The one downside to a mean dog is, if he takes a chunk out of an intruder, the guy could sue you and he could win big time money. It has happened.
My favorite was the freeper who suggested a BIG dog bowl on the front porch (or in easy sight of intruders) with the name “Brutus” painted on it and a heavy chain with a broken link beside it, and a note saying, “Hey, Bubba-—we went to go get more beer and ammo. Don’t go in the house. I think Brutus injured somebody ‘cause there’s blood all over his muzzle so I put him in the house. I wouldn’t go in ‘til we get back and Brutus has a chance to settle down.”
My dogs are not mean. They are super protective of my wife and grandson. Any confrontation would be inside our house. The dogs live here, the bitten intruder does not. TX courts recognize this.