Since you seem to be inexperienced with larger dogs, I'd go with a great dane. They're huge and intimidating-looking, but have fairly mild and friendly temperaments. They're known to be relatively low-energy and can do just fine in apartments and smaller homes. Their bark is also comparable to the T-Rex on Jurassic Park. Seriously. It will shake your house. I don't think anyone would break into your house with something that size roaring and growling at them, whether they'll actually bite a prowler or not.
need some info please
- Thread starter KelliM
- Start date
I agree with Gempress, a Great Dane. Big, goofy-looking dogs to me but I agree with the T-Rex roaring.
I was in petsmart one day and this man walked in with a GORGEOUS Great Dane and he looked straight at me and barked that dog scared the **** out of me. I couldnt run to a bathroom fast enough to pee before I did it on their floor.
Zoom, Jet and Luca are the same way. But Luca is our "alarm system" and Jet is our "muscles". Jet might be slow, a little over weight, and cute looking but she'll take anyone who threathens my dad or I. I don't know if Luca would take anyone down cause she's never met a stranger before. haha
I was in petsmart one day and this man walked in with a GORGEOUS Great Dane and he looked straight at me and barked that dog scared the **** out of me. I couldnt run to a bathroom fast enough to pee before I did it on their floor.
Zoom, Jet and Luca are the same way. But Luca is our "alarm system" and Jet is our "muscles". Jet might be slow, a little over weight, and cute looking but she'll take anyone who threathens my dad or I. I don't know if Luca would take anyone down cause she's never met a stranger before. haha
thanks guys I will look into a dane - I wonder why you think I"m inexpereinced with large dogs? Just because I've never owned one doesn't mean i haven't had lots of expereince taking care of lots of them and I've worked in several shelters around very agressive dogs. I think my future life style could handle a big dog of any kind I'm just trying to find the best one.
This is an interesting thread - I'm learning so much about all these big gorgeous dog breeds I've never heard of! cool!
As to your inquiry - perhaps a boxer? My parents had one and he scared people, but was a very goofy, gentle dog. And the same goes for my big chocolate lab. He's a great alarm system here! Even some of my neighbors have said they know when someone or something is around that doesn't belong, cuz Elliot's barking. On the other hand, my non-dog-enjoying neighbor says she's afraid of him. I will say that if a couple people did want to burglarize our home, as long as one person has a ball and keeps throwing it, the other guy could totally offload everything we own! LOL!
Good luck with your choice!
As to your inquiry - perhaps a boxer? My parents had one and he scared people, but was a very goofy, gentle dog. And the same goes for my big chocolate lab. He's a great alarm system here! Even some of my neighbors have said they know when someone or something is around that doesn't belong, cuz Elliot's barking. On the other hand, my non-dog-enjoying neighbor says she's afraid of him. I will say that if a couple people did want to burglarize our home, as long as one person has a ball and keeps throwing it, the other guy could totally offload everything we own! LOL!
Good luck with your choice!
I have a standard poodle. About the most non-scary looking dog. However, he is black and huge. He also has the big, deep throaty bark that sounds like he wants to tear you up when he sees/hears something strange. He hates bicycles, and has scared quite a few cyclists going by our yard while we have him out on his leash just by growling and letting out a few deep warning barks. He is a pretty great watchdog, but is the biggest baby you will ever see. I think that a big dog's presence is enough to deter MANY would be criminals.
I thought that because you said:
So all I knew is that you've never owned a large dog before.
I didn't know about your shelter work or anything because you didn't mention it. Sorry!
So all I knew is that you've never owned a large dog before.
I didn't know about your shelter work or anything because you didn't mention it. Sorry!
I think this is a great statement! A dog that will actually engage an armed, aggressive intruder is probably not something most people want or need. Look for one that looks scary but is basically calm and easy to control. I also agree with getting one with upright ears and especially a dark face. I love danes. They are great pets and very intimidating. Just make sure you get one with enough ambition to get off the couch and bark A dark brindle boxer is also a good bet, if you can find one that has a nice, calm temperament. Lots of boxers are way too hyper for my taste. Newfies and Berners are pretty cool, too. Not much aggression, but very intimidating. I love the dobies, too, but like the boxers, watch out for the hyper ones.
A dark brindle boxer is also a good bet, if you can find one that has a nice, calm temperament. Lots of boxers are way too hyper for my taste. Newfies and Berners are pretty cool, too. Not much aggression, but very intimidating. I love the dobies, too, but like the boxers, watch out for the hyper ones.