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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:

newpup · 14/05/2010 13:15

i think it depends on the individual dog too. I have a lovely, soft lab. However she lets a mighty deep bark when the doorbell rings. When the DDs are in the garden she will bark at the birds if they get too close!

She is lovely with children and loves people but is protective of the house, me and the DDs.

She is a perfect mix of protective but not aggressive.

FioFio · 14/05/2010 13:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

loopylou6 · 14/05/2010 14:10

I have a German Shepherd,love him to bits, I feel totally safe in my house and have before now gone to bed forgetting to lock the door only remembering when I was snuggled up but have been happy to leave the door unlocked over night as nobody is getting in whilst hes here

As pups they are very bouncy, but he is now nearly hitting the 18 months spot and hes starting to calm down alot.

Hes very protective of me and the kids and is an excellent guard dog although you wouldnt believe that when you see him at play, chasing his tail and rolling over for a belly rub

He and DD play for hours, the fave game is he finds a sock () and dangles it at her, she then trys to grab it he dodges and weaves and they chase each other all over the living room, this is usually finished off with DD lying on him whilst she watches tele

SoozleQ · 14/05/2010 14:26

My parents had a German Shepherd when I was a baby and a toddler. Think he was put down when I was about 4 or 5. He was the softest thing with my sister and me. My mum said she'd catch me using him a stepping stool to get things off shelves I couldn't reach. Apparently I just used to drag him by the collar to wherever I wanted him, he'd lay down and then I'd stand on his back. I think we also used to sit on his back and ride round the garden.

If I was out in the pram, he'd adopt protection mode and would bark to stop people leaning over or looking into the pram. He was never agressive, would just issue warning barks.

I think they are fantastic dogs and would love one myself. We took on a rescue dog in August. She was about 6 or 7 months old then and we were told she was a German Shepherd/Staffy cross. As she's got older, though, we think she is more likely to be a Belgian Malinois and is far more energetic than a German Shepherd. She gets very excited when the doorbell goes (even if its on the telly) and will go into barky mode. I'm expecting my first baby in October - I just hope she's calmed down a bit by then!

WynkenBlynkenandNod · 14/05/2010 17:13

My dog is Labradoodle and proving to be an unexpectedly good guard dog. She'll do one excited woof if so someone she knows comes down the drive but sounds pretty terrifing if it is the postman, delivery man or leaflet delivering conservative candidate who was seen practically running away. I'm not sure if she had the same effect on Labour and Lib Dems as wasn't in when they leaflet dropped.

oxocube · 14/05/2010 19:30

Must say my retriever pup is pants as a guard dog although adorable in other areas. Barks for food mainly (esp cats' dinner) but never when anyone comes to the house. Like the idea of training to ward off undesirable election candidates. Wonder if one could clicker train for that?

WynkenBlynkenandNod · 14/05/2010 19:35

Oh no I doubt you could do that Oxo

oxocube · 14/05/2010 19:36

seashore · 14/05/2010 19:39

You could try a Giant Schnauzer, I lived for a year in a remote house with one, there were children there too and the dog was both protective but really patient and loving with the children.

Might get one myself one day in the future, it was a lovely dog. They need lots of space but sounds like you def have that.

PersonalClown · 14/05/2010 19:46

Have to agree on the Staffy front.
Mine's sooo not bothered by other dogs/cats but goes berserk at the birds!

I've noticed when out on walks he is constantly shadowing my ASD DS, watching out for him but doesn't show a hint of aggression. It's like he knows that DS needs the help and guidance, not watching out for other people.

He barks at the door but that's only because he wants to shred any and all paper that come through the letter box!

IMoveTheStars · 14/05/2010 19:56

I would say that it's not dependant on the breed, more the dogs personality.

In the past we've had border collies, spaniels, dacshunds. Some of them were protective, others were ridiculously pathetic at anything

German Shepards are good though, and lovely dogs.

seashore · 14/05/2010 21:57

What about an Irish Wolfhound? They are kind, good with children but would surely be big enough to guard.

Or a Great Dane? Again, great with children.

lou031205 · 14/05/2010 22:24

Another vote for a GSD here. When I was 2 I crawled under a bush in a field and couldn't find my way back out. Mum was too big to get in to me. Our GSD crawled in and led me out.

Marne · 15/05/2010 11:06

PersonalClown- we chose a staff for dd2 (ASD), they go everywhere together, ours never really barks though (so not really a great guard dog) .

KerryMumbles · 15/05/2010 11:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Marne · 15/05/2010 12:06

I think OP ment, a guard dog that is good with children, one that will bark at intruders but be gentle with her children (not a guard dog for her children) .

KerryMumbles · 15/05/2010 12:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Marne · 15/05/2010 12:36

A dog doesn't need to be aggressive to scare people off. A dog with a loud bark is enough to scare intruders off, it doesn't mean the dog is aggressive, i have met many dogs that will bark when you approach and then lick you to death.

Most dogs will bark at a stranger entering their property but it doesn't mean that dog will rip your leg off.

seashore · 15/05/2010 23:05

OP any ideas here? You thinking of getting any of these dogs?

Just wondering

myermay · 18/05/2010 17:01

german shepherd definetely. We've had two and they have both been very soft, loyal but good at guarding. Only thing i would say is that both of the ones we've had need watching when the kids wrestle/play fight as they didn't like it, it bothers them. Also when my sisters and i used to have proper fights when we were younger the dog would go nuts - so bear that in mind. They herd aswell, so if out for a walk they can get a bit anxious not knowing where you all are.

Vallhala · 18/05/2010 17:29

My GSD runs from everything, including the pet ferret, clockwork mice and kittens.

My Lab cross, on the other hand, would lay down his life for me. You really can't generalise.

The danger lies in having a protective dog who is owned and trained by an amateur. It is then that your family are in trouble - see myermay's post above about her dog's reaction to kids play-fighting for example. If you really need a 'guard dog', approach a reputable company for a trained, assessed handler protection dog... otherwise, leave well alone and settle for the dogs you have or a large pet, such as a Shep, purely for the benefit of his size and big bark.

Blondeshavemorefun · 18/05/2010 17:56

our horse woofa is a great swiss mountain dog and HUGE

he is def all bark and no balls (literally) tho can be very fierce at will bark at strangers till he has met them and told friends

he is scared of the hoover and also backed away from a squirrel that dared go on his lawn

Piffle · 18/05/2010 20:31

Rhodesian ridgeback
mine are quiet, calm, loyal, terrific with kids and other animals.
Rarely bark but when they do, it's always when people show up at our gate, looking through.
If the front doorbell goes they wait for us then greet appropriately.
Stunning dogs, I'm a HUGE fan

seashore · 18/05/2010 20:53

I had once decided I wanted to get a Rhodesian ridgeback (we only have a wee cat) some time in the future, it's good to know they're so calm and good with children . . . maybe sometime way up ahead

Do they eat cartloads?

DutchGirly · 19/05/2010 12:23

German Shepherd for me too.

Ours is soft as anything, DD even gave him a little hair cut he did not peep. DD reads stories to him, watches tele, has a nap on him and they fight over the ball.

However, the bark is definately a deterent.

I got mine from a dog rescue with no problems at all but he was just a year old so found it easier to adapt.

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