What's YOUR favourite guard dog ?

[UKPoacher]

German Shepherd for persistence

 

Belgian Malinois for speed

 

Dutch Herder for a lump of muscle that can do damage

 

I have heard this about Mallys a few times and they are reputed to hit harder than a GSD. However, when you watch police dog trials, particularly the 'Straight Chase' the Mallys got to the running man around the same place that the GSDs got there. Taking the principles of ballistics, the Mally at around 10 Kg lighter than the GSD running at the same speed will actually have less impact. My second dog, a long haired GSD at around 38 Kg would flatten anyone, running or standing up to him, and he had a bite like a crocodile, but he wasn't nasty. It was all an act to be done when commanded to.

 

The vast majority of guard dogs would not bite anyone who stood up to them. They have to be specially trained or a bit crazy to actually go beyond barking and bite. Most of the dogs offered to the police I got to assess that were reputed to be aggressive were actually biting through fear, not aggression.

[working dog]

Why do so many people feel the need for a guard dog? I wouldnt trust any dog with children around after what happened the other week. I was humping my ladders around the back of someones house with the owner and her cocker spaniel went potty at the noise of the ladders, it went for me and i nearly dropped the ladders. She (the owner) was shocked and said she had never seen it before, i dident believe her. It made me realise that it doesnt matter what the breed, they have all got wild and madness in them. I reckon good locks and alarms are better than any dog, the cons outweigh the pros.

 

I wont allow my GSDs out with children. I will supervise my nephew & niece (both teenagers)with one of my dogs. They enjoy scenting items and getting the dogs to find the hidden item in the garden. They also enjoy doing bits of agility with him. OK, it makes him a bit of a circus act but it has helped them overcome their fear of dogs. The dog I trust is the one that is a trained personal protection dog.

When the dogs are out, both sets of gates to the house are locked so nobody can accidentally enter the garden

Having been broken into earlier this year we no longer kennel our dogs at night and let them roam the garden. At first they were sparking up at 2am and 3am. When I shone torch out of the window and picked up scrotes lurking in the hedgerow at the side of the field they soon got the message and have moved on. Good locks and an alarm didnt stop the local scum bag smashing a window and taking my phone and wallet. I was foolish to leave the items on view, I realise. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but I now leave the dogs out at night. Despite the occasional barking, our neighbours are happy that the dogs are deterring the casual thief.

[ozzy518]

I only have experience of GSD's (hate them being called Alsatians) as a former RAF police dog handler. Unlike civillian police dogs which are encouraged to take the arm of a fleeing criminal ours were trained to bite whatever they wanted , as long as they held on. I have spent many an hour in a full padded suit with crash helmet being chased and savaged by these dogs. One legendary dog on the section , Bruno, was a long haired hard as nails dog. I can't ever recall anyone managing to stay on thier feet when he hit. He was a high shoulder biter but used to swing his bodyweight to the side which spun you off your feet . Once down he would often come off the bite and go for your face ( hence the crash helmet).

I do miss the adrenaline rush of a dog attack..you can hear them coming, the panting and thier paws on the ground, the check chain rattling then it all goes quiet as the dog is mid air...A brief snarl then...BANG!! The dog hits you, you feel the impact and the pressure of the bite. A tug of war starts between you and the dog, you trying to get away, him trying to disclocate whatever body part he has hold of..ahh memories.

Edited October 24, 2011 by ozzy518

[working dog]

I have heard this about Mallys a few times and they are reputed to hit harder than a GSD. However, when you watch police dog trials, particularly the 'Straight Chase' the Mallys got to the running man around the same place that the GSDs got there. Taking the principles of ballistics, the Mally at around 10 Kg lighter than the GSD running at the same speed will actually have less impact. My second dog, a long haired GSD at around 38 Kg would flatten anyone, running or standing up to him, and he had a bite like a crocodile, but he wasn't nasty. It was all an act to be done when commanded to.

 

The vast majority of guard dogs would not bite anyone who stood up to them. They have to be specially trained or a bit crazy to actually go beyond barking and bite. Most of the dogs offered to the police I got to assess that were reputed to be aggressive were actually biting through fear, not aggression.

 

Heres one of many photos of a mally taking down the running man. I've got plenty of shepherds doing it but mallys tend to go in faster, harder and without thinking. I'd not want to own one, they are not as relaxed as shepherds and I dont think would make as good a pet for my needs

 

[the pelt man]

Has to be a RIDGEBACK

had 3 and they are great Dogs

 

PELTY

[Dirty Harry]

I wouldn't want a guard dog. It would be to much hassle when you have visitors or the kids have friends round. Wouldn't want the disk of them getting bitten.

We have a collie on the farm who lets us know if there is anyone around and if someone comes near the house at night the dogs are downstairs and will wake the house up.

I do like English bull terriers and I was very close to getting a brown and tan Doberman a few years ago but that would have just been as a pet.

 

Harry

Edited October 24, 2011 by Dirty Harry

[UKPoacher]

Heres one of many photos of a mally taking down the running man. I've got plenty of shepherds doing it but mallys tend to go in faster, harder and without thinking. I'd not want to own one, they are not as relaxed as shepherds and I dont think would make as good a pet for my needs

 

 

Yep, but as Ozzie points out, the high shoulder biters are the ones that flatten the criminals. This Mally is coming underneath and putting the brakes on as many GSDs do. Some dogs bite high naturally, others don't. I trained my second dog to bite high and fast so that he effectively went through the criminal rather than at him.

 

As for Mallys going in faster; next time you are at a trial just make note where the dogs actually catch the man. Mallys look quicker over the ground but don't actually get there any faster than a GSD.

