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Protective but sweet dog breeds?

16K views 44 replies 28 participants last post by  kelii  
#1 ·
My fiance and I are moving out next summer and we're taking with us the rats [of course], two of my cats, and my chihuahua. But the thing is, I will have to be home alone A LOT. I'm pretty much a big baby about being home alone. But michael has agreed to get me a large dog to make me feel safe. But that thing is, I've always had small breed dogs. So I was wondering if anyone knows of a large breed that is protective of it's owners but also sweet and not aggressive towards other animals. I know that's a lot of criteria, but I need help! :D
 
#2 ·
Get an English or American Mastiff. The American breed doesn't drool. (much) One of the largest dogs you can get but a gentle giant. They are great for apartments or small yards because they don't need a lot of exercise. They think they should be lap dogs. :D A mastiff will protect you by standing in front of the intruder. They use their size instead of their teeth to protect. And they're great with kids. In my own search (I'll be getting one within 2 years) I have found that it can take up to a year to get one. You have to pay half up front. Then the breeder has to have enough adopters to breed the dog. I found a great breeder in VA that's moving to WV. Where do you live?
 
#4 ·
Bernese Mountain Dogs are big squishy lovebugs around people.

Personally, I would LOVE to someday adopt a South African Boerboel. Very family protective friendly, great with kids etc.

I would check out basically anything in the mastiff family. They are much more docile then other breeds like boxers, dobies and rotties (although I very much love those breeds also!)
 
#5 ·
A fun thing to do is to go onto AnimalPlanet.com and look up Dogs 101 videos and compare breeds. I know of quite a few medium to large sized dogs that are protective of their families yet sweet with even children. Larger isn't necessarily better. Some larger dogs just may be too much if it's going to be an inside dog and often times medium breeds are big enough in personality.

I'm honestly not a big fan of mastiffs. My brother has one right now and it's a HUMONGOUS dog at only a few months and even though he's being trained, he's difficult to deal with because even minor damage they do can be considerably bigger. They're nice enough, but hard to keep in the house. I would personally recommend a well built medium sized dog that's easier to train.

I've done a lot of research on various dog (and cat) breeds over the years (kind of as a hobby) and tend to be a rather random database on the temperaments of many breeds of dogs. I've personally had a lot of experience with Laboradors, Beagles, Weimaraners, Vizlsas, Jack Russell Terriers (or Parson Russells), Poodles (standard and minature), Pomeranians, Shih Tzus, English Mastiffs, Dachshunds, Airedale Terriers, Rottweilers, and varies mixed breeds. I also volunteer at an animal shelter and have trained and helped trained both dogs there, neighbor's dogs, and my own as a hobby. If you want to know anything about a particular breed, let me know.
 
#6 ·
You can easily train Rottweilers like that. They are naturally protective and can easily learn to accept other animals but you have to get them as a pup, not older than 8 weeks or get one that is known to be tolerant of small animals. Contact the breed rescues.
be careful when a large dog plays with your Chi as he/she can easily injure the little dog, even with good intentions.
 
#7 ·
begoodtoanimals said:
be careful when a large dog plays with your Chi as he/she can easily injure the little dog, even with good intentions.
That's how our dashund messed up her back. :-\

I tend to go to breeders for dogs that have a stigma for "being aggressive" as the aggressiveness is usually a result of lack of training at an early age or bad breeding. Also, with a Rottweiler, you'd want to know the pedigree due to some serious health issues they have that can lead to their so-called aggression in older age. It's been awhile since I've read about it but it has something to do with the spin growing improperly near the base of the skull and putting pressure on the back of their brain.
 
#8 ·
The only dogs I would rule out are breeds that are: hounds, terriers, spaniels and most sporting dogs. Most of these have been bred to hunt, retrieve, dig out or chase animals of some sort.

Dobermans and Rottweilers tend to be high energy. I have an affection towards dobermans, esp chocolate or 'red' ones :) Boxers are great dogs also but again, very high energy and an average lifespan of only 8 yrs.

American bulldogs could also be an option. Many people confuse them visually with pitbulls but they are VERY different.

Maybe even an old english sheepdog or the obvious, a German Shephard Dog (although they tend to be literally mouthy, aka using their mouths.)

