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Original poster

guard dog for children

52 replies

lackenstrand · 13/05/2010 17:48

I have a lovely lab who is completely wet and does not guard. I also have 3 lovely children. I would like to get another dog who is as gentle but more protective. I realise that getting a young pup and socialising them early with all the family is the way forward but what breeds are best for this combination of duties? Live in the country - plenty of space - lots of other animals, including cats btw.

OP posts:
Marne · 13/05/2010 18:00

We have a Staff bull terrier, they are often called the 'nanny dog' as they are great with children/will guard them. They get a lot of bad press but i have to say ours is great with the dd's and would protect them, she would happily sleep on my dd2's bed and guard her (if i let her), she follows the dd's around like a shadow.

If you are looking for a bigger bread then maybe a boxer or ridge back?

slushy06 · 13/05/2010 18:17

Dalmatians are similar to a lab but make good guards or so I have heard also easy to train like a Labrador.

Mutt · 13/05/2010 18:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
lackenstrand · 13/05/2010 18:40

My job does not comprise barking at strangers - my line is misleading - it's not to guard the children specifically - but guard a house/farm which also has small children in it that I want the best breed for.

OP posts:
Original poster
lackenstrand · 13/05/2010 18:43

A friend has a lovely Staff but unfortunately it ate our cat a few years back and so has made me a bit uncomfortable with them and the red mist effect - thank you anyway.

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Alouiseg · 13/05/2010 18:45

What do you mean by "guard"? Bark when someone is at the door or attack a new postman ;-)

slushy06 · 13/05/2010 19:01

Hounds also apparently howl when someone knock the door.

thighsmadeofcheddar · 13/05/2010 19:03

German shepherd? They are actually a lovely family dog.

seeker · 13/05/2010 19:06

I think this is a bit worrying- are you sure this is a good idea

EcoMouse · 13/05/2010 19:13

Friends on a farm had small children and several dogs. An Irish Setter (lovely and soft), terriers and a German Shepherd. All were friendly pets, comfortable with the children and welcome visitors but the German Shepherd had the presence to deter unwanted visitors - not that she ever showed aggression.

I think the issue is that you can't safely have a protection trained dog as a family pet. By all means, have a breed which might deter by appearance but you can not encourage guarding instinct in any of the more naturally protective breeds (or any dog) without risk.

In fact, it would be prudent to discourage any guarding or protective behaviour in a family dog.

Original poster
lackenstrand · 13/05/2010 19:28

Thank you Eco and Thighs- I will check out German Shepherds. I was not intending to train a dog specifically to guard but I do want one that has a bit more gumption when the hiace vans appear - deterrent rather than blood on the tracks. No postmen up where we live.........miles away from anyone

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oxocube · 13/05/2010 19:31

my old lab cross was a rescue dog and once he had gained confidence with us, he would bark ferociously at anyone at the front door - he was actually v scary and postmen/ service guys were reluctant to knock on the door.

It wasn't something we wanted though and we tried hard to discourage it but to no avail. We came to the conclusion that the barking was purely fear based and pretty sad for our dog . Although I must admit, his barking would probably have deterred a casual intruder or burglar, it probably caused a horrible amount of stress to our dog

EdgarAllenPoll · 13/05/2010 19:43

Our Rough Collie had a very strong guard instinct...beautiful dog too.

She was never trained to do it, but had a strong desire to herd us, and protect the house - a dog bred to protect sheep from wolves originally. She was also 28" at the shoulder (oversize for the breed). We also lived in an out of the way place and i think mum found it comforting to have a large (though companiable) dog around. The dogs we have had have all had to be trained not to bark at the door..not the other way round. Even the Yorkie. Rough Collies are very beautiful dogs, though - don't like hot weather, and moult something awful. Can be neurotic.

My dog isn't allowed in the porch for this reason - it is my job to decide who comes in, not hers.

GrimmaTheNome · 13/05/2010 19:44

If you want an 'intruder alert' dog with plenty of bark but in a convenient size, I can recommend a dachshund. Mine is soft as butter but no-one gets into our house undetected!

Original poster
lackenstrand · 13/05/2010 19:46

Full of fear or finally at home and protecting that?

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ASecretLemonadeDrinker · 13/05/2010 19:49

German Shepherd, they are usually by nature about what you are looking for. There is alot in rescue centres BUT you don't know their history and prob. not best with children, even if they seem OK. There might be rescue pups though.

Original poster
lackenstrand · 13/05/2010 19:52

Not too much hot weather over our way - now I'm so conflicted. Collies are lovely, intelligent dogs and I am very fond of them. Even the neurotic ones. And there are plenty of collie crosses that need a home - always preferred half breeds. Opinion?

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CountryGirl2007 · 13/05/2010 20:05

Perhaps a happy medium would be a dog who is in fact a lovely pet but looks the part, i.e. doberman, rottie or GSD. (complete fools of dogs, all the want to do is play, but will definetly put people off coming into the house as most ignorant people think they are vicious!)

I wouldn't recommend encouraging a dog to be aggressive towards strangers at all though.

ASecretLemonadeDrinker · 13/05/2010 22:15

I don't think collies are too good with kids on the whole. I definatly think german shepherd is the best all round, despite their reputation they are (generally) good with kids, and aren't police/guard dogs because they are aggresive, but because they are intelligent.

pissedrightoff · 13/05/2010 22:26

My German Shepherd is a big softie and is actually scared of my 9 month old DD.
But her size and sound of her bark is enough to deter would be burglars I think.

EcoMouse · 13/05/2010 22:46

Loudest recorded howl is from a German Shepherd, apparently . Mine's cross Rottie, sweet and clever.

elastamum · 13/05/2010 22:49

Ive got three labradoodles who are really friendly but bark like mad any time someone comes up our drive. Ideal for me as we are quite isolated and house is unfenced so I always know when we had visitors. Cant imaging anyone braking in with that lot kicking off - they are about 30-40kg each

Marne · 14/05/2010 12:56

at the staff eating your cat, my Staff is scared of cats , she will run a mile if she see's one.

ib · 14/05/2010 13:05

Can you handle and train a very dominant dog? If you can then hovawarts are lovely (females less dominant).

If you can't then I would keep away from german shepherds too.

winnybella · 14/05/2010 13:10

Second vote for hovowarts- my mum's got a bitch and she's lovely. Very deep bark when someone passes by or knocks on the door, but totally not agressive. My mum took her on the 'companion' dog training course.