Watch/Guard Dogs

[drjoker]

small guard dog

The breed doesn't matter that much. It is the training that is most important. Play with the dog you plan on buying so you would get the temperament you want. Everytime we enter the house, he'd clear all the rooms for me by doing a quick tour of all rooms in the house, come back to me, and do a "happy bark" to report that the house has been cleared.

When there is an intruder, he'd give an "angry bark", which is half snarl, half bark. He is also trained to bite if he sees an intruder with a knife and/or gun. Otherwise, he's really gentle. Even if an intruder, if unarmed, he will not bite. All of this training comes at a high price. Trainers cost money. Just be aware of this if you want a guard dog.

However, do be aware that large guard dogs are better because they can be shot and still bite. A mastif, a Fila, or a German Shepherd can survive several poorly aimed pistol shots and still bite.

 

[lavenatti]

My wife and I rescued an Anatolian Sheperd about a year and a half ago. Never heard of the breed prior to bringing her home but, well, she was going to be put down and I couldn't let that happen. Shes 110 pounds of noise, gets in between you and the threat and barks loud enough to hurt your ears. Not a biter, just a noisemaker. Super loyal dog although they take a while to trust the people they're with. Also free from a lot of health problems that plague tightly controlled breeds.

 

[lanternlad1]

We have two Labs, a chocolate bitch and a British black male. The chocolate is a hunters dream, loves to fetch and play, but also fears nothing. The Black is a bit of a fraidy cat but VERY protective of my wife. Both are very good watch dogs and tell me whenever someone is walking in front of our house. I don't know how good guard dogs they are, but I wouldn't go against the Black to try anything against my wife if he's guarding her.

 

[youngun82]

I have an American Bulldog...he is a big puss....but if anyone get within 20 feet of my house he'll let ya know.

 

[dudester]

I have had a number of dogs in my life and right now we have a 9 year old Dalmation. He is getting a bit old now but I have no doubt that he would give his life defending his home. I was really surprised to find out that they are excellent watch dogs. They were bred as carriage dogs so it makes sense. They are very lovable yet very protective of their "pack". I love my little buddy

 

[MDG1976]

Just rescued a Saint Bernard / hound mix pup a couple months ago. 90 lbs at 7 months old now. He has big shoes to fill.

i'd love to see this dog. can you post a pic?

 

[eldiabloe1]

I have a full heeler and a half heeler/rot and they don't let anything in or around the house if I am not home. The heeler barks while the heeler mix sneaks up and gets personal. Kids could come in and rob us blind but an adult will be lunch if someone isn't home to stop them. Both are rescue dogs and are extremely freindly if we instruct them to be. One was trained and the other seems like she picked it up on her own.

 

[daveit]

My family had an awesome pitbull for 13 years. He wasn't a watch dog unless someone unknown messed with the kids (my mom babysat 13 at one time.)

One day I came home from somewhere and nobody was home. I was watching TV and I heard someone coming up the cellar stairs. Buck didn't seem to care. I walked out, Buck followed me and it was the furnace repair man. He said, your dad told me to come out and fix the boiler and to let myself in. I guarantee if the guy had been a BG and came at me that Buck would have taken him out.


Wanted to ask a question about Beagles...I read they need to be fenced or they will follow their nose and wander off. Also, do they bark at everything? There's one in my neighborhood that does, but I think it's a bit neglected.

 

[Maxamillion5]

I can make it to the fence in 3 seconds. Can you?

 

[ACBMWM3]

The big boy has full guard training, the little one. well it took 6 months to train her to shake....

 

[trickyrick]

i've heard cha wow was (excuse phonetic spelling) or other small dogs that yip, bark and snarl are the best, cuz they run and hide while continuing that gawd awful racket. so they are able to alert for a longer time. unfortunately, there is no intimidation factor. big dogs will investigate and possibly put themselves in harms way. so the alert factor could be short lived. that being said, i had a toy poodle when i was younger. she ran a bull for about a mile one time, took on a german shepard and dobie at the same time and rode everywhere w/ me on the gas tank of my motorcycle. go figure.. up till recently we 5 dogs, all but one, our lab, had to be put down for various reasons. the lab was the baby and never did much to inspire confidence in him till he was the only dog. now he is a force to be reconed w/. i have 4 yr old twins and if anyone even looks at them w/out the grown ups around....well i pity the fools, rick

 

[darkknight]

pics of my dogs

The first pic thats the saint at about a year old and hes still growing.


