kelpiecuddles Posted March 25, 2014 Share Posted March 25, 2014 Yep I think brindle is good for whatever reason. Even my son who has always grown up around dogs and never had any specific breed funniness from me met a brindle staffy for the first time the other week and immediately jumped on to the trailer and said something to effect of that he was worried it was going to bite him because it was stripey and scary looking I nearly slapped him(ok so not really) and quickly informed him that staffies are basically one of the happiest smiliest breeds I know, he quickly got over his silliness LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted March 25, 2014 Share Posted March 25, 2014 My Kieran( deerhoundX) was B I G and brindle ..and adults would do a detour around him ..whereas kids would gravitate to him ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted March 25, 2014 Share Posted March 25, 2014 I love brindle... so many variations... *sigh* My horse puppy is blue brindle... pretty, but somewhat neurotic and naughty at the moment (18 months old now). T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted March 25, 2014 Share Posted March 25, 2014 I too think a Rotty could be a great option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dididog Posted March 25, 2014 Share Posted March 25, 2014 If you want something that looks and sounds intimidating a Dane certainly fits the bill, even a puppy bark is scary. A well bred and raised one is generally calm and stable and though I am only speaking from lots of research and experience with a part Dane they are very sensitive and intuitive and enjoy being companions. The amount of exercise described would be plenty but if getting a puppy you need to really manage and limit their exercise/growth. They are really big though and may perhaps be inconvenient but if you are prepared to live with the size then they may be one to consider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandiandwe Posted March 25, 2014 Share Posted March 25, 2014 As I said, all of my greys are perfect, one is definitely physically protective of me ( and is big, brindle and muzzled) , and two alert bark. The third would sit on an intruder. But I wonder in terms of obedience and showing..... It would depend on level and motivation. The two I have done obedience with really do excel at standing stock still, looking somewhat aloof, then lying down or doing something more interesting. One is an accredited and working therapy dog, so they aren't untrainable, but if obedience is something wanting to be done competitively, a grey will be more work. It can be done, but I'd think that to be competitive, you'd want something a bit easier perhaps? For a fun activity and to bond with the dog, then a grey would be great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted March 25, 2014 Share Posted March 25, 2014 I did agility with my Grey & there is an ex racing Grey here currently competing in obedience & agility & doing well ,They excel at tracking. There are show greyhound breeders in NZ . I loved all 8 of our Greys but would never recommend them as a guard dog ,also what are the muzzling laws in NZ the one thing we found when walking our Greys who had to wear muzzles back them is people would approach to ask questions or comment .From the different breeds i have owned the public where more interested in approaching the Greys . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted March 25, 2014 Share Posted March 25, 2014 I did agility with my Grey & there is an ex racing Grey here currently competing in obedience & agility & doing well ,They excel at tracking. There are show greyhound breeders in NZ . I loved all 8 of our Greys but would never recommend them as a guard dog ,also what are the muzzling laws in NZ the one thing we found when walking our Greys who had to wear muzzles back them is people would approach to ask questions or comment .From the different breeds i have owned the public where more interested in approaching the Greys . There is only one person in NZ who has bred recently and that was over 3 years ago afaik. In the USA plenty of greys do obedience and agility and do well. We have them here as well, in WA and QLD. There are no muzzling laws in NZ. If a grey was of interest to the OP then I would go the way of GAP NZ and get an adult. You know what you are getting, you have the back up of the organisation and it's a good way to dip your toe into the world of dog ownership before tackling the dog show world with another breed. And even when they don't bark I certainly knew if people were around by the way they race to the door, tails wagging madly :laugh: But I think a lab or rottie would be a good choice as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazyWal Posted March 25, 2014 Share Posted March 25, 2014 (edited) I thought the OP was asking for a dog that would deter intruders not so much as an attacking guard dog :/ I didn't know that about the muzzling laws in NZ Rebanne. Edited March 25, 2014 by HazyWal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpette Posted March 25, 2014 Share Posted March 25, 2014 Ok I've gotten some more input from my friend, will try make sure I cover the questions everyone asked in this post: -She is confident with animals (her anxiety is mostly social, so its really only other people she has trouble with), and has worked with dogs before. She's a whole different person socially if she has a dog around to talk about, from what I've noticed when we have gone out with my two. Although this will be her first solo dog, I don't think she would have issues with making sure dog has boundaries etc. -Doesn't *have* to go for walks the length stated, that was just the maximum she is likely to do. -She likes most dogs appearance wise, although I don't think she is crazy on smushy-faced breeds, but if one was otherwise ideal for her, she wouldn't mind it. I do know a shar-pei wouldn't suit, she touched one at a show once and her skin had a reaction to the prickly coat. -I have warned her about the bad side of showing with the gossip and such. She still wants to give it a go, starting at ribbon parade level, our club's ribbon parades are very friendly and supportive. I think she may also be interested in other canine sports. She feels doing something with her dog will be a good way to build confidence around people, as she'll be in her element with her dog as a social crutch, if that makes sense. - She plans on taking the pup to puppy school and to at least one six week obedience course for basic stuff after that. - A loud bark may be enough, as long as it would make any potential intruder move on, I think that would be enough to help her be calmer at night alone. Any more questions you want me to ask her let me know. I'm trying to persuade her to join but obviously