We are considering Doberman Pinscher, German Shepard, or a Rottweiler breed. We are open to opinions on other breeds. Anyone care to opine or give advice as to breed? Whether we should pay extra and get a dog already trained in obedience and guard dog training? Etc. Also opinions and advice welcomed.
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Get an alarm, dogs are pets.
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- I have heard from friends who have them that Rottweiler's are the best to get for guard dogs. They are very loyal and docile to the owners and good with children. And since you do have children, I would definitely get the dogs trained. Better safe then sorry.
- Boxers.... Boxers make excellent family guard dogs because they are known for their awesome temperment with kids. They are also very loyal and very protective of their home. I have one, and my kids annoy the heck out of her, and she never turns on them... the breed is known for acting intimidating, and they sure look intimitaing, but are hardly aggressive.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/boxer.htm - You will have to feed several dogs. The best way is to get alarm, video cameras, and maybe learn some martial arts and gun skills.
- German Shepard, or Rottweiler. Some can be very loving and caring while others can be mean and vicious. Depending on the fact that you have children in the house you better make sure that dog isn't vicious. In my opinion any dog can be a good guard dog as long as they can bark loud enough. But I really don't think a bad guy will be THAT afraid of a golden retriever even though they are really good and loud dogs. If you are looking for "scary" dog...Rottweiler for sure.
- Unfort. a guard dog might not help your situation. In our neighborhood we have had numerous breakins and almost all of those breakins occured with owners having dogs (These houses are located on 1-2 acres). If someone really wants to break into your house they will find a way dog or not. Some people even poison/kill the dog just to break in without a problem. I would advise you to get an alarm system, administer locks on gates at nights, and make sure you always keep lights on or sound on in/out the house when your gone or lights on outside when your at home at night. Good luck!
- Golden Retreivers can also be VERY protective of their families. You have to balance between a good guard dog and a good dog for your kids.
I had a neighbor that had a break in and attempt at rape and she bought a Trained German Shepard from a place that specifically trained dogs for such things. "Lady" was AMAZING. She knew all the kids in the neighborhood and was gently and great with them but if a stranger walked into their garage or home without an escort...there was trouble and fast!
It is also always good to put up a beware of dog sign even if you don't have one. Most robbers will see the sign and move on to the next house.
Hope this helps...stay safe. - Well to be perfectly honest with you I believe that German Shepard's are some of the best dogs around. I have one that would give it's life for my family. She is very protective of the entire family. She didn't need any special training or anything...It just came natural to her. You could easily train it yourself. If you show a dog enough love protecting it's family is first priority to it. Out of all the dogs I've ever had, by far German Shepard's are the smartest and most loyal dog. I will never own another breed again, other then the ones I already have. By the way...I have two children also...Age 7 and 5 and she is great with them....
- Would you consider these guard dogs as pets, too? Or just there to do a job?
You should research dogs that are good with kids AND very protective, too. Australian shepherds and huskies are very good pets, and very protective and scary to a potential predator. I think, based on what I would imagine the size of your property is, and the amount of trees there are out there, that 3 dogs total would probably be the best way to go, for coverage.
I wouldn't think that obedience or guard dog training would be necessary out there. I think that if you treat your dog like part of the family, give them love, etc., and don't subject them to a lot of other outside people, they will naturally protect you, and let off scary barks at strangers.
I DO think that the dogs are a good idea, not only for your property, but for the kids, too: I think also you should check into home alarm systems as well, for the home invasion part. If someone has been watching your house for awhile (as they tend to do), they'll know you have dogs, and worst-case scenario, they could easily just shoot them to get in. This is another reason why I would reccommend allowing the dogs in the house sometimes, like on particularly cold nights, or just randomly throughout the week. You never know who's watching. - Don't get any of these breeds with the intent of using for protection unless you plan on going through full-blown schutzhund training with them so they have strong obedience training and follow your commands unfailingly. Anything less and you have a dog that could injure or kill one of your child's friends, the UPS man or even one of your kids. Training for protection is serious businesses and shouldn't be taken lightly. If you want one of these breeds and keep it as a pet and obedience train it as a pet and don't expect to protect fine. In fact, any dog that barks at strangers will do fine. But don't do the protection dog thing halfway or assume the dog will just "know" what to do.
