Good Guard Dogs

Off Topic
61

[quote]FIUPanther07 wrote:
I find it ridiculous that so many seem to be seriously suggesting breeds like the Neapolitan Mastiff or a Caucasian Shepard. The OP, as many have suggested, would do fine with a dog that will just alert him of an intruder’s presence. He apparently already has a dog, and if it does alert, that should be enough. As others have said a vicious dog is not going to solve any problems. I think getting some of the dogs suggested would cause more trouble than solve.

If people are following your mother home she needs to not head directly home and instead call the police with a good description. If you’re afraid of people breaking in an alarm system and a barking dog should give you enough time to rack your shotgun, assume a defensive position somewhere safe in the house, and call the police.

A dog will not solve anything and instead be an added expense.

There are better solutions to the problems the OP described. Heck, I’d take a shotgun and a chihuahua over a Neo Mastiff any day. [/quote]

then you don’t have much experience with well trained protection dogs.

I like my dog, then I don’t need to worry about my wife trying to shoot someone if I am not home.

62

[quote]ether_bunny wrote:

[quote]Brother Chris wrote:

[quote]ether_bunny wrote:

[quote]ritzgooch23 wrote:

[quote]jre67t wrote:
If it is just you and mom get an American Pitbull, real loyal and extremely territorial. They are aggressive though. Real smart dogs. Our dog catches rats and possums along with squirrels. There is stigma with pitbulls but if your trying to protect your house its a good stigma to have.[/quote]

I have an American Pit too…and boy do I love him more then anything :slight_smile: BUT…would I recommend the breed? Depends. I’ve had to be very stern with mine, and sometimes you really gotta show them who’s boss because they’re like shitty little kids lol. In the end though, they are sooo loving and loyal. They’re super smart too, but it all depends on your personality. I love the challenge, but it can be frustrating at times. Anyway, in my experience if you just want a protective dog that’s easy to train, get a german shepard! sorry for the rant, hope this helps.[/quote]

^ Yeah, avoid pitbulls. The last breed of dog you want attacking someone. It’s not their fault, but they were bred for nasty business. Bear-baiting, actually. And dog fighting.
Don’t get me wrong, I love dogs. Even pitbulls. But whether it’s bred-in instincts or just the favorite dog of idiots, over a third of dog attacks are from pitbulls.

Rotts, on the other hand, are awesome. Even though the romans would put armor on them, they were foremost a herding dog. I’ve always thought herd dogs interact the best with children.

And don’t count your dog out, just because he doesn’t look tough. I once saw an elderly border collie take down a bull by the nose after a toddler climbed into its pen.[/quote]

Incorrect, in attack reports, 1/3 of the dogs are reported as APBTs, but they are usually not. Unfortunate case of the media needing a villain.[/quote]

Fifteen second google check comes up with the CDC showing a third of fatal attacks on humans are pitbulls or derivatives. http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/images/dogbreeds-a.pdf

And from person experience, I can tell you, of the dozen or so dogs I’ve had to destroy, to protect my flock, the majority have been pitbulls or some sort of x-breed.

Idiots or breeding, probably a combination of both, but if nothing else, there’s a good chance your local community and insurance companies both have rules on the pitbull breed.
[/quote]

Dude, you really have no idea of what you’re talking about. A quick search through the AKC database shows that in the last few years pits have ranked inbetween 9 and 12 on the dog biting people list. Know what #1 is? Labs. #2? Border Collies. Do some actual research before you further perpetuate a terrible stereotype.

63

[quote]apbt55 wrote:
Sorry the last i checked the CDC had to do with DISEASE, not experts on dog breeds. Maybe I should start getting my diet and exercise informaiton from the white house. [/quote]

CDC also tracks injury statistics.

And dog owners are like parents. Their snowflake would never do something like that. Hard statistics be damned.

64

[quote]silverblood wrote:
if you’re looking for a guard consider the Neapolitan Mastiff. descended from the Molossus, which was the dogs used in the gladiator contests it is big intimidating dog. it’s dark so you can’t see it at night. the ears are cropped so there is nothing to hold onto and the folds around the eyes are to channel blood away so it can see. the large dewlaps are so that if it gets bitten on the muzzle it can twist and get it’s mouth on it’s opponent. when I was in Italy I was told that as home guard dogs they were trained to hide in the shadows and to get between the intruder and his escape route then attack without barking.
you have to train any guard dog properly. you must be the alpha and your family is the pack. your children should be included in the training. 99.9% of the time it’s not bad dogs but bad owners that never took the time to do it right.
this isn’t the best video as the dog is being held back and you can tell it’s having fun. I’ve seen them in action at a security dog facility and it is equal to any dog out there.

