Guard Dogs for your wife

[larry]

I'll begin flying full time in four months and I want to make sure my wife is safe by herself at home and when she goes for a jog by herself.

I thought about a handgun but she hates them, and I've been wanting to get a dog for a while anyway so I'm thinking about getting a dog that can also be a home defense dog.

Using the yahoo dog picker, it looks like a German Shepherd would be perfect. I want a dog that is loyal and territorial. I don't mind if the dog doesn't like other people, we can put him in the back room when company comes over. I'd actually prefer a big dog anyway.

Does anybody have a better suggestion?

 

[B-J-J Fighter]

Ive always liked French Poodles for situations like yours, if that doesnt work you can always back up your poodle with a pomeranian.

 

[ifly4food]

A well trained Shepherd makes an excellent guard dog. They are fiercely loyal to their "family" and are actually prety good with kids. It's funny to see them treat your kids like their own. Training is the key and if you go this route you may want to consider professional training. It'll set you back $500 or so, but it's worth every penny.
Also, if you go for a Shepherd, be VERY. VERY selective of where you get it. Shepherds are very prone to hip displacia and its incidence is growing rapidly in this country. It's a disease where the hip bone doesn't fit into its socket properly and it causes early, debillitating arthritis. It leaves the dog disabled and makes for some costly medical bills. It's genetic and aggravated by inbreeding. It's best to get the dog from a reputable breeder who has the appropriate paperwork (from the AKC) and references. Avoid "puppy mills" or private breeders.

Check to see where the police dogs in your area come from... that would be a good place to start.

 

[Finch]

For a dog with a brain....

As was already pointed out, temperment and health issues are a big problem with this (and many other) breeds. Great choice for protection, just do lots of homework before you buy. There is a lot of garbage out there!

You may want to try this Ed Frawley at this kennel: http://www.leerburg.com/

His dogs are expensive, but have excellent health and temperments. I am a Rott person myself, but for GSD, his kennel is one of the best in the US for stable temperments and trainability. He also works part time as a reserve officer, and trains dogs for police work. His web site also has great information for all dog owners. Worth a look.

Finch

 

[flint4xx]

I have five large dogs, and I do feel pretty qualified to answer this one.

If the main purpose of this animal is just to keep people away from your wife while she's jogging, and to have a good intelligent dog at home as well, you definately don't need to spend a bunch of money.

I would recommend going to the internet or humane society and finding a puppy Pit Bull or American Staffordshire Terrier. I have three Pits and they are wonderful, playful, and loyal dogs that are athletic enough to jog with your wife, and just being Pit Bulls, will keep everyone away. It is in all dogs nature to protect, so in most case no special training is needed.

The only caution I would give you is that any dogs, especially ones like Pits, Rotts, GSD, need to be raised properly. If you or your wife can't give the animal the proper attention it needs, just like a kid, you WILL have problems. It takes incredble committment to do it right, and it can cost money on vet bills, pet sitter/kennel. You won't be able to just split for the weekend either.

If you spend money on a trained protection dog, then it isn't necessarily going to be your best friend, since you didn't raise him. He will need repeated retraining.

It sound so far like some pepper spray is what you need. If you want more serious animal info, send me a PM. My wife is in the animal rescue business and I can steer you in the right direction.

 

[empenage]

flint4xx is right. A dog takes allot of work and commitment. Be sure you are ready to raise a puppy right before you buy a dog. Dogs are "pack" animals so raised properly a puppy will become very loyal to you and your wife

B-J-J Fighter picked a good breed. Standard Poodles are smart, very athletic and dont shed.

Ive been bit by three dogs in my life so far. The first was a poodle. The second was a German Shepard. The third was a mut. They all had one thing in common. They all made noise. It sounds like you need a "noise maker".

I had Chesapeakes for years. They look like a chocolate lab...on steroids. Very loyal, very athletic, VERY protective.

 

[larry]

dog

Well I want a dog just because I like dogs. I have two cats and while they are fun, they don't exactly play fetch. In fact sometimes I think I annoy them.

