So my government class was talking about ways to prevent burglars and my teacher said that one of the best ways was to have a large dog and a small dog. Now it got me thinking - I know no dog is guaranteed to protect me, but in a year or two when I'm living by myself as a single gal I would feel much safer with a guard type dog. Please understand that even though I intend this dog to be for a specific purpose he will be loved and spoiled just as much as my other pets. So I would like some information on good guard dog breeds now I also realize that every dog is an individual, but still I want to know which breeds are more prone to what behaviors and would generally make better guard dogs. I have a 14 lb boston terrier that sounds the alarm when anyone pulls up and goes after anybody she perceives as a threat but I would like a dog that was a little more threatening and could do a little more damage if need be. I am particulary interested in dobermans and bullmastifs. not to offend anyone but pitbulls aren't an option.
need some info please
- Thread starter KelliM
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Pit Bulls aren't very good guard dogs anyways, they like all people too much 
To be honest i would never entirely depend on a dog to keep me safe, most will act all tough and then turn tail when it comes down to it, I don't really blame them. I would get a good alarm system. Do you just want a visual deterrent (looks scary) or a dog who will actually guard the house? What else do you want in a dog? Energy levels, easy to train, independent or more clingy? Are you ok with him being aggressive towards other dogs? How about with cats? We have many Dobie owners here and they seem like great dogs but I'll leave that to Doberman people. So what else is important to you, that will help us help you pick out a breed.
To be honest i would never entirely depend on a dog to keep me safe, most will act all tough and then turn tail when it comes down to it, I don't really blame them. I would get a good alarm system. Do you just want a visual deterrent (looks scary) or a dog who will actually guard the house? What else do you want in a dog? Energy levels, easy to train, independent or more clingy? Are you ok with him being aggressive towards other dogs? How about with cats? We have many Dobie owners here and they seem like great dogs but I'll leave that to Doberman people. So what else is important to you, that will help us help you pick out a breed.
Let's see
1) cats aren't an issue I do have a 14 lb boston terrier though who is very good with other dogs and not jealous at all - surprisingly also I have 3 birds and could have several more small animals in the future so I was steering clear of sight hounds
2) I would like a dog that had the potential to protect me if I was approached by a stanger - my 14 lb boston can bark all she wants but noone would give her a second glance
3) I have always wanted a large dog
4) I don't care if the dog is real accepting of strangers as very few people besides me would consistently interact with it
5) I would probably be in an apartment setting but am willing to devote as much time as it needs in excersising it - jogging, trips to the park, just running around outside, etc
I rally like bullmastiffs and dobermans so far, but am open to any ideas or if anyone has a breeders webbsights for Texas/ Lousiana feel free to let me know.
Thanks guys!
1) cats aren't an issue I do have a 14 lb boston terrier though who is very good with other dogs and not jealous at all - surprisingly also I have 3 birds and could have several more small animals in the future so I was steering clear of sight hounds
2) I would like a dog that had the potential to protect me if I was approached by a stanger - my 14 lb boston can bark all she wants but noone would give her a second glance
3) I have always wanted a large dog
4) I don't care if the dog is real accepting of strangers as very few people besides me would consistently interact with it
5) I would probably be in an apartment setting but am willing to devote as much time as it needs in excersising it - jogging, trips to the park, just running around outside, etc
I rally like bullmastiffs and dobermans so far, but am open to any ideas or if anyone has a breeders webbsights for Texas/ Lousiana feel free to let me know.
Thanks guys!
Kelli, you might want to do some serious research into the Fila Brasiliero. But be aware that they HANDLE problems. I had a prowler in my backyard a few weeks ago.
Kharma took out the back bedroom window trying to get to him
She's very typical of the breed. I have no qualms about going out and walking with her in the wee hours, but she is a complete and utter baby and a house dog. Your Fila wants to be right with you at all times.
BUT . . . . they aren't for everyone. First off, you need to be at least as intelligent as your Fila, lol. They are headstrong, they will test you and challenge you. They are quick to figure out just how much they can get by with - and take it a step further when they are young, but mature and develop a great sense of responsibility.
Your Fila will NEVER win any obedience awards . . . You are partners with your Fila - a rewarding relationship with a Fila isn't master/dog. It's a partnership, heart and soul.
Kharma took out the back bedroom window trying to get to him
She's very typical of the breed. I have no qualms about going out and walking with her in the wee hours, but she is a complete and utter baby and a house dog. Your Fila wants to be right with you at all times.
