My grandparents, who lived on a farm back off the main road, had a massive, beautiful German Shepherd. He was primarily a guard dog and allowed loose at night and patrolled the property. The “word” around town & the countryside was to avoid my grandparents property because of the dog and he was known/feared & referred to by name. If folks drove up in the yard, they stayed in the car until someone told the dog to stand down. He did bite at least one person I know of who decided to get out of their car before the dog was secured. My grandmother never worried if granddad was away at night and when we visited, I was never afraid at night because I knew who was on patrol. The dog was particularly attached to my grandmother and was gentle with the grandkids. My grandparents had subsequent GS dogs, but none were quite like this one and he was greatly mourned & missed when he died of old age.
A good dog suited to the owners and their circumstances is a great thing to have. Especially in the countryside and rural areas, one or more such dogs is essential for security. Reading many criminal law cases over the years, I was long ago struck that a family dog was usually lacking. Given a choice of a gun or large, devoted and reliable dog for defense and security, I would choose the dog.