im thinking about getting a lab and im wondering if it will be good protection. i want it to be a regular dog but i want it to attack/or defend me or its property when needed. is a lab good for the job. if not which dog is?
2007-02-14 09:45:47 · 32 answers · asked by |*ANUMBABy*| 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
German shepards would offer best protection and they are smart dogs. And a very intimidating size without the prone to violence stigma.
Labs are very intelligent dogs, very likable, very good with children.
But it all comes down to how you raise them.
I have had a few dogs,and currently I have a lab.
Shes 50 pounds, and very protective, because thats the way Ive raised her.
But by nature, they are more friendly.
Now in inderstandign the nature of some breeds, you will understand that some aremore assertive than others. Pit Bulls and rockwellers will test your control. They are a fighting breed.
They CAN be very dosile and protective.
Again, its how you raise them.
All in all, I would get a german shepard.
that was my intention, but at first sight, this lab just grabbed us.
call it doggy love at first sight
2007-02-14 09:52:42 · answer #1 · answered by writersbIock2006 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally, the answer is no. Labs are gentle and loving by nature, but they could be trained for guard duty, although there are many better dogs for the purpose.
I saw a pit bull mentioned. Don't. They are too unpredictable.
I would suggest a Belgian Malinois or a German Shepherd. I would lean towards the Belgian, because though they look similar to the GSD, they do not have some of the common medical problems that the GSD does.
The Malinois has a long history of police and military duty and makes a great family pet if properly socialized.
Good luck in your search.
2007-02-14 09:52:25 · answer #2 · answered by Steve H 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't recommend a lab AS an attack dog - but they do have a protective side to their personality. They are wonderful pets - very loyal and committed to their owners. They will bark at a fly - or anything else. I think if you set up your dog as an "attack" dog - you will be doing yourself and you pet as huge disservice. I have a 5 year old lab and she is extremely protective - she hates it when my husband "play fights" with me or the kids - she barks and barks and will actually try and make him stop "hitting" us - at first we thought it was funny - you know play screaming "stop stop" and he would pretend he was spanking us just to see how riled up she would get - but once she got to the point she would put his hand in her mouth and make him stop - that was enough for us. I have no doubt that if someone tried to hurt us she could defend us with her life. On the other hand, I'm not sure about a stranger coming in the house - I think she would bark for a few minutes - then perhaps start smothering him with kisses.
2007-02-14 10:52:14 · answer #3 · answered by abby 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a male black Lab, and he protects me everywhere I go. He won't let anybody get close to me without being introduced to them first. He has to give them a sniff down and make sure they have nothing to hurt me with. I don't think the girls protect as much as the boys do. The Labs are very easy to train. They are so beautiful too! I bought mine from a breeder around the Ohio/Penn area. The site is GrandRiverLabradors.com If you want any training advice you can email me! CCandDuke@Yahoo.com I want to be a future dog trainer. I've been trying to write a dog book to teach people to train their dogs. I take my Lab everywhere with me. They just sleep in the car. My dog is lazy when I'm lazy and crazy when I'm crazy. I love the Lab breed! Tell me what you get! Contact the breeder at Grandriver! She can answer all your questions!
2007-02-14 10:04:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Labs are great dogs, and very smart. They will naturally have some protective instincts and bark and snap when needed on their own. If for some reason you think you need the animal to be more aggressive then that you may want a different kind of dog.
Check out these web sites and do the breed questionnaire to see what dogs would give you exactly what you are looking for. :)
www.dogbreedinfo.com
www.glowdog.com
2007-02-14 09:55:44 · answer #5 · answered by shannon_crystaln 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My experiance is the dog was very friendly. However; He was upset at times when trouble was around. I don't know how this is, but because he was larger than most dogs; they kept their distance. I think if you treat labs kindly they reciprocate and you will be amazed at their love and affection!
I don't think that the animal will attack right away as other breeds do / rather they let you know when theres a problem before it's a problem. However.. If they perceive an immediate threat they will defend themselves and their property. (You!)
2007-02-14 10:00:13 · answer #6 · answered by segabill 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it would depend on the dog and his temperment. Any dog (just about) will defend it's territory & pack.
If you want a dog who will be protective and be a pet, try a boxer. I've had them for a good long while now. Most people are stupid and think my boxers are pits. They are very strong, athletic dogs, roughly the same size as labs. They can look quite threatening!
I would recommend boxers very highly.
2007-02-14 10:04:49 · answer #7 · answered by kelly24592 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I currently own a yellow lab. Abby, is a wonderful family dog, but is also very protective of us and her home. God forbid someone comes in to the yard. She goes at the door pretty bad. As long as we show her they he/she is ok, she calms down. Shes wonderful with the kids too. I would recommend a lab for anyone.
2007-02-14 10:21:20 · answer #8 · answered by elena_398 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Labradors have many excellent qualities. They´re very intelligent, caring dogs, and good companions (as shown in how they are widely used as guide-dogs for the blind etc.) and are a good choice for many things. I wouldn´t say they are really aggressive enough for the protection purposes you describe though; a German Shepherd/Alsatian would be better for your needs. They are also intelligent and loyal and bond with their owners very well, and are more likely to launch an attack on any aggressors that threaten you or your property (ie: their family and territory). Bear in mind that they are widely used by the police and as guard dogs too, for these reasons.
2007-02-14 10:06:23 · answer #9 · answered by alexsuricata 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would advise against having an attack dog ..even if someone is breaking in to your home ,and your dog bites them ..while in prison he can sue you for damages plus normally after a dog has bitten they will put the dog down..you would come out better shooting someone breaking in .. if where you live allows you to protect yourself..quite a few states do not have self defense laws in place to protect you , they feel you can talk to your attackers instead of defending yourself......Thank your local liberals for that too............
2007-02-14 09:58:15 · answer #10 · answered by Insensitively Honest 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