Dog?

[Curse]

I'm thinking about getting a dog for myself, now that I live on my own (starting as a puppy) and am having trouble deciding on what breed...

Literally all my life my family has had a German Shepherd, and I am pretty good with handling/training dogs etc, and know what their needs are and how to fulfill them.

The problem is, I can't decide on what breed to get [if I get one]

The requirements are such:

Needs to be a good guard dog, I want one that will rip the face off of an intruder, not just bark and make noise.

Needs to be a good bush dog. She will be my companion out in the Idaho wilderness (desert and mountainous).

Preferably short hair, but we'll see.

So what do you guys think? I was thinking maybe a Rottie but are they good enough bush dogs?

 

[Gold Boy]

dog responsibility, could equal less freedom for you...

 

[LoveTractor]

I'm a golden lover myself. I have owned a giant schnauzer, a boxer, and a chocolate lab through my life and my golden has been the best and most loyal. Smart as hell too.

 

[D'Animal]

Beagle!

 

[ToysRus]

Brindle English Mastiff female. Very loving, breedable, no piss marking on your favorite beanbag, world's best companion IMO.

 

[IDave]

Sounds like you want a German Shepherd.

 

[Skillet]

Weiner Dog

 

[Gold Boy]

jack russell's are a lot of fun with tons of character, don't eat much and don't take up much space.

 

[D'Animal]

Weiner Dog

Come on, we had the Beagle Gaurd Dogs on duty at Surf N Turf.

No Burglers and no ones face got ripped off.

 

[sirenmoses]

Belgian Malinois. used for protection dog work, very smart & sharp & light on their feet. linky http://malinoisclub.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=9&id=24&Itemid=43

Rotties can overheat (big dog, black coat) and they weigh a s***-ton if you gotta haul one out on your shoulders. (Don't ask)

 

[Curse]

The Belgian Malinois may be a good dog for me, are they a bit shorter haired than German Shepherds?

I'd rather not get a G. Shepherd for some reason, I really can't pin that one down >.<

It will be a female, whatever it is

I was thinking the same about Rotties, siren, thank you for the suggestion


Oh, and I want a big dog, i.e. knocks intruder down and tears face

 

[OZCAL]

...
Needs to be a good guard dog, I want one that will rip the face off of an intruder, not just bark and make noise.

...

...
Oh, and I want a big dog, i.e. knocks intruder down and tears face

You must have some serious intruders

Could you instead get a good back-to-base alarm, and a dog that wasn't so fierce?

Tell us more about the intruders? Is there a story there?

 

[rusty_tlc]

I'm thinking about getting a dog for myself, now that I live on my own (starting as a puppy) and am having trouble deciding on what breed...

Literally all my life my family has had a German Shepherd, and I am pretty good with handling/training dogs etc, and know what their needs are and how to fulfill them.

The problem is, I can't decide on what breed to get [if I get one]

The requirements are such:

Needs to be a good guard dog, I want one that will rip the face off of an intruder, not just bark and make noise.

Needs to be a good bush dog. She will be my companion out in the Idaho wilderness (desert and mountainous).

Preferably short hair, but we'll see.

So what do you guys think? I was thinking maybe a Rottie but are they good enough bush dogs?

Standard Poodle.
They were used as patrol dogs by the US Army in WWII and Viet Nam, they are still used by many police agencies around the world, they are as fierce as any dog you will ever meet. By some weird twist they are now considered pussy dogs.
They are great outdoors I've seen them sleep with a 2" coat of hoar frost and run all day over all kinds of terrain.
They are hypo allergenic, they don't shed. They do require grooming on a regular basis.
They are great in small places. We leave ours alone for 10 to 14 hours inside on a regular basis. No messes, nothing destroyed.

Not as Mocho as a Rottie, but Chicks love them. If you want you guy friends to admire you get the Rottie, if you want chicks, get the Standard. I'm just saying.....

 

[sirenmoses]

Yep, Mal's are shorter-coated than Sheps, tho still double coated. We fostered a female for a while, and she never stopped: drove the dobers nuts when they wanted a nap.

They are agile enuf to begin ripping face before 2legged is on the ground... I've seen some do bite work on 6'man w/arm above head. Check w/yr local K9 team, if you're okay talking to the fuzz.

 

[cary]

Standard Poodle.
They were used as patrol dogs by the US Army in WWII and Viet Nam, they are still used by many police agencies around the world, they are as fierce as any dog you will ever meet. By some weird twist they are now considered pussy dogs.
They are great outdoors I've seen them sleep with a 2" coat of hoar frost and run all day over all kinds of terrain.
They are hypo allergenic, they don't shed. They do require grooming on a regular basis.
They are great in small places. We leave ours alone for 10 to 14 hours inside on a regular basis. No messes, nothing destroyed.

I'm not a standard poodle fan (can't get past the looks), but you forgot to mention they are very intelligent. BTW, I have a friend whose Mom breeds them, they have a couple of standards, plus a great dane. She says everyone freaks at the dane, but the poodles are far more protective.

 

[OZCAL]

Standard Poodle.
They were used as patrol dogs by the US Army in WWII and Viet Nam, they are still used by many police agencies around the world, they are as fierce as any dog you will ever meet. By some weird twist they are now considered pussy dogs.
They are great outdoors I've seen them sleep with a 2" coat of hoar frost and run all day over all kinds of terrain.
They are hypo allergenic, they don't shed. They do require grooming on a regular basis.
They are great in small places. We leave ours alone for 10 to 14 hours inside on a regular basis. No messes, nothing destroyed.

Not as Mocho as a Rottie, but Chicks love them. If you want you guy friends to admire you get the Rottie, if you want chicks, get the Standard. I'm just saying.....

I didn't know much about the guarding capacity, but I will confirm my 15 week old standard just wimpered twice to let me know she had to go outside to pee. She can hold it all night, but asks to go out if one of us is home.

Rusty, did you ever read Steinbeck's Travels With Charley? Great story. rereading it now, since we got the poodle.

Reminds me - I've got to start a thread for some training tips I need for her.

 

[OZCAL]

I'm not a standard poodle fan (can't get past the looks), but you forgot to mention they are very intelligent. BTW, I have a friend whose Mom breeds them, they have a couple of standards, plus a great dane. She says everyone freaks at the dane, but the poodles are far more protective.

Hey, you can cut the hair (wool, actually) any style you want!

 

[Curse]

Good, I don't think I'd want to get a poodle, as said, I just can't get past the look >.<

Thats a great idea about talking to the fuzz about their dogs!

My roommate also just got a little male german shepherd pup, by the way

 

[Gold Boy]

I'm thinking about getting a dog for myself, now that I live on my own (starting as a puppy) and am having trouble deciding on what breed...

Literally all my life my family has had a German Shepherd, and I am pretty good with handling/training dogs etc, and know what their needs are and how to fulfill them.

The problem is, I can't decide on what breed to get [if I get one]

The requirements are such:

Needs to be a good guard dog, I want one that will rip the face off of an intruder, not just bark and make noise.

Needs to be a good bush dog. She will be my companion out in the Idaho wilderness (desert and mountainous).

Preferably short hair, but we'll see.

So what do you guys think? I was thinking maybe a Rottie but are they good enough bush dogs?

maybe your more the "pit bull" type?

 

[fsusteve]

the meanest dog I ever met was a Chihuahua, I was actually afraid of this thing he had the crazy eye.