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The doghouse

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Original poster

Has anyone's dog ever protected them from being attacked?

42 replies

CatnipTea · 29/06/2014 13:37

I think my two large dogs might be a deterrent, bark loudly and look aggressive but would they really be any use if attacker was determined?

Have been pondering this as I live in Colchester where there have been 2 apparently random knife murders recently. Somehow can't image my dogs risking injury to protect me. Hoping someone can tell me I'm wrong and that they have an instinct to protect their owner.

OP posts:
soddinghormones · 03/07/2014 06:28

Yesterday evening dpup and I got surprised by a man suddenly appearing out of the bushes (taking a shortcut I think). Dpup started barking - a low baying bark which he only does when trying to convince himself and others that he isn't completely terrified. The man held out his hand to dpup who sniffed it and then decided that thean was his new best friend and kept trying to get him to throw his ball. After that he was a bit wary of men on their own as they were obviously a Bit Suspicious ...

Xcountry · 03/07/2014 06:31

My two collies would, hard enough to keep them baying at heel when I stop to speak to someone nevermind if they attacked me.

Owllady · 03/07/2014 10:25

All the collies I have ever had would have. My first collie bit a man she thought was going to hit me (and he would have hit me)

It's interesting to see others mentioning collies being protective too as its not trained into them

Catypillar · 03/07/2014 10:36

SpringyThing is thick as mince and would probably just think they were playing. I saw a metal sign thing in Pets at Home recently that said "Beware English Springer On Patrol" not sure what people are supposed to be wary of- being licked then looked at hopefully until they produce a treat?

murphys · 03/07/2014 11:03

Ds was walking our Lab, when a Rottweiller came out of nowhere and went to attack him. Our Lab jumped in between ds and the Rotti, the Rotti then attacked our Lab at his back end. Our Lab was in the vet for a few days and had quite a number of stitches. Ds wasn't physically hurt, but mentally yes. In fact our Lab cries if we walk past that spot now, years later.

One of the most horrifying experiences. The owner of Rotti didn't give a damn and just handed over the cash when I told him what the vet bill was. He didn't even ask how ds was. He didn't like it when I told him he didn't derserve to own a dog.

todayisnottheday · 03/07/2014 11:14

My gsd certainly would, he's a nervous one who goes forward and loud if he's unsure. I'm certain that would translate into trouble for an attacker. My friends gsd once saw off an attacker for me which was nice considering he wasn't even my dog! No bites but some seriously scary barking and lunging.

DontPutMeDownForCardio · 03/07/2014 12:03

This reminds me of this story :www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-11413740

Owllady · 03/07/2014 12:36

That poor lady, but what a lovely dog

ender · 03/07/2014 12:45

DontPuts link What a lovely Rottie Smile seems that some dogs are instinctively protective of people, not just their owners.

DontPutMeDownForCardio · 03/07/2014 21:59

Thanks ender I'm rubbish with links :)

ILoveCoreyHaim · 03/07/2014 22:04

Non of mine would save me i dont think but the SBT would stop anyone attacking the kids.

ILoveCoreyHaim · 03/07/2014 22:05

My mam used to say her GSD would stop a burgler but her husky would invite them in, show them where the money was and let them out.

ILoveCoreyHaim · 03/07/2014 22:11

I have a bull lurcher who is huge but dont think he would be much use, the staffie would lick them, possibly the Yorkie might bark at them. The only one who shows and protective behaviour is the staffie who has been with the kids since they were babies. I once tried to pull one if the dds up when tantruming and she looked at me funny and sat on top of her. Thats where shes normally found, sitting on oneof the kids. She got attacked off 2 patterdales and lay on the floor waitkig for me to save her then got stitched up at the vet so she would't even save herself

PetiteRaleuse · 03/07/2014 22:17

I have a goldie and whereas he has never protected me, as such, I am fairly sure his size has put at least one potential aggressor off. I remember once being stopped by a couple and they kept asking me if the dog was protective. I said yes yes (lying as was unsure) and made up an anecdote about him getting aggressive. They left me alone and as I walked past I saw out of the corner or my eye that one of them had a knife in his hand which I hadn't seen from in front of them.

Other times his sheer size and exuberance has got rid of annoying door to door people.

He is very protective of my toddlers though. Protects them from all kinds of dangers from random people on the street to buzzing insects to the hoover. If they are ever frightened or upset he always goes to calm them down. Useful really lazy parent :o

fieldfare · 03/07/2014 22:25

Our gsd x boy saved dd and I from a nasty attack.
Dd on her bike and Ddog running with her off lead across fairly remote playing fields. Out of a short cut came charging a large aggressive mixed breed dog which knocked dd from her bike and lunged for her. Ddog charged him and knocked him away trying to pin him down, then held his ground in front of dd (laying crying on the groud) snarling and barking while I ran over. The dog then lunged for me and I had to fend him off with the ball thrower.
The owner then appeared sauntering along, can of lager in hand, and didn't give a monkeys. Didn't call his dog off until I screamed at him and then yanked the dog away and they disappeared while I was scooping dd up off the floor and calling the police.
We rehomed my boy as a pup and he'd always been suspicious of strange men, this confirmed his fears and he's fearfully aggressive around unfamiliar men. Hasn't bitten but will bare his teeth and bark.
Dh works away a lot and having Ddog around makes me feel very safe at home alone. We had an attempted burglary and Ddog went nuts and scared them off. Women and kids are another matter, he's batty for them and the softest creature I've seen.

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 06/07/2014 17:18

I think mine would (whippet x Staffie). He barks at people who come to the door, and I'm sure if I was scared and screamed he would do something. Bark loudly and aggressively for a start, possibly jump up and/or go for them.

BorisBaby · 10/07/2014 21:05

We had a greyhound collie growing up back in the day when it was "safe" to play out me and my sister (6&7ish) went to play in the park when these older boys came over and started shouting at us one came towards me to hit me and she jumped up and bit him. Softest dog we ever owned but very protective of me and Dsis. When his parents reported it my mum took DD to the station with her and nothing came of it.

We had a collie before having DD1 whilst pregnant she wouldn't let any women near me Confused and when DD1 was about a week old an old friend came to she her. We had DD asleep in her basket and went into the kitchen friend went back into the living room and the dog stood next to DD's basket and growled at our friend. We had to re home her because by the time DD was a year she wouldn't let DH near DD Sad such a shame but was getting far to possessive DD and started looking at me funny if she was having a tantrum.

We have a JR (old now) who would attack anyone for me if needed but not the DC or DH and our lurcher (9 months) would show them how quick she is at running whilst fleaing see what I did there the area

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