What kind of Dog do you have?

[Nomad_NH]

hi i'm new to the forum and i love dogs and was just wondering what types of dogs other people here have. I have 3 American Bulldogs. I was also curious what people thought of dogs in a HD situation. I personally think they are good for alerting you and also serve as a good deterrent to would be bad guys, but if someone actually came into my house i'd be scared of shooting the dogs instead of the bad guy! Here are some pictures of my dogs...










they are good for my groundhog problem!

 

[Girodin]

Love those ambulls! I have a rottwieler that is a wonderful companion and an al round great dog. She also loves guns and gets excited when I pull the long guns out of the safe because she knows we're going some where.

The thing owning a large dog with an unfounded reputation has taught me is that a dog is an amazing visual detterant. I could tell a few tales of agressive people having an instant attitude adjustment when my pup appeared on the scene. Even the agressive panhandling bums avoid my open top vehicle when she is a passenger and they give a wider berth when I walk her. I think there is something instictual that makes people very afraid of being eating by a large canine.

Anything that serves as a barrier between me and the need to use a firearm in preservation of self or loved ones is a good thing. This is one of the reasons I will always like to own a large wel trained dog.

That said dogs are not for everyone, paricularly lare dogs. A dog is a long term 10+ years commitment. A dog needs training lots of it, particularly a dog large enough to deter those with malicious intent, and particularly a dog large enough to actually intervine on ones behalf and with a nature that predisposes it to do so. A dog needs daily excersise and attention. A dog needs food and veterinarian care. A dog in short is high maintence.

In short dogs are great but some people would be much better off with a home alarm system. If you are going to have a big dog training is crucial as is soicialization and ensuring thedog has a solid temperment. I have a friend with a malinois that must be crated if someone is over, I always wonder how much protection a crated dog is. My rott lays quitely where I tell her when I have guests such as a repairman or simply my friends. When I open the door she stands where I have taught her, so she is the first thing someone on the otherside of the door sees and it swings open.

but if someone actually came into my house i'd be scared of shooting the dogs instead of the bad guy!

Training training traing. Work on their recall. If that is rock solid you can call them out of the way.

 

[larry starling]

EnglishBull Dog ......

 

[Frightener 88]

I have 2 Pitbulls. The male is 75lbs and the female is 60lbs. They are sweethearts if they know you, nightmares if they dont. They arent my home defense mechanism. Just a DIY alarm. If someone decided to come in anyway, and they managed to get past the dogs, then they would be met with a Mossberg 590.

 

[Kind of Blued]

Beagle. Quite useless. Would probably trip me in a home defense situation while running away from the intruder.

 

[crebralfix]

Beagle...useless for home defense. But, he's a terror for rabbits.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

We migrate toward pound rescues. Just feels like you're doing something good. Over the last 40 years I've gotten too much from my dogs not to try to give a little payback.
Currently sharing our home (yes inside)
1 female German Shepherd now 8 years old and 75 lbs, got her at 2 months and 1 male Saint Bernard/ hound mixed mutt. 9 months 100 lbs, got him at 4-5 months old. Not my response system just the early warning and to generate some hesitation system.

 

[woof]

Australian Shepherds. They are very alert and watchful of strangers. Nobody can come around without them sounding the alert. That's all you can really want from any dog that is not highly trained to actually attack.

 

[qwert65]

Dogs are a great visual detterent, my mother used to take my rottie to school with her when she had night classes. I also believe that most dogs will bark at strangers so you only have to eliminate a couple breeds if you just want a watch dog.
If you want a dog for deterrance there are certain breeds that scare people(even though stats say otherwise, whole other topic)
Currently I have an island dog from vet school, hes an excellent watch dog, but a terrible gaurd dog(barks while running away) This was a big deal on St. Kitts as firearms arent allowed usually. but now that I'm headed back to the states he fills a niche well.

To me if you move a lot a dog is better then an alarm

 

[Glockman17366]

Mixed breed, ½ Pit Bull-½ Rottie.
A real sweetie, but quite territorial and loud enough to sound the alarm. Looks and sounds aggressive enough to deter unwanted visitors.

 

[highlander 5]

3 Shelties not vicious but make more than enough to deter strangers coming by the house. Had a sheltie/corgi mix that would try to go after anything that came near the house/car,weighed all of 25 pounds miss him terribly

 

[WC145]

Dogue de bordeaux and a pitbullmastiff. As you can see they are solar powered and spend most of their time lying in the sun charging up.

 

[bonza]

In the past, I've had English Bull Terriers, & they're still my favorite breed. Currently, due to my son's dog-fur allergy, we have a Xoloitzcuintle. He's actually a good little (22lbs) watchdog, & his bark is way out of proportion to his size so he earns his keep!

 

[Speedogomer]

I have a 120 lbs female Rottweiler who is an absolute sweetheart and loves everyone. She loves other dogs, and is great with kids. I've actually never met a mean Rotty in my life and I've been around a few.

 

[Kingcreek]

2 labrador retrievers. the 3 yr old yellow male is 98 pounds of solid muscle and a much better watchdog than I ever thought a lab could be. the old female is good for a few barks and a growl but more sweet than anything. both are excellent companion dogs and live to hunt.

 

[distra]

GSD, 95lbs of fur and teeth. She's absolutely the best dog I've had. Loves the kids, but keeps track of them ALL the time. Her herding instincts are as strong as her protection instincts.

 

[Lumpy76]

Two labs. One about five years old and one about 11. sound real mean when the door is knocked on but would be useless if somebody walked in. They usually just take up space on the couch.

 

[ultradoc]

Don't have a dog anymore. I kicked him out because I was told I am in the dog house now. hahaha

 

[aka108]

Golden Retriever. He's a lover. Treeing Walker Coonhound. She is a worker, part of the house alarm system and one that I would not like to have to have on bad terms with me.

 

[SgtGunner]

Two Dogs here.
A female GSD 6 years old and 95 pounds.
A male Golden 2 years old and 75 pounds.
They are fantastic with the 3 year old and are two of my best friends.

 

[BlkHawk73]

1/2 black lab, 1/2 chow result is a small (50lb) all black pup with a black tongue. - Bisley is ALL black LOL

 

[indiandave]

Like Frighter88 I have two Pitbulls. If they know you they will love you. If your a stranger they will kill and eat you. Just kidding,but they are good watch dogs/guard dogs.

 

[Bailey Guns]

5 Jack Russell Terrier yard sharks. A flea farts a half mile away and they let me know.

Whatever you do...never enter my home with a dog biscuit in your pocket. It would look like a scene I recall early in my school years of an unlucky cow trying to swim in the Amazon river full of piranhas.

Great for letting us know something is outside...after that they figure it's up to us.

 

[Cannonball888]

I'm another fan of the mastiff line

 

[armoredman]

Cocker Spaniel rescues, like little Coco here.