BIG MEAN DOG
 

ATF wants me to get a security system for my business, and seeing as I'm operating out of my residence (I checked with town council, its ok), I think the addition of a big mean dog would be a good choice.

Anyone got any suggestions for good home defense breeds? I want something that will bark when someone is on my property that doesn't belong there, or if theres someone at the door, but I also want a breed that isn't too hard to control. Gun shops get robbed frequently out here apparently, so I'd like to get something to give me an edge, I don't think the alarm system alone is going to cut it, hardly a deterant to a determined and quick individual.

I've heard that purebread german shephards usually have poor health and hereditary illnesses, and female rotweilers tend to have bad hips. Should I go with two male rotties? How should I train them, should I get a professional to do 1 on 1 on 1? I'm sure I'll learn something too :D

Re: BIG MEAN DOG
 

Consider "flash fog" (example: http://flashfogsecurity.com/).

A mean dog might get you into a liability issue... maybe just get a labrador. We have one. She is 75 pounds and great with the kids, but she has a HUGE bark and looks quite mean when her heckles are up. I'm not sure she would actually attack someone, but if I saw her I wouldn't want to find out.

Re: BIG MEAN DOG
 

Get a Caucasian Shepherd Dog

http://postworthy.com/ContributorImages/maddog1.jpg
http://postworthy.com/ContributorImages/maddog12.jpg
http://postworthy.com/ContributorImages/maddog8.jpg

Re: BIG MEAN DOG
 

If it's for show purposes, get a malamute.

Otherwise, I'd recommend a German Shepherd mix. That will help in the reduction of health problems.

Re: BIG MEAN DOG
 

It's all in the breeding. You can get these problems in any large breed.
Find a very reputable breeder that OFAs the hips/eyes/elbows and talk to people that have bought pups from them, ask for references on their pups. Talk to the local Vet, they know where the good dogs come from!
Shepards are good, but they do have health problems if bought from a puppy mill. You will pay $$$-$$$$ for a good dog that has been well-bred. My GSDs have no problems, they are 9 years old, hips/eyes/elbows all good, no heart problems, etc. My female does have allergies, but no worse than ours! Come allegy season she's itching. I luv my GSDs, active when I am, couch potatoe when I am, good with kids...wary of strangers and protective, just right.

Re: BIG MEAN DOG
 

I dont know anything about dogs but I have a labrador(part dalmation) as well as she barks at everything. I never trained her to do anything, she just barks all the time. Anyone walks by the house she barks. She even barks at the neighbor when hes out in his front yard, and I am not even sure how she sees him.

Re: BIG MEAN DOG
 

German Shepherd, professionally trained...

Re: BIG MEAN DOG
 

Re: BIG MEAN DOG
 

That does not always work.

Odds are you will wind up with the bad health problems of both breeds.

Re: BIG MEAN DOG
 

Man, that fog thing is great! I wonder how well it works? I'd like to see a video.

Now that I think about it, I'll get a dog for companionship that barks when people come on the property, and I'll rig up a DIY fog/strobe/siren device. Maybe I should go overboard with it, Tim the Tool Man Taylor style, argh argh argghhh :D

Re: BIG MEAN DOG
 

Baphomet, I was a professional Dog trainer for decades. If you are buying dogs for protection you need to do some reading first. All dogs should have basic obedience. Do not not pay a Trainer to train your dogs. What you will have is dogs that listens to the Trainer instead of you. Instead take obedience classes with the dogs and seek farther training with a Trainer who includes you into the training process. Also remember any dog including a poodle will be protective if he has a loving relationship with his owner. Your dog needs to like you in order to feel the need to protect you.

As far a breeds go any breed including mixed breeds can have health problem. Buy from a reputable breeder who does health and temperament checks. Contact a local kennel club or ask the Vet for references. You may pay more for a well bred dog but if you start accumulating Vet bills the initial cost rapidly becomes a moot point.

Rotties, Dobermans and pit bulls are the most recognizable as guard dogs. In my opinion other breeds such as Dalmatians and Chows have much stronger guarding tendencies. Consider a Great Dane also. When training a guard dog remember you have the potential to create a lethal machine. You need to be able to control it.

Re: BIG MEAN DOG
 

Sound advice, thanks Jaima!

Re: BIG MEAN DOG
 

Anatolian Shepards...

GREAT natural guard dogs - they NORMALLY guard sheep, but will be glad to accept YOUR PLACE as a replacement 'thing' to guard.

Re: BIG MEAN DOG
 

Any breed of size would do, and any pound or shelter would have them. Just keep and eye out until you find one you like, for reasons that are beyond explaining. You're not hiring a guard here, you are adding to your family and assuming a purpetual responsiblity.

That said, I think boxers have been overlooked. Pits are fine and popular, and rotties are what they say, although a little tubby. Dobermains tend to be unpredictable, even after years of normalacy. Boxers, however, have the mouth of a bulldog or mastiff, the legs of a greyhound, and the chest of a rottwieler. They are extremely personable, and not especially overprotective. That said, a large one could both put your skull in its mouth, drag your body downstairs, and the jaws would require special tools to release. They also run very, very fast and could knock you flat as a steamroller as they weigh 36k (80lbs). You will not escape either their legs or their jaws.

There are many discarded boxers that are not show-quality, especially the white ones (not albino).

Downsides: somewhat shorter life, short hair in cold climates. Big eaters. Not pointedly aggressive.

Just a vote here.


TS