What kind of dog should I get?

I would have to withdraw my earlier advice because I failed to read the "guard" dog part.....

Tibetan Mastiff.

I was of the impression that Alsatians were the same breed but coming from some region in France. More of a bloodline than a separate breed.

OMG!!! So funny! Great picture.

Dobermans are nice.

Excellent advice. Since dogs are pack animals, you DO NOT want the dog to be the pack leader. You have to be the pack leader, and as such most dogs will look to you to protect them. That's how it actually works. Also nearly any dog will alert you to intruders. My dog is great at that, (alerts me to Raccoons, squirrels, dogs walking by), but in a pinch he'd be standing behind me. I don't want a dog that thinks it's okay to attack anyone, I'll take my old cowardly guy any day.

Get an American

You'll struggle to find a dog more loyal than a Pitbull.
I'm talking about TRUE Pitbull terriers though, not the bulked-up hybrid beasts that have given the breed a bad name.
A true Pitbull should have an 'athletic' build, rather than bulky or muscle-bound - and if brought up well, and socialised into your family, will defend you to the last.

Instead of loving a dog, learn to love God. People in this world seek love from animals that beneath them. Learn to love God instead a of inferior, dirty stinking animal. Its better for you soul, you know?

PS. And did I type this because I hate dogs? Nah.

I type this because I have neighbors who have had 2 dogs in a timespan of 25 years and are practically worshipping that dirty animal as a demigod. Dog love is not only a substitution for children but also for the love of God. If you would worship God for 25 years you would become enlightened, what is the benefit of worshipping a animal that gets high on hormones like a dog is??

well police dogs are more than attack dogs
police dogs are trained to go for the prey, follow the hunt
trained to follow intuition really

guard dogs are more personally inspired in handler-dog terms
the sort of dogs that the police uses are not good dogs to keep as guard dogs unless you can exercise ample authority over them

more accidents happen with shepherd breeds than pit breeds
in any country
just when pit breeds attack, they have been pushed over their max repeatedly
shepherd breeds only need one drop when stressed
because of their energy level
its why they are useful to the police
but not to a residential owner that can not challenge them

yet when pit breeds attack
its for the better of worse
because they are MUCH stronger than shepherds

personally i would take pits over shepherds every day of the week

dogs are dogs
people are people

a responsible dog owner should know and live by that mantra

Get a modern alarm system instead. Better security and no clean up get a wireless system. You can even check your cell phone when away and check on your home.

Alsatian was a term used during the wars, but I have sometimes seen it used on message boards in reference to English lines of German Shepherds, versus German lines which some feel are the only "true" German Shepherds.

Then you are a bit oldskool, mate. With all due respect, things have changed. In the age of loneliness people do not mind perceiving their pet on the level of soul mate. It's not hate for animals, but just observe dog owners these days and you'll see what my point is. If people would be THIS loyal to God we would be living in a whole different age.

Last Edited by DaUnderground on 08/15/2012 10:09 AM

Good point. Lhasas are mean little dogs. They are what the foo dogs are based on, those lion dog Chinese statues you see now and then.

But if you really want a good guard dog, a well trained German Shepherd is what you want. Loyal, protective, strong. the military and the police use them for that very reason. And very smart.

That's becuase they're illegal in alot of places. Part of the reason I have a Bull Terrier in the first place is to prove to people how great they are. Everyone that's ever been invited in my house LOVES my dog. She's always the life of the party.

But, if you're not invited in...the scariest, gutteral noises you've ever heard come out of her big, fat head. I personally can't think of a better guard dog.

^You don't wanna fuck with that^

I lived in the GHETTO for a couple years and she likely saved my life once when some fool tried to come into my house while I was sitting in my living room. It's all about how you raise them. It has nothing to do with their nature. The only difference I've ever seen with a Pit is their level of loyalty. It's unmatched by any dog.