 

Of course none of this is relevant to the question as I wouldn't want a civilian guard dog to chase and bite someone. I'd want him at my side to make sure no one came to me.

[D_No]

I've fancied one of these Clicky Click for a few years

Edited October 25, 2011 by D_No

[Kes]

We had three dogs - now, 2 for 'keeping an eye on things'.

They are strategically placed around our property and give 'warning with menace'. If we are out then they are in 'controlled areas' and do not wander due to the risk to anyone (permitted or not) entering the property.

We have 'danger guard dog' notices at entry points to ensure people are aware.

All were part of a functional pack with the Ridgeback as the leader. He died of old age recently at 13 and his place was taken by the rottweiler - a lovely natured dog but big, quick and impervious to any form of pain.

The most recent aquisition is a mastiff cross great dane now 3yrs old . They are lovely family pets and have never caused any problems.

Once we had a census guy walk in and I asked him to stand still - the ridgeback had got round behind him and my daughter (aged 11) was beyond the chap. He ignored me and the dog walked up to him and got hold of his elbow - very genty but held him there, no puncture wounds just a very frightened chappy.

I recommend the mastiff cross great dane for the sheer terror of the bark, he sounds huge but at only 60 kgs he's all muscle - from running and playing with the rottweiler !

All such dogs tend to get local reputations - in this day and age, that cant be bad as they are just dogs with friends.

[kent]

Has to be a GSD for me. Our last old lad (longhair) was as big as a bear and as daft as a brush. Could trust him with anyone even the smallest of kids. One in a million that dog

 

On the other hand this shorthair bitch I have now is an absolute bar-steward! Wouldn't trust her as far as I can throw her . She's the softest dog you can imagine with people she knows, but woe betide any strangers trying to set foot in the drive or car .

 

Our parcelfarce delivery bloke has seen her on numerous occasions when the wife has opened the gate to take a parcel and she's just laid on the concrete. This particular time the wife wasn't about and driver decided he'd come in the gate - BIG mistake! Wife heard the '******* hell' from upstairs followed by the frantic rattling of the gate. Fortunately he got out in time, but he had to admit he was very surprised how quickly she could change.

 

She now has a tally of 6 people - one poor bloke left with the seat of his pants in tatters - comedy style . He was an unfortunate visitor who was early and told not to come in - just assumed the dog would be fine, despite barking and with all her hackles up :blink: . The others were all smart arrises who said 'she's fine, I can really read dogs and they really like me'. To them 'don't put your hand in the car, she will bite' or 'don't try and stroke her, she looks ok but she will bite' are seen as a personal challenge . Sorry mate - you lose, I did tell you .

 

Oh this one strikes a note "exactly which bit of don't touch the dog, didn't you understand?" , seriouly guys bad idea to have any personal protection dog unless you have 100% compliance and a very good reason in the first place. Thing is you don't look quite the hard man when you have to shoot them coz they slipped up

[Imperfection]

Why do so many people feel the need for a guard dog? I wouldnt trust any dog with children around after what happened the other week. I was humping my ladders around the back of someones house with the owner and her cocker spaniel went potty at the noise of the ladders, it went for me and i nearly dropped the ladders. She (the owner) was shocked and said she had never seen it before, i dident believe her. It made me realise that it doesnt matter what the breed, they have all got wild and madness in them. I reckon good locks and alarms are better than any dog, the cons outweigh the pros.

 

I've always had dogs for two reasons-they're company when im here and look after the house when not.The biggest problem with an alarm is that no one takes any notice when they're chattering away and if you go the monitored route then that costs money plus locks can be overcome with persistence.Dogs are a good deterrent because no one wants to get bitten or have others alerted to their presence and often its barking will persuade an intruder to stop what they're doing.I have two (Bullmastiff & Boxer),but i wouldnt describe either of them as guard dogs-more like watch dogs as they're both gobby and their looks/size can be seen as intimidating.

 

Plus dog walking is good exercise!

[working dog]

Yep, but as Ozzie points out, the high shoulder biters are the ones that flatten the criminals. This Mally is coming underneath and putting the brakes on as many GSDs do. Some dogs bite high naturally, others don't. I trained my second dog to bite high and fast so that he effectively went through the criminal rather than at him.

 

As for Mallys going in faster; next time you are at a trial just make note where the dogs actually catch the man. Mallys look quicker over the ground but don't actually get there any faster than a GSD.

 

Of course none of this is relevant to the question as I wouldn't want a civilian guard dog to chase and bite someone. I'd want him at my side to make sure no one came to me.

 

Tricep bites, leg bites and the likes can be trained and do look a lot more exciting. Most dogs will target the sleeve if its there - enter the sleeve vs suit debate.

 

It was probably a bad photo as the baiter was dropping when the dog hit him. Heres one of the same dog at a different trial. The baiter was a tricky Dutch KNPV lad over for the trial who was dodging the dogs rather than feeding them an arm. This was one of the only dogs that got to hit him first time - pretty hard and fast.

Exciting as they are, as a deterrent a Mally doesnt have the presence or a wide reputation as being a man stopper as a shepherd does.

 

 

[working dog]

I have two (Bullmastiff & Boxer),but i wouldnt describe either of them as guard dogs-more like watch dogs as they're both gobby and their looks/size can be seen as intimidating.

 

 

 

I agree. The one of mine that puts up the biggest display of aggression wouldnt have a clue what to do if anyone came into the garden. I dont tell the that scrotes though. I've often been asked if my dogs will bite and they get the same stock answer 'they wont bite me'.