- you don't need big dogs. It is OK if that is what you want, but burglars, etc. stay away from the house where there are loud barking dogs.
I have 1 noisy 9 pound terri-poo
and 1 noisy 10 pound poodle. No one gets near the house without the dogs giving me warning. they do live inside, though.
But you may be thinking about outside dogs.
the outside dogs will probably chase and bark about everything bigger than a chipmunk - maybe more information than you want, several times a day.
If you decide you want large dogs, it would be important that they are already obedience trained. - First, only get a dog if you really WANT a dog. It should be, first and foremost, a pet. A dog has to be bonded to you to want to protect you.
Second, the breed doesn't really matter -- any dog, especially a large one, is a big deterrent to criminals. Any of the breeds you mention would be fine dogs to protect your home.
Dobies are more one-person dogs ... Rotts and German shepherds are more whole-family dogs. That's not to say that Dobies are bad family dogs at all, but they do seem to bond more strongly with one person in particular, in my experience. (In fact, when I was a baby, my parents had to give away our Dobie because she wouldn't let anyone but them come near me!)
A couple of notes: Check with your homeowners insurance before you get a large dog, especially if you plan on training him/her in some sort of protection work. Many insurance companies will not insure you if you have certain breeds (the ones you mention are often included), and protection training makes it even harder to get insurance.
In addition, make sure that you go with a VERY reputable breeder or rescue group and top-notch trainer if you decide you want this kind of dog.
You can find a lot of info about German shepherds and protection work here: http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum/ubb… (great forum with lots of very knowledgeable people). - You got security / video, and you got guns.. And a guard dog is going to do what for you?
Since Dobermans are very people oriented, and want to be part of the family, included in everything.. You should go with one of the other two breeds you listed. - Personally... I would consider an "alarm" or watchdog as opposed to a "guard" dog. Without proper training a guarddog can be hazardous... without proper handling (I'm assuming you're not a dog handler) they are definately dangerous.
As far as an alarm-type watchdog I adore my Bernese Mtn Dogs. They're great with the family and children, a bit territorial as they were once farm dogs, are not difficult to train and most will bark at strangers approaching the house. I allow mine to bark at new people (ONLY IN MY HOUSE, never in public) and then simply tell them "Enough" when its time to be quiet. Their bark sounds like the gates of hell have opened and Cerberus is on his way.
They are big enough to be intimidating but sweet and easy to live with. (They do, of course, shed and have a very happy tail).
None of the 3 breeds you mention are breeds I would ever consider for a novice owner. - All of the breeds you mentioned can be worthwhile adversaries to any would be burglar, however, they are crazy money and very hard to find a really good one that can balance everything you need.
2 acres is a lot of property for one dog to cover alone as well.
Do some research into the Fila breed. They have been bred specifically for that job and the right specimen can be A LOT of dog for anyone to deal with should they decide to break in.
Best of all, a correctly bred Fila needs no training in protection, just raising and teaching it manners.
Whatever breed yo decide to go with, stay away from any sport type of dog training like Sch, IPO, etc. These dogs are trained in a sport type of atmosphere and are NOT dependable for real life situations.
Good luck!!
ADD: Protection trained dogs are NOT pets and should not be treated as such. A dog can be good with the family and still protect the house and it's family, because it is TRAINED to do so, NOT because they are its pack!!
Protection dogs can and do live outside if that is what you choose to have. - It doesn't matter what breed you get...you can get a teddy bear of a Rottweiler, or a little Hitler of a Chihuahua. So, if you get a dog, the appearance would be more of a "deterrent" than a "guard"...like a blinking red light on the dashboard of your car, but no actual alarm.
Also, dogs are pack animals. If left in the yard by himself, on top of that being super cruel, he won't feel like he's part of your pack and therefore won't feel the need to "guard" you. There's also not much he could do to an intruder if in a kennel or tied-up outside.
