Would your dog defend you on a walk? If so what breed is it?

[MontezumasPuma]

I love my Springer to bits but if I was attacked while walking she’d either wet herself or throw herself at them for a fuss. I work and walk in remote locations and could do with a dog that would stand up for me. We have 5 year old DS and 19 month DD so the breed needs to be family friendly.

My last dog? Loved me but I think unlikely to ever be aggressive.
Previous dog to her - quite possibly, she guarded the baby against strangers by placing herself between them.
My friend had a Newfoundland that was generally very soppy but actually a very good guard dog for the house, would bark loudly if anyone came too close and actively intervened against a threat to her.

Our GSDxcollie protected DH against a gang of youths who surrounded him on his mobility scooter. DDog barked and bared teeth. The kids soon left DH alone.

Our present dog, an akita x, late one night out walking, saw a man in the shadows, made no noise, no growling, but stood in front of me watching intently. I think she would protect, but I hope I never need to find out.

I used to have a boxer (super-friendly and gentle) but would go barky-bananas at anyone she thought was messing with us. Leapt at them and went into full protector mode. She wasn’t aggressive but she was big and loud and looked a bit intimidating, we lived in a very rough scheme and never had a bit of trouble when we had her on the lead with us. They are energetic and enthusiastic and do take a bit of training (if you don’t they can be wacky) but are very good with kids, if you can keep a dog exercised and entertained I’d thoroughly recommend.

My sheepdog was probably the toughest dog I’ve had who would have attacked if necessary.

Mine would certainly protect me and has done in the past. He's very protective of me and never leaves my side which can be annoying. I rescued him so I think he feels he has to protect me at all costs. He's a terrier cross breed and is really small but has a huge personality. Once he realises theres no danger he gets super friendly.

@GoodOldEmmaNess 🤣🤣🤣

Yes. large male German Shepherd. The only time anyone gave me any trouble while out walking, he stopped chasing squirrels, came and sat to heel, and gave a low rolling growl in the back of his throat. No fuss, no barking but no mistaking the message either. 😊

My cat got very defensive of my children when a chap came round to quote the double glazing - stood in front of them - hair on end hissing

The dog lay on its back for a belly rub 😂

Good dog 👍 I have been wondering what the position is when a dog bites to protect their owner (given the dangerous dogs act). Were you questioned about it?

My little Norfolk terrier is usually very friendly but will growl and get his hackles up if anyone makes what looks like the slightest threat to one of the children. He has squared up to my 6ft 2 FIL before now which I think is mighty brave given the relative size of both of them! FIL was pretending to wallop DD and my dog did not like this at all. Whether he would defend me is another matter entirely!

My lab has seen off a few men, growled hackles up and barking.

Random guys in a van who pulled up at a campsite. Threw something in a bin and left. She really went for them!

Bloke in the woods who was being odd, but he was young and popped out of a path. She ran at him barking.

If we are walking in the woods and someone is on the path that I can't see she always comes back and walks near me till they've passed.

She's got a lovely temperament and not aggressive at all. Only at these few times

My chihuahua runs away from random leaves blowing in the wind.
We saw a tiny frog on the pavement during one of our walks and he ran as far as the lead would allow away from me and stood there shaking.

Heaven forbid you make an unexpected noise in the house by dropping something etc, you just see a tiny blur running for cover.

He only barks when my son has popcorn on movie night (its his way of asking for a bit)

So I'm going to assume that, if anything were to happen during one of our walks, I'm on my own!

There's an exemption in place if your dog bites a burglar, and while not quite the same scenario I suspect the same principles apply.

In this case I'm sure it would be a case of prosecution not being in the public interest.

You can imagine the headlines - "I reported an attempted rape and the police put down the dog that saved me" etc complete with a picture of an adorable border terrier.

None of my Staffies would have defended me but I don’t think anyone would have tried to attack me because of the (entirely un justified) breed reputation.

My corgi would roll over and wait for a belly rub.

My dog who died recently never growled once but I have no doubt she would have fought to the death for me. She put herself between my and the DC and whatever she thought was a potential risk. When I was growing up we had a boxer and I am certain she stopped me from being attacked once. Lovely dog but again would have done some damage if the man had done what I think he was planning to do.

• My chihuahua runs away from random leaves blowing in the wind. We saw a tiny frog on the pavement during one of our walks and he ran as far as the lead would allow away from me and stood there shaking.*

My GSD cross was terrified of a mushroom we found growing the other day on FILs lawn. A mushroom!

I am considering training my GSD x to bark on command because she looks genuinely terrifying.

I'm going to use a different word than 'bark' though for maximum impact...

Maybe something like 'Prepare' or 'Easy..' so that it seems like I'm getting her ready to attack or that my command is the only thing holding her back from attacking.

I suspect this would be far more effective in convincing a potential attacker that it wasn't worth it because they wouldn't know she was only trained to bark.

What I don't agree with is training dogs for personal protection. This video for example...

In the first clip the 'attacker' pretends to pickpocket the owner and is savaged.

Firstly - I don't think having a dog savage someone is proportionate to being pickpocketed.

Secondly - there are all sorts of actions people could take that are not at all threatening but that the dog could easily misinterpret as being suspicious.

Anyway back to OP's original question.

I saw DH isn't in to GSDs LTB, what about a Doberman?

They have the same level of 'don't even think about fucking with my owner' look and reputation but are great family dogs.

Intelligent and loyal and if (and I would hope this would be the case) you don't dock their ears and tail they are really lovely looking dogs...

Then, if you're going out in the dark or anywhere you want to feel extra safe put a big collar with spikes on it. Dog looks extra intimidating to potential attackers but it's just the same soppy dog wearing dog jewellery

Friend’s Rhodesian Ridgeback definitely would have. She was alone in her flat when a burglar broke in, her dog charged at the burglar with very deep and menacing growl and bark. He beat a hasty retreat.
She was a sweet and gentle dog normally .

@CurlewKate I didn't feel the need to go into detail, I described the men as suspicious and dodgy so assumed that would be enough. To explain, it was dark, I was walking home with my dog, 2 under the influence (drunk/drugs) blokes came along and started talking/walking with me, I felt uncomfortable. Fortunately (IMO) my friendly to most but scarey looking when he wants to be dog agreed with me. He didn't attack anyone but assume they thought he might. They left me alone.

@MontezumasPuma he is a mostly black border collie so agree if not choosing a GSD this is a very good option.

@wheresmymojo my fierce when he (and I) wants to be my large border collie was scared of a piece of fabric in the garden , anything out of place. The piece of fabric must have been very intimidating, like the mushroom

My German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP) would 100% defend me, if her crazily loud bark hasn't deterred someone first.

Mine is the exact opposite. He tries to viciously defend me from all workmen in the house and any one approaching us on the street gets very short shrift. Very loving with family and friends but the world’s most vocal guard dog.