Looking for advice on dog breeds that are short haired, guarding and also great with kids. Im home alone alot on the farm so would like a guard type. I love the boxers because of their HUGE personalities, but I wish they were more guardy. I like dobermans but don’t know much about them. I have heard that they do not bark much though. Also, I have know some nice Rotties, but they had such thick coats that shed a ton
Thanks!
ADT makes an alarm that doesn’t shed, is unafraid of strangers and won’t cause you to lose your homeowners insurance.
I agree with Threedogpack, since there are general characteristics of a particular breed, but no guarantee that an individual animal will follow the breed characteristics. To get exactly the behaviors you want you will need to pick the right dog, do a lot of training and socialization, and you still might not get the dog you want.
An alarm won’t roam your property, smell anything out of the ordinary, nor just keep you company in general. OP - you might think about a Great Dane - they are very sweet with kids, but generally very protective of their home territory and not a lot of hair. My family has owned a few and they have all been great family dogs, but also great watch dogs. And no one wants to mess with them:)
Are female danes much smaller then the boys?
bluedapple-I really enjoy my Doberman.
He has a big woofy bark-nobody’s going to sneak up on us!
Where do you live? My dog has the haircoat of a mole, and is cold if it’s below 35 degrees. As long as he’s moving around he’s okay, but if barn chores take too long he needs his fleecy jacket.
A Weatherbeeta Newmarket fleece jacket can blow a big black dog’s fearsome image!
Im in PA, so blankies are a must. I love dogs wearing mini horse blankets 
Could you tell me more about your dobe personality? I heard they dont bark to warn b/c they would rather sneak up on the perpetrator. Id rather them bark:)
My guy is bold and outgoing. He gets along great with the rest of the animals, from the horses down to the chickens. He has an intimidating quality without being aggressive-just the way he carries himself makes people respect my personal space. He goes with me everywhere I go, outside of work.
He is very sweet, if a little clingy and needy. He can be bossy-if I am late walking to the barn to feed in the morning, he will whine and pace-he has flipped my Kindle out of my hands when I wouldn’t get going fast enough to suit him. He takes being a working dog seriously!
He gets along great with strange dogs, and I don’t worry about him eating the UPS driver. He was quick to house break. He is patient beyond reason with the obnoxious JRTs he lives with. He will leave his food if one of the cats wants a taste.
As far as his barking-he is one of 6 dogs, so there is more than enough barking, and he is more than happy to do his share!
I am often alone here. Our farm is well off the road, down a long drive. My dog makes me feel safe without being dangerous. I love him.
My Airedale Terrier sheds very little and is very protective of our home and yard. She’s not large, but you can get larger Airedales, or large Airedale crosses. She has a very intimidating bark, though! (She is very well socialized and greets visitors that WE welcome, but if you’re on ‘her’ sidewalk and we haven’t acknowledged you… she sounds the alarm in a big way.)
As far as I can tell, our 'dale is completely fearless. She does not back down when playing, meeting another dog, etc. She’s also extremely intelligent. Obviously it’s not something you can test but I am reasonably certain that if there was ever an actual threat to our home or us, she’d figure it out and her protective side would take over. They are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and fearlessness.
Airedales are a lot of work, and not a good choice if you are not an experienced dog owner. However, my impression from our dog and others we have met is that they are amazing all-around dogs and can truly do anything.
My Pit Bull loves kids, loves my boarders, is cautious and respectful of the horses… and, I’m told, very intimidating. I know he would protect me if need be. I have an underground fence and he is contained in the house/yard/barn area - he cannot get to the arenas or paddocks in other words. I always hated it when barn dogs would bother my horse in turnout or while riding. Buster never did that, but he is dog-aggressive so I wanted to contain him and not have to keep an eye on him at all times.
He is not cool with random people (especially adult males, but some adult females, too) that he doesn’t know. The UPS guy and postman leave packages in my truck cab, which is parked outside of the underground fence.
I think if you want a real guard dog, you have to make sacrifices one way or another to be responsible about owning a dog that is potentially dangerous. Otherwise, you just own a big noisemaker which may or maynot be scary looking.
Buster does bark plenty. He has a short coat and primarily lives in the house, needs a jacket in the winter. He is great with our cats, rabbits, etc. He kills groundhogs if they stray within his boundaries and will go after stray cats (has never caught one), but not “his” cats… shrug
Oh no…Dobes WILL bark! Trust me…mine aren’t sneaking up on anyone…they are right there at the door/window with a big mouth bark to face you head on. Both my dog and my bitch equally.
My two run around the barn all the time and don’t bother the horses (I have no other small animals but did have a cat that has since passed away who the dogs loved). I would bring them to the boarding barn I use in the winter and they were fine…got along with everyone who came and even though it wasn’t “their” house would bark and let you know if someone showed up.
Not a good choice if you live in a real cold climate and expect the dog to be out for long periods of time “outside” as they don’t really have the coat for it. Mine wear jackets in the cold weather and do come to the barn with me but they aren’t out in the elements.
I don’t know much about Great Danes but think they would be a good choice also…intimidating if nothing else!
In my opinion, there is no other breed of dog in the world next to the Doberman. Purposefully bred specifically for human personal protection. Their look alone is a huge deterrent. They really think about things and let the game come to them.