Not to mention, if they ever do bite someone, you're in for a world of trouble and pain. A dog trained to attack intruders will not differentiate between your kids' new friend coming to visit or a burglar.
I wouldn't recommend getting a dog to guard you...beef-up on security...it's more reliable and less maintenance/responsibility. A dog is a living, feeling individual with it's own personality and physical and emotional needs.
Get a dog if you want a new family member...get a security system if you want a security system.
If you do want a family pet that is also a theft-deterrent, any large breed will do...even a big black lab would be great. Criminals are typically more frightened of large black dogs, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Dobermans.
Get a rescued dog...you have an instantly large dog (a puppy will be at least a year before it can look intimidating instead of a goofy little puppy), can test his/her personality around the kids, and don't have to go through all the puppy stuff. You can get ones that are already trained...though knowing commands and respecting you enough to follow them are two different things, so you may have to do some work with the dog no matter where you get him. (see link below)
You and your children should practice pack leadership. I think the NILIF method is the easiest, safest, and most humane and sensible way to do it, but everyone must be consistent with it. It's important that your kids are also pack leaders for their safety with a big, muscular dog. (see last link below) Large, muscular dogs bred for protection can be difficult to control, and are not for the novice owner. It's imperative that you are consistent in training and leadership.
Either way, you can't have an "attack dog" that's also really good and safe with your children (and their friends). So having a large family pet is a good deterrent, and may or may not also guard you, but a "guard dog" isn't really a good idea. - Are you trained to handle a guard dog? What education do you have that would qualify you to control one especially around your family? Guard dogs are not for the average person and should only be used by those who are specially trained. Unless you are a professional dog handler I would advise against this.
- I owned a Gr Shepard and they are great. Very loyal
- Honestly, if you are getting a dog for protection purposes, I would go with a "scary looking" dog. No burglar in his right mind will climb into a house with a Rottweiler, GSD or Dobe in it, even if the dog is really a total sweetheart.
The reason I'm saying this is that training your dog for protection is VERY expensive and definitely should not be done at home. It's very serious business. You sound far more intelligent than the average 13 year-old who posts here asking "how can I train my dog to bite strangers?" so I will assume you know what I'm saying. That kind of mindset is just asking for a lawsuit to happen - or worse - for an injured child.
That's why I'm saying, unless you're willing to do the work and go the distance to train your dog in protection (and it will be a lot of work, and a long distance) it might be better for you to simply disregard training him in protection and leave him as a deterrent to thieves. All three breeds make VERY loyal dogs and, if allowed to bond properly with their family, will most likely serve as a good "alarm" if not a dog that will bite or kill, which I'm not sure is something you want anyway...dogs get put down for that kind of thing, believe it or not, when the criminals get the right lawyers.
If you have burglars in your neighbourhood that will sneak into a house that they know has video surveillance and a Rottweiler, and try to stare down a barking Rottie, then I really have to take my hat off to them. - I hope you have tons of money because most homeowners insurance carriers will drop you like a hot potato if they even THINK you have a guard/watch dog. And once dropped, you'll have a devil of a time finding a new carrier - even after you get rid of the dog.
Consider talking to your local military police and/or law enforcement agencies about the use of guard dogs. Chances are they'll discourage you. Follow their advice.
Thing is, guard dogs are not machines - you cannot turn them on or off and they're NOT at your convenience. Guard dogs need to be specially trained - which is expensive and requires special handling on your part. There may even be ordinances etc. that won't allow such animals in your community.
And since you have young children - they would not be safe around the dogs.
Since you already have an alarm system and own firearms (around children? FOOL!!) I wouldn't recommend a guard dog at all.
