Good guard/attack dog breed?

Question

I'm looking for a good breed to guard my property from intruders. My house/ garage has been broken into a few times and my Chow, while intimidating with all it's barking and growling doesn't really do much. I've had rottweilers and pitbulls before, which both did the job really nicely. Unfortuanetly, we now have a city ordinance banning pitbulls.

I was thinking about another rottweiler, but there were a few more breeds I've heard good things about and got curious. Neapolitan mastiffs come to mind. Also have heard positive stuff about German Shepherds and Dobermans. The bigger the dog the better, I can handle exercising and socializing the dogs just fine, it's just a matter of picking the best deterrent.

Answer 1

Cheaper, easier and safer to get an alarm/security system.

Less chance of lawsuit too.

Answer 2

German shepherds are great, but you need to think about a dog who does the job well but at the same time doesn't become aggressive towards you. Rottweilers are excellent, but they have been known (i'm not saying all have) to, without notice or reason, attack owners. I think a doberman would be great, or maybe a great dane. Danes are super friendly but have a watchful eye and are known to be great guard dogs. I wouldn't personally choose an 'attack' dog, and a dane certainly isn't going to jump on an intruder and bite it to shreds, but it's impressive size is sure to scare an intruder. It ill bark and warn the owner, but it's not going to act aggressive. Also a Shiloh shepherd is really great at guarding. They are slightly larger than a german shepherd. Visit www.puppyfind.com for some breed info (I don't suggest buying a dog from abroad from websites such as puppyfind, although you could). Just do some research and breeds you know and don't-the more you know about a dog, the better your chances are. Lastly, i don' suggest mastiffs. They can be extremely aggressive and dangerous, but, again, of course there are exceptions. Hope I helped at goo dluck with your search.

Answer 3

There are a lot of things to consider when you are getting a dog. First of all, you do not under any circumstances get a dog to guard your property. What you need to do is get a dog that is going to be part of your family. Once it is part of your family, or in the dogs eyes, the pack, then it will protect without training or coaching. Now as far as what breeds you are looking for, one you mentioned was Neapolitan Mastiffs. Now even though mastiffs and Great Danes are what people consider extra large breed dogs, they are really not known for being protective. They can be, don't get me wrong, but they are not the type that you can just put some where and they will guard. Dobermanns are a great breed, and I personally love them, however, they have a reputation for losing their mind as they get older. Now I have never seen this actually happen, and I believe that like people, any breed can become crazy. Rotties are great. They are known as the gentle giants, and though they were orginally bred to pull carts and work, they have become greatly known as guard dogs. German Shepherds are my personal favorite. They were bred to work with people, and as long as they feel they are part of the family, they will put their lives on the line for their families. On another side though, if you have children, you have to be careful. German Shepherds are excellent with children, and I have never seen one or really even heard of one that hurt a child, however, as a parent, you may run into issues with the dog and child. You see, if you attempt to discpline a child in front of a German Shepherd, they will stop you. If you want a large dog, that is about the size of a mastiff or great dane, I would recommend looking into the King German Shepherd. It is not something a lot of people talk about as they are not as popular. German Shepherds were never really suppose to be large as much as quick and agile. The King German Shepherd has all the same characteristics as the German Shepherd, but they are quite a bit larger. One final though, my large male, doesn't bark, and a good Guard dog actually won't bark. It goes back to the old saying, "his bark is worse than his bite" meaning, a barking dog won't bite, and most professional criminals will know this.

Answer 4

Rottweiler. They love they're family to the extent they would die for them, and they don't like strangers. Any idiot that says get an alarm over a Guard dog has an irrational fear of more powerful breeds of dog. Alarm systems without a battery backup can be disabled from outside the home. And yes a bullet CAN stop a dog, but the likely hood of a criminal being able to hit one moving dog let alone 2 in BROAD DAYLIGHT with a handgun is extremely unlikely

Answer 5

My coworker owns an Akita and says that dog is a great guard dog.

I know what you mean about chows, mine barks and that is all.

Shephards are good and will attack if provoked I know that from experience. But they are considered a hearder and not a protector.

Mastiffs are great, my sister owned one, great with kids although under 5 or six you need to watch them cause the dogs are so bulky without knowing they may knock the kids over. Fun to play with and would tear my brother in law apart when he fought with my sis. He had fleshy scars everywhere. So they are bad when they want to protect their master.

I also heard that breeds of St. Bernards are very good at protecting.

You may want to contact kennel clubs and find out how much you have to pay to get one already trained.

Answer 6

Pick a dog with intelligece as well as protective capabilities
You dont see alot of Police pittbulls now do ya. German Shepherds are smart, socialable and great guard dogs. I have has rotts and they are great watchdogs. Another breed that is multipurpose is the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. They are stubborn, but natuaral at protection. They are a good family dog and and love to play in the water so if you live by a beach or lake.... and they are good with kids. At least mine is. And the one my dad had was. And they are smart. Not always is biggest the baddest. Be smart, dont get yourself a lawsuit. Try brains over brawn.

Answer 7

Bigger isn't always better. I have had several different breeds and personally prefer Boxers. They are known as the "Silent Guard Dog". If a boxer barks, you better get up and find out why !! They also have strong powerful jaws and do not like to let go of their grip. I have watched a friend pick my Gypsy up by her rope toy. All four feet off of the ground and she would not let go. I have also had Gypsy put herself between me and the door to keep someone out that she didn't like.

I have also considered a Belgian Malinois. A lot of police departments are using them now. They look very similar to the German Shepherd (coat is shorter - easier maintenance). They also have a similar temperament, but less trouble with their hips.

Answer 8

I have a pit and an Australian Cattle Dog. The pit doesn't bark much and just plain sucks. Doesn't play w/ the kids much, etc. The Australian Cattle Dog barks like crazy but will also bite your head off if you enter without permission. Also super good with the kids.

Answer 9

I would definitely go with a German Sheperd. Not only are they beautiful dogs but they are also very intimidating. They have training and programs that can teach your dog how to be more protective, worked for my family. The dog is very sweet, but knows when to protect me, they can sense danger. Great for your break in problems.

Answer 10

German Sheppard

Answer 11

Without any hesitation, without any doubt, the Fila Braselero. There is not a single dog that will protect/apprehend an intruder better then a Fila, and all without any training.