Posted on 12/12/2015 12:17:03 PM PST by MtnClimber
Large dogs are held in high esteem for a variety of reasons: for their large stature, their strength, and their protective nature and keen watchdog abilities. If you're looking for a reliable canine defender, it's important to consider not only the physical attributes of a dog breed, but its temperament, as well.
Using data from Animal Planet, PetBreeds found the 29 best guard dogs and ranked them by popularity, according to the 2014 AKC popularity rankings. (Three dog breeds that had no ranking were put at the bottom of the list.) Criteria used included that the breed must possess a strong watchdog ability and be known protectors. Only purebreds that were classified as being large or giant and to bark minimally were included.
(Excerpt) Read more at dogs.petbreeds.com ...
Your dogs are gorgeous.
Of course the Shepherd is at the top - though I prefer Shepherd/Malamute with a bit of Wolf mixed in... That’ll get you 125-150 lbs of holy terror... Not recommended unless you can be the alpha, and have a mountain range in the back yard to let them stretch out, but I guarantee you will walk the trails with every confidence, and sleep very well at night... Two is even better. and *nothing* will touch your kids.
AWWWWWW!!!!!!
We have a Weim, this is our 3rd. They all have been wonderful guard dogs. Very alert, almost hyper vigilant sometimes. I don’t think anyone would break in if they heard or saw the way they’re charging the window/or door when a stranger arrives. They sound ferocious.
Supposedly they were bred to take down large game, so the potential is there, but I don’t think they’d have the strength of a Rottie or Doberman.
I know the dog would protect us, to the best of it’s ability, just how far that ability goes would be the question. I will say this, for some reason, maybe their coloring, people get spooked by the breed. We’ve noticed
that for years, and that’s at a time when the dog is being
passive just walking on a leash.
Ridgeback people love those dogs. :) I believe that the Saluki is in the Ridgeback ancestry.
LOL!
But in general, with some notable exceptions like the ridgeback, they are not a good guard dog breed. It's too bad.
Yes, this is the Dobe. Once I had my two outside with me, male on leash, female loose. My son was in the back seat of his car, door open and his feet sticking out. Pally noticed and suddenly went into the most beautiful and silent stalk I have ever seen. Zeus alerted, stayed silent and leaned into his leash, watching. She didn’t make a sound, just snuck up on my son until she recognized him. Then she licked his foot.
I didn’t allow them to run loose (residential neighborhood), so I had never seen them do that. It was amazing to see.
If we were on the second floor (old house) Zeus would guard the top of the stairs in that silent way. His eyes would go flat matte until he cleared you to pass. That is the famous Dobe stare, LOL scares the hell out of people. Downstairs he was vocal and physical.
I am without any now - after 13 years. Man, it’s a horrible adjustment.
Thanks for the list. We’ve been fostering a Great Pyrenees since early August and that dog would rip the head off anyone who broke into our home and yet she’s so lovable and goofy. She may end up being a foster fail.
I’ve had two German Shepherds and a Chow-got them as puppies, and they were still feared by strangers when they were really old-the Shepherds lived to 13 and 14 , the Chow to 17. I have to disagree with some of the breeds on the list, though-I had an Aussie for 15 years-her whole life-and although she was fantastic at herding just about anything, she was no watchdog/guard dog-she was too friendly. My Siberian Husky is almost 17, and is still a great guard dog-that breed is not even on the list...
A lot of people mistake Weims for light colored Dobes. I knew someone who got a fawn Dobe with natural ears and passed it off to his homeowners insurance as a Weim - because many insurance company’s won’t insure homes with Dobes.
I know what you mean. My mom had Maltese and some were truly fearless. But I need big dogs due to mountain lion presence. Two winters ago the deer population declined and the mountain lions began preying on dogs. I recall that 12 dogs were lost in the canyon I drive up to get home. One was a person walking their dog on a leash and a mountain lion ran out of the forest, grabbed the dog and ran off.
Our Chihuahua who just dispatched the cat next door, a no tailed squirrel and two deer out of the yard today is outraged at being left off the list. LOL!
That’s wonderful. I hope that she does find a forever home with you, ChocChipCookie!
Great Pyrenees are very popular out here-people have them to guard their kids and livestock-Bullmastiffs, Mastiffs and the occasional Anatolian Shepherd are also dogs du jour for this rural area.
Ha! I don’t own a Chihuahua, and never have. But when the time comes to steal mine, you’ll have to deal with my attack pug. Here in S.E. Michigan.
Well, much depends on the owner and training. Still, breed specific behaviours are important. There are so many breeds that I would love to have in my life, but we can only manage with about three dogs at a time these days.
Omogish! Corgi & what? How precious!
You know what they say: “If it ain’t a Pit, it ain’t sh-t.”
I’ve owned two, #3 Doberman and #1 German Shepherd. Both excellent guard dogs with very different styles. The GS would growl at any one coming near the truck or car or property. The Doberman would just look at people. Funny, she scared people worse than the GS. I would have bet my life first with the Dobie even though the GS was much bigger and heavier.
Well, I did :) Traveled from NC to Nevada in three days with her riding shotgun. Men didn’t even try to flirt.
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