Think about this - if a bad-guy truly wants to break into your house, he'll find a way to circumnavigate a guard dog. All it takes is a little strychnine in an irresistible treat to silence the dog. A bullet is noisy but just as effective. - I've met one person who had a professionally trained German Shepherd protection dog out of Czech lines. I'd been skeptical about such "pre-trained protection dogs"....but this Shepherd was one of the most even-tempered, intelligent, responsive, balanced and confident dogs I've ever seen in my life. He was the companion to a solo female truck driver. He was entirely focused on his owner's commands, calm, accepting of strangers, and played with my "Mr. Macho" Basenji, assuming a passive attitude when my dog tried to pretend he was big stuff. But his bearing and demeanor left in no doubt that he could respond appropriately to a threatening situation. A truly well-bred dog, with the proper kind of training, can be a trustworthy family dog in addition to being a trained guardian.
The well-known radio and TV political talk personality, Glenn Beck, has a family with children and a professionally trained guard dog, a German Shepherd named Victor. He speaks often of his dog being a trusted member of the family.
These kinds of dogs are not cheap, and nor should they be something purchased quickly or on a whim. Do LOTS of research if you choose to purchase a pre-trained protection dog. Not all training methods and breeding programs are alike. The safety of your family and the general public depends on you selecting a well-balanced, stable dog for your household. Also, keep in mind that purchasing such a dog does (and SHOULD) involve training for YOU, because you will have to develop a working relationship with your dog, understand how to communicate with him and command him, etc.
However, if you already have alarms, firearms, surveillance and perimeter security, I don't know how much of a difference a 2,000 dollar "personal protection dog" would make, over a normal family dog with "alarm/watchdog" tendencies. Most any breed will sound an alarm and let the family know if someone is messing around outside. Most larger breeds will defend if necessary, without any special training.
With the 3 breeds you mentioned- I would definitely advise LOTS AND LOTS of research. All 3 breeds have their fair share of ignorant breeders who have no clue about the proper temperament or health of the breed. Contact the breed club for whatever breed you're interested in, and find a responsible breeder.
You may also want to contact your homeowner's insurance company- with many companies, owning one of these breeds will either increase your rates, or cause the company to drop you altogether. My parents had problems with State Farm accepting our Doberman when I was a kid.
You may also want to research the Standard Poodle. There are a lot of pre-concieved notions about the breed....but in reality they are a tall, athletic, large dog with a good protective instinct and a deep, throaty bark. Most pet owners keep them in a simple pet clip, without the goofy pom-poms. They also come in dark brown and black- a large, dark-colored dog is more intimidating to an intruder. They make a good overall family dog, with fewer of the "issues" that plague your "guard dog" type breeds.
Just keep in mind, that no guard dog is poison proof or bulletproof. I know you made clear that you plan on having this dog as a family dog and not a "first line of defense".....but with all the other protection you have for your household, it might be better to save your money and just get a regular family dog, or 2....if someone REALLY wants to break in to your house, the dog will be the easiest "problem" for a criminal to dispose of. Should that unfortunate situation arise, it'd be an awful waste of a couple of 2,000 dollar German Shepherd defense dogs....meanwhile, a couple of no-special-training Poodles in the living room may not even be thought of as a 'threat' by a criminal...."aw, they're just Poodles, haha".....until the criminal has a Poodle chewing his arm off. - If you get a decent quality of either of these dogs it will be fine but if you get some back yard or puppy mill bred of any breed, you will likely regret it. I personally like Dobermans primarily because they are short coated, don't have the undercoat that GSDs and Rotties do so you don't have to deal with all that fluff in the house, and that is where any dog should be, particularly if you are wanting one to be barking at and detering possible undesired entrants. No one breaks into you back yard so it is imparative that the dog be not only a house dog but essentially a big part of the family. It will need to be well socialized and confident with any and all situations and be capable of discerning 'right' from 'wrong' in situations so that it can warn you when something is 'wrong'. You might try breed rescue as getting a puppy would sort of be foolish as they will need to be mature, usually two years of age or older, before they could actually be assessed properly as well as before they could do much in the way of being protective. Also, breed rescues have people that can properly evaluate dogs and homes for suitability and with children to consider, that is important. Find out also where local obedience trainers/classes are since you will need to take the dog to these and learn to properly interact and train the dog as well as bond with it. Be prepared to take your time in your search as finding a good, responsible breeder with a suitable dog or a suitable dog in rescue will not be anything for the impulsive... Good luck...