I grew up with two English sheep dogs and a Neo. I still have a small scar on my lip from where the Neo bit me when I was 6 or so. I’ve only been around the one, but I wouldn’t recommend the breed. It loved my dad but just kinda tolerated everyone else. Not real friendly or fun dogs. The facts are that any dog you get will be a good guard dog in that they will alert you to when things are out of the ordinary. Studies show that burglars and such are more wary of a dogs bark than an alarm. But, you don’t want your dog doing your protecting. Have your dog alert you if need be then use your gun to protect you and yours.

65

Pits/Staffs aren’t good guard dogs. Terriers aren’t territorial or protective enough generally, and pits/staffs especially are just too friendly towards humans. I had a 85lb Pit that would have let a burglar into my home and just licked him, Only other dogs would get him riled up: when another dog tried to lick my daughter’s face in the park, he got very protective and tried to attack every dog within a 20 metre radius.

Get a mastiff type breed. Dobermanns aren’t heavy enough. You need a very heavy and powerful dog to stop an adult male with the intention of doing serious damage. The Nazis made trainee SS soldiers fight starving German Shepherds bare-handed, and the soldiers killed the dogs.

Male dogs are suited to protecting property because they’re more territorial; female dogs are more suited to protecting people because they are more caring.

66

[quote]countingbeans wrote:
If anyone is brave enough to continue breaking in past his bark and growl (which sounds vicious as fuck) I’m pretty sure my dog would just try and play with the intruder, lol.

So yeah, BG knows his dogs and should just start a “Dogs 1.0” thread. [/quote]

Is that you rubbing one out on the couch?

67

[quote]ether_bunny wrote:

[quote]Brother Chris wrote:

[quote]ether_bunny wrote:

[quote]ritzgooch23 wrote:

[quote]jre67t wrote:
If it is just you and mom get an American Pitbull, real loyal and extremely territorial. They are aggressive though. Real smart dogs. Our dog catches rats and possums along with squirrels. There is stigma with pitbulls but if your trying to protect your house its a good stigma to have.[/quote]

I have an American Pit too…and boy do I love him more then anything :slight_smile: BUT…would I recommend the breed? Depends. I’ve had to be very stern with mine, and sometimes you really gotta show them who’s boss because they’re like shitty little kids lol. In the end though, they are sooo loving and loyal. They’re super smart too, but it all depends on your personality. I love the challenge, but it can be frustrating at times. Anyway, in my experience if you just want a protective dog that’s easy to train, get a german shepard! sorry for the rant, hope this helps.[/quote]

^ Yeah, avoid pitbulls. The last breed of dog you want attacking someone. It’s not their fault, but they were bred for nasty business. Bear-baiting, actually. And dog fighting.
Don’t get me wrong, I love dogs. Even pitbulls. But whether it’s bred-in instincts or just the favorite dog of idiots, over a third of dog attacks are from pitbulls.

Rotts, on the other hand, are awesome. Even though the romans would put armor on them, they were foremost a herding dog. I’ve always thought herd dogs interact the best with children.

And don’t count your dog out, just because he doesn’t look tough. I once saw an elderly border collie take down a bull by the nose after a toddler climbed into its pen.[/quote]

Incorrect, in attack reports, 1/3 of the dogs are reported as APBTs, but they are usually not. Unfortunate case of the media needing a villain.[/quote]

Fifteen second google check comes up with the CDC showing a third of fatal attacks on humans are pitbulls or derivatives. http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/images/dogbreeds-a.pdf

And from person experience, I can tell you, of the dozen or so dogs I’ve had to destroy, to protect my flock, the majority have been pitbulls or some sort of x-breed.

Idiots or breeding, probably a combination of both, but if nothing else, there’s a good chance your local community and insurance companies both have rules on the pitbull breed.
[/quote]

You originally said dog attacks, now it’s deaths?

And what are “Pit Bull-Type dogs” this is what I am talking about. They are either ill bred dogs or they are just one of the two dozen dogs that has some characteristics that make people automatically think “Pit Bull.”

68

[quote]wsk wrote:
The Nazis made trainee SS soldiers fight starving German Shepherds bare-handed, and the soldiers killed the dogs.
[/quote]

Maybe the fact they were starving had something to do with it?

Really, what is the point of fighting a starving dog? and then killing it?

Am I reading this wrong?

69

[quote]jre67t wrote:
If it is just you and mom get an American Pitbull, real loyal and extremely territorial. They are aggressive though. Real smart dogs. Our dog catches rats and possums along with squirrels. There is stigma with pitbulls but if your trying to protect your house its a good stigma to have.[/quote]

If you get a well-bred pitbull, it will never show any aggression toward humans though, so it won’t be an effective guard dog. Dobermans and Rottweilers are bred to respond to a threat to their owners, whether from humans or another animal. A pitbull won’t respond the same way, unless it’s poorly bred and is therefore a bad dog to have around anyways. A well-bred pit will still exhibit aggression toward other animals without being overly aggressive toward other dogs, especially ones that are smaller than it.

