Guard dog to protect your home…

Mark Reed wrote:

Nor that there are people who are afraid of or just don't like dogs and that those people have the right not be bothered by one, especially on their own property!

Yes, some owners really don't seem to get that. My son was *very* anxious around dogs as a child and the only reason he got over it was by us being very careful not to let that anxiety be reinforced. One day when the kids and I needed a change of scenery, I took them to a local beach. Apparently, that beach is an "off leash" area, but we were new to the area and it wasn't well signed. There was a lady with a large dog and when I asked her to please leash it, her response was, "don't worry, he won't hurt anyone". My son, who normally loved beaches, wouldn't move a foot away from me. Finally someone with her spoke up and she called the dog and moved further down the beach from the access. I don't think she leashed it, but she did keep it within 3 ft of herself which was enough for us to have a half hour of fresh sea air.

Just because a dog is friendly and "wouldn't hurt anyone" physically, to a frightened child, emotional hurt is just as damaging.

I concur with Mike, and am also sorry to hear about your neighbor problem. I have found it effective with similar dogs to act extremely happy to see them, like I was their person coming home.

Mark Reed wrote:

If you are one who is afraid of or doesn't like dogs that probably won't work for you and just shows even more what a jackass the "owner" is for not having enough consideration for a neighbor to make sure their dog doesn't bother you.  

I love dogs, I just don't love being threatened by a Great Pyrenees. My previous dog that I lost unexpectedly last March would go nuts barking at this dog through the fence (5 foot garden fencing). She wasn't people friendly but she was never allowed outside without me and really never left my side when we were out. My new dog is a former abuse victim who has been trying out her bark in defending me from this lunatic. I don't want her to end up like my last dog, feeling the need to defend me until she gets hurt. I do admit that I can't drop the hostility because this damn dog has scared me too many times and I can't squash the anxiety. I don't want to ruin relationship with my neighbors, (they're actually great neighbors.!) so I've resorted to putting up as many barriers as I can and complaining about it here🤣🤣🤣  . Thanks for listening.

I had a next door psycho dog and also used metal roofing panels to replace the slatted wood fence after discovering that eliminating it's sight line improved things dramatically!!! Initially, I used "mill wrap" the plastic tarp stuff lumber is wrapped in for transport.

A sprinkler along the fence line can also be effective - but what REALLY worked was "accidently" dropping blackberry vine "trimmings" over the fence... By the following year there was a massive thicket of blackberry bushes!!! Now THAT really solved the problem, and the new neighbors (who replaced the poor, neglected psycho dog owners)  LOVE their wall of plump blackberries!

Edward Norton wrote:It’s important to realise that their are two kinds of ‘guard’ dog. The first kind attack, the second kind make a lot of noise.

This. We have a Hovawart dog, the breed is from the Middle ages (Hof wart - watchman of the property) but has been re-created in the modern time after the dogs were mostly killed in WW 2. Very large. Generally a healthy breed. Very loud and with an impressive deep voice when alarmed. Hardly aggressive at all if trained correctly. However, maybe not the best dog to be left alone outside - it much preferes to be with its humans.

Hey,


as a land surveyor I have had to learn how to deal with surveying properties with or next to Guard dogs,
And My first reaction is they are annoying!

( this is properly trained and bred guard dogs, not just a sign on a fence.)

They are loud and give you a headache because the owners are gone and they are barking for hours.

Some dogs will try and bite your hands as you are measuring fences,

I have been attacked a couple times and have had very close calls were I nearly had to use lethal force, to protect Humans.

Some of the people who have had guard dogs seam to have chips on their shoulders and are hostile to neighbours.

They are often trained to move to a certain line or place, and you can walk right up to that while they bark at you and the one step over you will get rushed.

They are a huge legal liability,

Your neighbours will hate you for it,

When your really tired you will hate them,

Many effective alternative methods are available. Guard dogs can be effective but also a taxing effort.
many security actions and options are listed online, But anything with a pin code, I can crack in a minute or two, plus most people do not change the initial set up code which is usually 1234, most people will chose a year, Try 2000-2020 often its a year of a football team winning, or a the year moved in, most people never change the codes, or do so every 3 or so years. additionally people tend to use patterns such as up or down the sides with one variant.

I am not a criminal, I learnt these things from following the law and Being an upstanding citizen,

https://www.bossi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/222485/BOSSI_Power_of_Entry.pdf

this link, to a pdf, shows the process of why and how, this is conducted, Learning skills not to course damage, such as having to climb on fences was out of respect and safety, not for and malicious purposes, and only when essential has it ever been undertaken, I do my upmost to respect all people and there property, and follow the law and government regulations to the letter.

and I would never harm a dog, except if it was to protect another person, I can easily shove away and create a barrier for myself and get away.

Dan Fish wrote:I think it's a good idea!

"Dog's got the instincts, man's got the brains".

I beg to differ! It's other way around.

A lot of sensible and important information here.
I would just like to add my 2 cents here.
While one can choose certain breed for whatever one is looking for, please know that there is always an exception.
Sight hounds don't always have instinct to chase and/nor run or urge to breed when in heat.
Retrievers don't always retrieve.
Beagles don't always follow their noses while ignoring owners "hollering".
Thank you

mark, would you think about copying this and putting it on fb? if so share it to me. this is wonderful and i love it.  ill post it in my 10,000-and-big-plus animal group. im on facebook as coby carl tynsky. thank you for the funnest thing ive read in many days. and i read all day long.

Hello!

