Dogs

[Good Ol' Boy]

I have an English Staffordshire Terrier and she's both alerting and aggressive, if she doesn't know you.

To me thats part of the reason for having a "good" dog. We live in the country with a fenced in yard. Anyone who's not supposed to be there will get the "alerting/aggressive" treatment and I have no worries about it. Its one of the reasons we keep her around.


Paperz pleeze....

 

[gyp_c2]

My wife wanted a dog to grow up with the baby. Norwegian Elkhound female.
Timed it so puppy was six months old at birth. Went through basic obedience before delivery. On coming home day, baby was introduced to puppy on our bed. I have pictures somewhere of her sitting patiently while baby ate from her food bowl.
No other animal or human ever allowed to touch her food.
Great dog.

To complete the thought, we went back to school for area and personal protection.
She would guard whatever area she was alerted in and the family.
It wasn't in her nature to be aggressive but she was very defensive.
Didn't ever take to the gunfire.
Tolerate, but not revel in it.
So...personality and genetics, along with training are important for job skills.

 

[webrx]

In my opinion, it is important that if you are going to have a dog as part of you home defense you have a good understanding of the animal, and what risks "it" imposes to your family, just like you do with a firearm. I have known some very sweet pits, but never met a chihuahua that I trusted. on the other hand, the little dogs will take a small chunk out of an ankle, where a pit can do a lot more damage.

The previous statistics are interesting, but most statistics can be manipulated to be misleading or say what you want them to say depending on how they categorized and presented.

According to Canine Journal, here’s a list of the dog breeds known to bite the most

• Chihuahua
• English Bulldog
• Bulldog
• Pit Bull
• German Shepherd
• Australian Shepherd
• Lhasa Apso
• Jack Russell Terrier
• Cocker Spaniel
• Bull Terrier
• Pekingese
• Papillion

If you want to see more stats, including the stat that when it comes to dog attacks by breed, the Pit Bull is responsible for the highest number of them in the US. Pit bulls have killed 248 people over 13 years (26 of 38 fatalities in 2018) , and the Rottweiler comes in second place with 45 recorded fatalities for the same period. The German Shepherd is also responsible for inflicting 20 fatal injuries. And even some breeds that aren’t considered to be aggressive have killed people. For example, the Labrador Retriever is responsible for nine deaths.

Also, it’s important to note that Pit Bulls stats are affected by them being a popular breed that is specifically trained by the owners to be aggressive rather than the breed itself having an aggressive temperament.

https://petpedia.co/dog-bite-statistics/

We have 3 dogs and a attack cat, our English Pointer (girl) will let us know anytime anyone is near the house, one step into our yard, and she goes off. That along with the ring, cameras, alarm system, firearms, etc and I feel pretty good about our home protection options. Our two new pups (5 months Golden Doodles - full size) are being trained by the older girl, and they are also now barking when the ring goes off or she gets worked up, the boys at this point will most likely just like anyone that comes in, but, they will let us know they are there.

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[Charlie Martinez]

The problem with dogs biting people is a complex issue and while breeding has something to do with it ignorance, irresponsibility or even cruelty by their owners are perhaps much more significant causes.

Many small breeds like the much maligned Chihuahua and some of the gentler large breeds like Labs and Golden Retrievers have an extensive bite record because they have the misfortune of being mistaken for inanimate toys. Many people buy these types of dogs for their kids to "play" with w/o supervision or w/o educating the kids that animals are not toys and don't like to be hurt anymore than they do. Kids that are not taught how to respect animals can be cruel and hard on them and if the dog decides it's had enough he may scold the kid with either a nip or in some cases a nasty bite. As result the kid is taken to the doctor and the poor dog is euthanized or discarded to the nearest dog pound with a record as a "biter". I don't think the dog can be faulted for that but they are.

