matter what breed of dog you have, or what temperament it has - it will protect yours/it's territory and turn if need be.

My mum has a big, dopey Labrador that is so docile, but when they were walking him and their Patterdale puppy and another dog went for the puppy, the Labrador stepped in and growled/protected the puppy.