"Number 10? Look at me, I'm like a guard wolf!!" (My very own Azura Bear)
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 ...
Yes, I have heard that about Weims. And less stubborn than Dobes, LOL. I have thought about a Weim IF I do adopt again, as I am heading well into middle age now - and the Dobes are such a powerhouse that I don’t know if I will have the physical strength to be the best Dobe parent. *sigh* Such a thought never occurred to me until a couple of years ago.
Adopting a dog, well, you usually have to become alpha - and in particular with a Dobe, thats a position that must be reinforced as part of the regular ongoing training. They are such strong, intelligent and capricious dogs. I can’t really bring myself to imagine any other breed being in my family. Rock and a hard place.
"Number 10? Look at me, I'm like a guard wolf!!" (My very own Azura Bear)
Wow, nice looking dog!
I don't know if this will work-it's been a long time since I've tried to post a photo.
Crud. Didn’t work.
MY GOODNESS - I forgot about his poor nails! He so hated them touched, and they grew so fast (especially in winter what with much shorter walks)- he looks like he could perch on a branch with those things. WHAT a battle it always was to have them trimmed. Zeus Bolt of Lightning.
STUNNING PHOTO!
As always, you capture their personality and spirit.
Australian shepherd in my old neighborhood attacked my Mom while she was hanging laundry on the clothesline; we had to beat it off with 2 by 2 poles we used to prop up the lines and a shovel. It was a dog the neighborhood kids had teased, running up and down the fence with sticks clattering on the mesh, and a dog which was stuck alone in its yard most of the time.
Gorgeous. :)
That is how it is with all the dogs we have had. We have a Shitzu mix and a pure bred Cocker, and two that are.... well we are not sure. They know their job is to keep the intruder busy while I get the fire power.
Well I’ve never had a Dobe, but once lived in a duplex where the neighbor / landlady had one in our shared yard. She must have been “alpha” because her dog was docile toward us only when she was present.
When she wasn’t around, the dog turned into Cujo. Vicious ! He’d snarl and bark at our front door in the morning, and wouldn’t let us out of the apartment ! Perhaps the owner just didn’t train Cujo. We didn’t live there very long.
Subsequently we got a Weim and trained him three ways: simple obedience, attack trained, and hunting commands.
We can tell the dog “at ease” “guard” and “hunt” and he knows which phase to go into. Each phase has sub-commands. He’ll stay in “hunt” or “guard” phase for hours, until told “at ease.”
The grand daughter leashes him and he pulls her on a skateboard.
I don’t know how to post photos or I would.
That is a fine looking animal !
I have three Chihuahua’s, a Chiweenie (Chihuahua Dachshund mix), and a Shih Tzu. None of them realize they are small and can be squished, LOL. They are afraid of nothing. But the gun is necessary to repel any serious attack.
We had elkhounds when I was growing up. Amazing dogs and yes they are excellent watchdogs.
German Shepherd deserves to be #1. Strong, loyal, and with an almost human brain . So are the other dogs you listed. Chow Chow? Wouldn’t trust one. Some of those hunting dogs, yeah. O.k.but not really in the same class.
Surprised the Neapolitan Mastiff.
Just a note, based on the first comment here dismissing its validity.
The list is NOT a ranking, per se. It stated above in OP that it is only listing them in order of AKC popularit; IOW, only pulling them out of the total AKC registration list. Nothing to do with how good they are as guards.
I want to know why Bull Terrier is on there if “large” is required. Bull Terriers, nor several of the breeds, are actually large. More like medium.
Thank you.
He left us to go wait for me with Pallas. Seven months ago.
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