The "protection" type dogs are a different situation and can be much more dangerous. Any dog regardless of breed can be protective but Pits, Rottweilers, Shepherds and such are specifically bred to protect which in effect means that generally members of these breeds are not afraid to take the fight to you and (really) bite. Because of their inbred characteristics these dogs require responsible owners that provide skillful handling, serious training and a certain degree of discipline that many people either do not know how or lack the time to administer. I don't know the statistics but I'm positive that the main reason(s) behind most serious dog bite injuries from these large, powerful breeds resulted either directly or indirectly from owner cruelty, ignorance or negligence.

Just my two cents worth on the subject.

 

[bdickens]

Many small breeds like the much maligned Chihuahua and some of the gentler large breeds like Labs and Golden Retrievers have an extensive bite record because they have the misfortune of being mistaken for inanimate toys. Many people buy these types of dogs for their kids to "play" with w/o supervision or w/o educating the kids that animals are not toys and don't like to be hurt anymore than they do. Kids that are not taught how to respect animals can be cruel and hard on them and if the dog decides it's had enough he may scold the kid with either a nip or in some cases a nasty bite. As result the kid is taken to the doctor and the poor dog is euthanized or discarded to the nearest dog pound with a record as a "biter". I don't think the dog can be faulted for that but they are.

Exactly.

How would you react if someone kept slapping you, pushing you, pulling your hair, etc and wouldn't stop?

Many dog "attacks" are not attacks at all but the dog defending itself.

 

[Pudge]

Cave Canem

 

[BWS]

Back on page two is the first pic below,a year later...... things haven't changed much in Cocobolo's world. I swear,saw my response back then and looked down,took pic.

I will say WRT to "guard dogs".... I bought a Dobe after much research. And the long desire to have a sweet example,you know... sit in a truck seat with windows rolled down and not freak out when strangers walk by. She's that,and WAY more. Folks are constantly asking if the can pet her.... "be my guest". She loves it. But no one ever mentioned how dang "clingy" a Dobe is? Coco is like a shadow,you may not always see it but it's there.

We're headed to the woods bowhunting here in a cpl hours.

 

[armydog]

I don't know the statistics but I'm positive that the main reason(s) behind most serious dog bite injuries from these large, powerful breeds resulted either directly or indirectly from owner cruelty, ignorance or negligence.

I'm positive you're right.

It's not my APBTs I don't trust sometimes around people, it's the people. I didn't get them for security, I got ADT after I got my dogs so in case there was a fire or someone messing around, the cops would show up if I was gone. My dog's maybe the gladiators of the dog world, but they are also the funniest and laziest, which is how I like them.

I do get tired of other's preconceived notions... same as with guns. But as long as their miserable lives don't intertwine with mine, I'm good.

 

[lemaymiami]

I love dogs - and my elderly old chocolate Lab is important to us. I've worked around well trained K-9 teams (and used dog handlers on the street), Rotties, Shepherds, and Malinois years ago - but wouldn't want one near kids... no matter how well trained. I doubt you'll ever see a veteran dog handler that doesn't have training scars - from their own dogs... All of our handlers did.

Here's the reality though... any dog that defends you or your property is terribly vulnerable to a determined attacker. Unlike in popular entertainments any serious attacker is planning on killing any dogs they encounter, period (by one means or another). Our SRT team actually had a man on point whose job was to kill the dog at the door when executing a warrant involving narcotics - and we were very hard on "Fido", using a short barreled 12ga at pointblank range to facilitate entry...

If I were relying on a dog to alert to an impending attack - I'd assume that the moment I no longer heard the dog(s) that an assault was under way - and my dog was no longer alive...

 

[Charlie Martinez]

Back on page two is the first pic below,a year later...... things haven't changed much in Cocobolo's world. I swear,saw my response back then and looked down,took pic.

I will say WRT to "guard dogs".... I bought a Dobe after much research. And the long desire to have a sweet example,you know... sit in a truck seat with windows rolled down and not freak out when strangers walk by. She's that,and WAY more. Folks are constantly asking if the can pet her.... "be my guest". She loves it. But no one ever mentioned how dang "clingy" a Dobe is? Coco is like a shadow,you may not always see it but it's there.

We're headed to the woods bowhunting here in a cpl hours.

