Dogs, man's best friend, intruder's worst enemy.

[moki]

Have you had any experience with obedience training, is it better to "send the dog to school" or attempt to train it yourself? My family has only owned small, breeds, ie Maltese, so I'm a little concerned with a dog of that size and being able to control it through training. I've always had this dream of a "real" dog, or companion, you play with in the park and don't need to leash because it understands heel and other various commands.

You do not want to send a dog off to "be trained"; you need to be involved with the training of your dog, and you need to be trained as well.

 

[bfreebern]

I have a female Great Dane, that I regularly walk around the neighborhood, for her health and to let everyone see what kind of protection I have

Much like MadMonk stated, my GDs bark will make someone wet themselves if they aren't prepared or know she's there. I literally had a Fedex guy walk up to my front door and as I opened the door, she barked and he dropped the package on the step, turned and walked away. She's very inquisitive, but not aggressive. On the flip side, she's the most gentle dog I've owned. My kids, as babies and even now, pretty much lay/crawl/walk all over her and she doesn't mind one bit. I did lots of research, before buying her and everywhere I read, referred to GDs as gentle giants and I can't think of a better way to put it. The only downside is that their lifespan is only about 7-9 yrs, mine is at 7 currently. Hips, with all big dogs, are the main issues. I give my GD glucosamine and it helps.

Just my experience and opinion.

 

[CigarStone]

I have never had any dogs trained professionally but they are like children, they need to be taught discipline and who the boss is. That being said I have had great luck with German Shepards for the exact situation you mention. They are typically very protective and have a very mean bark but they are a very loyal and loving dog.

As far as Dobermans, I would be nervous unless I "knew" it had at least three blood lines ahead of it which were house dogs.....they can be too unpredictable if not. Kids do the dumbest things to dogs and you have to be comfortable that the "attack instinct" is long bred out of the animal.

 

[opusXmarco]

Get a Min-Pin...they're 1/8 the size, but just as fearful. :laugh:

 

[StevenGarske]

I would personally recommend a German Shorthaird Pointer. Normally they are used as hunting dogs, yet they make great family pets, and fulfill the protective qualities that you seek. My family got one when I had just turned 3 years old, and 15 years later she is still going strong. They respond well to obidence training, and are very loyal. Back in her prime, and still today, my dog ("Coco")scared off many a mailman and delivery person. She also aided in an arrest once. A robber jumped into our backyard, trying to hide from the cops. Coco cornered him in the yard, snarling and barking, and tiped my parents off to his presence. We were able to call the cops and tell them the guy was in our yard haha. She was, and still is, very protective of me and my brother, yet as soon as she feels comfortable she is the most loveable dog in the world. She has not once nipped at or barked at any family members, including my young cousins poking, pulling, and biting her haha. She is an amamzing dog, and her pups were the exact same way. My grandfather kept one of her pups, and at 10yrs old he is about 100lbs of solid muscle with the loudest bark I have heard from a dog his size. Overall a great dog, one that I feel meets all your needs.

 

[seadub]

Behind the front door...

One of 2 (rescued) beagles

When anyone comes near my yard this little one (little bisquit) and her bigger brother bay and howl and bark. I only arm my home alarm for kicks. There's really no need for it with my 2 beagles. The dogs are fantastic with my son. And heaven help the guy that tries to break in my place... the dogs would probably eat him.

Seriously... Jstrat had a good point about "dangerous dog" laws and your homeowners insurance. I know there are breeds that I can't have or that would violate my insurance policy and/or the HOA C,C,&R's where I live. And a year or so ago there was a fatal attack at a house not-to-far from where I live. A dog trainer (or maybe it was the gardener) got mauled and killed by 2 mastiffs. It was at Ving Rhames' house (the actor). This kind of incident is extremely unfortunate and the result of keeping these types of animals. You never know who the victim will be... it could very well be someone you never intended.

Lastly... my sister rescued a couple dobermans and I can tell you that they were fantastic dogs, but pretty skittish. She hasn't gotten a new dog since they lost that last one. She really loved those dogs. They were like most all dogs, very loyal and very protective.

I hear beedogs pack a pretty big sting.

 

[khari]

I'm with MoBig and thevalkyrie. I currently have a Dogue de Bordeaux and a Boerboel, which is a South African Mastiff. A 160 pound dog is an incredible deterrent. A 160 lb dog and a 120 lb dog together will make nearly anyone stop in their tracks. These dogs are bred to protect the house and its inhabitants, so only obedience training is necessary. They're also great with kids and don't require a ton of exercise which makes them perfect for smaller homes. I had my 160 pound Boerboel in my apartment for two years and he was perfectly content.

About attack or guard-trained dogs: I wouldn't keep one as a family pet. To answer your question, they don't lose their playfulness, but I wouldn't want my kid around a dog that was trained to be aggressive.