I have worked in dog daycares and boarding kennels for 5 years with every breed you can think of. I also have been grooming for 2 years on my own and have had a little more 'one-on-one' time with most breeds.

Let us know what is at the top of your list! :) I'm interested!
 
#9 ·
My chihuahua places with my step cousin's pit bull all the time [under close watch of course] and he's a typical chi, no concept of his small size. ::)

My fiance is rather partial to St. Bernards and German Shepherds but I don't know about St. Bernard's as a guard dog, they seem like big lap dogs to me. And...they drool! :( And I'm scared a shepherd would be too aggressive.

I think I'm going to go check out that animal planet thingy....
 
#10 ·
My mother has a german shepherd/lab mix and she is the sweetest, smartest dog we've had. So incredibly easily trained because the two breeds are some of the smartest. She's certainly protective, but because of her good training she's not overly so. She barks whenever someone comes in the driveway, is at the door, and "acts" fierce on command, and won't hesitate to protect us when she thinks we're threatened, but not in an overly aggressive manner (it's never come to a point where we've been seriously attacked, so I don't know exactly how aggressive she can be).
 
#11 ·
germans are lovely dogs. they are simply reserved with strangers. but they bond like crazy to the family and will stop at nothing to save them. perfect guard/pet.
 
#13 ·
I would look into getting a German Shepherd. We've had them my entire life; they're fantastic dogs. They are ultimate family dogs - we take ours for hikes with us, and they are constantly circling the group and keeping count of everyone. They're great with children and other animals. They do tend to bond closely, and they are extremely intelligent and easy to train. They tend to be wary of strangers and many people are put off by them simply because they associate them with police. They are high energy dogs that thrive off of human interaction.
 
#14 ·
I've had golden retrievers (females) my whole life with small animals and I have never had a problem with them. It's not to say that you won't (I really think we lucked out) because my gran had the complete opposite of a cute lap dog, BUT, I know more people who have had good experiences with them than not.
 
#15 ·
Ration1802 said:
I've had golden retrievers (females) my whole life with small animals and I have never had a problem with them. It's not to say that you won't (I really think we lucked out) because my gran had the complete opposite of a cute lap dog, BUT, I know more people who have had good experiences with them than not.
A good Golden is a loving social dog but might not be the protector she is looking for as well, although most dogs will step in if the need arises.
 
#16 ·
We have a German Shepard, Athena, and a border collie mix, Murphy. Both are great family dogs and protectors, the border collie mix is a high energy dog and you would want a yard for it to run around in though. Our dogs get along fine with all of our cats, I honestly think our 8lb female cat rules the roost. I wouldn't recommend leaving the rats in a place you're dogs could get to them but I just don't think dogs and small animals, esp. rodents really get along. As long as you get you're dog as a puppy there really shouldn't be any problems with it not getting along with your cats and chihuahua (sp?) and of course as long as you train it properly eg making sure it knows you're the boss.
Good luck and I hope you find a good dog!
 
#17 ·
I would never let a large dog/dog I don't know around my rats. :p Pocket and Cas have met [supervised of course], on my bed and they just wanted to lick each other. ::)
Retrievers are so high energy, I don't think apartment life would be good for one. But I mean, of course I'll take it for walks every day, but I just don't think it would be enough for such a sporty dog.
I think my fiance has his heart set on a St. Bernard now, so that's probably what we'll get... I just don't know how protective it would be, they seem like big love bugs!
 
#19 ·
Be prepared for lots of slobber: they sling it onto the walls, onto you and around their muzzles. Do your research.
You need to get one from sound parents, lots of them are poorly bred, health and mind wise.
A well socialized pup grows up to be a stable dog who will step in when needed, most dogs do
Fearful dogs, especially the large breeds are plain dangerous due to their unpredictability.
If they are social with people they will not be afraid when they need to protect you in an emergency.
Get a puppy, not older than 9 weeks , take it to an APDT(.com) trainer if you live in the US so you can teach it proper manners from the start.
Good luck.
 
#20 ·
I've read lots about the slobber! It sounds sort of endearing to me though. :D

We may get one from a St. Bernard rescue that's nearby. May be risky in the genetics department, but they deserve a home too.
 