View attachment 1034816 View attachment 1034817

I've had many dogs over the years and all were great but the best by far was a 75 lb. male Doberman I lost to old age in 1985. Our current dog (probably our last dog) is a beautiful young male German Shepherd that is turning out well but has a long way to go before he reaches (if ever) the level of what that fantastic little Dobe was able to do.

 

[BWS]

I hear ya Charlie.

 

[Pudge]

I love dogs - and my elderly old chocolate Lab is important to us. I've worked around well trained K-9 teams (and used dog handlers on the street), Rotties, Shepherds, and Malinois years ago - but wouldn't want one near kids... no matter how well trained. I doubt you'll ever see a veteran dog handler that doesn't have training scars - from their own dogs... All of our handlers did.

Here's the reality though... any dog that defends you or your property is terribly vulnerable to a determined attacker. Unlike in popular entertainments any serious attacker is planning on killing any dogs they encounter, period (by one means or another). Our SRT team actually had a man on point whose job was to kill the dog at the door when executing a warrant involving narcotics - and we were very hard on "Fido", using a short barreled 12ga at pointblank range to facilitate entry...

If I were relying on a dog to alert to an impending attack - I'd assume that the moment I no longer heard the dog(s) that an assault was under way - and my dog was no longer alive...

Ok, but if you're planning on defending against a determined attacker, prepared to eliminate your dog in order to do you harm, that's pretty extreme planning. I've got a Rottweiler and a Cane Corso that wouldn't stop an SRT team, but would encourage someone looking for an easy target to look somewhere else. I don't have any illusions about my dogs taking out a hit squad while I sleep, but I feel good knowing what they present to a potential intruder, especially when I'm not there. I've seen the reaction of a pair of drug dealers who approached me and got my dog's attention. Don't underestimate the deterrence a dog can provide.

 

[Seedy Character]

Wife has a Chihuahua. Nobody enters the yard, she doesn't alert.
I have a 90# American bulldog. Sleeps 23hrs a day. Anybody steps on porch, he barks one, loud bark. When we go to bed, he pulls his bed to the front door and blocks it. Never trained, he has always done it.
For the most part, he is worthless. That one part of him, makes him priceless.

 

[.308 Norma]

When we go to bed, he pulls his bed to the front door and blocks it. Never trained, he has always done it.
For the most part, he is worthless. That one part of him, makes him priceless.

Absolutely priceless!

Our Cocker/Springer cross, Ruger has a bark that is more like a "scream" than a bark, and he used to sound off at the slightest noise outside. Sometimes he would sound off at things neither my wife nor I even heard. And when we were sitting there just watching TV or something, it would scare the crap out of us!
Unfortunately though, Ruger is 13 and deaf now, and like your dog, "sleeps 23hrs a day." When he's awake though, he's still the same loving dog he was when he was young.

"Shh! Be vewy, vewy quiet - I'm hunting wabbits!"

 

[lemaymiami]

Pudge, you’re absolutely right… Most bad guys aren’t exactly very skilled or very smart and that’s exactly who we prepare for. A good dog is an outstanding asset in that direction (particularly since their sense of smell and hearing are little short of astonishing…). In Vietnam I was shown just how good when I had to visit my Division’s K-9 unit where scout dogs were being cross trained as mine and booby trap assets. I watched as one dog found a handful of ammo in a big training field -by scent alone. A real shame to learn that when we left that sad war - every one of them was killed as a matter of policy instead of bringing them home…

At any rate, in my years as a cop I was always grateful that I never encountered anyone intending harm that actually had real training and skills … I figured I would have stood little chance of surviving without a good bit of luck…

For Charlie… loved that picture of the Dobie I’d hate to encounter one on foot unarmed…

 

[Charlie Martinez]

