I have a baby girl and my wife stays at home with her everyday, what is the best breed for a watchdog to protect the house? I live in Florida so it will have to spend a good portion of the day inside. WHat is protective but good with Children?
2006-09-06 03:31:15 · 16 answers · asked by csrivas21 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
You don't need a "watchdog", unless you want to open yourself to liability if the dog bites someone, or tragedy if the dog bites your child. Insurance companies will charge higher rates or even refuse coverage if you own certain breeds of dog.
What you need is a friendly, stable, and preferably well-trained dog that barks when someone comes. That will be enough to deter burglars who usually don't want to break into a house with a dog barking.
Even my basset hounds were enough to deter burglars. One time when I moved, the dogs were the first things I took, as soon as the dogs were gone the house was broken into.
2006-09-06 06:03:13 · answer #1 · answered by DaBasset - BYBs kill dogs 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I once had a Shih-Tzu that I thought was a good watchdog. He was small and wouldn't scare anyone but if someone even slowed down as they were walking by my house he started barking like crazy. I have heard the same about other small breeds of dogs. Lots of barking and the attention it draws is enough to deter most would be trouble makers. Thye move on to a house with no dogs barking.
I would also wonder why you feel the need for a watchdog in the first place if your wife is home while you are working.
2006-09-06 10:39:48 · answer #2 · answered by xox_bass_player_xox 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you leave your wife home alone before you guys had the baby??? then why bring a new dog into the house now?? WHY not only deal with one major change in your life, not two.. Wanna deal with training the dog now, or deal with your newborn?
It is not good to get a new dog at the busiest times in your life. Wait until things cool down at the house.
What exactly are your reasons for getting a watchdog now? Did you recently move into the house you are in? Is the nieghborhood unsafe?
Wait a year to get a dog. Then you can spend time to commit to the dog and not just the daughter.
2006-09-06 10:39:37 · answer #3 · answered by enyates2002 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want a dog that is probably the safest breed on earth with very young children, try a newfoundland. They love kids and are very protective of them. I had one with young kids and I would trust this dog with them implicitly. Spending the day inside would be great for a newfie because of the heat in Florida, but do research the breed first. By the way, newfies can be watchdogs, but they're not guard dogs, they're too good natured. But they are very protective of kids.
2006-09-06 10:42:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is going to sound crazy, but a Standard Poodle. I had one when I lived with my parents, and it was the BEST dog I've ever had. I taught him a "watch the baby" command so that we could turn our attention to something else for a few minutes. Poodles love children and they don't shed so they are good for indoors. Just keep in mind that they have to be groomed regularly. Also, find a good obedience trainer to help you train the dog to properly watch the house.
2006-09-06 10:58:41 · answer #5 · answered by puppyraiser8 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Labrador Retriever, or a mix breed. Like a Sheperd Lab. There are several dogs waiting for good homes in shelters.
2006-09-06 12:59:55 · answer #6 · answered by TritanBear 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i love the doberman breed have had at least 1 at all times most of the time i have 2 i raised my children with them and now my grandchildren. i have never had 1 problem with any of the dogs. if you could list all the things you were looking for in a dog and have one custom made the dog would end up being a doberman. they are so smart they just know what you want before you ask them for it. i have had dobermans since 1977 and will never be without one.
2006-09-06 11:04:36 · answer #7 · answered by basque girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does your wife want a dog?
Who has the time to train the dog?
Who will be the one to care for the dog?
Does your wife ant the responsibility of the dog with a new baby?
I work in rescue and see this situation far to often. YOU may want a dog but how does your wife the one who is going to be home with it feel about it.
If you are worried about security get an alarm system. Far easier and your wife won't have to worry about cleaning up after it ortaking it our for walks or feeding it or having to train it and care for your new baby.
2006-09-06 10:39:14 · answer #8 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I also live in Fl and i have 3 kids, I have a Rottie, and she is the Best watchdog I have ever had, also she is great with my kids we got her as a pup and she grew up with them loving them even more, she has a wonderful temperament.
2006-09-06 10:39:35 · answer #9 · answered by Gina G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have 4 children and we have 4 American Pit Bull Terriers! It's all how you raise them. All ours but one has been with us from the time they were puppies. We got one at 2 and they all still did fine. If you would like to see more pictures of them they are on our web site: https://www.freewebs.com/hometownkennel/
We bred but we usually only have one litter a year, this will be the first year we will have had two litters (two diff. mothers)
2006-09-06 12:42:18 · answer #10 · answered by wiazardofoz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