suitable dog breeds for guarding

bennybenben

I'm looking for advice about suitable dog breeds. I'd like one which will act as a good guard dog - alerting me when someone comes onto the grounds. One that I can have off a lead if possible - one that won't want to roam, one that will be content with the job of guarding and protecting his home and the people inside it. But as there would be kiddies visiting at times I don't want a dog that is known to be aggressive.

Basically I'm getting one too many intruders coming onto the grounds looking to sell me carpets, frying pans or asking whether my car is for sale ... which it obviously is not as I don't have a for sale sign on it so I'm genuinely questioning the integrity of these intruders ...
I already have a dog but her guard dog days are over. At this stage if she has her eyes shut and you walked right up to her and shouted she wouldn't stir. (However if a cat walks past - she'll go ape.) Not very effective at alarming me when someone arrives let alone deterring intruders.

So to recap - I'm exploring dog breeds that are good guard dogs, and like to stay by its master and not roam. But not vicious.

Any advice welcome!

are you serious

A Jack Russel sounds perfect!!!

Celly Smunt

Sounds like a border collie would suit perfect

bennybenben

Jack Russell is funny, personllay I wouldnt go into a house that's got one - but I'd say these guys would just bop the terrier on the head with the frying pan

Border collie sounds good - didn't really think of that breed, suppose I pigeon holed it into farming breed. But then again I've seen some of them outside farms and yeah they guard and stay around the place but some tend to chase the cars that go by - chase right up against the car, barking and snarling at the tyres - is that typical of this breed or is it only the ones that are a little bit touched?

scudzilla

Boxer?? Loyal as anything, will stay with you and have a fierce bark.

They're amazing with kids too

are you serious

benny most dogs, if you live out on your own and have the fog there all day will become great guard dogs, it is just the way they are! Some breeders breed specifically for guard dogs, some security firms could put you in contact with a breeder they may know..

But with kids in the frame I would never ever bring any guard dog into the frame, I just wouldnt do it.

Fist and foremost your looking for another pet, this pet will become a good guard dog automatically with the right care and attention, and praise when he barks at the right times if that is what you want him to do

Celly Smunt

bennybenben wrote: »

Jack Russell is funny, personllay I wouldnt go into a house that's gotj one - but I'd say these guys would just bop the terrier on the head with the frying pan

Border collie sounds good - didn't really think of that breed, suppose I pigeon holed it into farming breed. But then again I've seen some of them outside farms and yeah they guard and stay around the place but some tend to chase the cars that go by - chase right up against the car, barking and snarling at the tyres - is that typical of this breed or is it only the ones that are a little bit touched?

it really depends how you train them,if you have them outside with you from an early age and be tough on them about running off or chasing there shouldn't be a problem,they're very obdient and catch on quick its usually just nutter collies you see chasing cars who's owner never trained them and let them roam.

FoxyVixen

It sounds like you want a watch dog more so than a guard dog.

The former alerts when any intruder comes by but would be happy enough to relax once they realised the intruder was accepted. The latter I would class as a more independant thinking animal that would attack if it felt the need to. Not always attack as in maul the person, but be on "high guard" to any body around the area that shouldn't be there. So wouldn't exactly be great around kids per se.

Most breeds are natural watch dogs. It's their space, their territory, they know who comes and goes to the property and who shouldn't.

As for collies chasing cars. Usually a case of the dog not being mentally or physically challenged enough. Highly intelligent animal that does get bored easily, so chasing a car is fun and passes the time.

bargainbucket

i second the boxer i have one myself look the part barks at anything/one that passes the gate loyal dog great with the kids

are you serious

Great little dogs!!!

Dodd

Many years ago where I lived people used to have a Jack Russell and one or two bigger dogs.
The idea was the Jack Russell would sound the alarm and the bigger dogs/dog would keep anyone out.

