Dogs: Need Expert Recommendations for Guard/Watch Dog

ChristopherPaul · #1 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 11:04 AM

I am a Dog novice and having intolerances to them all my life to the effect that they trigger asthma attacks, I have not been motivated to study them.

However, that said, some things seem to be changing in regards to what I once called "allergies" (another story/topic) and I may be able to handle a dog.

I am specifically interested in a loyal guard dog. Apparently there are some dogs that are watch dogs (bark) but if you call their bluff they will be ineffective in actually backing up their threats (no bite). Then there are guard dogs that do both watch (bark) and guard (bite).

What are some recommended guard dogs for families?

Friends at church who have four youngsters have a Doberman, but I am just leery of such a breed having had bad experiences in the past with them showing erratic behavior; although their dog seems to do just fine.

py3ak · #2 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 11:08 AM

I have heard that geese make excellent watch-pets.

ChristopherPaul · #3 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by py3ak

I have heard that geese make excellent watch-pets.

Are you serious?

I really harbor some animosity towards geese. They were all over NJ and they were mean and they had bowel movements every eight seconds.

toddpedlar · #4 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 11:13 AM

I'm partial to German Shepherds & Boxers...

py3ak · #5 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 11:16 AM

From The Bestiary

[Speaking of geese]"Another thing is that no animals notice the scent of men so well as the geese do, and for this reason the climbing of the Gauls into the Capitol was detected from their outcry."

But I have never found out if they can be housebroken.

ChristopherPaul · #6 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddpedlar

I'm partial to German Shepherds & Boxers...

From Wikipedia emphasis mine:

Quote:

The character of the Boxer is of the greatest importance and demands the most solicitous attention. He is renowned from olden times for his great love and faithfulness to his master and household. He is harmless in the family, but distrustful of strangers, bright and friendly of temperament at play, but brave and determined when aroused. His intelligence and willing tractability, his modesty and cleanliness make him a highly desirable family dog and cheerful companion. He is the soul of honesty and loyalty, and is never false or treacherous even in his old age.
~ 1938 AKC Boxer breed standard

Wow, this is quite a sell! Plus it is a short-haired dog which may be a safer choice considering my asthma history.

Thanks!

toddpedlar · #7 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristopherPaul

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddpedlar

I'm partial to German Shepherds & Boxers...

From Wikipedia emphasis mine:

Quote:

The character of the Boxer is of the greatest importance and demands the most solicitous attention. He is renowned from olden times for his great love and faithfulness to his master and household. He is harmless in the family, but distrustful of strangers, bright and friendly of temperament at play, but brave and determined when aroused. His intelligence and willing tractability, his modesty and cleanliness make him a highly desirable family dog and cheerful companion. He is the soul of honesty and loyalty, and is never false or treacherous even in his old age.
~ 1938 AKC Boxer breed standard

Wow, this is quite a sell! Plus it is a short-haired dog which may be a safer choice considering my asthma history.

Thanks!

I like the boxer a lot. Playful and a good defender. I think they're arguably one of the better dogs with kids, too.

ChristopherPaul · #8 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by py3ak

From The Bestiary

[Speaking of geese]"Another thing is that no animals notice the scent of men so well as the geese do, and for this reason the climbing of the Gauls into the Capitol was detected from their outcry."

But I have never found out if they can be housebroken.

Thanks, but please note I will not be testing this and giving a report.

Additional qualification: Please recommend guard dogs that are skilled at killing geese. Thank you.

toddpedlar · #9 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 11:26 AM

another thought is a mastiff or bull mastiff for a slightly smaller version. Both are well reputed as guard dogs, for sure, and also good family dogs.

Backwoods Presbyterian · #10 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 11:30 AM

Boxers are great dogs. I highly recommend them. They look and sound mean enough to fend off intruders and are quite lovable furballs in the family.

Kenneth_Murphy · #11 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 12:15 PM

My favorite dogs are labradors but if I wanted a guard dog I would go the german shephard route. I figure they are smart enough to be trained well and big enough to be effective and they seem to be the prefered breed for police work.

larryjf · #12 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 12:51 PM

German Shepherds...cops use them for a reason.
They are also very smart.

