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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To want to buy a big dog so I can feel safe?

50 replies

Dinkytinky · 02/07/2010 23:07

DP works away overnight 2-3 nights a week and I find it so hard to relax an feel safe. We don't live in the best neighbourhood and burglaries are quite commonplace.

I get so stressed on my own and know I would feel so much happier with a big dog to keep me company and act as a visible detterent for wouldbe burgalers.

We really want a dog anyway, and both have alot of experience with them (between us we've had 8 when we were younger/lives with parents), plus I really love them.

The trouble is that it would be a stretch on our finances , for a pedigree, vet costs food etc.

Any suggestions (maybe breeds/experience etc?)

OP posts:

Original poster

Dinkytinky · 03/07/2010 01:01

I do have a burgalar alarm but tbh round here no one gives a crap and would certainly not phone the police as it would be seen as 'grassing'

OP posts:

CoinOperatedGirl · 03/07/2010 01:15

It changed my opinion of dogs forever. I was honestly terrified when this dog appeared next to me. It was a good half an hour walk with not many houses, I thought I would be mauled/eaten etc. Every time I stopped walking this dog would sit down too, a few feet in front of me. I didn't try to stroke/talk to it just kept walking.

Nobody irl believed me lol or appreciated the pure strangeness, thankyou.

Original poster

Dinkytinky · 03/07/2010 01:23

Jeeeez I bet it did! It sounds silly and I
not a spiritual person but I think dogs do have a good sort of barometer for when someone is a bad person - I mean you hear it all the time about dogs who are normally friendly becoming aggressive towards new partners who turn out to be awful etc.
Dogs are very protective normally over young people and children so he was looking out for you.
I think you were very lucky to have that rottie looking out for you, I deffo would believe you in rl!

OP posts:

CoinOperatedGirl · 03/07/2010 01:37

Aww get one dinky, I'm very jealous, I want one too but ds2 is a bit small. I would like a large dog tbh, ideally a st bernard or great dane, although MIL got a border collie when dd was small and we lived with her. She is a great dog, very protective, although not very scary for burglars.

I'm put off GS'xs after a relative had a bitch who showed aggressive and territorial behaviour towards her daughter. She didn't do anything about it mind and still has the dog, couldn't be doing with that.

Tortington · 03/07/2010 01:42

well, it has to be a pedigree does it

just cut the shit and get an alarm. an alarm doesn't shit, you wont have to give an alarm away when it scratches or growls at the kids.

owning a dog is a real active responsability. its not something to comfort you becuase you are scared.

and if you do get a dog - look to a dog charity where lots of dogs are given becuase no one wants them anymore.

a dog isn't a fucking staus symbol

BarbieLovesKen · 03/07/2010 01:43

Yeah, your right Coin. You have to be so careful with dogs and kids, as much as I adore mine and think I know them (my little mutt is 14 years old) I never, ever leave them alone with the kids. They appear to adore the kids though, when I took ds (5 months) home, st. bernard came over a couple of times and really gently smelled his foot. You just cant trust any animal with a child though.

Think its important to train them too, we wouldnt let st. bernard jump up even when she was a small pup as knew shed knock dd to the floor unintentionally when she grew up.

Dinkytinky · 03/07/2010 02:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

Dinkytinky · 03/07/2010 02:17

And sorry for the spelling and swearing everyone else x

OP posts:

seashore · 03/07/2010 02:21

BRAVO Dinkytinky

seashore · 03/07/2010 02:23

You really were lucky with that attack, what a horrible experience, good luck picking a dog, let us know how you get on.

Original poster

Dinkytinky · 03/07/2010 02:30

Thanks seashore - it's been really nice chatting with the rest of you I'll deffo let you know - dp just phoned and he's on about how he's aaaalways loved Newfoundlands haha !

OP posts:

solo · 03/07/2010 02:40

Get an ADT monitored alarm. I work with criminals and have been told by burglars that if they see an ADT alarm box on a property, they don't bother.
I set mine whenever I leave the house and when I go to bed. Wouldn't be without it.

Tortington · 03/07/2010 02:51

what a nice person you are. clearly!

Junglist · 03/07/2010 09:12

Can we have a nice dog thread for once (she says)

slushy · 03/07/2010 09:48

Just want to add I love st Bernards.

