Big dog with some guarding instincts?

[WhichNewWoof]

For various reasons we are moving to the countryside. I've had dogs my whole life and currently have a rescued Rhodesian Ridgeback who is 13. We also have four kids from 1-15. We will be living in a very rural location and I'd like to get a new dog with some guarding instincts. DH works away half the week. I've had a Golden Retriever mix, Thai Ridgeback, Sheltie, spitz mix in addition to the current RR.

I'm considering another RR as I adore them but also thinking about a German Shepard, Beauceron or Cane Corso. Anything I'm missing that I should consider? I'll be going to a breeder this time so only after purebreds.

can only agree with the GSD comments above...the right one could be ideal for you but there is a very wide range of typical GSDness iyswim

we had two...one very confident, strong personality, pretty bright, hugely family oriented, very soft spot for dh, but good with everyone ...his favourite thing was to lie up against the sitting room door and keep us all together

and the other was a one woman dog, my shadow, hugely bright and intuitive but needy as hell and has just broken my heart as he died recently.

I have sworn off all dogs atm!

I had a German Shepherd as a child, she was scared of next doors cat and wouldn't go in the garden if they were there. Never needed a lead, perfectly house trained, only barked at one person. Best pet ever broke our hearts when she was pts for cancer

"I'd love a Rottie but I'd be worried other parents would be afraid of it."

Meh, people that like dogs usually like them, people that don't won't like any of the breeds in your OP tbh.

I can't tell you how many non-dog oriented mums have asked me if our RR is a lab...and if he's angry...because his hackles are up! They aren't afraid of him though.

I don't want a random barker. Current RR and his predecessor only bark if there's truly something there. I can't stand yappy happy. We had a sheltie when I was little and it barked at its own shadow...not fun!

Have you considered a Doberman? I love rotties and gsd but think that dobermans might be perceived with slightly less nervousness by the general public than those breeds or the others you mentioned in your op.

Collie is an option if you have the time and energy to put into one, with its high physical and mental energy needs. They are very good guard dogs but soft as anything with people they have been told are friends. I was surprised when the farmer, where I kept my horses, got a collie as a guard dog, after a burglary. However that collie was awesome - if the farmer introduced you to him, he wouldn't react to you coming onto the farm ever again (you had to announce yourself with "it's only me" when you opened the gate to drive in and he wouldn't make a peep - "it's only me" didn't work if the farmer hadn't already introduced you to him though. Bloody clever dog could remember an individuals voice!). If the farmer didn't do introductions, he was ferocious as hell with a snarling booming bark, that would send most people running.

Which breed did you go for finally, OP? I ask as I'm.looking into one of the breeds you mention.

I know this is an old thread but:

Collie is an option if you have the time and energy to put into one, with its high physical and mental energy needs. They are very good guard dogs but soft as anything with people they have been told are friends.

I have a collie and neither she or any of the other collies I know are in any way shape or form guard dogs!

They are somewhat aloof with strangers granted but not at all aggressive.
Mine has no real territorial instinct at all.

I was visiting a house with three German Shorthaired Pointers today. My God, did they kick off when someone unexpected came round the corner from the front of the house. Great deep barks, and very alert, but lovely dogs to have around, great with people, and capable of being chill around the house provided they get enough exercise, training and mental stimulation.

French Mastiffs -The Dog from Turner and Hooch
They can look extremely fierce and scary but they are great family dogs
Ours is Lovable stupid but excellent natural guard dog and he’s amazing sleeps most of the time. Low energy so don’t need lots of long walks but he’s amazing guard dog and his bark is awesome really scary 😂

Easy to train as they are so stupid 😂but can be stubborn if your a bit wishy washy with them

Bullmastiffs are harder to train more stubborn but if you get a good one trained then again they are excellent guard dogs

Our won’t accept food or treats from anyone but me and DH
They are natural guard dogs but beautiful to look at sometimes we look at him and he looks like a lion stalking around
If you get one of these expect walks to take twice as long as everyone stops you asks you what breed it is and then says - Hooch take the Muffin😂

Oh and if you want a dog that only barks when it’s needs to ours is like that most of the time you wouldn’t know he is there until someone rings the bell or comes to the door . Then his bark is that of a very scary big powerful dog