Protective family dogs

[Crazymummyto3]

We're considering getting a puppy that will be a family pet primarily but also one that will be protective in terms of a deterrent for burglars etc (I know all dogs will be protective to an extent but we're thinking more along the typical guard dog lines, a bigger dog etc). We were thinking German Shepherd initially but not sure now whether that is the right option for our family. Can anyone recommend another medium/large breed who would be a protector and good family pet with young children?

[Nonagoninfinity]

I have a mixed breed who is part terrier, part lots of other breeds. She's medium in size but has an incredibly loud bark combined with a terrier's alertness. We love her to bits and she's a complete softy.

Frankly her barking at the door etc mostly just drives us a bit crazy. She did however come into her own the other weekend when a decidedly dodgy character knocked on my mum's door. No doubt the noise she made gave him cause to think twice about coming back (it's just a shame she does the same to literally EVERYONE else)

If it came to it I very much doubt she would 'protect' us as she's a bit of a scaredy-cat but her bark would definitely be a deterrent.

[Tori2005]

Speaking as an owner of both our GSD looked the part, had the bark but when it came to it was soft as.... lovely with kids. Our terrier, looks like a teddy bear, LOVES kids, super friendly. Amazing watch dog and bark, if you broke in she would easily be bold enough to have a go. GSD would have licked you to death!

[Branleuse]

staffie. I feel really safe with mine and she genuinely loves the children and is a proper family dog

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

My JRT X Dachshund is a fab watchdog - he's previously alerted me to a 2am attempted burglary the moment he opened the garden gate, and I can tell who is at the door by the pitch of his bark (slightly squeaky bark = excited because it's someone he knows and loves; barely bothers woofing or even getting up = lodger, big deep bark = anyone else).

Dachshunds give the biggest, deepest bark per kg - even the postman thought he was much bigger until he actually saw him.

Both JRTs and Dachshunds, however, can be quite variable with children, and are usually absolute twats with cats.

Mini Schnauzers might fit the bill though - they're barky little watchdogs, but don't tend to bite, and make good family pets.

[Branleuse]

A really good watchdog means one that barks all the fucking time though, no? A small yappy dog will indeed alert you to every time a leaf blows in the garden

[BPSCSS]

@Puppywithattitude

We have a Vizsla, very living and affectionate with family but has a good guarding instinct. He is aloof with strangers until he gets the vibe that all is well and has a ferocious bark if something unusual is going on outside the house.
We had an attempted break in last year and he was epic.
They are a high energy breed though, don't get one if you can't run him everyday off lead.

Will second a Vizsla, seriously protective but not aggressive- amazing family pets.

[Starbonnet123]

Have a look at welsh collies , ours is very soft especially with women and children but very protective of us and our property and my husbands van when he takes him out , he had a howl like a wolf when someone comes to the door