I would recommend that you think about the implications about getting a guard dog instead of a watch dog.

With a watch dog they let you know that it's time to get your gun and handle business.

With a guard dog you leave the lethal part up to the dog.

At my son's cub scout event last saturday one of the fathers came with his guard dog. And the dog ended up attacking a little boy and shredding his face from the upper lip to the chin in a matter of 2 seconds. The dog was on his leash when it happened...it just happened so fast that there was no time to stop it.

Personally, i would rather leave the "guarding" up to me and the "watching" up to the dog. My new theory on dogs is to make sure you get one that you are able to punt at least 10 yards if need be.

SueS · #13 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 12:55 PM

I have been a fan of german shepherds since the days of "Rin-tin-tin" on tv and have had several "scrub" dogs as well as two pure-breds, one of which was almost show quality.

There are two different types of gsd's - German bred and American bred. German bred dogs are heavier built and generally larger and, although not necessarily mean, are more agressive than the American version. The American breds are of a much lighter build and the agression has been bred out of them to the point that police forces will not use them.

I've had both types - my former dog (the almost show quality dog) was German bred and was an excellent companion. She was quite reserved upon first meeting, a quality I like, but very friendly after a few minutes. She was not overtly agressive but there was no doubt that she would defend to the death any of her people who were threatened. She was that "once in a lifetime" dog.

Our current gsd is an American bred rescued from a kill shelter. She's a beautiful animal but is a bit on the dumb side (probably because she wasn't raised by us from a pup) and waaay too friendly to strangers. However, she is loving and quite nurturing (our cat "nursed" off her when she was a tiny kitten) and shows signs that, in a pinch, she would defend her people.

If you would go the gsd route be aware that they have two major shedding seasons, spring and fall, and that they shed to a lesser extent all year round - we counter that with frequent bathing and brushing, but daily vacuuming is still necessary. Make sure you go through a reputable breeder who has bred for temprament as well as conformation and who screens for potential hip dysplasia - our shelter dog shows no signs of it, thankfully. As with any dog, obedience training is a MUST. I personally would be leery of guard dog training for a family pet, but that's only my opinion. With good care and good genes a gsd can be expected to live 12-15 years with the majority of that time being active and playful.

My current dog is about 10-11 years old and starting to slow down - I hope dh lets me get another german shepherd puppy when she is gone.

Semper Fidelis · #14 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 12:57 PM

I've heard that Poodles actually have hair vice fur and don't cause the same allergy problems. They're supposed to be intelligent and good guard dogs too.

Animal Planet :: Guides :: Dog Breed Selector

Animal Planet :: Dog Breed Profile :: Poodle (Standard)

Daniel Ritchie · #15 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristopherPaul

Quote:

Originally Posted by py3ak

I have heard that geese make excellent watch-pets.

Are you serious?

I really harbor some animosity towards geese. They were all over NJ and they were mean and they had bowel movements every eight seconds.

Geese or swans are effective in restraing an intruder. Either of these can easily break a human being's arm.

SueS · #16 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semper Fidelis

I've heard that Poodles actually have hair vice fur and don't cause the same allergy problems. They're supposed to be intelligent and good guard dogs too.

Yeah, a toy poodle is just the thing for biting an intruder's toes off!!

py3ak · #17 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 01:02 PM

The stupidest dog I've ever known was a German Shepherd. Consider this romance novel he wrote.

Daniel Ritchie · #18 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by py3ak

The stupidest dog I've ever known was a German Shepherd. Consider this romance novel he wrote.

My uncle has a german shepherd who is the worst guard dog you could ever want.

ChristopherPaul · #19 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 01:16 PM

I have not seen a Poodle on any guard dog lists. The dogs recommended for people with allergies are all wimpy dogs: Chihuahua, Poodle, Bichon Frise, Shitz zu, Greyhounds.

I am really liking what I am reading about the Boxer. The German Shepherd is a bit large and the coat may be too extreme to maintain if there is sensitivity.

ChristopherPaul · #20 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenneth_Murphy

I figure they are smart enough to be trained well and big enough to be effective and they seem to be the prefered breed for police work.

Apparently Boxers are too:

Quote:

They [Boxers] are widely used in search and rescue, police work, and military work.