suitable dog breeds for guarding

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.