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 ...
Dobes were originally bred as personal body guards. Unless correctly well trained, they “guard” when their people are absent. Very territorial as to a yard. Not the best to have in that situation at all, mainly because they were bred to “work”, and their “job” is to protect their person/property. Shared yards are not a good place for Dobes.
I don’t know most of the dogs in the article I listed. The male Belgian Sheepdog and Tervuren were the best guard dogs I have had. The Tervuren actually bit an invading black bear right on the butt. The young German Shepherd is promising to be a great guard dog. We also have a collie who is very sweet, but not a guard dog. Also a female border collie/Saint Bernard mix that is an excellent guard dog, but getting old.
CC, I have to say your dog seems happy and is probably very lucky to have you as a companion.
American Bulldog.
My brother has an american bulldog. It lets kids ride him. He is as gentile as any dog I have ever known. Other bull dogs may be different and could be owner derived temperment. I think it is down to individual dogs and owners.
Sounds the same as the llasa apso / bull mastiff combo.
I used to have a pair of smooth collies (blue merle) that ware genetic freaks, in that the LIGHT one was 100 lbs. The bruiser was 130+, but both were the sweetest, gentlest critters you ever did see.
That is, until you presented a threat to any human, dog, cat or other resident or guest in my home.
They literally tore a rotty apart when it went after my shelty cross at the dog park. The rotty had to be put down, and its owner paid a rather significant fine to boot!
We were interested in having the big boy as a therapy dog, due to his unflappable sweetness, but he failed the temperament test when the vet simulated aggression towards the dog’s handler.
It’s kinda funny, in that the vet had to go home, as the dog told him in NO uncertain terms that aggression towards HIS people will NOT be tolerated EVER.
No bites, no nipping, just a VERY FIRM assertion of “This is NOT going to happen.
I am PROUD to this day of how Pollux acted there.
I honestly hope that the testing parameters have changed since then, as he was the single greatest comfort to my tenant, and my friend’s daughter.
It’s something else to watch an 80 pound girl walking up the street with 240 lbs of dog in hand under leash, and the child is in complete control.
DAng, I miss those boys. Only been gone 5 and 7 years, but they were unique.
My Australian shepherds don’t fit that description, either. Their deep barks when strangers come to the house make them sound like much larger dogs, and they are fiercely loyal and protective - bred to watch over their “herd” or “flock.”
I am so sorry.
I hope that the adults step in and tell the kids that a dog is not a pony. Dogs are not beasts of burden or stepping stools.
A dog may tolerate something uncomfortable because showing pain in the wild is showing weakness.
Sounds like a workable team.
:)
Yes, those eyes.
:)
No. The American bulldog has a very mellow temperament. Unless you aren’t supposed to be there. Actually very non dog aggressive, too. Awesome hunting dogs, probably the second best hog hunting dog in the world and the first (Dogo Argentino) is Am bull with some sighthound and mastiff (three doggo Argintino’s easily take down the largest boars, they have b sen bred to do exactly that)
Also the official dog of the Marine Corps (although the English bulldog is often depicted in artwork) and toften the choice of Teddy R.
Photos like that make me cringe.
And so would my Chihuahua! Laugh if you want to, but the nature of the breed is to protect. Plus their teeth are extremely sharp and their claws can do some damage.
That will work! lol
I had a pug once and the only thing anyone need to fear was his awesome friendliness. He would have welcomed the burglars in and showed him where all the good stuff was.
That sign is on the front of my house.
When we had a “crime spree”, out here in the boonies, *everyone* got hit, for miles around.
Except us.
Couple weeks later, the same thing happened, with thieves taking stuff out of parked cars late at night.
Again, we were not touched.
The neighbor made a wry comment that it was “odd” that they did not bother us when his car was parked mere yards away and my station wagon was unlocked, with an iPad, iPod and iPhone laying on the front seat.
That time, my PPM barked out the front window and the Dobes “went off” inside the house.
I hurried to the front door with Odin and swung it open, letting him lunge, frothing and snarling into the front yard.
I could hear dry leaves crunching as somebody hauled arse in a hurry, up the ridge, across from my house.
Odin came back in, sorely disappointed.
Maybe next time...
;)
It’s not hard to imagine why they didn’t hit us.
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