thats a bit tricky haha. A Rottweiler needs at least 18 months obedience training, especially around the teenage/adolescent period. Ideally, they should be doing obedience or some form of sport/work for most of their lives. They are a working breed that loves to keep stimulated. An unstimulated Rottweiler is a nightmare and can be quiet destructive and badly behaved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted March 25, 2014 Share Posted March 25, 2014 All of my rotties have been couch ornaments - by choice... basic obedience as pups, and plenty of socialisation with people and other animals was all they were given. T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raineth Posted March 25, 2014 Share Posted March 25, 2014 I really think a Lab would be great in this situation. They are pretty big dogs really, and despite the fact that it doesn't go hand in hand with what they are bred for, many of them seem to be quite territorial. I don't mean that they would actually attack someone, but that they put on a good territorial display. Labradors are usually very devoted to their people and seem to have a good level of nerve and confidence which can mean that they are less likely to become reactive (that's the last thing you want, having a reactive dog is pretty stressful). I also think Labradors can be sensitive to their owners emotions/state of mind without being affected by it themselves. Some breeds are just as in tune with their owner's emotions and state of mind, but are more likely to be affected by it, so if you're not feeling confident, they don't feel confident either. I wouldn't recommend a Dane personally. Many of them are prone to anxiety themselves and they are often very reliant on you being the confident one. There are also a lot of health problems they can be prone to and I think you really need to know the breed inside out to confidently identify a good breeder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpette Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 All of my rotties have been couch ornaments - by choice... basic obedience as pups, and plenty of socialisation with people and other animals was all they were given. T. T can I swap you for just two weeks. Please. Pretty please. I want a holiday. :D Mine will be couch potatoes for a while after a walk or doing some obedience work or nursing home visit. But as soon as you are up so are they, ready for more action. Oh and Zeph keeps you on the couch by laying on you while you watch TV. Dee will sleep in her crate, until there is an opening on the couch. :laugh: I think mine are broken. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 All of my rotties have been couch ornaments - by choice... basic obedience as pups, and plenty of socialisation with people and other animals was all they were given. T. T can I swap you for just two weeks. Please. Pretty please. I want a holiday. :D Mine will be couch potatoes for a while after a walk or doing some obedience work or nursing home visit. But as soon as you are up so are they, ready for more action. Oh and Zeph keeps you on the couch by laying on you while you watch TV. Dee will sleep in her crate, until there is an opening on the couch. :laugh: I think mine are broken. :) I don't have any Rotties right now... closest I have is a half Rotti who is 14.5 years old... she's nice and slow nowadays... lol! All of my previous pure Rotties were seriously pretty easy dogs to own - basic obedience and an occasional walk now and then - but they were most happy adorning all of my furniture, the lazy bums! I actually had one male who would develop this horrible limp the minute you put a collar and lead on him - he hated going for any exercise that much... *sigh* T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpette Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 All of my rotties have been couch ornaments - by choice... basic obedience as pups, and plenty of socialisation with people and other animals was all they were given. T. T can I swap you for just two weeks. Please. Pretty please. I want a holiday. :D Mine will be couch potatoes for a while after a walk or doing some obedience work or nursing home visit. But as soon as you are up so are they, ready for more action. Oh and Zeph keeps you on the couch by laying on you while you watch TV. Dee will sleep in her crate, until there is an opening on the couch. :laugh: I think mine are broken. :) I don't have any Rotties right now... closest I have is a half Rotti who is 14.5 years old... she's nice and slow nowadays... lol! All of my previous pure Rotties were seriously pretty easy dogs to own - basic obedience and an occasional walk now and then - but they were most happy adorning all of my furniture, the lazy bums! I actually had one male who would develop this horrible limp the minute you put a collar and lead on him - he hated going for any exercise that much... *sigh* T. They most certainly are clever and know how to train their owners. What a con artist your boy was They do love human furniture and know how to make themselves at home :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 At one point when I bought a couple of new couches, my mother asked me what I was going to cover them with... I just said "Rottweilers"... lol! T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 They do love human furniture and know how to make themselves at home :laugh: The pics of Rotties making themselves comfortable are my all-time favourites on DOL. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuralPug Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Hooray! Terri S, spot on! I've been reading through and, given that Saint Bernards were in consideration, I cannot believe that no-one (until Terri) had recommended a Great Dane. They come in black (think Hound of the Baskervilles lol), are not a really high drive breed, need only moderate exercise (especially when young). are generally aloof with strangers but quite focused on their own person/family and need very little in the way of fancy grooming. And they are GREAT cuddlers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpette Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 At one point when I bought a couple of new couches, my mother asked me what I was going to cover them with... I just said "Rottweilers"... lol! T. OMG I love the reply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpette Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 They do love human furniture and know how to make themselves at home :laugh: The pics of Rotties making themselves comfortable are my all-time favourites on DOL. :) They do make great furnishings and certainly bring a warmth and homeliness to any room :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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