I know that it's unlikely that I'll change your mind, but I figured I had to try.
But, if you're leaning towards a German Shepherd, I'd go with it. Our family had one when I was a kid and she was like my best friend growing up. VERY loyal dogs.

Good luck!

But the pits meet you at the door with wagging tails saying hello to one and all. They are the most lovely dogs when not abused. We have to assume that the OP is not going to abuse a dog to make it guard his stuff. That is risky. The dog can turn on you, too.

and add mustard..

I lived in the ghetto for years with three German Shepherds. We never even had to lock our doors.

But I am now in the burbs with one 20 pound poodle mix with a big bark and a propensity to bite. He has a great big attitude for a little dog. And he does not shed. We don't need a door bell. We have to hold him back when we have deliveries, repair people or even new friends.

german shephard or dobie

labradoodle

[link to www.madaboutdoodles.com]

(a cross between a labrador an a giant poodle) .... highly intelligent and a good guard dog ...

i have a half beagle half english setter female. she's large but low to the ground. powerful and fast. not the smartest, but uber loyal. between her and i and my mountian feist, i don't think we would have a problem neutralizing a threat. i'm female btw.

I have a German Shepherd mix, a Great Pyrenee, a Peekapoo and a Mastweiler. Out of my 4, I would say the Great Pyrenee is the best guard dog. I think that will change, and the Mastweiler will be a better guard dog. He is only 5 months old though right now.

you can see in it's eyes how smart it is. beautiful dog.

Have you ever had a husky? My experience with them was not good. They are too hot in warm weather, they are almost impossible to train not to pull on a leash, and they love to run away.

I'd look in the pound or animal protective league, or check with local vets for pets that people have to get rid of due to death, moving.....

A mix, mid sized with some shepherd could be a great dog. Our best dog ever was part Shepherd and was a rescue.

I'd at least check the shelters first before investing in an expensive dog that may or may not work out.

Labradoodle's are smart, and don't shed, but they need constant grooming and hair cuts and everyone knows they wouldn't hurt anything ever. Not a great guard dog.

German Short hair pointers can be a scary dog to other than their owners.

So i've had most dogs talked about so far and by far my favorite guard dog and most loyal was the american bull dog. Great all around breed, very nurturing yet extremely intimidating and alert at the slightest of sounds. Even seen him catch acouple of mice (buried behind my sheet rock in a garage wich stood no match for him). Then again our german shepard who guarded the lot was a great dog but turned on us in his old age. He even got pepper sprayed by a police officer twice and still managed to get ahold of the guy.

Yeah, a person will think twice about coming into a house with those big motherfuckers hanging out.

And you're right, a big bark is most of what you need when it comes to a guard dog. It does feel nice to know that your dog could take an intruder's arm off though.

I currantly have an American Bulldog. He is a great dog. His breed is naturally loyal, protective, and loving. I also have a Beagle right now. He is a great sound system. If anything is wrong on the property he will let us know, even if it is just a stray cat. When my beagle barks, my bulldog comes running. I think they are the best team for home protection. The alarm and the muscle.
I have also had a Chow. They are great guard dogs. They are loyal, one person dogs. Fast and fearless is what i would call my Susie. Easy to train, and as long as you give them the respect you should give an animal, they will give you no problems.
I have also had a Pointer, Azran. He was smart, easy to train, very loving and protective. He saved me from 4 guys when i was in New Orleans. Dont underestimate a breed just because they are not in the guard dog family. If it was not for Azran i would be dead.

I saw where you dont want a dog that is not used by the police or military. That already sounds like you made up your mind already, so why ask? The police and military use all kinds of dogs. In my town our police drug dog is a Pitbull. Every dog should be taken individually. Pedigree matters, bad breedin will ruin the dog. There are a lot of bad GS breeders who breed for money not the love of the breed. They breed nervous, unsure dogs. I found way to many when i was looking for new dogs. That is why i got an AB. Few breeders, and they breed for the love of a dog that was almost gone in the late 70's. They have spent 2 decades resurecting the breed.