Twinkleboots

Jack Russell definitely, our one was the best guard dog ever.He didn't like strangers but was fiercely loyal and so intelligent! Once he actually caught people trying to break into our neighbours house! I miss him sooo much:(

planetX

I'd be more worried the 'intruders' would steal the dog actually. Maybe a house alarm would be better?

Tom Cruise

I have a dog thats half jack russell and half staffy and he is the most violent dog i have ever seen.Yet if i bring kids around him he is a lamb.He will attack any man,cat,dog,crow,rat who comes near the back garden.Anything with a Jack Russell will do well at guarding but its good to also have a bigger dog with it for a more visual threat.I also have a Rottweiler who would not hurt a fly normally but would back up the terrier if he was attacked.A male and a female will bond and protect each other.So i say get 2 dogs.A jack russel for the noise and a rottie for the size.Also a big sign at the gate saying no tresspassers welcome.Put up a threatening photo of a rottweiler also.And if you have a gun keep it handy.And get a alarm.

All the best

PS i also have a boxer and she is no guard dog she would bark then run into her kennal.HA ha

Discodog

bennybenben wrote: »

One that I can have off a lead if possible - one that won't want to roam, one that will be content with the job of guarding and protecting his home and the people inside it. But as there would be kiddies visiting at times I don't want a dog that is known to be aggressive.

So to recap - I'm exploring dog breeds that are good guard dogs, and like to stay by its master and not roam. But not vicious.

Any advice welcome!

Any dog can roam that's why they rely on us to keep them safely enclosed. So you want a dog that is trained/encouraged to be wary of strangers but will understand that a visiting kid is not a burglar.

There is no such thing as a dog that is good at this & that. All breeds will react to how you train & relate to them. So if you encourage them to guard don't blame them if they make a mistake. You are expected a dog to understand what level of response is appropriate for each visitor.

By the way there is no such thing as a vicious breed & no dog starts out in life with any vicious tendencies at all. I just hope that your dog doesn't end up involved in another "unprovoked" attack.

DamagedTrax

belgian malinois make one of the best guard dogs

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/belgianmalinois.htm

gud4u

Dodd wrote: »

Many years ago where I lived people used to have a Jack Russell and one or two bigger dogs.
The idea was the Jack Russell would sound the alarm and the bigger dogs/dog would keep anyone out.

My JRT sounds the alarm.....the GSD protects her....the rottie protects him...and I can sleep soundly!

Twinkleboots wrote: »

Jack Russell definitely, our one was the best guard dog ever.He didn't like strangers but was fiercely loyal and so intelligent! Once he actually caught people trying to break into our neighbours house! I miss him sooo much:(

My JRT is the only one to attack uninvited guests despite my others being breeds you would consider traditional guard dogs.

planetX wrote: »

I'd be more worried the 'intruders' would steal the dog actually. Maybe a house alarm would be better?

You can train your dogs not to accept treats from strangers, while a JRT runs the risk of being picked up or beaten, the type of intruder you describe does not like dogs of any kind.

Ever since we got our dogs, we have had no bother with diesel going missing and unwanted guests calling late in the evening when I am alone has stopped.
Nothing like opening the door with a rottie sitting at your side, staring at them to send a message.

Rotties are actually better with kids than JRTs, from what I've read...I know you don't want that breed though.

Bullseye1

Bullmastiff.

Procrastastudy

planetX wrote: »

I'd be more worried the 'intruders' would steal the dog actually. Maybe a house alarm would be better?

When I hear a house alarm going off I think "Another twit that didnt set his alarm right" and walk on. They are the scourge of people living in urban Dublin and pointless to boot. While the OP has mnade it clear he's not looking for something that is going to bite - a smart move btw - a dog does have the element of "maybe I'll go somewhere else". Although to be fair hardened thieves may just ignore it / steal it!

Discodog

GCDLawstudent wrote: »

When I hear a house alarm going off I think "Another twit that didnt set his alarm right" and walk on. They are the scourge of people living in urban Dublin and pointless to boot. While the OP has mnade it clear he's not looking for something that is going to bite - a smart move btw - a dog does have the element of "maybe I'll go somewhere else". Although to be fair hardened thieves may just ignore it / steal it!

