What kind of dog should I get?

The GS is probably your best bet. An Akita would work nicely as well.

If you don't mind sacrificing actual attacking ability for something that looks and sounds like a monster research Leonbergers. They're a giant breed resembling German Shepherds.

I have to agree with the American Bulldog!! I have one now after a lot of breed searching. He is very loyal, protective and loving. My youngest kid has rode him like a horse for 2 years! Bo has never even so much as looked at the kids funny! I can take anything out of his mouth with no worries, i can even take away his food bowl when his big head is in it and he will give me no problems.
But someone he does not know, stay away! Intimadating is a good word for him, but a little mild if you ask me. I think fear is a better one. People fear him, even if they have no reason to. He loves the kids at the park but the parents grab up small children like they are his favorite snack. Bo always looks heartbroken, i just tell him they dont like him because he is big and ugly.

Not sure what exactly you need the dog to do, but consider if you get a too expensive "fancy" dog--someone might steal it.

Is this going to be a family guard dog or a business?

a dead one

Look into these white dogs from Argentina. They are huge with a very strong jaw and are extrememly intelligent. I don't know the breed name but it will serve the purpose well.

My hairdresser had three of them and they are very well trained but you wouldn't want to be on the wrong side of them.

How kind of you to take him in! I say outside becaues they need alot of space to run and play. Also, when they're puppies, they go through a chewing phase. If they're outside, this is no problem.

You're right about their noses. They are hunting dogs. It's in their genetics. They have a keen sense of smell, and can track down anything miles away.

They are possessive of their food and toys, but also of their yard. They won't stand for anyone coming in it. That's why they make great guard dogs.

Ours is highly intelligent. She has an electric fence so that she won't go into the neighborhood. She learned the boundaries after only training for one afternoon. She will not even go near the edge of it.

Best of all, she's extremely protective of our baby. When we have the baby on the swing, she stands nearby and guards her. Once I was doing some laundry, and the baby managed to open the back door. She came and got me, and brought me to her.

Last Edited by Dease on 08/15/2012 11:14 AM

I agree imagine this on the other side of a fence. FEAR is a better word lol. [link to www.dooziedog.com]

but then they are like this to family
[link to www.garsionisamericanbulldogs.yolasite.com]

[link to en.wikipedia.org]

I heard there was a cheap one in the back of a car at walmart yesterday. But there was a long line of canadians ready to take him.

Get a Queensland Heeler. Best all around dog in my opinion.


Last Edited by colddeadhands on 08/15/2012 11:29 AM

Ole English Bulldogges are straight beastblood but very loving... Best dogs ive owned

English Bull Terrier.

It'll bring you lot's of laughs and joy cause they're so clowny, but if an intruder comes lurking, they will go ape shit on them and not give up unless the intruder is either dead, flees, or they themselves are killed.

Look for the one down at the pound that needs you and will appreciate you for the rest of it's life because you rescued it and gave it another chance at life.

Yeah, you don't need a full-blood.
The German Shepherd I grew up with was rescued. She was mixed, but that didn't matter. She protected her adopted family for 15 great years.

Presa Canarian...They are from the canary islands and are boer hunters. They are rare here in the states and are an expensive breed but well worth it. Their weight range from 120-180 very muscular in which can pull up to 2500lbs. These dogs see themselves as actual human beings, very smart but like most pure breads they have their problems mainly physical like ear and stomach sensitivity. They are a dark or light brindle color, which many say they look like a tiger. I have had many breeds through the years and this one has ranked as best guard dog I have!

DAMN

Looks like a giant pit. Awesome dog

rescue a greyhound..hundreds are put down every year from the racing industry. they are super smart, playful, friendly, can be good guard dogs too..AND FAST.
only drawback, but maybe a plus if you like that kinda thing, they chase small stuff (rabbits, cats, squirrels, small dogs, even bugs) and believe me when they catch them, it belongs to them..
plus they dont need a lot of space and sleep quite a bit..