Pudge, you’re absolutely right… Most bad guys aren’t exactly very skilled or very smart and that’s exactly who we prepare for. A good dog is an outstanding asset in that direction (particularly since their sense of smell and hearing are little short of astonishing…). In Vietnam I was shown just how good when I had to visit my Division’s K-9 unit where scout dogs were being cross trained as mine and booby trap assets. I watched as one dog found a handful of ammo in a big training field -by scent alone. A real shame to learn that when we left that sad war - every one of them was killed as a matter of policy instead of bringing them home…

At any rate, in my years as a cop I was always grateful that I never encountered anyone intending harm that actually had real training and skills … I figured I would have stood little chance of surviving without a good bit of luck…

For Charlie… loved that picture of the Dobie I’d hate to encounter one on foot unarmed…

I was also sickened when I found out what we did to our faithful war dogs in Vietnam. I read that they were considered "war equipment" and as such abandoned along with all the other stuff we left behind over there. These damn politicians just keep getting worse.
On a happier note; I too loved that picture but unfortunately that smart Doberman doesn't belong to me, I believe he's BWS's pup. If we ever saw our dog pick up a loaded gun my wife and I would run out of the house.

 

[lemaymiami]

The K9s in Vietnam weren’t abandoned - they were put down, every one of them from what I read.

 

[BWS]

Stole that pic off the web. BUT.....

No,not gonna let Coco chew on my rigs but grab a gun and see what happens. She goes on full alert,thinking it's varmint killin time,haha. LOVES GUNS.

We used to shoo her back to the barn when down at the river plinking with hand cannons and cast rifle rigs. She'd leave if someone was cleaning stalls or something. There's no horses up there now so she stays with us. She'll go off twds the side,and back and just sit there watching us shoot? Plenty far away that it's not that loud. Just sit there,won't move.... the second we start packing up she's right at our side again,amazing.

 

[CDW4ME]

Warning and deterrent. Our house has an electronic alarm, but the GSD is better. 144# Bullmastiff rarely barks.
If I don't sleep well its not because I'm worried about someone breaking in.

 

[Milt1]

CDW4ME, great looking dogs and nice landscaping!

 

[H&R Glock]

We have had seven wiener dogs of all sizes and coats. None were ever a shedding problem. There is one problem that I believe every dog shares. When they get wet they STINK! Otherwise dachshunds don't have any odor at all and I have often wondered about that. How about your breed of dog?
If a burglar ever broke into our house our wiener dog would probably show him where the guns and cash were stored and then offer him a beer.

 

[MrChicken]

We have had seven wiener dogs of all sizes and coats. None were ever a shedding problem. There is one problem that I believe every dog shares. When they get wet they STINK! Otherwise dachshunds don't have any odor at all and I have often wondered about that. How about your breed of dog?
If a burglar ever broke into our house our wiener dog would probably show him where the guns and cash were stored and then offer him a beer.

Have you never heard the phrase, "I'll slap you down like a wet dog" ?

 

[tactikel]

A terrier would seem ideal, a Boston or a Cairn. Or maybe a Beagle or Schnauzer. All are great alert dogs. A protective dog calls for a Shepard, Doberman, Rottweiler, Ridgeback, or a Staffordshire terrier.

 

[entropy]

I got a Rat Terrier, but, a Rat Terrier bred for general type, rather than to a breed standard. The dam looked exactly like a Rat Terrier, but the sire was a more-or-less Rat Terrier, with obvious out-crossing. So, this little girl grew up looking true to type, to a predictable size, and acting true to type, but with, hopefully, some level of hybrid vigor. Both parents live where coyotes roam, so, though small, they are of, and from, tough stock.

The only “papers” involved? A US $100 bill.

Nothing, and I mean nothing, sneaks up on this little girl. That was what I hoped for, and is what I received. Life is good.

She shares my living space, and is excellent for road trips. I do not want her to bite an attacker; her role is to be an alarm, and a distraction.

Mine, too. He sometimes thinks his role is holding the blanket down on our laps lest it suddenly fly to the ceiling:

He also likes to sit on SWMBO's bed and look out the window and bark at anyone walking by. All he needs to be is an alarm, and he's pretty good at that.

 

[Rexster]

Yes, indeed, the job of Blanket Retainer is quite important.