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 ...
Purebred Pembroke...the “fluffy” coat is non-standard, requires a gene in both dogs to combine. Being non-standard she can’t compete in shows (a rule obviously meant to give all other Corgis a chance to win. :{) Her name is Dagny, she’s 5 now.
LOL A considerable number on this list aren’t just alarms, they’re one dog defense systems (Kuvasz? Yikes)
+1 on the Chi. My Eskies are good, but the little guy runs *everybody*. BAD tempered if they p*ss him off. They scatter. A pack of Chihuahuas can take down a deer.
Sal, I owe you an email re animals in Heaven book.
The most loyal dogs on the planet, and the strongest necks and shoulders I've ever seen on a dog. Yes, they could do some major damage.
The Tervuren and Malinois are different coat variations of the same breed (in Europe and Canada). For some reason, the AKC classifies them separately, but you can have a litter mixed with Tervs, Malanois, Groenendale and Lakenois. All the same breed, but different coats named after the Belgian cities/regions where they found favor. It does make the list suspect....
Yeah, German Shepherds are great dogs and deserve to be on the list.
But Rottweilers are fiercely loyal and protective of their family, and actually more intimidating than a Doberman. The one we had, his previous owner said people would ask if he was a Doberman on steroids. :D
She is GORGEOUS! LOL I can see why. Her coat & her markings are just breathtaking.
“Australian Shepherd ....not ferocious at all. They don’t belong on this list.”
I agree. Smart dog. Lots of good qualities, but a guard dog?
We use pugs when Chihuahuas can't be found.. But due to their size, little life preservers need to be applied for surface trolling.............
Rotflol
“I am the brains of this operation. You are the brawn.”
When we first got Sheldon the Rottweiler,a friend of ours came our house and his first comment was”Your dog’s way too fat!”Then he started to pet Sheldon and realized it wasn’t fat,it was all muscle.He’s 135 lbs of muscle and attitude.
“...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...”
Yep! I miss mine. Been 4 years and I’m finally thinking of getting another. Her mother was wolf with a bit of Akita, and her father was wolf with a bit of malamute. He was over 150 lbs, my my girl was only 115. Looked exactly like a Timber Wolf, pretty much because that’s what she was. You said it right about the need to be the alpha!!! Incredibly intelligent, and in her younger years, definitely in need of that mountain range you mention, which I have. Once she knew someone was a friend, about the worst she’d do is lick them to death. There were a couple occasions where the wrong uninvited people drove onto my land and they couldn’t get out of their vehicle. I didn’t stop her since they were not welcome. Likewise, when I’d go to town with her in the back of the truck, people would make a wide berth away from the truck when walking by. She used to ride back there with her front legs on top of the cab. She was excellent with children. She knew they were the young of humankind and saw to it that they were safe. Definitely not a ‘dog’ for everyone though. I miss her.
:)
She’s adorable. :)
We have four, 2 shiloh shepherds, a 35 lb heeler hybrid, and a 55 lb lab- pit mix. The 15 year old lab-pit and the heeler are the first warning system and then the boys add their deep-chested baritones. It warms my heart to see our ancient lab-pit with her arthritic walk and diminished eyesight fearlessly dash out the door all ready to rumble.
We have a pack of six to nine wolves in the area and one night they were in the woods howling and making that odd warbling noise, after a deer. We were listening from inside the house by the partially open window.. The wolves were within a hundred feet of the house when the girls started snarling and growling and the boys started howling back. The wolves fell silent and though we saw sign of them the next morning from the night before,we have not seen sign of them in the areas we traverse since that night. We do hear them across the lake from us and at the other end of the lake.
None of the pups would stand a chance against a wolf pack, but they are all courageous and take their responsibilities seriously. One shepherd is air scent SAR; he lives to ‘find’. He was a problem dog until I realized he was highly intelligent and bored silly, so found a ‘job’ that matched his strengths so that he can funnel his energy and mind into.
And it is as several commentators have said, it is the fight in the dog that counts. It is a matter of finding out what your dog’s interests and strengths are and developing them.
Have enjoyed the pet articles more than usual due to the comments by FR members.
Yup, our basset is a great guard dog, and if she misses something, are chi’s alert her.
On halloween, we set up in the driveway. A poor little girl tried going to the door, and the basset went off. I gave the poor little girl extra candy, she was so spooked by the baying.....
Wonderful dogs, but the most bull headed breed I have ever known. Love her family tho.
Weimaraners are very intelligent. Good watchdogs, gentle with children, and excellent hunting dogs. Hubby was amazed at how quickly he was able to train ours to respond to voice commands.
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