You know that if a dog bites someone, even on your own property, it can end up being seized & destroyed. No dog should be a guard dog - it's really a form of cruelty because the dog has to make split second decisions regarding friend & foe. There are also thousands of examples of where it goes wrong & the child retrieving a ball or the postman bear the consequences.

You can teach any dog to bark to use their superior hearing to alert you. But it needs to be an excited bark & not linked to any aggression like raised hackles. The deterrent value is is the bark & the alert. If a thief wants to bypass your dog they will steal it or poison it.

If you teach a dog to "see him off" then you have to take the blame if it bites the wrong person.

DamagedTrax

Discodog wrote: »

You know that if a dog bites someone, even on your own property, it can end up being seized & destroyed. No dog should be a guard dog - it's really a form of cruelty because the dog has to make split second decisions regarding friend & foe. There are also thousands of examples of where it goes wrong & the child retrieving a ball or the postman bear the consequences.

i'd disagree in some circumstances. certain breeds excel at guarding. the belgian malinois that i mentioned is renowned for personal protection and guarding to the point that they are one of a few breeds that compete in protection sports (alongside pitbulls strangely enough!).

but just getting any breed trained is asking for trouble. best stick with a breed thats designed for the purpose.

Procrastastudy

Discodog wrote: »

You know that if a dog bites someone, even on your own property, it can end up being seized & destroyed. No dog should be a guard dog - it's really a form of cruelty because the dog has to make split second decisions regarding friend & foe. There are also thousands of examples of where it goes wrong & the child retrieving a ball or the postman bear the consequences.

You can teach any dog to bark to use their superior hearing to alert you. But it needs to be an excited bark & not linked to any aggression like raised hackles. The deterrent value is is the bark & the alert. If a thief wants to bypass your dog they will steal it or poison it.

If you teach a dog to "see him off" then you have to take the blame if it bites the wrong person.

I perosnally assumed that's exactly what the OP meant - A dog that goes woof woof woof in the same way an alarm goes neeewa neeewa neewa. If I was Mr. Burgler and the choise was 50" plasma and woof woof v 42" plasma and neeewa neewa neeewa - I'd go neeeewa everytime.

gud4u

GCDLawstudent wrote: »

I perosnally assumed that's exactly what the OP meant - A dog that goes woof woof woof in the same way an alarm goes neeewa neeewa neewa. If I was Mr. Burgler and the choise was 50" plasma and woof woof v 42" plasma and neeewa neewa neeewa - I'd go neeeewa everytime.

Personally, I think any medium sized dog that'll just hang around is a good deterent. Thieves just want an easy in/out quick and anything that'll get in the way is enough to put them off.

As for an alarm, if you are in the country they are pointless, it takes the guards over an hour to get to our place and they told us we'd be low priority of a weekend. They did nothing only give us a bit of advice when we were getting robbed, despite the fact they knew who was doin it.

In the city, an alarm going off would be ignored as said by above.

I wouldn't get too caught up in the breed, my gsd is a fool but people are afraid of him because of his colouring.;)

My rottie is old and would lick you to death, so despite the breeds I have, they are still just a deterent.

I still stick by a jack russell as the best alarm/watch dog. And maybe a medium sized dog to go with it.

planetX

I wouldn't underestimate the amount of dog theft going on, and not just pedigrees- you don't know what the person casing out your house is dealing in. My dog is the most valuable thing to me in my house anyway:)

fatfacee

scudzilla wrote: »

Boxer?? Loyal as anything, will stay with you and have a fierce bark.