BUT . . . . they aren't for everyone. First off, you need to be at least as intelligent as your Fila, lol. They are headstrong, they will test you and challenge you. They are quick to figure out just how much they can get by with - and take it a step further when they are young, but mature and develop a great sense of responsibility.
Your Fila will NEVER win any obedience awards . . . You are partners with your Fila - a rewarding relationship with a Fila isn't master/dog. It's a partnership, heart and soul.
For years, growing up, I had what I was told was a Toy Fox Terrier (I think she was probably really a Jack Russell, but no one had ever heard of them then) and a German Shepherd. The Terrier got the Shep cranked up whenever there was a strange noise, lol. Pretty good deterrent
Now, though, my small dog is Bimmer . . . and neither he nor Kharma are big on barking. They'd rather be quieter and try to get a shot at whatever isn't supposed to be out there, lol.
Now, though, my small dog is Bimmer . . . and neither he nor Kharma are big on barking. They'd rather be quieter and try to get a shot at whatever isn't supposed to be out there, lol.
Sight hounds can successfully live with small animals. Most of them learn the difference between family and the squirrel that is always taunting them from the telephone pole. We fostered sight hounds with our 6 pound cat, three chickens, and a free range rabbit. It took a little while for them to figure out who was who, but after that there were no problems. If you started with a puppy it would be pretty easy to teach them. Strider gets along great with our guinea pig, cats and poultry, and he kills the snarliest wild rats you have ever seen.
That being said, they make terrible watch dogs. Strider has barked maybe five times in his life. I think if someone broke in he'd only be upset if they tried to steal the couch. He is huge though, and people don't bother us when I'm out with him. Most people are afraid of him until I tell them he is friendly.
That being said, they make terrible watch dogs. Strider has barked maybe five times in his life. I think if someone broke in he'd only be upset if they tried to steal the couch. He is huge though, and people don't bother us when I'm out with him. Most people are afraid of him until I tell them he is friendly.
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If you whant something REALLY REALLY meanasing looking, they defenly are not for everyone but if someone whants to steel a house that one of this breeds is guarding is crazy
Dogue de Bordeaux
http://www.dogoburdeos.com/fotos/fotos/04basco01.jpg
http://www.dogoburdeos.com/fotos/fotos/03Idem04.jpg[/
Neapolitan Mastiff
http://www.neapolitan.org/content/view/328/2/
Your main problem is going to be what breed an apartment will allow.
Are you in high school now? Or college? If only hs and you plan on college are you sure you are not going to one that requires you stay in a dorm? There are so many issues with having big dogs and apartments,even rental homes.
I always recommend if someone feels they need a dog to protect them please move. Someone who is really out to get you will get past the dog. Any dog is a general deterant(I can't spell). they do make a smaller tazer now,even comes in pink! But keep the blinds closed and no one would know its a small dog. I have heard of people putting up I love my rott sign when they don't even have a dog
If you can find an apartment that will allow large dogs(here none will-everything has to be under twenty five lbs,some even twenty)then look into a larger black mix from a shelter. that way your saving a dog with a lower chance of adoption and he will also be helping you out.
But wait till you find an apt and even then realize the rules can change and you might have to buy the next time you move. I have seen so many I can't take my dog with me-I am moving craigslist postings lately.
Are you in high school now? Or college? If only hs and you plan on college are you sure you are not going to one that requires you stay in a dorm? There are so many issues with having big dogs and apartments,even rental homes.
I always recommend if someone feels they need a dog to protect them please move. Someone who is really out to get you will get past the dog. Any dog is a general deterant(I can't spell). they do make a smaller tazer now,even comes in pink! But keep the blinds closed and no one would know its a small dog. I have heard of people putting up I love my rott sign when they don't even have a dog
If you can find an apartment that will allow large dogs(here none will-everything has to be under twenty five lbs,some even twenty)then look into a larger black mix from a shelter. that way your saving a dog with a lower chance of adoption and he will also be helping you out.
But wait till you find an apt and even then realize the rules can change and you might have to buy the next time you move. I have seen so many I can't take my dog with me-I am moving craigslist postings lately.
The large small combination is actually called an "armed guard dog". They theory behind this, and it was originally used for large areas like estates etc...