MitchyInge · 03/07/2010 11:03

All the pets we have primarily because we enjoy their company. I don't see how that compromises the responsibilities of ownership, if anything makes it less burdensome.

Nothing wrong with wanting a particular breed is there?

seashore · 03/07/2010 13:44

C you should just say sorry, should have read the thread.

winnybella · 03/07/2010 13:55

We had giant schnauzers when I was a child and they were great, although the male was much more intimidating in his behaviour and looks than the female.

My mum has now a hovowart- have a look, they are beautiful and have nice, calm personality- but still up to defending the property and the owner very well.

izzybiz · 03/07/2010 13:58

A dog definately makes me feel safer.

A few years ago I had a Saffy cross, I took her on aged 7 as she wasn't being treated very well at home and they wanted rid.

She would always make a noise if she heard anyone around the house late at night etc and I just felt safer with her around. She had to be PTS about 6 years ago and I swore I'd never do it again.

Well now we have an 8 month old pure bred Staffy, I have that safe feeling again!
Nothing to do with the breed looking tough, just comfortable in the knowledge that shes here! She is the quietest dog I have ever known, never barks, whines or anything!

TBH I'm not sure she would be any good if an intruder were to try and break in, but like I say, I just feel better knowing she's here!

FellatioNelson · 03/07/2010 14:42

Well unless you live in fear of life, literally, (in which case I would suggest you move rathet than buy a weapon dog) then what you need is a deterrent dog rather than a protection dog. It needn't be huge, or pegigree, it just has to have a big bark to warn off would be burglars, and to alert you to trouble so you can phone 999. A rescue mutt would do!

GlendaTheGrizzlyPiggy · 03/07/2010 15:16

I think as long as you're getting a dog to be a family pet and the fact it could deter burglers as a happy coincidence then that's fine.

We have a lovely GS Collie X bitch. She is wonderful company and a fantastic deterrant dog as from a distance she looks and sounds like a GS. She has the sweetest temperament and is always making me laugh.

A few months ago a random man I'd never clapped eyes on before tried our front door handle and opened the door. The dog put herself between me DS and the door and snarled/growled at this man who was standing on the front step. He turned and ran. Now I don't know if we were ever in danger and it only lasted for about 10 seconds but I felt so much safer for the dog being there. The police said it could of been an oppertunity burgler, a man on drugs or a simple misunderstanding.

pranma · 03/07/2010 17:50

How about a Retriever?They have a lovely temperament but a really deep bark-quite scary for intruders.Black ladradors can look scary but arent.

BeerTricksPotter · 04/07/2010 23:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

RudeEnglishLady · 05/07/2010 10:20

Hi - I'm a bit late to the party on this but I just wanted to say that I got a 'big'dog (good guarding breed) after a spate of local home invasions and it did make me feel a lot better. Also, you feel safer on the street and so you look more confident and less likely to be hassled by anyone. But, like a lot of people have pointed out I think its a lot to do with the other positives of pet ownership not just the booming bark and big teeth.

My big dog moved in with my little old mum when I moved abroad and she's making her feel all secure now. The only thing that I would say is that, in my experience, a lot of these very super-loyal, good guarding breeds - Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Weimaraners, Dobermanns - can be headstrong. Kind of 'Alpha dogs'!

boobellina · 05/07/2010 10:54

I can testify to the qualities of rescue dogs. Fudge is affectionately known as a dustbin dog - made behind the dustbins by heaven knows what kind of parentage!. She has more neuroses that an teenage starlet thinks that she is infact the queen and we are here to serve her but when DH is on shifts and it is just me and DD she is a cracking guard dog.

She isn't particularly bothered if people come to the door when DH is in but will go loopy if we are on our own and heaven forbid anyone male appears when DH is out and DD is in bed - no chance of me smuggling in a boyfriend!

Other people are always quite reluctant to come in, in the face of fierce barking and the sound of her throwing herself around the place only to be met by the gentlest and most affectionate mutt they have encountered.

Don't discount rescues, a good rescue centre will work with you to help you get just the right dog for you and will dissuade you from getting some dogs if they don't feel there is a match. We found that there are some breeders who are lovely and genuine animal lovers ultimately breeders are in it to make a sale.

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