They're amazing with kids too

My friends Boxer is afraid of it's own shadow. My uncles Boxer runs when the washing on the line blows. Neither bark when someone arrives to their houses. They look so tough but iare just little cute softies. I wouldn't recommend a boxer to be honest for guarding.

fatfacee

A German Shepard or a Jack Russell.

jupiterjack

i dont think it really matters which breed you get as long as you get it at a young age you can teach it to do what ever is needed.

jimmydkid

jack russell if you want a noisey little fecker or boxer if you want noise with some muscle attached

RoverZT

Friend of mine has an Akita, very good guard dog, fearless and strong as a bull.Has him trained as a guard dog.

<Reference to dog fighting rules removed>

Kinda like a Wolf, he just stares at you and doesn't move until you do.

He will take you down in a second though, scary how strong they are.

Procrastastudy

I don't think anyone is suggesting this is what he wants the dog for! In the scenario you've described that dog is going to get destroyed if it bites anyone.

ABajaninCork

Dobermann? Mine were brilliant guard dogs, but would never bite.

Dodd

I found this picture.
I'm sure not many people would bother breaking into that house.:)

http://www.therealjackrussell.com/fun/choicegallery.php?pic=514#mypic

barfizz

Some questions,

are you living urban or rural?

how much land do you have?

do you have kids?

any additional livestock/pets

Are you looking for a guard/protection dog or one that will bark for notification?

fatmammycat

I'd go with the dobermann as well, the best thing about them is that they're naturally wary and inclined to investigate noises. I wouldn't try make them aggressive though, in fact I'd socialise the hell out of them and have them good around people; they can be aloof around strangers anyway. My guy had a hell of a bark too. Also he hardly shed any hair- he have a bit of a shed twice a year, and was very clean. I would get one again in a heart beat if it wasn't for the stupid RB list- which is unfair and arbitrary.

Sigma Force

I'd suggest fencing and cctv some undesirables are in to stealing dogs so you might find even a good watch dog dissapear if it's out loose.

All dogs will roam anyway if you don't have fencing.

Fencing, gates with a cctv and door bells on the gates although seems extreme really help signs up can help but it depends how determined sales people are so some really good big signs polite but firm making it clear you don't want sales people calling.

Most dogs unless they are pure angels will bark when someone comes even the most sociable one but dogs are less likely to bark if they aren't confined to a boundry if they are allowed to roam they just don't seem as protective but I could be wrong.

Dogs don't always keep these people away though some are used to calling to houses harassing people to buy their stuff.

The Sweeper

If you want to be alerted to the presence of strangers or anything suspicious, and you have some land, get geese.

If you want protection for your house, get a security system that includes outside lights triggered by movement and an alarm on doors and windows.

If you want a companion animal, get a domestic dog.

I have a 30kg bull arab cross who looks like a bruiser because he's all muscle, deep chest and land-shark jaws. Our car was broken into on our driveway about four weeks ago and the ipod and sat nav stolen from it, because Gus doesn't bark. (We live in residential areas and he's always been discouraged from barking because there's nothing worse than a barking dog when you live next door. He barks on command and that's about it.)

He also sleeps inside, so while I think he watched the thieves through the window, they realised he couldn't get out. He came barrelling down the house into the bedroom and paced about a bit at 1am when it happened, but we didn't know what he was at and it's not unusual for him to be restless at night, so we ignored him.

I wouldn't have him any other way though - I don't want the dog warden calling to my house with the current media war on bull breed types, so I don't want him barking or wary of strangers. If the warden DOES call to the house, I'm happy that Gus will greet him with a waggly arse and a happy head, even though he's a stranger.

barone

Dodd wrote: »

I found this picture.
I'm sure not many people would bother breaking into that house.:)

http://www.therealjackrussell.com/fun/choicegallery.php?pic=514#mypic

guranteed that little jrt rules the roost there

Graces7

JRT/Bassett cross and collie here and they are great deterrents. Fearsome barking if anyome comes near.

Our octagenarian plumber refuses to some in until I assure him they are in a different room, " I don;t want to get et.."

They don';t need to be seen; just heard is enough.

mark17j

The Westhigland terrier is a great little watch dog, they will bark furiously at anybody approaching your property or at the door and will investigate any strange noises from outside. yet they are loving and friendly to everyone.