An ADT system is a good idea, however, they are not without their flaws. The vet clinic I work at has that, and the place got broke into, no alarm, nothing until the next morning when everyone showed up to find the doors wide open and the place ransacked. Just a thought.
[QUOTE=Megaladon;6111669]
In my opinion, there is no other breed of dog in the world next to the Doberman. Purposefully bred specifically for human personal protection. Their look alone is a huge deterrent. They really think about things and let the game come to them. [/QUOTE]
I agree 100%!
My first thought was also Doberman, or a larger terrier.
But I also agree about the sacrifices…if a Doberman isn’t heavily coated to be outside for most of the day, it might not be the best choice for you. Or might not be as good with kids as another breed (maybe yes, I’m just speculating), or as good with animals.
I’d make a short list of the breeds that fit the general idea of what you want, and look at the pros and cons of each one (coat, size, “guardiness”, etc.)
Then I’d start contacting breeders and asking them for their opinion. Make sure that if your goal is a guard dog that is good with children - that you find a breeder that produces that kind of dog.
Airedales were on my short list before I got my Dobe-Akitas, Malinois, German
Shepards, too.
I’m not sure I am assertive enough for an Airedale. The Jack Russells give me all I can handle-add 65 lbs and I would be in way over my head! The Malinois too, I thought would be too tough for me.
I got discouraged about finding a healthy German Shepard-hip and elbow problems, skin problems…and I decided the Akita would just be too big to go everwhere with me-I wanted my dog to fit in the cab of the pickup and still leave room for me and the JRTs. My dog has finished out at 85 lbs-bigger than I expected, but we manage.
The Doberman turned out to be a good choice for me. My biggest problem was finding a breeder who would sell me a pup without the ears cropped.
look for a pittie cross. My pittie/boxer/lab/blackmouthcur/ridgeback/americabulldog mutt is very aware of what goes on out side and will bark at things unusual. But is very loving, respectful, smart and protective. I got him from the pound.
Thanks everyone for your breed advice.
I do not like alarm systems b/c I would rather deter the intruder BEFORE entering the house, not once the plane of the house has been broken. Plus, alarms go off for no good reason (wind, etc). At least if the dog settles down you know things are okay, but if your dog is growling at the closet door, you probably have a problem! To me, a great dog is a huge peace of mind being alone on a farm. But I agree, ADT would be easier. Just not for me.
Dobes can be a good choice - loyal and naturally protective, we had some that were great with kids, and one that was not - even though he was raised with them. Got to check out the lines and the individual. One barked, the other would look, let in and not allow to leave, or simply block an area so a house guest could not enter it. She did bark/growl when walked on leash in a dark deserted place and a stranger showed up.
Overall dobes will let you know when someone is there, they are very alert dogs. They are also high energy and will follow you around and be happy to do stuff all day long.
Danes are wonderful. Ours were/are good with kids - as long as the kids learn to avoid the whip like tails. My danes did not object to being stepped on and tripped over (think black dog who is silently sprawled completely across a dark hallway) by young and old alike. However their guarding instinct mostly extends to their couch, and not much beyond. I would not count on my danes to protect the house or me, and they would not always bother to let you know of someone’s arrival - friend or foe. Their size does make them quite intimidating to most.
Danes are very laid back dogs, they will watch you do stuff from a comfortable spot, but coming along while you ride or staying by your side every step throughout the day - that is just too much work. Our danes were perfectly happy to potty and back on the couch, 15 mins play every now and then is all they wanted. Had ours from shelters, so acquired them as 2-3yr olds.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are another breed that is naturally guardy, although not particularly barky. Have not lived with one, so can’t give you too many details.
As I am finding out, it is a tall order to find a dog who is good with children (my well behaved, predictable kid and visiting children, who are excited and different from one we are used to) and guardy to the point of being useful in that capacity. I think it is very hard for a dog to be very tolerant of kids and at the same time be edgy enough to guard. It is also hard for them to tell friend/foe since there are many people visiting our houses. Don’t know if that would be an issue in your situation or not.
It is peace of mind…when I’m home alone with my two Dobermans at least I know there is NO WAY someone can sneak in the house without my knowing.
My first thought was an airedale as my family has had two, so I’ll speak on those. They are very protective of their property, Our Airedales wouldn’t leave the yard even if we left all the gates open. They are accepting of strangers as long as they know you approve, etc, all the things already stated. I never felt safer than I did with my airedale, I knew she would have done anything for me. As for assertiveness, you definitely need to be a leader to have an airedale but they are less defiant than JRT. They are more owner-centric and have a stronger desire to please so even if you are less assertive they are more willing to do what you want because they love you.
I also thought ridgebacks, but I have never had one so I can’t speak on behalf of them as much, I know there are a few experience ridgeback owners in the menagerie.
As for them barking, we have a ridgeback in our doggie daycare who won’t hesitate to sound the alarm if someone he doesn’t know comes to pick up, or walks past the window and he won’t stop until he finds some reason to approve of this person. He is the only ridgeback I’ve met so I don’t know if this is the norm but he is definitely intimidating because of his size and if I heard his bark behind a door I would definitely be deterred.
