If you was to recommend a ‘guard dog’ which breed would it be?

[Chezacheza]

I’m separating from my husband but he isn’t moving out till new year. Me and my two dc under ten will be moving quite rurally and I’m a bit worried about being in my own with the two kids at night.

The dog will be a house dog, we will have lots of space outside. I don’t want it to actually attack people just put people off thinking about breaking in.

Growing up abroad we had pit bulls but I know they are banned here. We never had any issues with them and found them really intelligent, loving funny dogs which I still feel really fondly about.

What dogs have you got that look like they would be a problem but are actually daft idiots

Thanks

Vodkacranberryplease I think she had joined the GS pack!

Like the South African Mastiff too! Something that wont chase livestock though (impossible maybe).

Jack Russels are brilliant ratters which is very handy near a farm!

A Ridgeback might be a good bet.

That said a Labrador is the best dog ever, so should be your choice.

2× standard schnauzers should be more than enough to put people off. They are excellent guard dogs.

If you want an imposing presence but totally soft dog, a Great Dane is a good bet. I remember my baby sister bouncing all over mine and he didn’t turn a hair... (If you have a dog make sure you get it neutered though; there’s a reason most large male domesticated animals get their balls taken off.)

Giant Schnauzer -intimidating bark - a guarding dog. Very loveable and loving.

Vodkacranberryplease it’s bloody hard to choose!

Does anyone know if you can save threads?

I have a collie labradoodle cross (altho i strongly suspect the mum labradoodle was mis sold to the owners and is some kind of retriever cross but as the subsequent pregnancy was a witnessed accident at doggy daycare of all places, the border collie is a definite!) my resulting puppy (5 years now) is very protective of the home. She barks at regular visitors like the postman who she actually loves or the stair cleaner, but does under the breath wuffs to say when there's something she doesn't like or know. I lived alone for a number of years in a not great area and never had any concerns. She's the best girl.

Surely a burglar wouldn't be put off by a Lab though?

They're as soft as butter and while they bark they aren't territorial enough to pose any actual threat. Plus they can really sleep through a lot!

I'd be going for a GSD.

Doberman, got my first when I was 7, am nearly 50 now and still have dobies. Love them so much, they are wonderful family dogs, excellent with children, they are protective without being aggressive. Just do your homework regarding where you buy from,there are some shitty breeders out there so be careful.

Altho how you'd go about sourcing a random mix of a mutt like her, I don't know!

@Artykitty666

I have a collie labradoodle cross (altho i strongly suspect the mum labradoodle was mis sold to the owners and is some kind of retriever cross but as the subsequent pregnancy was a witnessed accident at doggy daycare of all places, the border collie is a definite!) my resulting puppy (5 years now) is very protective of the home. She barks at regular visitors like the postman who she actually loves or the stair cleaner, but does under the breath wuffs to say when there's something she doesn't like or know. I lived alone for a number of years in a not great area and never had any concerns. She's the best girl.

Under the breath wuffs

If you are scared of rottweilers please do not get a Boerboel or any similar dog. They are not dogs for timid owners or even your average owner. They can be extremely territorial and can be very dominating. If you can't handle a rottweiler you can't handle a Boerboel.

I love large molosser type dogs but they can be a real liability. Most people do not need a designated guard dog and can't handle the responsibility They'd be beyond me too so I stick to smaller dogs.

You'd be much better off with a dog with a good bark. You want to scare them off before they get into the building. I have a small dog who barks loudly at even the slightest noise at night, and howls like a deranged wolf. I have a staffy x bulldog who looks rather intimidating but who is such a soft dopey creature. He would be of little use in the event of an intruder but my small dog would wake half the county within a few seconds.

The most protective dogs I have come across are the shepherd breeds. They often have a herding instinct and don't like it when the family/pack split up. I've known three Belgian Shepherds and one Swiss Shepherd and all of them would run back and forwards between the family group when we were out. Small children stepping out of line or getting too far ahead were circled and stayed with and if they were got too far out of line, were gently nudged closer to the bigger people

@Moreisnnogedag

South African mastiffs / boerboels - beautiful dogs, fantastic family dogs. Short haired, trainable, excellent with kids. Look the part.

Beautiful 🥰

Surely a burglar wouldn't be put off by a Lab though?

If they are noisy they would. Most burglars have no interest in entering a home with people who are awake. They want to take the items and go, not be confronted by the owners so if a dog wakes the house they are more likely than not to leave.

I'm another who will advise getting geese!

The yard I rode at as a child had a flock of guard geese, they were loud and fierce if a stranger wandered on the yard.

Also Jack Russell's, what they lack in size they make up for in bark, if someone farts within 100 metres of our house the dog knows.

They also are great at keeping rodents and other pests at bay which may be good depending on how old your house is/ how rural you are (our jack Russell gets all the rats that try and go for our chicken food)

So many fabulous dogs! I would love a Great Dane but Im not sure how long they live for. Not long I believe.

A lab isnt going to have the gggrrr factor though they are the best family dog ever (along with retrievers).

If youre very worried about security you can buy trained German Shepherds but you need deep pockets. But a well trained German Shepherd is truly a wonderful dog. The best guard dog a child could ever have. With a truly loud & scary bark.

Someone previously has said a terrier - they are excellent watch dogs (think: a squirrel farting two streets away and they'll bark). Couple a good watch dog (terrier) with a guard dog type and you have the ideal home security situation.

We used to have an English setter. Very loud deep chesty bark, hackles raised, but soft as butter around kids.

@magicstar1

A German Shepherd. They’re the most loyal, protective dogs ... but they have a soft, silky, playful side too.

100% agree. My first dog was a German Shepherd. He was fiercely loyal and protective but friendly, loving and very clever.

Totally agree with the comments on geese. I've been chased out of my friends field a few times by theirs even when I've gone to feed them!

American Bully could be a good shout for you and Jack Russells certainly raise the alarm but the best guard dog I've ever had was a Lab x German Shepherd loud, big but totally loyal and beautiful. I also remember readng that females are better guard dogs than males...no idea if that's true or not but I like to think so!

I have a Rough collie, very alert. He prefers to sleep outside in the evening so he can 'guard' us. Very loud bark which is louder and he's more on edge when he thinks somethings wrong. Biggest softy ever with the children, very easy going and easy to live with. He only needs 30 minutes grooming per week. He never barks at the postman but will at takeaway leafleters (don't get them through the door anymore now!).

Rottweiler...great family dog but also a great deterrent to strangers.

I'd definitely go for a boxer if you have DC. Great "babysitters" and very loyal to their family but quite barky and intimidating towards strangers while being totally soft underneath! They have a great innate protective instinct and are always on the alert.