The smaller dogs were by nature MORE alert to movement and sound due to their size. Smaller dogs grow up more aware of feet coming towards them and voices etc because when you are smaller feet pose a real risk. The larger dogs...esp traditional estate dogs like Danes...tend to be a bit more phlegmatic in nature, and not be overt barkers at every little sound.
The idea for the pair is that the small dog will alert FIRST rousing the larger dog to investigate the threat.
That's what I know about the small/large combo as relates to security.
The smaller dogs were by nature MORE alert to movement and sound due to their size. Smaller dogs grow up more aware of feet coming towards them and voices etc because when you are smaller feet pose a real risk. The larger dogs...esp traditional estate dogs like Danes...tend to be a bit more phlegmatic in nature, and not be overt barkers at every little sound.
The idea for the pair is that the small dog will alert FIRST rousing the larger dog to investigate the threat.
That's what I know about the small/large combo as relates to security.
You'd be surprised at how many people get freaked out by a barking black Lab. I've had people literally run away screaming from us if we accidently startled them when walking through the halls or in the parking lot. Now, the worst she would is jump and knock you over, but the visual (and auditory) deterrant is enough. I've got an Australian Shepherd as well and between the two of them, nobody messes with me. The Aussie has a stare to him that not too many people want to test, even though he does like attention in his own fashion. I always know when new people are walking through the halls at night; the Lab heads to the door to raise the alarm and the Aussie jumps up on the bed with me, either to guard or to get a better visual/launching platform, I don't know.
Basically what that rambling meant was, any black dog or a dog that has "shepherd" markings on it and barks will do the job for you. If someone is going to continue to come into your house after that, then it probably wouldn't matter what type of dog you have.
Basically what that rambling meant was, any black dog or a dog that has "shepherd" markings on it and barks will do the job for you. If someone is going to continue to come into your house after that, then it probably wouldn't matter what type of dog you have.
Take a self defense class, most burglars , rapist etc don't want to be noticed so any dog barking is a deterent. As far as running a big black dog from a rescue would probably work. Black dogs are hard to find homes for because in general people find them scary just because of their color. Get a recording of a siren or any noise that attracts the dogs attention when playing it say sing, bark or any choice word it won't take long and your dog will bark /howl when given the command. When your out running and feel uncomfortable give him/her the command to sing. Good Luck
HBH, you beat me to the explaination of large/small dog combo! LOL
This duo has been done for YEARS very succesfully.
In Brazil, it is the Brazilian Terrier who is often the "alarm system" for the Fila Brasileiro who is the "muscle"
Brazilian Terrier (often described as a large Jack Russel in reference to their temperment)
Fila Brasileiro
The neat thing about this duo is that often the "alarm dog" keeps at bay when it is time for action and just barks from the sidelines while the "muscle dog" does its thing with the intruder, but in this case, the terrier tenacity of the Brazilian Terrier often has them right up in the intruder's face with the Fila looking for it's own place to bite.
This duo has been done for YEARS very succesfully.
In Brazil, it is the Brazilian Terrier who is often the "alarm system" for the Fila Brasileiro who is the "muscle"
Brazilian Terrier (often described as a large Jack Russel in reference to their temperment)
Fila Brasileiro
The neat thing about this duo is that often the "alarm dog" keeps at bay when it is time for action and just barks from the sidelines while the "muscle dog" does its thing with the intruder, but in this case, the terrier tenacity of the Brazilian Terrier often has them right up in the intruder's face with the Fila looking for it's own place to bite.
Let's see when I am ready to get this dog it will be when I have a steady job and I will probably have a yard or will be living in an apartment looking for a small hosue with a yard. It's actually when I live alone in a house that I would be more scared that in an apartment because you don't have people alla round you all the time.
Not to freak ya out but I'd say more crimes happen in my area...speaking of rapes/assaults/etc in APT complexes than neighborhoods.
Quite honestly..people NOTICE strange folks or cars in a neighborhood...more than they do in a complex where no one knows anyone and cars come and go at all hours.
In my neighborhood tho I don't speak overmuch to neighbors I know all of them...their vehicles and their family make up (kids?cats?dogs?retired?home all day?)
Quite honestly..people NOTICE strange folks or cars in a neighborhood...more than they do in a complex where no one knows anyone and cars come and go at all hours.
In my neighborhood tho I don't speak overmuch to neighbors I know all of them...their vehicles and their family make up (kids?cats?dogs?retired?home all day?)