Getting a dog ... need some advice.

[ceyko]

German Shepherds and Collie (or similar) type dogs are the ones I've had good luck with.

To me the key is protective, but obedient for welcome visitors. Both dogs (a lot of others too, I'm confident) have a great ability to be trained for just that. Both can become quite large too.

Collies shed like there is no tomorrow though.

[zora04]

Doberman. I have had three. If raised around children they are great with kids. Good guard dogs and a definite theft detourant. Also, one of the most loving and compassionate breeds I have ever been around.

[bcoop]

I've always been a pit fan, but due to the kids, my wife wouldn't let me get another pit. So, we kind of happened across a Bulloxer (American Bulldog and Boxer hybrid/mix). She was a GREAT dog. VERY protective of the kids, my wife, and the house. Had anyone come through the door, they'd have an 85 lb ball of fury on their hands. This is exactly what they are bred for. Great temperment, protective, and good size. My neighbor/friend has her brother and he's a fucking horse, weighing in at only 91 lbs (but looks much larger).

Unfortunately, she passed away yesterday. But once we have grieved, and are over the loss, we'll be in the market for another bulloxer.


Boxers are great dogs. Just keep in mind, they are terriers, so they are loyal to a fault, energetic, need plenty of exercise, stubborn, and smart.

[motoman]

I'd suggest a Doberman and for good reason too.

As the only breed of dog specifically developed as a personal protection dog, the Doberman is unique in the dog world. It is a beautiful, high energy, highly intelligent dog that thrives on its relationship with its human family and that one special person in its life, the one that trains and works with it every day. A Doberman Pinscher lives to be with it's master, and will protect you with its life.

There is nothing extra on a Doberman Pinscher that can be grabbed by an attacker (no loose skin or flews, no long tail, hair or ears). They are wonderful family dogs, devoted to the members of their "pack" and not happy working for just any stranger. The partnership you develop with your Doberman will be there for life, strong and unshakable.

Dobermans are incredibly "tuned in" to their handlers. A good understanding of the dogs character and drives will make training quick and easy. Dobermans require fair treatment and will reward you with a spirited attitude and strong desire to please. They are often described as the dog with the human brain!

This is a versatile breed, excelling at many disciplines: conformation events, search & rescue, police K-9, Schutzhund, French Ring Sport, obedience, drug detection, personal guard dogs, tracking, therapy work, seeing eye work, etc. When you have a well trained Doberman, you have a dog that is a benefit to you personally as well as to society—a dependable, noble, watchful, fearless and loyal companion who is ready, willing and able to work WITH you to get the job done

I've fostered many dobermans and do volunteer work with the Doberman Rescue of North Texas, so I've spent a lot of time with the breed. For being a medium to large dog, surprisingly they don't need as much space as you would think. The reason being is because as long as you're home they'll be right at your side and I don't me on the floor 10 feet away from you, they literally like to be right next to you. They are very loyal to their owner and are very protective of their owners as well as being highly intelligent. I've seen many that become working dogs for disabled people showing they can adapt to any situation. As long as you get them out for a walk daily you really won't have to worry about going home to a ball of wound up energy that never stops.

If you think you might be interested in the breed and seeing some dobermans then shoot me a PM.

[papapepper]

I'd say get a blue lacy. You'd have to take it out more then just on daily walks though haha!

Seriously though get a Doberman or retriever... Pretty good instincts to protect.

[Jimbo]

I wanna get a pup/young adult. I want one that has natural instincts to protect. One that doesn't have a history of attacking people. Easy to train as well. I am interested in making this an indoor dog that will be taken on daily walks.

Ones that come to mind are chows/rotts/ germans sheps/labs.

Thanks for any advice or stories of experience with dogs not to get.

Those two don't mesh. Fuck chows.

[Jimbo]

A German Shepherd is what you are describing. They, along with any other dog that fits your criteria, will need plenty of exercise though. So while it may be an inside dog it will need time and space outdoors.

[craig]

Do you live in a house? If you do get a Lab. Best fucking dogs ever.

If you don't, then don't get a dog.

[noshine4mine]

Doberman, Described as the velcro dog. Mine is stuck to me.
She would happily sit in the back seat of my ride all day while I was at work if it let her be closer to me.
She lives with two cats and tries to play with them. quite Hilarious.

http://www.dfwmustangs.net/forums/showthread.php?t=877&page=2

post number 67


Be prepared for additional cost for cropping, you ussually have to buy an expesive Dobe to get the Ears already cut.

Mine had her ears done and was rubbing the stitches up and down my coarsely covered couch the night she came home. Didn't look like she was in pain to me...itching yes;pain most definately not.

[bcoop]

Doberman, Described as the velcro dog. Mine is stuck to me.
She would happily sit in the back seat of my ride all day while I was at work if it let her be closer to me.
She lives with two cats and tries to play with them. quite Hilarious.

http://www.dfwmustangs.net/forums/showthread.php?t=877&page=2

post number 67

Do Dobies have problems with seperation anxiety, because of the velcro thing?

[motoman]

Do Dobies have problems with seperation anxiety, because of the velcro thing?

In reference to someone going to work in the morning and coming home in the afternoon?

[mikec]

Read this---> http://www.akc.org/breeds/rhodesian_ridgeback/

They aren't "run of the mill everyone has them" dogs and fulfill your requirements, though if you're in an apartment or the like with no yard I wouldn't recommend one, more for the dogs sake than anything as they do need more exercise than a short walk or two a day.

[motoman]

Be prepared for additional cost for cropping, you ussually have to buy an expesive Dobe to get the Ears already cut.

That's all depends on where you get the dog from and what you consider expensive.

[bcoop]

In reference to someone going to work in the morning and coming home in the afternoon?

Seperation anxiety is seperation anxiety. Whether you're at work, grocery store, etc. Seperation anxiety leads to destruction of everything. Couch, table, whatever. I know dobies are very loyal, and want to be right next to you all the time. I'd have to think this causes problems anytime you leave the house.

[Jimbo]

Interesting to read about the boxer mixes in this thread.
I know boxers are energetic as hell. I always liked them but never wanted to deal with one on a daily basis until I picked up a boxer weimeraner mix from a family that couldn't handle him at 5months old. The breeders call it a fuggin "bo-weimer". He ended up being a lean 60lbs and he can be as wild as needed and athletic (can jump over 6' straight up from sitting) or calm down and lay with you when it is time. He was stubborn as hell at first, but now he is trained on either voice or hand signals for all commands, unbelievably loyal and a hell of a watch dog. In fact, the only time he barks is when something/one new comes in range.
I do have to watch out for things myself though. I was in the driveway one day when a stranger on the sidewalk walked up behind my daughter without anyone but the dog noticing. He went batshit nuts and circled their feet jumping and growling and nipping at ankles. It has happened twice with intruders/strangers but he has never bit, for what its worth.