[blessing3]

Everyone knows dogs are among the best criminal deterrents one can get. In hard/bad times, I'm curious what breed you guys believe would serve a guard dog role best?

I am thinking real hard about a fila brasileiro for this task. Yes they are big, and they will eat a little more, but from my experience really no more than a high energy dog like a shepherd. A good buddy has a great dane/mastif mix, over 200 lbs and he eats less than some labs I've seen. This is also true of another friends Fila. The Fila/mastifs are very hearty/strong dogs that I believe would far well in rough times, plus they will not out of boredom chew up everything under the sun. They are quite happy just laying around until the time comes to bite an arm off. They are great around & guarding other animals as well.

What say you guys?

 

[WaltGraham]

I say this one.

He's bigger now.

 

[stand watie]

blessing3,

Pardon me for saying it BUT the BEST guard dog is an INDIVIDUAL rather than a breed of dog.

I would put my old, long gone & still lamented LADY DIANA up against ANY guard dog, as she seemed to KNOW what a criminal was going to do, where he would be before the criminal knew & how to respond in each situation by pure instinct & QUIETLY.
She was a spayed/sable Chow Chow bitch, about 75# & upon silent whistle, voice command or hand signal "would go to work" without hesitation. = One of my 95B40 leaders called her, "The silent fury that comes out of the darkness."
(My late wife was often asked in those days, "Vickie, aren't you scared to death every time your husband goes out alone at night?" - VK always said, "He's NOT alone as Lady Di is always within touching distance. They'll be fine")

yours, sw

 

[CaptainGyro]

Pardon me for saying it BUT the BEST guard dog is an INDIVIDUAL rather than a breed of dog.

Let me second this. While I'm at it let me throw in my two cents in favor of mutts, especially rescue dogs.

Dog breeding is frequently a genetic disaster. We make fun of inbred human populations for their mental and physical frailties, then turn around and insist that our dogs be inbred. I've never understood why.

A mixed breed mutt that you bring home from a shelter will be a friend like you could never imagine. S/he will have better odds of avoiding genetic disorders, and will probably be more intelligent than most pure-breds.

Our forty-five pound border terrier/poodle mix is the best guard dog we could ever imagine. She patrols the perimeter, alerts us when someone is within fifty feet of the house, and wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice her life for us. At the same time she's a joy to have around the house and the kids. I think if you find a compatible rescue dog you'll be very happy with your choice.

 

[M118LR]

"Guard Dog", is a rather large field with many interpretations.

Dogs from the Sporting breeds, working breeds, herding breeds, and terriers all seem capable of exemplary service to Military & Police around the world.

I have 3X the INDIVIDUAL rather than a breed of dog.

A dog that alerts and naturally defends it's master is much easier in a court of law, than a dog that has been trained to be aggressive on command.

An alert chiweenie, backed by an owner with a .45 ACP 1911, gives "Guard Dog" another description.

http://www.101dogbreeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Baby-Chiweenie.jpg

 

[csmkersh]

Line breeding aka in breeding has ruined many a breed from its original purpose. A classic example it today's poodle. Was once a great water dog hunter and now a useless lady's mutt.

CaptainGyro, I'm happy to say my youngest son got his dog from a shelter to replace the beeping mop dogs his wife had.

 

[SpecialEd]

A couple little dogs that make a lot of noise can make hostiles pass by your house/property for another. A combo of a little dog(s) and a big dog(s) can be useful when the little yappers make enough noise to wake up/alert the big dog that there's something going on to look into.

Or you cold always make do with geese.

 

[SpecialEd]

>>>>

A mixed breed mutt that you bring home from a shelter will be a friend like you could never imagine. S/he will have better odds of avoiding genetic disorders, and will probably be more intelligent than most pure-breds.

We've had two pure bread, GR's in the past 20 years but also three rescues. Once they realized they had a home, they became zealous defenders as well as inseparable companions.

Caveat emptor, there are many poor dogs in the system that carry baggage from months/years of abuse and neglect.

 

[t-star]

well, I've had about 5 dogs over my lifetime- 4 mutts and a purebred , allrescues, but the last 3 have been out f*king standing- a female koenigs shep ard, a standard red black shepard with papers , and now a husky shepherd cross- there's a shepherd sign on the front gate post for a reason- and you know my praise doesn't come lightly- my kshep protected my house, the house on each side , and the places across the street as far as the eye can see- stretched out she could see out a waist high window- and one summer night when the neighbours were away, she proved it- some thuggies tried to break in next door and delta went through the screen - there isn't anything like a 100 pound plus p*ssed off shepherd coming at you, papers or not- they got to the car , piled in, but that didn't matter- she chased the car too- ever since then it's been shep crosses-

 

[M118LR]

Or you cold always make do with geese.