oh and Dobermans are not at all 'one person dogs' -- at least in the last fifty odd years I have owned and trained many of them that are stable and balanced I haven't run into any that are... that is silly myth. They, like many of the protection bred breeds, bond strongly with their people, not just one person and if you don't want anyone stealing your petunias, then leave the dog outside -- if you want a dog that will deter ENTRY into your home, get and train a balanced companion. 'protection trained' dogs are no more or less a scenario based training sport than anything else... I have had my life saved by dogs that would have never made it through some trumped up protection scenario but have gone the distance to protect me... You can't 'test' that - it either happens or it doesn't but in any case, dogs can be shot just as easily as you can so to consider them as anything but a potential deterent is not wise.
add; Jordie is right about the shooting thing but wrong about House of Hoytt - they are simply a commercially motived puppy mill - that is all - just like Kimberhell and Amaris and a lot of those kinds... if you are going to get a decent dog find a good, responsible breeder that doesn't crank them out like Happy Meals! - Well bred and well socialized Rottweilers are absolutely the best guardians in my opinion.
I have no fear knowing there is a Rottweiler in my house.
I have a Doberman. She is wonderful. Mot a guard dog.
I love German Shepards but they can be high strung.
Just know that Rotts need good training and guidance as youngsters and can be destructive up to age 2. - I dont know what the laws are where you live, but in texas it is FAR less hassle to shoot someone coming onto your property than to have your dog attack them... An intruder can sue you if your dog bites them and they WILL win. Nowadays guard dogs are pretty much obsolete. As far as I've been told (by a lawyer that is involved ...read, his wife is the director... in doberman rescue) that criminals are deterred less and less by dogs now. They just carry guns and shoot them... it's that simple. We had a girl come to us in July who wanted another doberman because her trained protection dog was shot and killed in a home invasion. We didn't adopt to her because that's not why we rescue these dogs and they dont need those kind of homes but I would be worried about the dogs safety as they wont be much protection. A security alarm is the best way to go... besides your own guns. Personally I would rather just shoot someone that broke in rather than let my dogs go after them. Like my parents CHL instructor told them. Shoot once and to kill. Then there's only one story and make sure you say I was in fear of my life.... your likely to get less flack than if your dog maims someone.
JMHO...
but if your set on it. Check out Hoytt dobermans, they're pretrained quality dogs.
I dont know if you have heard about the GSD that is on schedual to be put down for protecting his owner... I'll let you read the story and see how ridiculous it is... The gardener is going to get cash... Guarantee it! If it was a burglar, he would get cash...
http://www.itchmo.com/family-fights-for-… - Belgian Malinois/German Shepard both very loyal, smart and athletic dogs- good combo (downside:some argue that there is not enough power behind their athletic frames, longer hair-less favorable).
Cane Corso, also a good guard dog, loyal to their family, a lot of power behind their bite- also consider an American Bulldog. Both really great dogs.
Whichever breed you choose to go with, Good Luck!! and if you haven't already, do some research on owning/handling a guard dog. - Looks like you touched on an interesting subject and there's a ton of good information. You should also look up information about pit bulls. They sometimes have a bad name, but you get them from a reputable breeder. They are so loving and awesome with even very young children. They love big yards to run around in, and they train very easily. In fact, they love to be trained, and will defend their family and yard by natural instinct.
The only thing is, they require a lot of attention and have a lot of energy, like all big dogs. They need adequate play time and training. Any dog you decide on, remember, they are going to be very hyper and energetic, especially in the first few years. It would be nice if you could rescue a puppy already in need. That's what we did and he's a great guard dog, no worries from me. - Well, german shepards are good police dogs.
Rottweilers are fierce.
Don't know much about Doberman Pinscher..
Just be careful that your kids wouldn't go near the dogs, because they could be bitten.
You should get a trained dog, it wouldn't cost that much..
And if you can, yes alarms would be good.
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