File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
My husband has recently started a new job, and is looking into buying a dog to accompany him (he is a debt collector/private investigator). Not really as an intimidatory thing, but as a 'deterrent' to people wanting to come at him with baseball bats, etc. Can /an/ offer suggestions as to which breed would be best? We need an intelligent dog (we will be putting it through security training with a reputable no violence trainer). It also needs to be loyal and friendly with our family and others. We have two children, ages 10 and 8, so that needs to be taken into consideration as well. So far, we have on our 'short list'-

Bull Terrier (as pictured)
Rottweiler
Bull Mastiff

Any other suggestions or words of advice, /an/?
>> Anonymous
try a hyeana, or a feral wolf. Just require a baby a day. But you already do that for the rest of them I suppose.
>> Anonymous
Cops use German Shepards for a reason.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
The only right answer.
>> Anonymous
You're a troll, aren't you? 'Cause just about the most well-known security animal is, of course, the German Shepherd. It's also brave and very loyal, and quite intelligent. The breed does have faults but most of them can be avoided by doing your research and going to a reputable breeder, and by staying away from the dogs deliberately bred to cringe. They will lay down your lives for you and your family. Individuals may vary with their attitude to children, but even the ones that don't like kids very much will kill to protect them. The best way around it is to get the dog as a pup, let it grow up around the kids while simultaneously teaching the kids how to behave around dogs. (The last bit is where an unfortunate amount of dog owners of all breeds make some very big mistakes.)

I don't have much experience with Bull Mastiffs, but I've come across quite a few Rotties and they've a tendency to be a bit dim. They are another classic guard dog I suppose, so if you're prepared to hunt down an animal with intelligent parents you'll probably be right. I'd strongly recommend that you stay away from a Bull Terrier, at least if the breed is as popular with the lower income families where you are as they are where I am. As a result the breed is often associated with drug dealers and people who buy it for a certain 'look'. It's not seen as an animal that a professional person would have. I have come across some very intelligent and loyal members of the breed but around my area, if a person involved in security or debt collecting had one he'd be dismissed as a garden variety thug. Sad but true.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
An Alsatian/German Sheperd is a good suggestion, but may I suggest a Smooth Fox Terrier?

* Very clever (for the training)
* Family Orientated & Loyal (I grew up with them, was never snapped at)
* Brave (both male dogs my family's kept have defended family members from harm; a wild dog in one case, a mugger in another)

They're about the size of a Bull Terrier, so not so space-taking as a GS (if that's an issue). They don't look as intimidating on first glance, but they do have jaws like a fucking beartrap. Anyone who messed with your family would be shredded.
>> Anonymous
>>324180

I'm not a troll, no. I am trying to talk him out of a Bull Terrier, for the reason that you mentioned. They are lovely dogs, but I can't help but think of Bill Sikes from Oliver! when I see Bullies:)

Shepherds are great, although I did have a bad experience with an ex police dog when I was younger (My aunt's dog. He was old, and I suppose he had some form of doggie dementia. He would go crazy at anyone who approached him and had to be put down). Maybe that's why I still have a little apprehension around them. Rotties are a little dim, granted. I have always had a soft spot for them, though.


I am having second thoughts on the Mastiff as well, a very large dog. He wants a breed that will be able to travel in the car comfortably with him. As he can be driving for several hours at a time (with doggy breaks included, of course), a very large breed would probably not be the best idea.

In general, how are shepherds with other small animals? I have three cats at home as well.
>> Anonymous
>>324181
I did have a mini fox terrier when I was younger. He was the coolest little dog ever. My friend has a foxie that he loves to death. It got bitten by a brown snake last year (I'm in Aus), and the little bugger pulled through. Enough venom to kill 10 grown men and he survived. What a trooper :)
>> Anonymous
>We have two children, ages 10 and 8,
>Bull Terrier (as pictured)
>Rottweiler
>Bull Mastiff
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>324188

See, tough as well! ;) I can't recommend them strongly enough. But the choice is your and your husband's, OP, and I hope you find the right one. :)
>> Anonymous
>>324187


Ah. Now there might be an issue. I've been around GSDs my entire life and none of them have liked cats very much. Admittedly, one of them did try to make friends with our cat, only to end up with some serious claw marks, after which he just used to chase her. I don't think he was seriously trying to kill her, as the way he went after her was entirely different from the way he'd do after stray dogs that wandered into the yard; I think it was more along the lines of, "Let's see how fast you can run, bitch!"

Another one loathed cats with a passion and would try to kill them, the only jarring trait in the gentlest, most mild-mannered dog of any breed I'd ever met. As he was retrieved from a security trainer who tried to make him vicious through beating him and various other forms of violence (and only succeeded in turning him into a nervous wreck of a dog that eventually calmed to become the biggest girl's blouse you'd ever seen in your life) we suspect that the trainer had used cats to bait him. There's another lesson for you: be very, very careful about picking your security trainer.

The current dog we have loathes cats, even though she's never actually had to live with one. She does have a weird friendship going with an orange tom from the house next door so she is prepared to make exceptions.

I honestly can't say that a GSD is a good one to have around cats but I think that if you get a pup and you have friendly cats (that won't scratch the hell out of it if it comes too close), it can at least learn to tolerate them as part of the family. Same goes for all dogs, really.
>> Anonymous
Uhhh... I would say it's a terrible idea. Unless you want the dog to get shot. If it's going to come to violence do you really want to have to be worrying about your animal as well? Also I'm not sure of the legal repercussions but it may give the assailant some further recourse against you in court, "self defense" and what not.
>> Anonymous
>We have two children, ages 10 and 8

enjoy your dead children.
>> Anonymous
Any dog can be taught to leave cats alone, even if the cat is messing with them.
>> Anonymous
or get a young pup and let the cats teach him how to get along. Most young pups raised with cats don't turn out to be cat chasers or cat killers-- a couple of good smacks across the nose in puppyhood usually last a lifetime.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
GET A FUCKING DRAGON BITCH.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ovwabcdp5U
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
belgian sheepdogs are extremely devoted and protected to their family. they also look really intimidating. very high drive, often used as police dogs in europe too. check them out, really nice dogs!
>> Anonymous
>>324192
>>324187
Back when we had a German Shepherd she was good with our cats. We did get her as a puppy, and she grew up around them. Most of the time she would ignore the cats, who would also ignore her. But she was actually good friends with one of the cats.
>> Anonymous
doberman or german pincher.
incredibly intellegent and loyal dogs. they're often used as guard dogs, so most people wouldn't want to mess with one. fairly easy to maintain, too. you just need the time to properly train and exercise them, but that's like most dogs. even a miniature pincher would be good.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
I recommend to you, the Bouvier. Its not the most common of dogs but you will not be disappointed with it's protectiveness and loyalty. I've had mine for almost 10 years now (My sister and I were 8 and 10 roughly when we got her too) and she is the most personable breed I've come across. (lots of exp with dogs, including German Shepards and Rotties) She is also very intelligent, laid back and loving, often coming to rest her chin on your lap if she sees you looking sad. They don't shed which is a plus but they can be dirty with their long drippy beards :P

And plus, nobody wants to come bother you with this beast lurking!

Sorry for shitty pic, I googled to find a manly lookin one :P

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouvier_des_flandres

heres a wiki
>> Anonymous
>>324246
fuck yea DRAGON BITCH!
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
neopolitan mastiff