I think the puppy (saint bernad) was only 6 months old at the time of the second pic. The shepherd is about 11 years old.

 

[Gryffydd]

Wanted to ask a question about Beagles...I read they need to be fenced or they will follow their nose and wander off. Also, do they bark at everything? There's one in my neighborhood that does, but I think it's a bit neglected.

As to the running off...everything in my experience and everything I've read agree with this. Basset Hounds are even worse. Mine cannot even chase down a ball without his nose distracting him. If he's not fenced or leashed no amount of calling will keep him from disappearing.

My inlaws have a Beagle who is *anything* but neglected. He even goes to work with them every day. He can be in the house and he will absolutely flip out if people walk by on the sidewalk. One thing is for sure, those things can put out some volume.

 

[daveit]

Hmm...probably great dogs but I can't deal with a dog that barks at something for no reason. My neighbor behind me has 2 American Eskimos that bark at everything in the world. They put up a new, large fence this fall (to replace the old one they could see through), but they still sit at it and bark through it. I can't wait to move this summer. I keep a bucket of rocks by my garage and grab one and heave it at the fence and they run back to the house.

 

[gimlet1/21]

large are loyal / small are territorial

I have large dogs, rottweiler and English mastiff, both are females and very Protective of the wife and kids, and loyal and obedient to me. Last Christmas my mother-in-law gave my oldest daughter a teacup Chihuahua. (sic) I have sense learned the difference between loyalty and territorial, this Chihuahua has ears bigger than her head and does not miss a thing you could not get within a 100 yards of her house without her knowing it. Which just serves to bring the 150+ lbs. mastiff to the scene, the rotti is getting old, the UPS driver won't get out of the van, just opens the door quickly and puts the packages on the ground. Any way, they are an excellent team!!!

 

[VegasOPM]

Blue Heelers are the best watch dogs I've ever had. They are very protective of their people, and they don't scare or trust easily. They aren't very big (40-50#), but they "punch above their weight" toughness wise. They are also a spectacle to watch when they work in pairs. One stands in front and barks while the other one goes after the back of the legs- when the person/animal turns around- they switch. My wife was attacked by another dog while walking with my first two Heelers. They never seriously hurt the other dog- but it laid there whimpering when they were done.

 

[Cerca Trova]

With respect and fond memories of our late Akita, Bo. For 13 years, there was no more formidable canine in a 100 pound package. Stoic, fearless, devoted, and a very serious can of whup-ass, if you ever thought of entering "his house", messed with "his family". Best part of our time was that he wouldn't just bark at everything that went bump in the night, or daytime for that matter. He would investigate, and determine if further action was required. He tolerated the introduction of 1 grandparent, wife, child and 2 cats without incident. When you hear stories of the problem dogs, remember, there are some of us who were blessed with such a good dog, for so long a time, as to consider them irreplacable.

 

[oldcj5guy]

We have a great pyrenees that will get between us and any threat. He almost took off my sister in laws face the first time they came to visit after we had him. She came through the gate into the backyard without one of the adults and tried to pick up on eof the kids. Fortunately I heard him change from warning to pissed noises in time to call him down. Very protective breed for everything that belongs around the house. They do tend to bark a bit at times.

Our other dog is a dutch shepherd that will be going in for S&R training with me next year. I really like the dutch's and malinois for in the house at night. Our old mali was ruthless when our house was broken into years back. Police found the guy based on the damage he inflicted

 

[RoboDuck]

My airedale is a great watch dog.

 

[MisterMike]

So, there you have it. We now know exactly which breed is the best watch dog.

I've worked with a lot of police dogs, and currently have a therapy dog. While there are some breeds that may be better suited than others, there's great variability in personalities within each breed.