I have been reading all your posts, as I might now get a dog for the property. We would like a dog first because we like it, second because can be a protection against boars (our biggest threat, eventhough is not super common), and maybe some other people (last year we had people who came in to steal wood, also it is not common, was the first time in our life).

In my family we had Dobermann, German Sheperd and Mastiff. I would like to get a Mastiff, because I remember they were cool with the kids, but their only presence is intimidating , and has enough size to deal with a boar if needed.

What do you think is the best option to guard a property in a mediterranean climate? Do you like mastiffs? Also now I am investigating the breeds you mentioned in the thread

Of the breed you mention, probably the Mastiff would be the best protection against a 300 lb. boar.

What are some other breeds that people in your country use to protect against boars?

While I really don't know an answer to my question though do folks there have Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

Do you have small children?  That is another consideration as I feel the German Shepherds would be best in that situation.

Anne Miller wrote:Of the breed you mention, probably the Mastiff would be the best protection against a 300 lb. boar.

What are some other breeds that people in your country use to protect against boars?

While I really don't know an answer to my question though do folks there have Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

Do you have small children?  That is another consideration as I feel the German Shepherds would be best in that situation.

People had spanish mastiff or german shepherds. And lots of "chuchos". I have good memories of both. But I do remember my cousin mastiffs. Super calm with kids and super loyal.

About ridgebacks, I think I have never seen one

Hi, I support getting a Mastiff.  They are large  #150-#200 dogs they are known for performing "Bark and Hold"  a #200 dog circling you and barking aggressively is enough to "hold" humans in place,  Common to find a potential criminal cowering in a corner afraid to move. Meanwhile unbeknownst to the criminal the dog is enjoying itself!
Please do not even look for a Rhodesian ridgeback. They are bred to attack lions they can/will hurt intruders. They are a very special breed that requires specific knowledge to control. They can make good pets but...they are not for everybody.

As a dog trainer,  there are so many more questions to ask to narrow down possibilities.

Some breeds are "protective" but meant to live and work with their people and are not independent guarders.   This includes German Shepherds,  my personal breed preference.  They have my back if I need them to, and certainly no one is opening my gate or my door without me knowing about it.  But generally,  they are good with "our" animals, "our" friends and family and nicely trained to be all around good neighbors and citizens.   I had a police officer friend who said he didn't crate his German Shepherd so that he'd watch the house while he was at work.  I went to pick him up and found him hiding in the laundry room behind the washer until he knew it was me.  They are also a herding breed, and can have high exercise and energy needs and lean toward being clingy.

Some breeds have been bred for centuries to just be chill,  independent outdoor property protectors.  Mastiffs and livestock gaurding breeds fall into this sort.  They are usually large, aloof dogs that may or may not allow friends and visitors to move around your property.   They can have low exercise/attention needs but a big food bill, lol.   They can also be a liability and some are very loud, not great neighbors.

There are a LOT of breeds who are excellent watch dogs with loud alarm barking but would never hurt a flea or lack the size to be a fatal issue for humans, delivery guys, etc.   Do you NEED a dog that will get physical or do you need a deterrent?   Are your threats mostly human or animal type?    Is the dog going to live in the home or outdoors, and if outdoors, you have to take your weather into account.   I wouldn't get an outdoor malamute for example,  if I lived in Florida,   or a short haired mastiff to live outdoors in Alaska..  

Heather Staas wrote:
As a dog trainer,  there are so many more questions to ask to narrow down possibilities.

Some breeds are "protective" but meant to live and work with their people and are not independent guarders.   This includes German Shepherds,  my personal breed preference.  They have my back if I need them to, and certainly no one is opening my gate or my door without me knowing about it.  But generally,  they are good with "our" animals, "our" friends and family and nicely trained to be all around good neighbors and citizens.   I had a police officer friend who said he didn't crate his German Shepherd so that he'd watch the house while he was at work.  I went to pick him up and found him hiding in the laundry room behind the washer until he knew it was me.  They are also a herding breed, and can have high exercise and energy needs and lean toward being clingy.

Some breeds have been bred for centuries to just be chill,  independent outdoor property protectors.  Mastiffs and livestock gaurding breeds fall into this sort.  They are usually large, aloof dogs that may or may not allow friends and visitors to move around your property.   They can have low exercise/attention needs but a big food bill, lol.   They can also be a liability and some are very loud, not great neighbors.

There are a LOT of breeds who are excellent watch dogs with loud alarm barking but would never hurt a flea or lack the size to be a fatal issue for humans, delivery guys, etc.   Do you NEED a dog that will get physical or do you need a deterrent?   Are your threats mostly human or animal type?    Is the dog going to live in the home or outdoors, and if outdoors, you have to take your weather into account.   I wouldn't get an outdoor malamute for example,  if I lived in Florida,   or a short haired mastiff to live outdoors in Alaska..  

Hola! So my idea os mastiff is sounding better

I need more a deterrent. i dont have many threats, mostly boars and maybe two or three times each year. The dog will live outdoors, I think the mediterranean climate is good for them ☺️

thomas rubino wrote:Hi, I support getting a Mastiff.  They are large  #150-#200 dogs they are known for performing "Bark and Hold"  a #200 dog circling you and barking aggressively is enough to "hold" humans in place,  Common to find a potential criminal cowering in a corner afraid to move. Meanwhile unbeknownst to the criminal the dog is enjoying itself!
Please do not even look for a Rhodesian ridgeback. They are bred to attack lions they can/will hurt intruders. They are a very special breed that requires specific knowledge to control. They can make good pets but...they are not for everybody.

Mastiff is getting lots of points ☺️