Family guard dogs that are good with cats?

[Herschellmum]

Ok so I was burgled this week, and I'm fairly terrified in my house right now. Added to that I am partially deaf so feeling quite vulnerable. My husband has wanted a dog for years but I have been less keen as it's another added responsibility but now it feels like it could have a benefit to us that it sways that balance more.

However, we have 4 children, aged 3-8, two of which have special needs (autism), one wouldn't cope with constant barking. Neither would present too much of an issue with the dog, they know to be respectful and careful around animals. My youngest, aged 3 I'm less sure, she loves and cuddles everything and thankfully we have a very tolerant household.

We have a lot do pets already, including fish, turtles, a bearded dragon, giant African land snails, a hamster and 2 cats. The cats provide a lot of comfort to the children and I'm worried about co-habiting a dog with cats.

So yes, that's it's really, is there a dog (I realise all dogs are different and training is required) that is a good enough guard dog, or scary enough, that is tolerant with kids and won't eat the cats?

Size, grooming, exercise isn't a problem, we realise we need to put the work in, house is decent sized and so is garden, we have both had dogs in the past, things like rough collie, maltease and golden retreiver.

A good family dog is not a guard dog. Please don't get a dog for protection.

Best eaten cold. Love your advice. We would love to take on a rescue although there are waiting lists with many of the rescue groups for pure bread dogs and the charities here make it difficult. We keep trying to go see dogs and now you have to make an appointment to see a specific dog and usually they are reserved by the time you can go and then you join a waiting list. I suppose it's good that they are getting homes but it's very frustrating too.

I did come to the realisation that a puppy isn't going to give much security, plus I realised that I either get a dog for security or family, that a good mix of both is not happening.

I'm not going to rush in.

I know what you mean about dogs that help. I think almost any dog would hear the door or someone coming which would help a lot. I did once look at dogs for autism but they are majority expensive, like thousands upon thousands, but I realise that is not what you meant anyway.

We are just going to take our time. Look, at all the suggestions and see what to do after Christmas. I just want to get as much information and ideas before we decide if to Have a dog and then which breed.

Thanks everyone again. Loving all the suggestions.

You either want a dog as a pet, an assistance dog or protection (in which case it can't live with cats and kids.)
A dog is an animal with its own needs. It isn't there to fulfil a mishmash of your own.

something with a deep (large dog sounding) bark
renowned for calm temperament
good family dog
renowned for cohabiting well with other animals and children
=labrador
on the minus side, might be too large, moulting, exercise & food needs.

I have one that even defends 'its own' cats and has leapt over the tops of their heads in order to chase off other contender cats.

also thought about the help that a hearing dog might bring to yourself, and the household.

reading some of the responses, just to be clear, you don't want a protection dog per se? do you? A family dog will naturally bark at strange noise and intrusion, or normally would. Any unusual or threatening behaviour should evoke a response from a dog in a home.

I am rethinking though how wise it is to buy a dog as a knee jerk reaction to the fear you now feel, which I do totally understand and have been through myself after being burgled. Perhaps you could dog-sit for someone needing cover whilst they go away? (who's dog reliably ticks the family/cat boxes)..

you'll be surprised how quickly you will settle down again after your burglary, especially if you add in other measures to feel more secure.

We have a Nova Scotian duck tolling retriever. He's turned out to be a fabulous "guard" dog which we weren't expecting when we got him.
He's stopped us from being burgled twice and also alerted me when there was a leak. He's quiet mostly but has a loud bark/howl if anyone comes up the drive and he doesn't know them. He doesn't bark at regular visitors.
I'm guessing when you say guard dog you don't mean an actual guard dog but more as a dog as a deterrent?
In which case it's more important to look at a family dog that suits your family. I second what someone else says about a dog being really hard work. I found the puppy stage harder than the newborn stage with my dd and I've had adult dogs all my life. He was my first puppy since I was a young teen and it was a shock to the system. Now he's well trained and easy but there's still a big time commitment as he needs an hour of exercise morning and afternoon. Although I've just reread your post and seen you've had dogs before in the past so this probably isn't news to you.
Sorry to hear you were burgled and hope you feel more secure soon. If I were you I'd be looking at more gun dog types than terriers to reduce the chances of having a dog that barks constantly.