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Original poster

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

181 replies

Chezacheza · 18/08/2020 22:04

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 Grin

Thanks

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FrangipaniBlue · 18/08/2020 23:05

English Bull Terrier.

Mine is a big softie but bloody hell he has a bark on him!!

He's not too yappy though, for example if I'm downstairs with him and there's a knock at the door he won't bark, just jumps up at the window and eyeballs them Grin but if I'm upstairs and a stranger approaches the house he barks right away. Never barks at people he knows either.

Original poster
Chezacheza · 18/08/2020 23:06

@YgritteSnow

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 Grin
Oh god that is golden!
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DetectiveSpector · 18/08/2020 23:06

I have a Bullmastiff. He is extremely protective and they are a guard breed. He is the softest dog for me but wary of strangers (unless we invite them in) He can be fast asleep in my bed one second and if he hears a knock at the door he is up and by the door before I've even registered whats happened!

He is a great deterrent, he is big and muscley with a big head and i know he would do anything to protect me.

However, he is hard work! He goes to dog class once a week to keep him socialised and i do a lot of training with him.

TheDogsMother · 18/08/2020 23:06

Another one for Jack Russells. They will definitely bark at intruders ..... and passers by, horses, the wind, leaves, postman, neighbours etc etc

Original poster
Chezacheza · 18/08/2020 23:07

@squanderedcore

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.
I got head butted by one once. It actually bounced up from a standing position right under my chin and cut my lip.

No chance Grin

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Original poster
Chezacheza · 18/08/2020 23:09

@TheDogsMother

Another one for Jack Russells. They will definitely bark at intruders ..... and passers by, horses, the wind, leaves, postman, neighbours etc etc
I struggle to see jacks as dogs though more like little weird people that live in your house.
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DetectiveSpector · 18/08/2020 23:09

My boy!

TheoriginalLEM · 18/08/2020 23:11
weaselwords · 18/08/2020 23:11

Geese. Make a huge racket and are far more viscous than any dog😂

But I’d go with Rottweiler, GSD or Dobermann. Dobermann’s are more athletic and may knock your kids over.

weaselwords · 18/08/2020 23:12

Vicious, not viscous!

Greyblueeyes · 18/08/2020 23:13

A boxer. Tough sounding bark and intimidating look, but really just big ole babies.

Original poster
Chezacheza · 18/08/2020 23:15

@DetectiveSpector

My boy!
Oh Christ he is lovely and like fuck would one try to break in to your house!
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AllPlayedOut · 18/08/2020 23:15

DetectiveSpector He's gorgeous.

Yellow1793 · 18/08/2020 23:16

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.

Really? We have 2 and I don’t think I’ve ever heard one of them bark. Great with DC but utterly useless as a guard dog.

Distressedchic · 18/08/2020 23:19

Boerboels, the South African mastiff.
Fantastic dogs. Our friend had a bitch, and I’m not frightened of dogs at all (had large dogs growing up GSD) but I remember thinking Christ when I walked into her house and seen her.
She was fearsome looking and sounding, but she was the loveliest dog with the calmest nature, she used to put her head in my lap and stare up at me with love in her eyes. Brilliant with kids too, would sort of stand guard while they played.
They did have a break in once, which she soon saw off.

Sunrise234 · 18/08/2020 23:19

Rottweiler, pit bull, german shepherd, Doberman - if you want something that looks strong and scary.

Chihuahua, jack Russel, pomeranian - if you actually want it to protect you.

In my experience, the first lot will lick you and be softies but the second lot will kill you if you get to close Grin

BananaPop2020 · 18/08/2020 23:20

Our Dobermann isn’t scaring anyone 😂

If you was to recommend a ‘guard dog’ which breed would it be?
Original poster
Chezacheza · 18/08/2020 23:20

Oh I think the South African mastiff would be a bit too big for me 🙈

Gorgeous but massive!

If you was to recommend a ‘guard dog’ which breed would it be?
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Original poster
Chezacheza · 18/08/2020 23:21

@BananaPop2020

Our Dobermann isn’t scaring anyone 😂
I love this colouring! He is beautiful 😍
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Girliefriendlikespuppies · 18/08/2020 23:22

Chez your description of jrt cracked me up, so true!!

Here's my little weird person who shares my house 🤣

He's still a baby at 14 months but has a surprisingly loud bark for his size.

If you was to recommend a ‘guard dog’ which breed would it be?
BananaPop2020 · 18/08/2020 23:23

@Chezacheza thank you, as we speak he is sprawled out on the sofa snoring 😀😀

ladybird69 · 18/08/2020 23:28

Anything with a loud bark! Jack Russell are great but not if you want a deterrent, a lab is great for a friend and a protector.

Annist · 18/08/2020 23:33

Blimey. I wouldn't get a Boerboel without a lot of knowledge and research. The only ones I've known have been so dog aggressive they can't be off lead. They are a serious guarding dog and could easily kill a full grown man never mind a child. You'd have to really know what you were doing and want that kind of extreme dog. I don't think you'd get many play dates!

squanderedcore · 18/08/2020 23:33

Really? We have 2 and I don’t think I’ve ever heard one of them bark. Great with DC but utterly useless as a guard dog.

That's the beauty of boxers, they only bark when absolutely necessary! And yes, agree they are not remotely intimidating in RL but they look quite large and bouncy and I wouldn't risk a proper guard dog like a Malinois with DC around.

Tootletum · 18/08/2020 23:33

Collies are surprisingly aggressive. But so, so much work. I would love a Dobermann as I think they're beautiful but would be a bit worried with kids. They're apparently unpredictable. Friend of mine has an enormous rottweiler she got before kids and seems to have no issues, he guards well but is a total softie.