Great alarm system, and they ain't too bad spit roasted. Dinner and an alarm system, dual purpose. :thumbsup:

 

[stand watie]

CaptainGyro,

Plus TEN on "pound puppies". ====> My kid sister is the CEO of the local county humane society & she has placed many GREAT DOGS that were SURRENDERED to the county shelter or were found as STRAYS, including any number of purebreds.
(Btw, her "Big Girl" , who is >100# & was surrendered to the shelter, is LIKELY half-wolf/half-GSD according to our vet. = "Jill" is VERY PROTECTIVE of my sister.)

yours, sw

 

[blessing3]

blessing3,

Pardon me for saying it BUT the BEST guard dog is an INDIVIDUAL rather than a breed of dog.

I would put my old, long gone & still lamented LADY DIANA up against ANY guard dog, as she seemed to KNOW what a criminal was going to do, where he would be before the criminal knew & how to respond in each situation by pure instinct & QUIETLY.
She was a spayed/sable Chow Chow bitch, about 75# & upon silent whistle, voice command or hand signal "would go to work" without hesitation. = One of my 95B40 leaders called her, "The silent fury that comes out of the darkness."
(My late wife was often asked in those days, "Vickie, aren't you scared to death every time your husband goes out alone at night?" - VK always said, "He's NOT alone as Lady Di is always within touching distance. They'll be fine")

yours, sw

LMAO, I just cant help but disagree with you, a guard dog is a guard dog period. what do you think would be the reactive of a thief when he comes across this.

 

[SpecialEd]

The Fila Brasileiro is illegal or restricted in many countries, due to their temperament. Are you sure you can get one in Nigeria?

 

[CaptainGyro]

LMAO, I just cant help but disagree with you, a guard dog is a guard dog period. what do you think would be the reactive of a thief when he comes across this.

LMAO. An unfixed male is probably the easiest guard dog to defeat. If I was the thief I'd throw a raw steak in one direction, a rag sprayed with female pheromone in the other, and stroll right up the middle.

 

[SpecialEd]

LMAO. An unfixed male is probably the easiest guard dog to defeat. If I was the thief I'd throw a raw steak in one direction, a rag sprayed with female pheromone in the other, and stroll right up the middle.

LMAO, or just shoot it.

 

[Javlin]

I have always had large dogs much like blessing size/bark have an effect through the door when you are not home.My last dog of 18 1/2 years was a Bl Retriever female 85lb at her peak.I now have a Black Mouth Cur she's 8 months and about 50lbs rescue out of FL.The sister and I were looking for an Anatolian Shepard and the Cur and Shepard puppies look identical when they young except Anatolian are 2x bigger.I found in my research that herders will make the family basically the herd and protect it with their life.They are not overly aggressive but seem to keep in the line of the intruder.Both breeds also display good inside living attributes not wanting to use the house as a racetrack they settle down.I think Hannah will get about 65-70LB good enough.She's very friendly and kept a inquisitive eye on the Fedex guy last week barked awhole lot and took a position behind him 12'back just looking pensive.Another thing Females seem to make better guard dogs more down to business that mother instinct.
The pic is about 4=5 months old;The lab pic was the last one of Raven took about two weeks before having to put her down.The next two I just took

 

[WaltGraham]

If I was the thief I'd throw a raw steak in one direction, a rag sprayed with female pheromone in the other, and stroll right up the middle.

That brought this to mind...

 

[IrishCop]

Here's my ferocious pair of guard dogs...

 

[TommyGunn]

That ain't exactly Zeus and Apollo there, Irishcop.

They are cute, however!

 

[IrishCop]

You got that right, Tommy.

Gracie is the Chocolate Lab. She's the indoor alarm. And if I'm with her outside she thinks she's a real guard dog. Growling, teeth baring, hair standing up on her back.

Axel, the Rott, is a big lap baby. Loves everyone, just wants to be rubbed and petted. He does go out every night around 9:30 and walks the whole perimeter, barking at God knows what kinda critters. Then comes back in looking very proud of himself.

I was a K9 handler for almost 3 years. My partner was a Shepherd, and that has always been my favorite. I think they are about the best all purpose dogs out there. Cisco (my K-9) died of cancer at the age of 9, right around his retirement time.

I do think that just about any medium sized dog of just about any breed or mix could be made a decent part of someone's SHTF household. Like people, some dogs are better at some thing than others. I prefer utility to specialization.