What Dog - Family, Guard, Low Moult

[V8RX7]

agent006 said:

V8RX7 said:

I wouldn't consider rehoming a dog - my Dad did that twice - and both dogs had undesirable traits.

Not every rescue dog is broken. Don't write off all of them just because your dad made some poor decisions.
If you do go for a puppy make sure you go into it knowing how to find a good breeder.

This is the kind of callous fk you'll likely be dealing with if you buy from a puppy farm.

Similarly it's a bit late once my daughter is scarred for life to learn that it doesn't like something - a friend had a rescue Husky - it was perfect until you touched it's nose then it would bite, without warning.

Current dog we got as a puppy from Dogs Trust - we wanted a lab - they said it was - collie / whippet with a hint of Lab is what we got. I wanted the "staffie" pups - they turned out to be Mastiffs (which I'd have liked)

Now I'd only buy from someone where I can go to their home and see both parents.

[Matt UK]

Do you want the dog to actually work or just make noise to alert you?

I know this sounds ridiculous, but our goldendoodle is a superb noise dog! Very good natured with our young kids as you would expect - the perfect family pet. But if someone approaches the house or she hears the neighbours at the boundaries, she really does do a rather excellent low-growl followed by much barking an octave or two lower and louder than her 'ball of wool' looks suggest she should make!

And if a sparrow dares to land on 'her' driveway, it's proper "Code red! Code red! Matt, quick! Get your lazy arse about of bed and get down here, I've got a live situation we need to deal with mate!". Such fun now the mornings are getting lighter! Reminds me, must fit a blind to the front porch side window...

And she doesn't moult.

[bakerstreet]

Matt UK said:

Do you want the dog to actually work or just make noise to alert you?

I know this sounds ridiculous, but our goldendoodle is a superb noise dog! Very good natured with our young kids as you would expect - the perfect family pet. But if someone approaches the house or she hears the neighbours at the boundaries, she really does do a rather excellent low-growl followed by much barking an octave or two lower and louder than her 'ball of wool' looks suggest she should make!

And if a sparrow dares to land on 'her' driveway, it's proper "Code red! Code red! Matt, quick! Get your lazy arse about of bed and get down here, I've got a live situation we need to deal with mate!". Such fun now the mornings are getting lighter! Reminds me, must fit a blind to the front porch side window...

And she doesn't moult.

That made me laugh.

Other than the above line, I have nothing to add to this thread other than don't buy a greyhound

[owen k]

Airedale terriers are great with kids,don't moult and have a good bark.

[otolith]

owen k said:

Airedale terriers are great with kids,don't moult and have a good bark.

Tough beasts too. I know someone who had an Airedale which took an accidental golf ball strike between the eyes, with no discernible permanent injury. That dog was as dumb as rocks in the first place, though.

[StuntmanMike]

Another vote for a Bull mastiff, gentle giant, won't need training, won't need masses of exercise, outs is one of the family, I would buy a pup though, I'm all for rescue dogs but not in a family with young kids, I've got friends who have had a very bad experience of this.

[StuntmanMike]

P.S, all dogs mentioned will do the job, but all the dogs mention will moult , just buy a Miele Cat and Dog.

[SGirl]

The Miele Cat & Dog is great while it works. But some of them have a design problem which causes the filter to pop out. I've just had to replace ours after only 3 years because the only way I can keep it running is to put my foot on it while it's on. Which is inconvenient, and hot! I replaced the filter as Miele told me to, but it's still doing it. So if anyone knows of a good alternative, do let me know.

[Cheib]

Eurasier.

They genuinely don't shed apart from twice a year when they blow their undercoat (trip to local pet shop/groomer and you're good to go) and are very territorial...at least ours is! He goes mad when anything and everything approaches his territory. Bred as family dogs 50 years ago in Germany....great with kids.

Oh and they aren't the size of a horse so you're not going to have to pick up massive piles of dog st.

Only downside is when you take him to the pub every fker wants to know what he is.

[tomw2000]

On balance might some "24hr security camera" signs (and actual cameras/kit if you feel the need to splash out) be just as a good a deterrent?

Rather than taking on a monster breed you have little or no experience of?

And then just get another 'family pet' type dog - barking of dogs (appreciate you have one already) should deter most opportunists.

Wife and I are currently renovating another place with more land and I envisage we'll move in Sept/Oct time. I have 4 dogs already - and hadn't considered getting a 'guard-specific' one. The barking of the 4 we have should deter most.
(probably will add cameras though).

If you're determined to get a guard dog....a Doberman of the right 'strain' would get one of my votes.