70

chows are bad news bears. they are a one person dog in what i have seen. Growing up a friend of mines family had a chow, it loved the mom and tolerated everybody else, but if anyone else was over the dog had to be put outside because it would attack anyone who was not immediate family, and didnt even like all of them.

Shepherds are good dogs. I have a half golden half german shepherd and she is great. saved her when she was one. loves most people, especially children, doesnt tolerate other dogs anymore because her and my mom once got attacked by a stray so now all dogs get attacked by her, I do not blame the dog because she doesnt know the difference and seeing as one tried to harm my mother she wont have it.

Honestly if someone broke in and noone was home, i think she would just go under the table. We have had someone break in while i was in the basement and my mom was upstairs, the barking and growling didnt stop the guy, he was found to be wasted which may have played into it but hte second he came in she sat on the bottom step and snapped whenever the guy got close, my mom sleeps upstairs so to me she did her job in protecting my mom, i know that is what she did because i was downstairs and came up to chase the guy out and witnessed it. Great loving dogs and would do anything for their owners.

As far as the shedding, it is TERRIBLE. She gets brushed more usually 2 times a day and it is still a lost cause. The only furniture she is allowed on is my bed, so the comment regarding furniture isnt right, my house i filled, and i have to sweep daily.

QUESTION FOR DOG PEOPLE
my dog constantly gets ear infections. We have tried all medications and it doesnt work, both ears at the same time. She then due to the infection got an ear hematoma, it was drained, which failed and then she had surgery to correct the problem. Now her ear infection is only coming in the one ear, and i feel like the vet is just trying to empty my bank account, because she keeps giving me the same meds. We tested her for hypothyroidism which was positive and she now takes soloxin 2x daily. So my question is, does anyone have any home remedies that have worked for the ear infections?

sorry for writing a book here.

71

[quote]DBCooper wrote:

[quote]jre67t wrote:
If it is just you and mom get an American Pitbull, real loyal and extremely territorial. They are aggressive though. Real smart dogs. Our dog catches rats and possums along with squirrels. There is stigma with pitbulls but if your trying to protect your house its a good stigma to have.[/quote]

If you get a well-bred pitbull, it will never show any aggression toward humans though, so it won’t be an effective guard dog. Dobermans and Rottweilers are bred to respond to a threat to their owners, whether from humans or another animal. A pitbull won’t respond the same way, unless it’s poorly bred and is therefore a bad dog to have around anyways. A well-bred pit will still exhibit aggression toward other animals without being overly aggressive toward other dogs, especially ones that are smaller than it.[/quote]

I’m sorry, but this is simply not true. How many of y’all that are commenting on pits have 'em or have spent significant time around the breed? I have 3 Razors Edge pits and they are all as loyal, loving and goofy as can be. They love people and other animals, but make no mistake if someone were to step to me or my family or try and get where they’re not wanted everyone of my dogs would [and have] take action. You do need to expose pits to other breeds early 'cause their heritage is as farm dogs. They’re critter getters at heart and if they’re not used to small dogs a rat terrier just looks like a rat. And for the record, I can take all of my dogs to the park and they’ll play with other dogs all day. The problem is that other dogs generally try to “test” them, especially my male. Because of this I no longer take him to the dog park. Oh, and even though BG and I have had our differences on this board the guy knows his dogs. People need to listen when he talks about dogs.

72

Fighting Fires, this may be a dumb question buthave you gone to another vet and told them what’s going on, including what your current vet has been doing that isn’t working?

73

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
Fighting Fires, this may be a dumb question buthave you gone to another vet and told them what’s going on, including what your current vet has been doing that isn’t working?[/quote]

yes sir. im actually on my second vet now, and trying #3 this week hopefully wed, which is my first day off. And this third vet im feeling pretty good about, hes a close family friend, of a close family friend of mine (make sense? lol) and i dont feel he will jerk me around at all. as of now im just monitoring it and cleaning the ear daily to make sure it doesnt take a turn for the worse.

Main reason i think ill like this guy, i called him immediately after the surgery when i did not agree with the drug choices of the vet that did the surgery, i didnt find out about this guy until after the surgery which is why i didnt go to him sooner. and he told me what he thought, which was actually what i thought about the drugs and he was real nice and all. the only reason i havent gone to him sooner was that since this current vet did the surgery, i felt that i wanted to see her through til the incision was all heeled up.

