Best breed for protection

[TrevTro]

Wanted a dog for years, now the time is right. I've had greyhounds, collies and lurchers.

I run and walk at least 2-3 hours a day, in a rural area. I was spooked the other day by a man when I was on my own running, and I would like a breed that would be protective, or at least just look intimidating, that would enjoy the amount I do outside.

So ideally active, affectionate, loyal. They would be very much loved and I have lots of time for training.

I'm not necessarily wanting a puppy, I be much happier getting a rescue dog but wondered if anyone had any breeds they would recommend?

Making the point that I'm terrified of them so I suppose they "work" in that sense...

You should not be terrified of them. They can be perfectly good pets given good and loving ownership.

But anyway, I'm petrified of dogs so would cross the road to avoid vast majority of these breeds. I can understand why its desirable if you're a lone woman walking in a deserted area but I am rather fed up of terrifying dogs on very street corner

Rhodesian Ridgeback. Absolutely gorgeous dogs and you'd have to be a fool to take one on.

Thats such nonsense, there are not “terrifying dogs on every street corner”.

I have an akita cross, and the local druggies/ dealers avoid me when I walk her late at night. She loves people, though, and would probably lick them if they actually came near me
Although on one occasion she stood silently in front of me when she saw someone she wasn't sure about.

Another Rhodesian Ridgeback lover here. Had one growing up; one of the loveliest, gentlest, kindest and most intelligent dogs I've ever known.

Border terrier. Smallest dog I've ever owned but by far the most protective, it was like having my own personal bouncer.

My foxhound was the no softest lump but both times someone slightly threatening appeared he jumped in front of me and just barked once, the only time I heard him bark. They have a very loud deep bark. Wonderful dog

The only thing I find terrifying about them is when their ears have been mutilated. I walked past one earlier looking like that and I had an overwhelming urge to slice the owners ears off with a pair of scissors.

😂 that reminds me, I was walking my last dog with a friend and her dog. We’re both just fairly standard middle aged woman looking middle aged women, I mean, picture one, you’ve probably pictured one of us, lol... her son texted her and asked if he could get a fiver for the shop so we waited at the top of my road for him.

A man came out to put rubbish in his bin and suddenly marched over shouting at us to not deal drugs outside his house. We just looked at him really confused and said, excuse me? And he spent a good few seconds looking at us and then the dogs and back again.

So I’m guessing if you want to look like a drug dealer you need a Rottweiler and an Akita 😂

My parents live rurally and as a teenager/20s I always ran with their GSD. Great herding/protective instincts, and with good training and socialising from a young age they are usually solid. I always put her back on a loose lead when approaching other people (isolated enough to run her off lead normally) and that was enough to make people think she was potentially aggressive. She was a huge softie, but aloof and wary with strangers (although well behaved) and had a ferocious sounding bark. She loped along beside me happily for miles with a dangling tongue and a big doggy grin. I never felt unsafe with her around.

To note: all of their GSDs have been rescues and every one of them had terrible separation anxiety that required huge amounts of work and training. Worth it though. Amazing dogs.

There'll be loads of 'scary' looking dogs in rescue because the type of people who get them often give them up when they realise they are not scary!
Ones near me are full of staffies, rottweilers and huskies.

Lurcher with Bull cross? Or lurcher with collie cross?

Ive got a lurcher bull cross looks scary but a big softy! I was bitten by a dog and he just stood there and watched, but I walk in the country lots and feel confident as he looks the part.

Almost any dog would deter somebody from attacking you.

@TrevTro unless you have experience with guarding breeds and the time to train them, I honestly wouldn't recommend you get any breed solely because you think they'll protect you.

Most dogs will protect their owners in a dangerous situation but they are also manageable on a day to day basis and don't require intense amounts of training, stimulation and exercise.

I walk collies, labs, beagles and huskies who would all protect me if they felt I was in danger.

German shepherd. Socialised mine loads as a pup and he was brilliant. When he matured he turned very protective, and I’m constantly having to make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid. Absolute cuddle bug at home but not outside! Every trainer I’ve spoken to has shrugged their shoulders and said “well it’s a GSD”.

OP have a look at Giant schnauzers -they fit all your requirements.

I had an American bulldog who was the softest girl and the best companion but very intimidating to look at a she was very large.
I always felt completely safe out with her as she was protective if needed

I'm not aware of any people who do the protection training themselves. You pay somebody like you'd pay a roofer to do your house.

German Shepard, Malinois (if you have hours a day). Tonnes of training needed though to have a safe dog with these breeds.

Not necessarily. Maybe if you buy from Bl@ckstar KGB Deadl3y Kanines on YouTube, but I've seen quite a few ex police dog handlers who train dogs for a few grand. Still a lot but not an impossible option if security is a primary concern.

Staffie - all day long , total goofballs loving gentle and have the 'look' you want

I once had someone bend down and try to pull my handbag from under the pushchair. My Labrador stopped him by licking his face...

I’m inclined to agree with this. Maybe not a tiny, teacup breed, but I’m fairly certain you’d be/feel safer walking any kind of medium or large dog than you would being out on your own.

Protectiveness as a trait could very easily become a problem, so I’d pick whichever breed best fits your lifestyle.