Belgian Malinois are used a lot by Police. GS you need to go to a breeder or someone who has kept the breed pure. Or a breeder who has saved the breeds guard and protection traits.

[link to www.killsometime.com]
Staffy!

We have an American stafford shire terrier chow chow mix. He's pretty intimidating and barks when he's alerted. Great guard dog.

German Shepherd. Best for beginners if you want a guard dog without actually professionally training it; naturally protective (most).

I'd go with family bred if you're a beginner with obedience/schutzhund titled parents (or close up in pedigree). Stay away from the in-hand show dogs. They are just pretty, not always functional when a job needs to be done and some have too soft of a temperament (shy/fear aggressive).

Don't buy a GSD with a severely roached back and/or severely angulated hocks (research this before you buy). Make sure both parents were OFA'd at least "good" better if they have also been cleared of DM gene.

And/or, if that's not a concern, and $$$$$ isn't a concern, by all means, go BUY a GSD already professionally trained. otherwise, going into getting a GSD blind, you could just be asking for heartache, honestly. They are smart dogs, will take advantage of beginners if from working lines. And you don't want show line for a guard dog, unless it's obedience/schutzhund titled.

You can't just go out and any ole GSD, you have to research the lines/parents/progeny and get references from clients of the breeders. You need to know the temperament. Sometimes just a big intimidating dog with a big bark is all you need; if you're a beginner to all this, I'd buy one already trained, and/or go with family bred with working lines behind it.

But if you get a good one, awesome all-around dog for both guarding and children.

the tasty kind.

When their jaws lock you're screwed.

That's a fallacy
There is no breed of dog that can lock it's jaws - some dogs have very strong jaw muscles, but there's no such thing as a breed with a locking jaw.

Get a BOXER they have every quality you're looking for. We lost ours a few years ago...

Best dog period imo.

That's sweet of you to say, but not many could have turned him away considering the weather and his desperation.

Appreciate the explanation on the "outside". I know they can be little escape artists and wondered if that's why you said it.

Thanks for the info on the electric fence. Might have to do that. I have a high chaiin link fence, but that little dog can squirm through a place you wouldn't think a decent sized rat could get through when he catches a scent he wants to follow. So, he can only go out when I'm out to watch him.

It also makes me wonder if he's catching a whiff of his "other" owners and trying to get to them. That would really bother me if it's true, but as much as he likes to follow scent, I'm telling myself it's just another odor to follow.

It sounds like you have a real nice dog with high intelligence and devotion. Thank you so very much for sharing.

You think a GSD is a good one for beginners?

The sheer size, strength, intelligence, devotion and protectiveness is good reason to make sure they respond to basic obedience. Especially no, come, down, and stay.

I vote for a Great Pyrenees mix. I have a GP/Collie mix that is about 9 months old. He's great with my kids, will patiently wait for them to get home from school, could easily jump the fence on his enclosure, but doesn't even try. GPs are not so much a herding breed, but a Large Guardian Dog breed. If one of my kids starts to head too far away from the house, he'll chase after and body-check the offending child. Not to hurt him, just to stop the forward motion. Usually knocks their feet out from under them.

If it's livestock you need to protect, GP is really the best way to go. They are popular among farmers around here. We have an 88-acre farm, and if I let him, he'd patrol the whole darn thing. They have a daily range of 1-5 miles, but doesn't mind staying in decent-sized enclosure as long as he has something to protect.

I'd go with a mixed-breed, simply because you get fewer genetic health issues and inbreeding. And you can get them for a song from the pound, while saving a life.

You're welcome. Thank you for sharing as well. I understand what you mean about when they want to follow a scent. The electric fence takes care of that. If you get one, make sure you get one for a "large" dog and not a "small" dog. Beagles are medium-sized, but are some of the strongest dogs I've ever seen. The large size collar has just a little bit more force behind the shock to compensate their body weight and strength. I felt bad, but trust me...they only have to get shocked one or two times to understand where the line is. It doesn't really hurt them....just gets their attention.