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

Surprised no one has mentioned Viszlas. Ours is the biggest, softest most beautiful ginger boy ever. Very loyal and loving to family, soft as butter with the children and yet can easily be mistaken for a ridgeback in the dark (and by strange men in the park). He is very protective, sounds large and mean when he barks (at anyone who comes to the door or into the garden). He walks off lead at my side for miles, trots back and forth between me and other family member when we are out to make sure no one is lost and sort of leans on me if he isn’t keen on someone walking towards us as if to say, “let’s go over here mum, out of the way”. Very friendly and social with other dogs. He wasn’t the easiest to train but is highly motivated by love and affection so once I figured that out... it all snapped into place. All in all, he’s more affectionate than my previous retriever and the two red setters, has a deeper, louder bark and generally makes me feel incredibly safe alone in the house with children. He does want to be with you always tho, so don’t try and have a shower or even a pee in peace and shut the bathroom door

@Vodkacranberryplease

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.

You'll need £10k plus for a specially trained guard dog and they're really not suitable as a family pet.

We've had a fabulous alsation though that was bred for temprement rather than bred for their aggressive nature. She naturally developed the guarding instinct herself around 6 months old and would velcro herself to you if anyone was around, barking ferociously. No way would anyone approach you! She was also soft as butter around tots.

@Kinkybutkind we have two viz's. whilst they look and are large powerful dogs, ours are bloody useless! Our boy viz is everybody's friend, confident, outgoing, cheeky, crap guard dog!
our rescue viz is much more highly strung and unsocialised. she's a fab guard dog, sounds so fierce! then hides when folk come in! she's scared of people, bless her.
have to say though I do go running with them and despite general uselessness, I feel safe going through the woods with them. If I met someone dodgy, boy would lick them to death, girl would sound fierce but hide behind me!
they are great with our kids, just big bouncy dafties!

[quote heuchterteuchter]@Kinkybutkind we have two viz's. whilst they look and are large powerful dogs, ours are bloody useless! Our boy viz is everybody's friend, confident, outgoing, cheeky, crap guard dog!
our rescue viz is much more highly strung and unsocialised. she's a fab guard dog, sounds so fierce! then hides when folk come in! she's scared of people, bless her.
have to say though I do go running with them and despite general uselessness, I feel safe going through the woods with them. If I met someone dodgy, boy would lick them to death, girl would sound fierce but hide behind me!
they are great with our kids, just big bouncy dafties![/quote]
My Viz may make a great guard dog.....maybe a burglar would trip over him as my dog he lept up to lick his face......if you want a guard dog there have to better breeds!....I think even a soft toy would be better :)

I would go for something that would fit your family as a family pet foremost.
I think when you live in the country (in my experience) dog are unusually free-range on their patch and soon get territorial.

I find German Shepherds the most intimidating dog, but the hair/moulting!

I currently have a terrier type, the barking at visitors can drive me mad because she goes from 0-60 and although she looks lovely and fluffy, a lot of people are terrified of her if they knock on my door, she acts like she is going to tear your face off (then she gets a cuddle and is putty....) but I don't bother to put my house alarm on anymore, or lock my door at night (I'm in the suburbs now).

I'd go with a staffy. Great with kids but look powerful enough that most burglar's wouldn't consider crossing the threshold. My friend had a lovely one. Great house dog.