74

[quote]krazykoukides wrote:

[quote]wsk wrote:
The Nazis made trainee SS soldiers fight starving German Shepherds bare-handed, and the soldiers killed the dogs.
[/quote]

Maybe the fact they were starving had something to do with it?

Really, what is the point of fighting a starving dog? and then killing it?

Am I reading this wrong?[/quote]

Nazis make no sense!

75

[quote]ether_bunny wrote:

[quote]apbt55 wrote:
Sorry the last i checked the CDC had to do with DISEASE, not experts on dog breeds. Maybe I should start getting my diet and exercise informaiton from the white house. [/quote]

CDC also tracks injury statistics.

And dog owners are like parents. Their snowflake would never do something like that. Hard statistics be damned.
[/quote]

ever heard the term garbage in garbage out, and how were these dogs identified as pits. they attack less pure and simple it is how they are bred. now perversions and muts I cannot speak for.

76

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

[quote]DBCooper wrote:

[quote]jre67t wrote:
If it is just you and mom get an American Pitbull, real loyal and extremely territorial. They are aggressive though. Real smart dogs. Our dog catches rats and possums along with squirrels. There is stigma with pitbulls but if your trying to protect your house its a good stigma to have.[/quote]

If you get a well-bred pitbull, it will never show any aggression toward humans though, so it won’t be an effective guard dog. Dobermans and Rottweilers are bred to respond to a threat to their owners, whether from humans or another animal. A pitbull won’t respond the same way, unless it’s poorly bred and is therefore a bad dog to have around anyways. A well-bred pit will still exhibit aggression toward other animals without being overly aggressive toward other dogs, especially ones that are smaller than it.[/quote]

I’m sorry, but this is simply not true. How many of y’all that are commenting on pits have 'em or have spent significant time around the breed? I have 3 Razors Edge pits and they are all as loyal, loving and goofy as can be. They love people and other animals, but make no mistake if someone were to step to me or my family or try and get where they’re not wanted everyone of my dogs would [and have] take action. You do need to expose pits to other breeds early 'cause their heritage is as farm dogs. They’re critter getters at heart and if they’re not used to small dogs a rat terrier just looks like a rat. And for the record, I can take all of my dogs to the park and they’ll play with other dogs all day. The problem is that other dogs generally try to “test” them, especially my male. Because of this I no longer take him to the dog park. Oh, and even though BG and I have had our differences on this board the guy knows his dogs. People need to listen when he talks about dogs.[/quote]

Razors edge may register adba but are nothing more than staffs or bullys, these are dogs that were once game lines but in more recent lineage not held to the same standard.

77

anyone have an opinion on swiss mountain dogs? I met one and I’m pretty sure it’s an excellent breed, and definitely the dog I’m considering

78

Whats with the bashing of American Pits, maybe I just have a good one. He has been a great guard dog to me and family. He is extremely aggressive and maybe he is a liabilty but I live in Texas step on my land and you are free game. He once crashed thru the front window to get some guys trying to steal copper from our AC, luckily they made a dash to the car.
But then again I never had any other dogs to base this experience off.

79

I have a half lab, half pit mix, and she is awesome. She always lets us know when something is going on, she always barks, when someone is coming up the front sidewalk, even if its one of my friends that she sees often. She will bark, until she realizes who it is, then she’s really nice.

Also, another dog I gotta mention is a Rhodesian ridgeback that my best friends family has had for about 10 years. This dog is the shit. Even though he’s getting old, he’s still sharp as a tack, and is extremely alert. He has an amazing memory too. The family used to live just a couple houses down, and I was at their house 3 times a week at least, but the recently moved, and I don’t get over there except maybe every couple of months, and he still recognizes and knows me, never even barks at me. He will bark if something is amiss, and “protector” is just hard wired into this dog. One time the mom was out walking with their chihuahua and the ridgeback, a coyote comes running out of the bushes, snatches up the chihuahua, and bolts. Tracker (the ridgeback) goes sprinting after him, and fights the coyote for the little ankle biter, and wins. Seriously, this dog is so awesome, he’s not even mine, but I’ll probably cry when he dies.

As for picking a particular breed, I’m not sure I believe in that. I think that any dog of any breed can be a badass, or a total wuss. It all just depends. The whole “size of the fight in the dog” type thing.

80

[quote]bond james bond wrote:
^BG,I was reading this thread and was hoping you would respond. You got your shit together when it comes to dogs man.

This is weird but I’ve heard a few times that geese(white ones) are the best at warning you when there is an intruder…after that they’re useless…like my contribution to this thread lol.

[/quote]

From time to time, I’ve actually had guinea hens on my property bc they are rumored to eat ticks and damn if they don’t raise a damn racket when someone comes around so who knows…maybe there is some truth to the geese thing lol.