Best breed of dog for my mum for companion and guard?

[pinkmagic1]

My mum lives alone and recently has had a spate of attempted break ins. She has wanted a dog for some time and ideally would like an Irish setter like she has had in the past. I don't think however a setter would be much of a deterrent to any potential burglars and am therefore looking for breed suggestions. She prefers larger breeds but her house and garden are fairly small, however the dog would get plenty of walks. It would also more than likely be in the garden with a kennel for shelter for a portion of the day while my mum is out to act as a deterant to burglars. It must be a kind, gentle breed as will have contact with my children. Any suggestions much appreciated.

trying to get a good pet and a guard will be very difficult. A dog that could be sufficient deterrent to burglars isn't necessarily going to be a good pet, safe around people!

Equally, many dogs kept in gardens end up stolen themselves! A dog who barks is usually deterrent enough (a burglar won't know what breed is the other side of the door, and won't take chances), and most dogs will do that if there's something strange going on.

Never considered the possibility of the dog actually being stolen, very good point. I wasn't looking for an aggressive dog, more one that would act as a visual deterant. Obviously if burglars are faced with a Yorkie for instance, I don't think it would put them off!

Pink

I'm biased as I have owned them in the past, but IMHO a Staff Bull Terrier is the best dog anyone can have.

They get such a bad press as being a devil dog but providing you get one from a pup and not a rescue one, they are wonderful companions, loving, funny (they actually do have a sense of humour) and clever but can also be quite vicious looking and sound nasty when they bark. Unfortunately the only thing it would do to a burgler is probably lick him to death but hopefully the appearance and sound would be enough to put any light fingered git off.

omg, i need to get my eyes tested , i read that as "breast fed dog"

well I did love my staffy so only the best was good enough

How about an English bull terrier? The long nose ones? They are lovely but look well ard.

This thread is reminding me of the time I contacted a dog trainer to sort my mum's miniature poodle behaviour... They told me the dog will get basic training £X, they will get him to do the same without a lead for £Y and train him in "defense and attack" for £Z.... I couldn't see how they would manage it the latter, unless they were teaching him karate...

I was thinking staffie too - especially since they're not physically that big, but not a small/lapdog either.

I just happen to be reading a book which ranks dog as watch dogs (good bark but not necessarily one that willl do anything!) and guard dogs (will tackle burglars).

Top 10 watch dogs are:

rottie
gsd
scottish terrier
west highland terrier
miniature schnauzer
yorkie
cairn terrier
chihuahua
airedale
poodle

Top 10 guard dogs:

bullmastiff
dobermann
rottie
komondor
puli
giant schnauzer
gsd
rhodesian ridgeback
kuvasz
staffie

HTH

Agree Junglist, Bullys do look the business but are soft as sh*te

Oh and standard poodles are supoosed to be fantastic guard dogs but let down by the fact that no-one is deterred by them.

Wonder why not?

Bella, not surprised Staffy is way down that list. They wouldn't guard their dinners let alone the house! They just sound and look like they would happily tear your arm out of its socket

Nobody trust a creature that takes excessive amount of care with their hair... fact of life

Love staffies personally but don't think mum would be too keen. Thinking maybe German Shepherd or I know she likes boxers. Anyone had one?

Or just get a mean looking but very soft mutt from a rescue. We have one of those - people hesitate to come in, not knowing she is soft as butter

I know someone who has had a GS - loud, aggressive, and very protective of its home, but once it got to know you it was lovely and very affectionate. Bit smelly though, but it was a long haired one....

I know someone who has had a GS - loud, aggressive, and very protective of its home, but once it got to know you it was lovely and very affectionate. Bit smelly though, but it was a long haired one....

I have chihuahuas.About 15 years ago i just had a single chihuahua (Toby my first)the postman knocked and all i could hear outside before i opened the door was 'dont let the dog get me,dont let the dog get me'! I opened the door and he saw Toby and said 'is that it'! Also recently a man came to my door delivering something and couldnt see the dogs just heard them, he said 'you got yorkies'? I said 'no, with yorkies you would get in, but with the chihuahuas you wont'!

Boxers are mental. Totally adorable but very, very energetic and err... a bit dim...

Apparently Boxers really don't like being left alone... but if she's home alot, that might not be a problem.

My family have always had German Shepherds, and they are lovely dogs.

Very loyal, intelligent, will bark when required but soft as big teddy bears IME.

THe family GSD came to live with me after I'd had a number of break ins and I certainly didn't have any trouble again. He was a white GSD so I think it was more the size/bark that was a deterrent as he looked huge fluffy and cuddly!

Personally speaking I'd try your local dog shelter/RSPCA. There are often GSD cross dogs which can often be that bit smaller than a pure bread GSD but will still possess many of their lovely personality traits.

AS long as a GSD got plenty of exercise and love I don't see why it wouldn't be the perfect pet in this situation.

bred not bread

if i was living alone and had people attempting to break in nothing but a huge great dane would make me feel safe.

bloody hell! if this dog doesn't scare the buggers off i don't know what will!

Agree with noname-a GSD would fit the bill. They are wonderful companions and never leave your side (many are given the name "Shadow" for good reason!)

And of course they are excellent guard dogs.