Graces7

FoxyVixen wrote: »

It sounds like you want a watch dog more so than a guard dog.

The former alerts when any intruder comes by but would be happy enough to relax once they realised the intruder was accepted. The latter I would class as a more independant thinking animal that would attack if it felt the need to. Not always attack as in maul the person, but be on "high guard" to any body around the area that shouldn't be there. So wouldn't exactly be great around kids per se.

Most breeds are natural watch dogs. It's their space, their territory, they know who comes and goes to the property and who shouldn't.

As for collies chasing cars. Usually a case of the dog not being mentally or physically challenged enough. Highly intelligent animal that does get bored easily, so chasing a car is fun and passes the time.

Some collies just seek to herd anything that moves. We watched one once, hiding behind a telegraph post and leaping out at every car while the famer owner worked .

Ours is a car chaser; nothing to do with boredom. We take her out running in the fields early each day so she has no cars to chase. Perfectly happy and running hard until her ears pick up the sound of the car, and her whole personality changes. Else she is happy trying to herd wee dog who is happily following scent trails.

tahina

bennybenben wrote: »

I'm looking for advice about suitable dog breeds. I'd like one which will act as a good guard dog - alerting me when someone comes onto the grounds. One that I can have off a lead if possible - one that won't want to roam, one that will be content with the job of guarding and protecting his home and the people inside it. But as there would be kiddies visiting at times I don't want a dog that is known to be aggressive.

Basically I'm getting one too many intruders coming onto the grounds looking to sell me carpets, frying pans or asking whether my car is for sale ... which it obviously is not as I don't have a for sale sign on it so I'm genuinely questioning the integrity of these intruders ...
I already have a dog but her guard dog days are over. At this stage if she has her eyes shut and you walked right up to her and shouted she wouldn't stir. (However if a cat walks past - she'll go ape.) Not very effective at alarming me when someone arrives let alone deterring intruders.

So to recap - I'm exploring dog breeds that are good guard dogs, and like to stay by its master and not roam. But not vicious.

Any advice welcome!

Two female german shepards they are brillent dogs next time these passers by cassually drop into the convo that you need to head off and pick up your shot gun from your friend we did this at our yard and the tinkers never came back lolzzzzz

tahina

mark17j wrote: »

The Westhigland terrier is a great little watch dog, they will bark furiously at anybody approaching your property or at the door and will investigate any strange noises from outside. yet they are loving and friendly to everyone.

Omg this is soo true but they are whimps at confrontation sadly my aunties one was stabbed to death during her house being burgled these people are babarians tottally disgushing to kill a beloved pet infront of an old lady

Also i heard of an old man who had a westie and they tied the man up in the kitchen turned on the rings of the stove and burned the dogs paws untill he gave them all his pin numbers to laser cards etc what bas***** =( id kill anyone who touches my 3 westies

DeeRottie

You cannot be guaranteed that a certain breed of dog won't 'roam'. If you don't want a dog to roam, then your best bet is to neuter him, although still no guarantee (and the health benefits are immense, but let's not get into that).
My Miniature Schnauzers are great watch dogs - they make a huge amount of noise when anyone comes near the house. They are a 'vocal' breed, having been bred to be ratters and watch dogs, so they really live up to their reputation! My Rottie doesn't make a sound, and while she looks scary all she would do is lick an intruder to death!:D
With regards to Border Collies, they are not a good breed to use as a guard dog, as if they guard it means they are bored due to not getting enough stimulation and inventing a 'job' to do. You can end up with a dog that chases cars and possibly bites. They are an extremely intelligent dog with a strong work ethic, so unless you have the time and energy to keep them occupied I wouldn't go there as it's not fair on them.
I think any Terrier type dog would be a good choice here - JRT's are great little guys. But make sure the dog is well-socialised with kids from an early age and that the kids are gentle with him.