I live in a condo in Chicago, and I am looking to buy a watch/guard dog. What breed should I buy?

Question

My condo is 2400 square and the longest my dog will be left alone perday is 4-5 hours. I don't want a dog that sheads or smells and I'm looking for a small to medium sized dog. Theres is a large park near by so I will be able to give my dog a suffient amount of exercise. The dog will not be around children regularly but if It does come in contract I don't want it to attack them either. I don't live in the best neighborhood either so if someone attempts to break in when I'm not there, I'd live the dog to be able to scare off intruders. What do you recomend?

Answer 1

I would recommend anyone of these dogs in Chicago. You'll be saving a life and money too.
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9499416
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9499417
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9482874
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9347272
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9564072
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9512477
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=8641693
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9571701
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9654746
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=7067663
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/pet/478785579.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/pet/478358328.html
and here are MORE to choose from in your city.
http://search.petfinder.com/search/search.cgi?offset=75&zone=1&limit=25&zip=60601&breed=&animal=Dog&size=M&tmpl=&lat=41.886&long=-87.627&preview=

Good Luck!!!

Answer 2

I don't know if chihuahuas are too small for you and I know they have a bad stigma, but that's because they became a fad and there were a lot of breeders and a lot of prissy owners that inappropriately bred and trained them. They are natural guard dogs (and wonderful at it. They alert at everything and you can easily train them to stop barking after you've had enough). Also, they're small enough that they can get enough exercise just playing in the condo if you don't have time to take them out, but they really don't mind going outside. My chihuahua loves going outside even when it's snowing--they're not wimps if you train them right. Also, long-haired chihuahuas aren't what people typically think (i.e. chihuahuas are ugly and shakey). They'd really surpise you--you'd never guess they were chihuahuas (in case you're worried about looking like a woman having one). Also, their bark is abrupt and loud. I'm sure any intruder would hear it and think there was a freakin mastiff in the place :)

A chihuahua will LOVE the fact that you're only gone 4-5 hours. They are perhaps the most loving breed (up there with golden retrievers) and they will bask in every moment of attention you give them and will return you by keeping you company in every room you enter. They're very intelligent, but not too intelligent (like a Border Collie--they need space and lots of attention) and learn tricks quickly.

I wish you luck--keep an open mind and check out lots of breeds before deciding. And remember--do NOT buy from a pet store (don't want to insult your intelligence, it's just really sad and I'm a huge advocate for proper breeding).

Answer 3

#1, if you live in a Condo,make sure it is not against CC&Rs to own certain types of dogs. For insurance purposes, sometimes dogs considered "dangerous" are excluded from Insurance Policies, therefore prohibited from owning. Some of those dogs are Dobermans, Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, etc. And if you are planning on getting one of these dogs, make sure you have an HO6 policy (a homeowners policy) with liability that covers the dog. Otherwise you're running the risk of your dog attacking someone, and they can sue you for every penny you've got and might leave YOU in the doghouse....

Other than that, search the internet for different breeds that might match you. Check out the American Kennel Club's website at www.akc.org. They have tons of info on different breeds and all their characteristics.

Answer 4

Hi, I just recently bought a Jindo pup from a breeder (Champion Blood lines). The reason I bought him is because our last dog (chihuahua) was killed by a coyote. Hes 4 months now, and he will NEVER back down to a 100 pound dog. NEVER. He'll bite a German Shepherd or lab and make it cry. The breed is known for their courage (1 of 2 only dogs in the world that can hunt a 800 pound Siberian Tiger). So don't be fooled by their small size, because they are as strong as a mid-size dog can get (1200 pounds of bite force---German shepherd=900 pounds). they are very intelligent dogs, but amateur owners will not be able to handle them unless they are properly socialized at puppyhood (park, play with other dogs). My best friend owns a white female (40 pounds), and 3 coyotes have jumped over their fence and have never returned. Jindos are very aggressive to unfamliliar things, so socializing with your neighbors dog would be the best thing for you to do. They are very loyal, and are known to fight for their family till the death (Known to not be scared of death when fighting). That's why Koreans honor these dogs so much, and so do I. My puppy Lobo, learned how to sit, shake, lay, speak, stand within a matter of minutes for each trick. They are HIGHLY intelligent. So trust me, the Jindo is the best mid-size, loyal, courageous, guard dog that you can get. hope this helps.

Answer 5

A Yorkie!! I have one. Best guard dog ever! Doesn't shed at all - and hypoallergenic (I'm allergic to it all and this dog sleeps under my chin with no problems). Not smelly, but he does smell like a dog - but of course, he's a dog... so.... He's a great apartment dog. We play and he can break into a full run through the apt. They are very smart and can be easily trained.

When he was just a puppy he showed his great guard dog ways. I had friends that would come and go all the time, and a boyfriend that had keys and would let himself into the apartment all the time. But one day the bug man tried to let himself in to spray my apt (without knocking) and my dog went crazy. He didn't attack him or anything, but he knew that this person wasn't allowed in my house and he wanted to make sure I knew he was there. The bug guy had to go away, come back, knock, and then I could let him in like normal and my dog didn't mind at all. The bug man was amazed at the difference it made. He wasn't sure he wanted to even come in to my apt until I explained to him that my dog did the right thing, he was the one at fault - what kind of person (EVER) just walks into an apt without at least knocking first? That was what my dog was trained to do - alert to anything unusual.

Answer 6

Well most dogs that would be confortable in a apartment and DON'T shed won't scare intruders. Like an English Bulldog would live confortably in an apartment because they don't need much exercise because they get overheated, but they shed pretty bad. I would recommend a Yorkshire Terrior, they don't shed, their small, they can be barkers, they just probably wouldn't scare an intruder. Most people would say a chihuahua, but they shed and are nervous dogs. I hope this helps!

Answer 7

I would look at a giant schnauzer. They are good watch dogs. Be aware that dogs are only smelly if not groomed regularly and training is a must. He should be exposed to many situations and people of all kinds so that he doesn't freak out.

Answer 8

A security system.

Breeds you could research are schnauzers (standard or giant), black russian terriers, bouviers, poodles (standards) etc

Answer 9

pit bulls. there so cute and not viscious at all unless u train them to be. like any other dog... also try golden retrever.

also try boxers!!

Answer 10

U COULD TRY A ROTTWEiiLER OR CHARPEii.