Good Guard/family Dog Breeds

[mita]

Pity you're not in Q'ld. There's a 3 yrs+ p/b German Shepherd girl for adoption from 4 Paws Animal Rescue (just north of Brisbane).

She's been well cared for, loves children & adults, alert, protective, loyal & playful. Great combination of traits for a family dog.

Her name is Merlot (love it!). Short-haired.

http://www.4pawsanimalrescue.org.au/dogs.html

Edited June 24, 2012 by mita

[Nevafollo]

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.

This is also what i would have suggested... I am abit in love with Rotts atm thou! Im yet to find one that isnt a lovey dovey ball of fun!

Edited June 24, 2012 by Nevafollo

[Guest peteena]

I like the look of American bulldogs, how is he with other dogs and visitors and kids?

HI,

Sorry it has taken me a while to get back hopefully not to late before you make a decision. This fellow that we have is great with kids, we have grandchildren that just love him and he never gets aggressive with them, also we babysit our daughters german shephard and they get along really well. I really cannot fault this breed and as I said I have never had one before but he is just the best dog and a quick learner which makes things even easier and not hypo.

would like to upload a photo of him if i could but not sure how i will give it a go.

Good luck with your choice, our fello is white with a brown patch over one eye.

cheers teenas

[booge]

What kind of dog you like being with? Personality wise?

I think a bullmastiff could be a great choice from what you are describing.

Personality wise, something fairly laid back, sooky with family and energy levels medium but imposing looking. My main focus is finding one that doesn't require intensive exercise to tire him out, I'm happy to take them for a walk everyday but my boxer needs way more than a walk to be satisfied. As much as I love my boxer I don't think we really match. Now that we have a baby it's even more difficult to spend so much time with him tiring him out.

[LizT]

What kind of dog you like being with? Personality wise?

I think a bullmastiff could be a great choice from what you are describing.

Personality wise, something fairly laid back, sooky with family and energy levels medium but imposing looking. My main focus is finding one that doesn't require intensive exercise to tire him out, I'm happy to take them for a walk everyday but my boxer needs way more than a walk to be satisfied. As much as I love my boxer I don't think we really match. Now that we have a baby it's even more difficult to spend so much time with him tiring him out.

In that case I guess you are looking to get an older dog and not a puppy? Most large breeds will have a high energy requirement when young and then "chill out" at about two years of age. Are you sure you want another dog at this time if you don't have time for the Boxer with a new baby in the family now?

[colliehound]

I agree with Liz T - is now really the best time for a dog? If you get one - for goodness sake get two. Two are so much easier than one - especially if you are short of time- they can at least keep each other company. It is easy enough to knock one dog on the head as an intruder - two not as easy.

Also don't cross off longer coats on account of shedding. Shedding is NOT dependant on coat length and it is considerably easier to gather long coat than short spikes when cleaning floors, beds etc.

Please also approach breeders about perhaps adopting two young or middle aged adults. Definitely do not go for puppies. They need almost exclusive attention for months and months and months while you teach and socialise them. It does not sound like you have that time at present, plus given the breeds are are considering - this is critical.

Best of luck in your search.

[Kavik]

NOT a GSD if you don't like shedding and hair everywhere :laugh: - they shed like crazy!

[Purdie]

An irish Wolfhound may also suit you. Consider a rescue dog. Victorian dog rescue have a few Wolfhound and large breed crosses .

http://www.petrescue....au/view/164416

[persephone]

ANY dog needs more than 'a walk' to leave them satisfied and relaxed :) ("tired")

luckily the 'more' is not hard to find - it is merely a 'job' to do ,and education/training , plus interactive toys ,and things like N I LI F . These things work the dog's brain continually and make them more likely to chill happily.

[mita]

ANY dog needs more than 'a walk' to leave them satisfied and relaxed :) ("tired")

luckily the 'more' is not hard to find - it is merely a 'job' to do ,and education/training , plus interactive toys ,and things like N I LI F . These things work the dog's brain continually and make them more likely to chill happily.

Good advice.

[booge]

As I mentioned in the original post I would only be getting a new dog when our two have gone to doggy heaven. When I mention a laid back dog, I mean as an adult (my boxer is nearly 7 and still crazy like a puppy). I don't want to buy an adult dog, the whole puppy thing is fun and not an issue at all, I want the grown dog to be laid back. My boxer still has playtime as well as walks, but spreading the attention and exercise between two is where it becomes too time consuming for me right now. Basically in my house I'm the dog carer and the wife concentrates more on the baby. We're definitely only getting one dog only, far easier to maintain and don't have to double up on all the bills.

