Watchdog breed suggestions please

Pomerainians are supposedly good watch dogs, but they aren't likely to deter anyone, just alert you. I like the Dane idea. Most of the ones I've met have been very gentle, but they LOOK scary. What about a standard poodle? They're big, they sound big, they're pretty gentle, and the ones my mother has had have raised he!! whenever a stranger came into the driveway.

My neighbor absolutely loves loves loves her Newfie. Next time I see her, I will ask about her watch dog capabilities. But, from what I have personally seen, she will let out 2-3 alert barks when something seems amiss, but will settle quickly if the situation doesn't merit further action. She definitely has the visual intimidation factor down. But from what she says, they have a very gentle temperament overall. I would definitely look into it if I were you.

Ilyena, what about going and meeting some friendly rotties/GSD's/dobes and changing your idea on them if you can. Plus if you do end up getting one you could help convince your family their not bad.

My Father had Chessies and they were almost velcro like...not independent at all. They are the best watch/guard dogs of the Hunting breeds from what I have learned (honorable mention to GSP and Weimaraners)

To the claim that all dogs can be taught to bark when strangers knock...Sal is living proof that is a false statement . He would make a great watch dog for a deaf person...as he wiggles uncontrollably when someone comes to the door, but he never ever barks at strangers.

Mastiffs and some other giant breeds, some can be very sound sleepers and from what I have heard are not the best watch dogs late at night.

Also, I could be wrong on this one, but aren't females of most breeds better watch dogs? (more alert)

If it weren't for the low prey drive need, I would say Akita. But the Akita is both a watch dog AND a guard dog. They will bark when there is a significant threat. Yet they will also engage that threat and either drive the intruder away or eliminate the threat.

Before investigating Ridgies, I would certainly try to find a breeder that has low prey drive dogs. Most that I've been around are pretty high in drive.

I agree that most dogs will be watchful. Finding a dog with that particular mix of requirements will be tricky. I would think you'd want to search for an adult dog to meet them.

How about a big black dog, maybe a shelter rescue or somthing. It is a proven fact (though where i read it I would have to re find) that a big black dog, no matter what breed, is a "scary" looking dog. I was going to say a great dane becuase of the size, and you could get a very dark one. I think that would be a good deterent.

Amstaffer, I wonder if that theory isn't stemmed from research off of how Caucasian Ovcharkas guard livestock?? It is the females who are active in patroling and sound off the alarm when something is "odd" or a starnger/threat is approaching and they are also the first to go out and confront them. The males hang back with the sheep. If the females need help then the males will go out and back them up but the reason males hang back is because they learned that wolves had evolved their hunting instinct to send out lower ranking wolves as "bait" for the guardng dogs and then the rest of them would go in and pick off sheep. But now there were the male CO's in amongst the sheep to protect. The cool thing is both sides (COs and wolves) evolved their hunting/defense strategies on their own and with no human assistance, training, or direction! pretty **** cool!

Just a warning, you mentioned that you weren't as interested in the English Mastiff because of the drool factor, so keep in mind that Newfs are mega droolers too. Mega droolers with lots of fur! A Leonberger may be a breed worth looking into, they are a giant breed with a tight lip so low drool factor, they are amazing with people, and they are simply gorgeous! They were created in the mid 1800's by introducing Newfoundlands, Great Pyreneese, and my fav the Saint Bernard. Their size alone would keep unwanted intruders away. Here is a pic from the Great Briton breed club website

Forgot totally about Leonbergers...Great dogs. Huge and furry. Enough to scare off anyone, but great with kids and other animals.

@planet molosser, I think rhodesian ridgebacks have too much of a prey drive for me. They sound a bit too hardheaded and independent for my taste based on what I've read about them but otherwise they would be an option. I do know many of the things I ask are individual and also up to the training provided. Some breeds are a more natural watchdog than others though. I don't think it's even possible to train for example my cavalier into a watchdog.

Pugs look like they've ran into a door... not quite for me. Pomeranians are too barky, they bark at everything. There'd be no way of telling if he's barking at a stranger or a leaf falling down from a tree. If I want a tiny breed as a watchdog I'd go with a papillon but I really want something bigger.

Poodles.. no thank you. I don't want any breed that would require professional grooming. And I think poodles look a bit silly (no offense to poodle owners).

I do like the Dane suggestion, as well as the Newfie. Both breeds will be high on my list to check out further.

@mrose, it is a good idea but the main problem about those particular three breeds is not really me. I know better now than to judge a whole breed based on a few bad behaved individuals. There would have to be something in their body language telling me to be cautious for me to be afraid of them anymore and that stems down from my old fear of dogs. I used to be absolutely terrified, I couldn't go anywhere near a dog of any kind. Now I can't live without them. :lol-sign: Anyway I have never seen a friendly dobe or rott, but I know they exist. I have met some amazing GSDs and if I were to pick a breed out of these three, it would be a GSD. But I highly doubt my relatives would change their opinion so that would leave me with almost no relatives coming to visit me and they would also not take care of a GSD for me in case I have to go away somewhere like they do for my cavalier. It's just easier to try and find a breed both I and they can live with.

