booge Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Hopefully this topic hasn't been done to death, but I'm beginning to research for our next dog. When our two are gone we will only get one dog. I've always been a fan of bigger dogs, I work shift work and my wife feels safer at home with our boxer around. But he is very high energy and allergy prone, my vet has a great car because of him. I'd like peoples recommendation for a good guard for a family with young kids, with medium energy levels. I'm leaning towards Bullmastiff but would like to hear others experiences, maybe Ridgeback. Not after an overly aggressive or vicious dog but an imposing looking and sounding dog people wouldn't like to try their luck with. Wife won't hear of Rotties as she had one kill her family dog once, so they're out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Do you want a guard dog or a watch dog - a watch dog will bark and scare someone off, but a guess dog will seal the deal. It sounds like you want a watch dog, but your title suggest otherwise. Any large dog would scare most people, so I'd look for a dog that has the attributes I want ro live with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Hopefully this topic hasn't been done to death, but I'm beginning to research for our next dog. When our two are gone we will only get one dog. I've always been a fan of bigger dogs, I work shift work and my wife feels safer at home with our boxer around. But he is very high energy and allergy prone, my vet has a great car because of him. I'd like peoples recommendation for a good guard for a family with young kids, with medium energy levels. I'm leaning towards Bullmastiff but would like to hear others experiences, maybe Ridgeback. Not after an overly aggressive or vicious dog but an imposing looking and sounding dog people wouldn't like to try their luck with. Wife won't hear of Rotties as she had one kill her family dog once, so they're out. Either could be suitable but are very different breeds. The Bullmastiff is lower energy but more of a true guard dog. The RR is actually a hunting breed, so more active, needs more exercise and is not a guard dog but it's imposing size and bark would deter most intruders. I know people with both breeds and of the larger breeds they are two that I would recommend as family pets and being generally very friendly once the owner introduces then to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Fox Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Ridgeback's make good watch dogs due to their size and deep bark, they are protective of their families and will happily bail up an intruder. However it's more song and dance than anything else and if threatened most will turn tail and run. They are medium energy, they still need a good walk or two each day but are happy to laze around in between. Mine is good with kids he knows, not so much with those he doesn't, same goes for adults. Don't know much about the Bullmastiff sorry. Have you considered a German Shepherd? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 I know you've said you'll be reducing to only one dog. But we know of a builder & his wife who've combined an alert dog with a guard dog, at their home property, where there's construction equipment. His wife's dog is a small tibetan spaniel that has excellent hearing for anything unusual. This little dog will bark only if somebody is coming thro' the gate or is on the property. So it doesn't do mindless yapping. The husband's dog is a doberman who responds to the tib's alert bark by taking himself out for a look. Simply the sight of this dobe makes an intruder think twice. What is not known is that the dobe hasn't a vicious bone in his body and is a much loved house pet....just as the tibbie is. Both dogs are well-socialised & came from registered breeders. And are also great mates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minxy Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Hopefully this topic hasn't been done to death, but I'm beginning to research for our next dog. When our two are gone we will only get one dog. I've always been a fan of bigger dogs, I work shift work and my wife feels safer at home with our boxer around. But he is very high energy and allergy prone, my vet has a great car because of him. I'd like peoples recommendation for a good guard for a family with young kids, with medium energy levels. I'm leaning towards Bullmastiff but would like to hear others experiences, maybe Ridgeback. Not after an overly aggressive or vicious dog but an imposing looking and sounding dog people wouldn't like to try their luck with. Wife won't hear of Rotties as she had one kill her family dog once, so they're out. An Akita could possible fit the bill. Naturally protective of their property and their families. They are incredibly people orientated. My husband works shift work as well, and I honestly don't have a care in the world when he's on nights (which he is on this week) as I know no one would be game to come in the house with Kyojin around. Akitas are very large and have a very loud bark - they also do not bark just for the sake of it, they will only bark when they are suspicious of something. Not a high energy breed at all. Happy to go for a walk or run of course or play a bit of soccer, but also won't notice it if they miss out. They will pretty much sleep all day otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
booge Posted June 23, 2012 Author Share Posted June 23, 2012 This is a generalisation, but I've heard Akita's are a bit bitey. Plus the extra hair is an issue, our pug drops hair like nothing else, so short hair is also wanted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyra Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Shar Pei - not for everyone, but very loyal loving dogs , natural 'guard' dogs - as in they will only tend to bark if something/someone is too close to the house for their liking. Not generally high energy, medium sized dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peteena Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 I have a American Bull Dog and he is just the best dog, smart, great with kids and protective of the house, and low maintence. I have never had this breed before and I have had a few over the years, but have found he has been the best dog we have had, may be worth a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
booge Posted June 23, 2012 Author Share Posted June 23, 2012 I like the look of American bulldogs, how is he with other dogs and visitors and kids? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkhe Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 If you're after something that will deter intruders and make your wife feel safe, most large and giant breeds fit that bill. Also, black or dark coloured dogs seem to be more imposing and "threatening" looking. If I were you I'd base my search around characteristics I actually want in a dog, and go for a large breed that tends toward them :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfie02 Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 I have a Ridgeback and while he is a total sook he definitely would scare off any intruders just because of his size alone. He is a wonderful family dog and is naturally protective of his family, but not possessive at all. If you decide on a ridgie just make sure you go to a reputable breeder and take your puppy to a good puppy preschool and socialise as much as you can! The best thing we ever did with our ridgie was to sit out the front of our local shops and let kids, adults and people with a disability pat him. He is now very nicley socialised with all sorts of people (and we continue to socialise him as he grows) :) P.s. Our next dog will be a bullmastiff so you have chosen some good breeds! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
becks Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 If you don't like moulting dogs, what do you feel about slober? Something Bullmastiffs can do a lot of! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cassie Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 I'd suggest a Rott first and foremost, sounds like one would fit the bill quite well, but since your wife says no perhaps a Bullmastiff or Mastiff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tralee Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 Maremma Sheepdog. If you can get past the prejudicial ignorance about their temperament. See the testimonials here: Gemelli, Heraldus & Lumen, Maremmas will be whatever you want them to be, but they will always stay a Guardian first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minxy Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 This is a generalisation, but I've heard Akita's are a bit bitey. Plus the extra hair is an issue, our pug drops hair like nothing else, so short hair is also wanted. You've heard very wrong I'm afraid. Long hair doesn't necessarily equal maintenance or shedding. In fact, a lit of short haired breeds shed a lot more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esky the husky Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 Pugs shed like crazy though. Spitz breeds like akitas and my own breed sibes, go through a coat cycle. They lose all their undercoat (insulation) in one go, so it's a snow storm for about a week 2 at most. But really they don't need as much grooming as many think. Our old neighbours had an akita that was a great watch dog, was very friendly, but from her size you would not want to enter the yard unannounced ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zug Zug Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 What kind of dog you like being with? Personality wise? I think a bullmastiff could be a great choice from what you are describing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voloclydes Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 people are scared of my large dalmation... he's the largest i have ever seen... his heads is high thigh height on me and i am not tall only 5'6, i can rest my hand on his head without reaching down. he however is not in the least bit vicous... the jrt or the foxie cross will bite... if pushed... maybe any breed that is large would suffice... not just a guarding one, although dals do have this reputation of being snappy... not in my experience, but they are known for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullmastiffmum Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 i would say do a lot of research, speak to breeders , go to dog shows, find a dog that suits your lifestyle and personality I have a bullmastiff, my first one and i love him He has a real laid back personality, great with kids and people He looks intimidating, barks at strangers when they approach the house but starts wiggling excitidly when they get to the gate so ......dont think he would pass as the best guard dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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