[LizT]

As I mentioned in the original post I would only be getting a new dog when our two have gone to doggy heaven. When I mention a laid back dog, I mean as an adult (my boxer is nearly 7 and still crazy like a puppy). I don't want to buy an adult dog, the whole puppy thing is fun and not an issue at all, I want the grown dog to be laid back. My boxer still has playtime as well as walks, but spreading the attention and exercise between two is where it becomes too time consuming for me right now. Basically in my house I'm the dog carer and the wife concentrates more on the baby. We're definitely only getting one dog only, far easier to maintain and don't have to double up on all the bills.

Ah yes, see that now. Well good fun doing the research part in the meantime.

Might want to consider which dogs are also good family/guardian breeds as depending on the timeline it may be Juniors dog! :D I got a German Shepherd when my son was two 1/2 and I was unknowingly pregnant for number two and my two eldest grew up with this fellow. My son was 16 when he had to say goodbye to best mate Harley.

[noisymina]

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.

We had Dobermanns for many years. One at a time, that is. I always felt safe with a Dobe out there. The reputation goes before them. Their breeding means no training is needed to guard/protect. BUT they do need strong leadership and other training to make them sociable.

BUT we have 5 acres and, IMHO, they need space to run and exercise. How laid back your Dobe is depends on you. We got Kaisie as a 4 year old and totally OTT madness at first. So bad she used to run full speed into things. Totally laid back sook by the time I'd finished with her. :laugh: So much so, the vet was asking how I did it!

As I mentioned in the original post I would only be getting a new dog when our two have gone to doggy heaven. When I mention a laid back dog, I mean as an adult (my boxer is nearly 7 and still crazy like a puppy). I don't want to buy an adult dog, the whole puppy thing is fun and not an issue at all, I want the grown dog to be laid back. My boxer still has playtime as well as walks, but spreading the attention and exercise between two is where it becomes too time consuming for me right now. Basically in my house I'm the dog carer and the wife concentrates more on the baby. We're definitely only getting one dog only, far easier to maintain and don't have to double up on all the bills.

From pup to laid back adult, most large breeds take at least 2 years. Do you have the time for this? I'm a fan of getting older dogs myself. :)

[RubyBlue]

I think you ought to pick the breed you like for all other reasons, rather than specifically as a guard/watch dog.

Guarding behaviour is not isolated to specific breeds. I have labs and the dog I grew up with was incredibly laid back but certainly showed his willingness to physically defend members of our family on a few occasions. My 6yo female is an amazing watchdog. I know if someone is walking on the other side of the street or approaching the car. She has kept my neighbour - who knows her very well - off my property when he was trying to turn the alarm off. He was convinced she was serious, Im not sure how far she would really take it but she certainly makes her point. My 8 month old pup is starting to show some alert behaviours, with some encoragement Im sure he'll end up being a good watch dog too.

Perhaps you need to think exactly what you want. Barking when someone comes to the door is very easy to teach (and a large dog barking at you is very intimidating). I am convinced that just about every dog would do their best to physically protect their family if push came to shove.

[Salukifan]

Black Labrador (adult). Looks the part but probably an easier temperament for a family to manage. They do shed a fair bit though.

[RubyBlue]

Black Labrador (adult). Looks the part but probably an easier temperament for a family to manage. They do shed a fair bit though.

Probably higher energy level and far more hair and slobber than the OP is after....I can certainly vouch for them as a family dog though.

[Purdie]

A Great Dane.?..Not sure what their activity level is like though.

[booge]

Dane is a bit too big for us!

[TheCheekyMonster]

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.

I'm afraid Dally's are not the best guard dog anymore haha... especially a well socialised one :laugh: .... I wish any of my Dalmatians alerted me to an intruder instead of licking them!..... Nala on the other hand EXCELLENT watch/guard dog... she wont bite... but she will let us know if someone not welcomed is near the house.

[m-sass]

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.

Wouldn't you be better off using a breed proven capable in guarding/protection roles actively used by professionals in the security industry for the best opportunity for people not trying their luck with like the GSD??.