If you're really serious about this, I'd consult with a breeder who raises and trains dogs for this particular purpose. But, I'd also be a little cautious. As I think most here understand, an aggressive dog that is untrained always poses the risk of unleashing its aggression under the wrong circumstances.

Also, for those living in urban areas, out of consideration for your neighbors you should try to ensure that your dog is not one that barks its a** off any time it hears any noise. A real watch dog can distinguish between a passing car and footsteps outside your door.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

I came home late one night to my apartment. Behind "My" door was a Shepard in full growl/rapid bark/snarl.

I mentally counted anyone I knew who owned a shepard and found one and came up with a match. Stuck my hand behind my door, dog quit and changed instantly to face wet licking.

Great dog, and not too many of those with brains. But I worried sometimes. It was able to flip aggression and sunshine like a switch.

 

[JustinR]

Our 80lb shepard/akita mix is one hell of a guard dog with a vicious sounding bark. He's a buttercup when in the house but if you try to enter or even approach the fence of HIS yard, hes there within seconds barking and snarling.

 

[Water Garden]

The most important thing to me is that my dog is a family dog and is treated as such.. The second is that it is a good watch/guard dog that is not overly aggressive. I took the advice of a ole mountain man many years ago. I told him what I wanted and he told me that the best dog for my specific needs was a Lab-Chow Mix or a Lab-Shep Mix. I found that the lab chow mix is very easily found in my neck of the woods so I got one. I can say that it is the best of both worlds between guard and family pet. I have had a total of (3) and all of them perfect.

Traits of my (3) ( hardly a control group )

appearance- 75-80lb lab with thicker neck and slightly shorter and wider jaw. Retains mostly lab type coat with more fluff around the neck, giving the appearace of a mane. Black spots on tounge. medium size ears that point more than flop.

Health- very good, minor hip issues after 10th year

Grooming- Must be well brushed/groomed during the change from winter/summer to help remove underlying winter coat. Failure may result in hot spots where dog will remove hair due to skin irritation.

Temperment- Agressive bark when stranger enter property. Bark quickly stops if stranger is no longer detected. Will defend family and property if intruder does not keep distance. Does not chase stranger but stands ground. Does not dig, does not roam.

Manners- Protective when on property but passive when away from home (ie vet visit or walks in park)
Accepts all dogs as friend, does not like cats, birds or small varmits.

Children- unknown (not encountered)

Average Life- 13 years

 

[TimM]

Anatolian Shepherd

 

[GaSheepDog]

I have an 8 year old white GSD and a 2 year old black GSD that stay inside while I'm at work. I usually keep my windows cracked while I'm at work to make sure they hear anything going on outside. Just like in the prior picture of the black shepherd, you can't even see the little guy staring at you through the screen and his bark brings the big girl if she's resting somewhere.

Large dogs/small dogs...depends on your definition. To me, they're my pups and each make good lap dogs (my wife would beg to differ). They only bark when someone or something is outside. My neighbor has two basset hounds that howl at people, themselves, the full moon, etc.

They are naturally suspicious of everyone that comes over until the sense that we're at ease and then they'll slowly approach but will not let anyone else put their hands on them. I've also trained them to go to alert by gasping or just producing a gun.

They've never been professionally trained but I've spent lots of time fighting with them while acting angry/aggressive and yelling things a typical intruder would yell, and then bandaging bloody arms. I've had a co-worker come over wearing a thick jacket as protection and act like he's an intruder threatening us and they are definitely not afraid to attack!! Unfortunately, my older one is more passive-aggressive in her later years but the young'un more than makes up for it.

What's great is we take them camping with us in RV/State parks and to the city parks so they're well socialized around other people and dogs although they do stay leashed and I never take my eyes off of them just to be sure.

I've mentioned in prior posts we live in a very bad area and there have been several burglaries on my street. I've found pry marks on my bedroom storm window as well. I've lived in this house 15 years and nobody has ever broken in. I seriously doubt I'll ever own any other breed. []

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