Best all around guard dog and family friend?

ADT and a pistol. No lawsuit if they get loose and bite your neighbor's 3 year old. Cause they won't.

I have a pure bred Belgian Malinois.

Not too big, not small, good with kids.

Quicker, hit harder, more agile, less hip problems than German Shepherds.

Down side, they want to work, HIGH drive, not the type of dog to sit down in front of the fire place, etc.

I love my Mal, but you need to know what you are getting into before you get this breed.

Fuck ADT, a dog is much better deterrent than any alarm system in the world.

In regards to pistol, GLOCK is my preference, but do NOT stop there. :)

Yeah, go pure bred/AKC, and look at the parents accomplishments.

Look into doing a raw food diet. My Mal eats two raw chicken leg quarters a day, plus a mixture of raw veggies.

This site should help you a lot:

[link to leerburg.com]

Shalom,
Eliyah

I have three dogs, a Basset, a Cocker Spaniel and a Chihuahua.

The best guard dog of them all is the Chihauhua. Maybe because they are small, and have a "small dogs" complex.

That dog can hear noise from anywhere in the house at night and is really good at alerting us!

I don't know much about any particular breed, but from what I've observed, since dogs are pack animals, when TSHTF, they expect you (as pack leader) to protect them :) My dog is great at barking at strangers (and letter carriers), but if push comes to shove, he's right behind the rest of the family. I'd go for a dog that's good with the family and not worry about guarding abilities.

If you go with a german shepherd make sure it is female, has only had one previous owner, and the previous owner had it for at least a year, and have it kenneled from the owner at least two months before you introduce the pet to yourself and family.

You will never find a more loyal protective friend ever. Also, make sure anyone who comes into contact with you and your family when the pet is around never ever even fakes a threat towards you or your family. It wont end well.

Second inline would be a female doberman taken as early as two months.


But if you can find yourself with something other than a dog. I would suggest a miniature bull. Those things are awesome.

German shepherd but be prepared they are outside dogs. they arent apartment dwellers.

Chow

Rottweiler/Labrador mix. Best (and smartest) damned animal I ever called a friend.

Mutts make the best dogs, Pure breeds have too many health problems. Go to your local shelte and give one a home!

True story, but feel free to disbelieve it. I grew up in the hood and my uncle was a pretty well known gangster. He had some really bad ass dogs...rotties, pits, german shepherds, sable mastiffs...he usually had at least 4 at a time and had them all trained to be real mean. I remember his female rottie Sheila, no one could pet that dog but him and his son. That's it. She was that mean. He had to put her up when folks came over. Anyway, some goons broke into his spot and his dogs failed him because whomever came for him, knew their shit. They choked Sheila to sleep ( a 200 lb rottweiler) and cut the bellies and throats of the other dogs and my uncle never heard a peep. He woke up robbed blind with four dead dogs all over a bloody yard. He got out the game some time later but he still has no idea who robbed him and cleaned him out without a trace.

Mutts are totally the best....Border collie mix. Lab mix, hound mix. Pure breeds SUCK!

[link to video.godlikeproductions.com]

german shepard or doberman pinscher

You definitely want to talk to different breeders, make sure you do your homework.

Them some pretty ass dogs, but I bet them shits mean as hell. I don't need anything that can't tolerate people coming over. We have company a lot.

This is not true, we have both a German Shepherd and an Irish Wolfhound in a small apartment sized house and they are both just fine. Just make sure the dog gets excercise and it's fine.

A properly bred, properly raised (socialized) German Shepherd is not supposed to be "mean" unless there's something wrong. They can be aloof, but that's different from attacking someone. The problem is that there are a lot of German Shepherds that are bred TO be mean, you need to do your homework and look for one that is bred right.

I've got three dogs. Yap quality is more intimidating than one dog. Golden Retriever, Border Collie and a Shepherd Mix. I feel safer with them than ADT as well.

My dog is NOT trained to be mean. My dog is social with people and other dogs. My dog is being trained to attack on command, let go when told to let go, and protect our home and family.

Dogs that trained to be mean as you put it, are the ones that end up attacking children when they get out.

Again, I would rather have a WELL trained dog, than rely on ADT, or 911.

On the other hand my GLOCK never leaves my side, even when I am at home.

I agree completely! Yorkies are pretty good, too. Have a Mossburg to give them backup!

[link to www.youtube.com]

Yes, sound and good advice.

Sadly most gang bangers and trailer trash make their dogs mean using various inhumane means, and then wonder why they attacked the kid down the street, etc...

Well, that's why you can't go buy one from a gang banger or trailer trash, lol. It's also why those dogs are more, because they're not just thrown together. A well bred dog costs $$ but it's worth it.

I do NOT want to make it sound like Belgian Malinois can not be calm or sit in front of a fireplace, etc. They are HIGH drive dogs, and need to play/work/exercise more than your typical breed.

I also suggest crate training your dog as well.

Yes, my Belgian Malinois is AKC with good working parents. Only problem was his mom was a bitch!

Sorry, I had to.

Come on now. Pure breeds suck???

I love mutts as well, but my pure bred Mal is awesome and by no means sucks.

female golden retriever. Very sweet and gentle with children, but very territorial and protective of the yard against strangers.