We do plan on doing an obediance school with the dog. I looked around and if you are willing to spend $150.00 or so you can go with your puppy to obediance school. I was planning on having my wife go with the dog.

Part of what I'm looking for is just a scary looking dog. I think a german shephard or doberman just looks like a threat and would keep people away. I also want the big dog bark when people come near the house.

I will look into big dog rescure or the shelter, but I want a puppy, so that may take some time.

Does getting a german shephard looking mutt reduce the likelyhood of hip problems?

 

[El Cid Av8or]

I have a yellow lab (a spoiled rotten one at that). He has a mean sounding bark (didn't have many trick-or-treaters stay long ) but he'd probably show you where the safe and the jewelry box were if you get in. He is kind of protective but won't really bite until he's overly excited. I have heard that Chesapeaks are good protection dogs. Austrailian Blue Healers are as well - very loyal, tough as steel, listen to their owners only.

P.S. Congrats on getting to fly full time. I'll be doing that too but I'll be on the paying end since I'm still working on the rest of my ratings.

 

[skyslug]

Why do you want a scary looking dog? Do you live in a bad area? Are you going to raise the dog to be mean and then have children? How often will you be away from home (commuting?)?

Pepper spray sounds like a much better option than a dog. If your wife works full time your dog might get bored, bark continually and annoy the neighbors. It might tear up the back yard or house. It might be the model dog, ultimate protector and family member.

They take lots of attention and love and will become part of the family. It's a good 14 year or so commitment that shouldn't be taken lightly.

flint4xx has some good advice, you really should PM him. Animal rescue groups do a lot of good work and take in dogs that have been abandoned, mistreated and generally unloved and just need a good home and some attention/love.

But on another note...congratulations of your flying job!!

 

[sydeseet]

We have two dogs - pit bull/greyhound cross and a black lab. The pit (she) would take a bullet for my wife but the trade off is a very high energy, easily bored, high activity dog. We have a big fenced yard as our only saving grace plus we both make an effort to keep her excercised and content. Otherwise, shoes start disappearing, food gets pulled off counters, and furniture gets eaten. The black lab is a typical black lab - slobbery, sweet, and stupid. He is a high energy dog too with a mean growl, but is scared of his own shadow. They make a good team.

Be careful looking for a protective dog as you might end up with more than you bargained for. The other posts are correct - most good sized breeds make good guard dogs plus decent pets too. Look for a breed that will offer a "whole package" of love, fun, and loyalty versus a "protector/guard dog. Boxers are great for this, chessies, larger terriers, and sheppards too. Buy a training book, socialize the hell out of them (kids, men, women, babies, other dogs, and cats), and make and informed decision.

One last thing for consideration. Many (including ours) home owner's insurance policies will not alllow pure pit bulls, rotties or dobermans. This is not my idea of fair but it is a fact. I know Allstate will not allow them either. Too many stupid people didn't listen to a dog trying to tell them to back off and then sued the owner for some free cash. BOOOOOO!!!!!! Not to mention, a lot of people have a dog they have no business having.

 

[Finch]

Larry, a cross-breed dog can only be as healthy as the genetic strength of it's parents. Also, they often have unknown health defects, since planning and evaluation is not part of the breeding process of most crossbred dogs. I am not saying you can't find a healthy one, just that it is harder to know what you will end up with. Any good breeder is going to know what problems his line of dogs have, and breed to reduce them.

Check out this link: http://www.thedca.org/hipdisp.html for more info on hip problems in dogs.

The American Kennel Club has lots of good info too.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/index.cfm

The German Sheppard Club of America may be of interest.
http://www.gsdca.org/

Finch

 

[SDF2BUF2MCO]

This is going to sound crazy, but we've had real good luck with Old English Sheepdogs. We've had two and both have been excellent watch dogs and very smart, plus they're fantastic with kids. They are a goofy dog but they seem to have a built in radar that senses when something isn't right. It is a real hoot to see this breed spring into action and get serious since they're normally playful and friendly otherwise. The only drawbacks are they shed some and they definitely need to be around people (don't want to leave them alone for long periods of time or keep them outside not unless you're outside a lot).
We also have a Great Pyrness (wrong spelling) mix/mutt. Dumber than a box of rocks but good with kids and good watchdog.

