Guard Dog

[rocket377]

Any advice re: obtaining and training a guard dog?

I have a farm and am growing increasingly concerned about security. Ive spent an absolute fortune on CCTV/card swipe systems etc, but am now considering obtaining and training a guard dog specifically to protect the place at night/whilst I am away.....I have a permanent resident in the yard (in a mobile home). I am considering the dog as I know the effect they have on thieves.....

Any advice........thanks.

[CCM]

Maybe try contacting your local constabulary - the dog division.

We often have dogs advertised in our local papers for dogs needing a home because they haven't quite made the grade as a police dog or sniffer dogs etc.

Either way, you need a dog of a decent size with a good bark - GSH, Rotty etc. The dog doesn't need to be aggresive, but size and a convincing bark will deter most folk from entering your property.

[rocket377]

CCM said:

Maybe try contacting your local constabulary - the dog division.

We often have dogs advertised in our local papers for dogs needing a home because they haven't quite made the grade as a police dog or sniffer dogs etc.

Either way, you need a dog of a decent size with a good bark - GSH, Rotty etc. The dog doesn't need to be aggresive, but size and a convincing bark will deter most folk from entering your property.

Thats a great idea thanks.

[NickyTwoHats]

A friend has a Guard Dog training school in Lincolnshire PM me and I'll forward to him
N2H

[13th]

I find having a big dog is enough of a deterrent.

I've never trained my Dobermans to guard or protect but think it's in them as when out walking a friend that they know went to pat me on the back but thought twice when my two came flying towards us my bh with her teeth barred.

[CO2000]

How about a Presa Canario ? These were bred for protecting farms.



You'd have to be incredibly stupid to go anywhere near one of these

http://img-srv.dtcbuilder.com/engine/builder/image...

http://www.breederretriever.com/photopost/data/500...

http://www.sanderskennels.com/02-19-05%20049%20pre...

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/697945.jpg?v=1&amp...

[Gargamel]

Do you have livestock on the farm ?

Is your permanent resident able to cope with a guard dog whilst your away ? If you do go ahead I would click/whistle train them, rather than voice commands - that way your resident can use the same commands via the whistle etc.

Some of these dogs can be a bit "one owner" and not take instruction too well from others.

GSH, Doberman, Rhodesian Ridgeback or a Mastiff are all good defensive,territorial dogs.


Perhaps think about a flock of geese instead, they are proper vicious and make a hell of a racket if anyone comes in. (and they taste delicious)

[SpydieNut]

geese are apparently very effective.

no - that's not a joke

ETA - bah, beaten to it

Edited by SpydieNut on Friday 3rd April 17:43

FETA to correct crap spelling

Edited by SpydieNut on Friday 3rd April 17:44

[okgo]

We had two large Alsations that sat in our grounds at all times. Scary animals when you don't know them..

But those pitbull cross things about look bloody scary!

[mickk]

CO2000 said:

How about a Presa Canario ? These were bred for protecting farms.



You'd have to be incredibly stupid to go anywhere near one of these

http://img-srv.dtcbuilder.com/engine/builder/image...

http://www.breederretriever.com/photopost/data/500...

http://www.sanderskennels.com/02-19-05%20049%20pre...

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/697945.jpg?v=1&amp...

On the banned list, dont think you would get one in this country

[Los Palmas 7]

Get a Golden Retriever/Labrador. They make excellent guard dogs.

[Jasandjules]

A pair of Estrela Mountain Dogs will do the trick. They will guard the livestock and their territory (it will need to be fenced in or they will guard a LOT of land....) and will take down any threat. There is no training necessary apart from the usual commands.

The same is true of say German Shepherd, Dobermans, Rotties etc.. who will all guard naturally and will defend against any intruder or threat. The only time you need to train them (IMHO) is if you want a command to attack..

[horton]

mickk said:

CO2000 said:

How about a Presa Canario ? These were bred for protecting farms.



You'd have to be incredibly stupid to go anywhere near one of these

http://img-srv.dtcbuilder.com/engine/builder/image...

http://www.breederretriever.com/photopost/data/500...

http://www.sanderskennels.com/02-19-05%20049%20pre...

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/697945.jpg?v=1&amp...

On the banned list, dont think you would get one in this country

Presa is banned in the UK?
You may be mistaken.

[Simpo Two]

[renmure]

Go for a Great Dane. Lots of Big Dog presence and ya can waltz with them too

[horton]

As much as I love some of the dogs suggested here, I would suggest a boring and reliable Bull-Mastiff for someone not experienced in guard/protection breeds.

[mickk]

horton said:

mickk said:

CO2000 said:

How about a Presa Canario ? These were bred for protecting farms.



You'd have to be incredibly stupid to go anywhere near one of these

http://img-srv.dtcbuilder.com/engine/builder/image...

http://www.breederretriever.com/photopost/data/500...

http://www.sanderskennels.com/02-19-05%20049%20pre...

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/697945.jpg?v=1&amp...

On the banned list, dont think you would get one in this country

Presa is banned in the UK?
You may be mistaken.

Yes sorry, i thought they were. Here are the cuddly ones that are on the list

the Pit Bull Terrier
the Japanese tosa
the Dogo Argentino
the Fila Brasileiro

[ZR1cliff]

renmure said:

Go for a Great Dane. Lots of Big Dog presence and ya can waltz with them too

Nice one, I once had a Harlequin Dane called hooch. Great dogs!!

[Shaw Tarse]

SpydieNut said:

geese are apparently very effective.

no - that's not a joke

ETA - bah, beaten to it

Edited by SpydieNut on Friday 3rd April 17:43

FETA to correct crap spelling

Edited by SpydieNut on Friday 3rd April 17:44

I was only talking about geese as "guard dogs" earlier!
Plus you get free eggs & Christmas dinner thrown in.

[Speedy11]

I have said it before, but you cant really beat ostriches, ok they they are little unpredictable but no one would enter a field with them in plus they taste nice to I have a lock up at a friends farm and he has a couple and he says they are fantastic at keeping people away. If they are a bit to much of a hand full then anything like a GSH, Rotty or any type of Mastiff from English to German to Bull they are all big protective dogs and the size just puts people off.


EDIT: Geese are very good we had some a few years ago before we got our English mastiff and one night they had three men cornered trying to get into the garage and word soon spread of our "killer birds":P

Edited by Speedy11 on Friday 3rd April 19:39