Xerxes, I won't rule out getting an adult but I have a feeling an adult fitting these criteria in my country would be almost impossible to find.

I've met a Leonberger before, very cool dog.

The RR Ive worked with were easily trained, required exercise during development . They are watch dogs, bigger than normal, and did not seem some DRIVy as herding breeds.

They seemed very calm- one saved a child from a kidnapper.
IN a trailer park, someone came thru the window and took the baby, the dog flipped out in the other room waking the parents.

This was about 5 am due to the dogs watch dog abilities the cops were called in less than mins after the abduction happened.

Little girl was found dumped in ditch 3 miles from home, im sure he was driving one way as the cops were coming in. He feft the pressure and dumped the kid.

They are watch dogs in Africa and work well with other dogs.

I like dogs that have that watch/guard ability they alertness the RR offers out does Newfies and Leo's.

But from a big dog point of view Danes Newfies Leos need exercise other wise they get FAT-- they if not with a play mate are not very active enough to keep them fit. THus causing HD issues early on.

Any way best of luck for the search tell us what you decide.

Am staffer as related to the many LGDS ive WORKED.
Including my working Central asian shepherds ( ovcharka)

The females have finishing prey drive, and are more vocal.

But it is the MALE on guard that sounds a lions warning, by standing up and alerting the females, who then take over and do the insane running the fence line to alert to the predator be it 2 or 4 legged.

The females will NOT rest till the threat is far far away, if they cant get to it they make allot of racket making them a serious guard dog.

The males after warning the females do NOT come up into the protecting mode until the threat is close, they turn off just as easy.

When I hear my male warn, females react I dont get out of BED unless the male barks and alerts again. BEcause a person is here if he is barking, the females could be barking if the milkman is down the road and they here ort see the truck.

Thank god I breed more males than females, female are a real bitch pardon the bluntness.

PS same applies for my sheep herd it is not the 225lb Ram Ivan that does the protecting it is the females and when back up is needed the ram comes in.
Rarely does one test a female LGD or a female ewe in full charge.

I missed a few posts before posting I see. I didn't know newfies were droolers as well, I can live with a certain degree of drooling but really excessive drooling I'd prefer to avoid if possible. I won't rule out newfies just because of it though.

Leonbergers are a good idea too. I had totally forgotten about them.

This thread is really giving me a lot to think about. I'm mainly narrowing breeds down so I can try to get a better feel for the breeds, meet some of them and maybe talk to some breeders so I can make the right choice. I probably won't make the final decision for quite some time yet but when I do I'll let you all know

Everyone who shows Newfies use a drool towell as back up.
Leos have Newfie in them, and some lines are actually very guardy bs watch dogy. Most the Leos I met were more hyper than Newfies..

Forgot to add the Volpino classified as a watch dog for Italy and a smaller medium size breed. Good with other dogs - great for small yard.

I have to disagree with you PM. Yes, most giants are less active than alot of breeds, but this does not mean that they will get fat. A proper diet and exercise will keep these breeds in excellent shape- as all breeds need. HD is a serious concern in most of the giant breeds, and weight can play a huge role in the degeneration of the joint- but they are not predisposed to being overweight breeds. Personally while I find it better to have more than one dog for my own satisafaction, it is not necessary to keep a dog fit.

Good call Saintgirl, a Leonberger is a great idea.

Saint I am not saying PROPER diet and Exercise.
I am drawing from the past 10 months of grooming peoples pets.

And many of these large breed are being kept in small yards without proper exercise and or diet.

In a perfect world all dogs get proper diet and work out..
Last I checked we dont have one.

Last Landseer I groomed god was in horrible condition being fed a 28% protein diet getting walked 3x a day and living in a small yard for that breed.

The dog was falling apart, just had the same with a Shiloh Shepherd.

They make great water rescue sport dogs , most get breeds that were created to work and then dont work them - resulting in comformational faults that bring forth genetic disorders.

My sister got a lab based on how cute the calender is, did not exercise the dog, spayed the dog, did not build up the dogs muscles with her bigger than average yard, and 2 walks per day and even paid a dog sitter walker 300 a week. Dog is now in over 10,000 worth of surgery.

And or course the parents were NOT OFA working dogs they were commercially bred aKC reg dogs.

I understand what you mean PM, I just wanted to clarify for those who are not familiar with giant breeds that they are not predisposed to obesity, that's all!

No niether was I till I met a Italian CHef
I think spaying any dog can bring it forth a big in any breed.
Danger is when big dogs with less active jobs get chubby the issues become more life threatening, more to vet care and longevity rehab is very hard to impossible.
.

My horse went down the other day and I know the longer he stayed down teh more weight on his heart.. Thank god he was just hot.