 

[larry]

skyslug

skyslug....

No I don't want a mean dog, I want one that looks mean! We had a German shepherd when I was a little kid and it was actually very docile with the family, and not so nice to strangers.

I think any dog that gets no attention, no exercise and negative training is a danger. Even a sweet old lab can turn out rotten. I don't think a German shepherd would be mean at all if its properly taken care of and trained. But even a gentle shepherd looks intimidating and they are definitely protective and territorial, those are traits I'm looking for.

Anybody have a weimaraner? How protective are they?

 

[mrvmo]

This dirty dog will look after your wife when you leave if you want.


Sorry, couldn't resist. Just a joke.

 

[CF34-3B1]

Re: skyslug

skyslug....

No I don't want a mean dog, I want one that looks mean!

Ever consider an Irish Wolfhound?

They need attention and room to move around, but they're very loyal, even affectionate.

Mean looking? Well, there's a reason there are no more wolves in Ireland...

 

[Purple Haze]

Re: skyslug

Anybody have a weimaraner? How protective are they?

Very high energy, loads of fun, great outdoors - probably not the intimidating/protective dog you want (but see below - any dog will do).

The German Shepherd is a good choice, provided you listen to what the good folks above are telling you - repeatedly. BTW, these things apply to any dog - even a mutt.

My 2 cents: Do not do protection/defensive/attack training if the dog will eventually be around kids. Do plenty of obedience training and give your dog as much time and attention as you can. Most thugs & thieves will wait for another target without a dog, rather than press to test. Other attention-getters: Rottweiler, Doberman, Pit Bull, Great Dane, Mastiff. Good breeding (temperament/hips) is essential. Among this group, I favor the German Shepherd.

Once you think you know what you want, do an internet search for the national club of the particular breed. Then call a breeder and just talk -- you will find no better source of info.

 

[flywithruss]

I'll vote for a Dobie

I'm not a dog owner myself ... the lifestyle of a single pilot just isn't conducive to dog ownership. My parents bought a Doberman about five years ago, and she's a teriffic dog. Dobies are very loyal to their families, and are good dogs to have around kids. My folks' dog will bark up a storm if anybody comes to the door though ... scares the heck out of most people. If what you're looking for is a dog that's gentle at home but scares people just to look at it, a Doberman would fit the bill. I'd have never gotten one myself, but the dog my folks have has made a believer out of me. She's pretty smart, and they did take her to obedience training, which I'd highly recommend.

Make sure you're ready to give the dog the care and attention it needs, though. Otherwise, stick with pepper spray!

Good luck!

R

 

[Wolf King]

Pit Bull all the way. I have one I jog with, perfect temperment, with kids, etc. She's a real whimp, but with all the BS the media has spread, she would scare anybody away on looks alone. She doesn't shed, and my wife loves to snuggle with her when I am on a trip. BTW, we never would have sought a Pit Bull, but our vet reccomended them. Just don't buy one, leave it chained to a tree in the yard alone for years, and then wonder why it escapes and kills the neighbor's poodle.

 

[310]

a shepherd killed a 2 year old child yesterday in North Carolina- the child walked to a neighbors yard and was attacked- I think a gun is a better option.

 

[ILS JNKY]

protection

Well first there have been some great pics for dogs.

I have owned a few in my days the best protecter was by far the german shepard, my dog was loyal to me and me a lone .

He was very protective of his area, there was an incedent where
the bully of our old neighborhod cornered me one day while i was riding my bike with the dog beside me, the bully made a move towards me and the dog could sense that i was scared, so up came the fir on his back then the show of teeth, tail up is the last sign that the dog will show be before you release.

Upon hitting me the dog was released and the commaned was given,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, the dog chased him all the way home
4 blocks and past my house where my dad was standing he, my dad yeld at the dog but he keept going caught the kid.

the dog did what he was knew hoiw to do protect and serve..............