#21 ·
begoodtoanimals said:
Get a puppy, not older than 9 weeks , take it to an APDT(.com) trainer if you live in the US so you can teach it proper manners from the start.
Good luck.
Do not get a puppy that is nine weeks or less. You will end up having to deal with behavioural problems, no matter how well you train. And most states have laws against breeders selling puppies that aren't eight weeks. Ten weeks is the youngest you should look at when it comes to getting a puppy and twelve is even better, almost optimal. It gives the puppy plenty of time to learn proper doggy etiqutte from it's mother and littermates, since during the time between seven to ten weeks puppies brains are fully developed enough to hold onto the things that their mother teaches them when it comes to interacting with other dogs and if the breeder you go to is reputable it will have given the pup plenty of time to learn about socialization with people.
 
#22 ·
We definitely don't want a puppy. Like I said, it's meant to be a protector and a companion. A puppy would take awhile to grow and is just not optimal for what we want. I think we'll go no younger than a year. Still going to look for one with a great temperament of course. There's lots of adult dogs out there that need homes too, and I'd love to give one a second chance. :)
 
#23 ·
3pidemic said:
begoodtoanimals said:
Get a puppy, not older than 9 weeks , take it to an APDT(.com) trainer if you live in the US so you can teach it proper manners from the start.
Good luck.
Do not get a puppy that is nine weeks or less. You will end up having to deal with behavioural problems, no matter how well you train. And most states have laws against breeders selling puppies that aren't eight weeks. Ten weeks is the youngest you should look at when it comes to getting a puppy and twelve is even better, almost optimal. It gives the puppy plenty of time to learn proper doggy etiqutte from it's mother and littermates, since during the time between seven to ten weeks puppies brains are fully developed enough to hold onto the things that their mother teaches them when it comes to interacting with other dogs and if the breeder you go to is reputable it will have given the pup plenty of time to learn about socialization with people.
At 12 weeks the socialization timeframe closes in which the pup is able to imprint on the world around him. My main problem as dog trainer is that people do not take them out before that time on the vet's advice to wait for all their shots. They grow up to be weary of the world and fearful as older dogs. From 3 to 8 weeks is the time they should spend in the litter with their mother and litter mates and after that their world needs to expand.
I don't know where you based your advice against this on.
Talk to any trainer who knows behavior and development of dogs.
 
#24 ·
im very partial to pits, dobies and rotties.... they have bad reputations due to bad breeding but really given the proper care and love they grow into the sweetest most loving dogs on earth.. and especially given their bad rap, if people know you have one they wont want to go near your house... you dont even have to train it to be a mean dog to intruders, just have it there and that will be enough lol.
 
#25 ·
Congrats on deciding to go to a rescue! Thats excellent :)


With proper training, nearly any dog can be socialized with the right training and a bit of patience. I worked in dog daycare for 5 years and even the most skittish of dogs can gain confidence and come out of their shells. It's all about the way you teach them. I personally LOVE BarkBusters training- it's all about pack leadership and talking to the dogs in a way they actually understand you. It's similar to "Cesar Milan- The Dog Whisperer" on TV.

I very much dislike traditional 'treat' training, clicker training, and other things along those lines. Doing these types of training could NEVER control a group of 40 random dogs at daycare lol...

It's quite empowering to be the Alpha and to have control of so many at once! Once they learn the rules, most are very well behaved.
 
#26 ·
I think a boxer would be great, but I AM quite biased.
I have two boxers, my girl is 8 years old and I've had her my whole adult life. I live alone now and I always feel safe with her with me. My boy is 2.5, deaf and never met anyone he didn't like. I wouldn't count on him to scare anyone away, but if someone came at me, he might step in.
Delilah is very intimidating at the door, she will bark at the door and then stop so it's not annoying and once I let someone in she is fine with them. She keeps people at a distance on walks at night though, which I like!

They are active dogs, but since you will be adopting an adult you will be able to tell their energy level. My two are pretty laid back, they sleep most of the day and then want a little play session at night. If you had a yard to run and play with it in, that would be perfect. Some boxers however are just crazy hyper- i've seen them at the dog park... you'll just have to judge that when you meet one.

Felix is the biggest cuddle bug ever. He always likes to by laying on the couch and touching me while i'm on the computer or watchign tv. Also, i let them sleep in bed with me and the snuggle right up close... sometimes i just have to push them away.