K-9 Guard / Protection / Attack Dogs
Actually a lot of States in United States
requires Homeowners Insurance policies on
those owning PitBulls and Chow Chows and
in some Rental areas - they're banned. And
in some States, Timberwolves are prohibited,
and some States requires a permit, others are
lax.
Being a former K-9: I strongly recommend a
German Shepherd, Rotweiller, (or German &
Rotweiller mix - they are just as good), as
they don't turn against their owners as much.
Dobermans are prone to turn against their
owners and can be unstable when they get
older (I know some people who have been
attacked by their own Dobies just out of the
blue), because of their temperament unstable-
ness, and it doesn't matter what the AKC
Breeder discloses if the Sire and Bitch is on the
premises - they lie, they're out for the sale
and your $$$.
The bad side of AKC of German Shepherds
and Rotweillers are - they're prone to hip
problems, more so in German Shepherds than
all breeds - that's why I tell people to turn to
"Rotten-Shepherds" (the mix breed - for their
genetic disorder is greatly reduced).
While they are "family dogs" and yet are also
work dogs, you must work with them; cannot
be half and half or lax with it. You have to either
be in or out.
The next recommendation will surprise you, is
the Siberian Husky, they are good protective
dogs and because of their "wolf-ness" in them,
they protect their "pack". I've owned Siberians
and they can be trained for K-9 protection and
a lot of people are afraid of them because of
their markings (mean looking). But the flip side
of the coin is - they are also prone to hip and
cancer; but if you follow the proper care and
the Vet's advisories - you will have a dog for
life and a protector. Do not go with the Spritz,
they are too friendly and do not make good
watch dogs and they are difficult to control.
It's true that Siberian Huskies loves to run, but
they take orders and commands and take it
exceptionally well from the Head Pack Leader
(which would be YOU). They are very good at
verbal, leash, and hand commands. And will
protect your own home when no one else is
home. The Siberian Huskies are gentle with
children, and for some reason have a fondness
for them, and do not like strangers around them
so they're prone to protect them. They come
in various colors and it's not unusual to have
them come in multi-colored eyes (brown-blue,
green-blue, etc). And there's truth that multi-
colored eyes are smarter than those with pure
eyes. Ignore the Breeder's remarks of flaws, such
as tail too far curved, etc. Try to get discounts
if all possible.
And yes, there are Siberian & Shepherd mix out
there but they're hard to come by, and if you
ever DO come across one, snatch it - that's the
best guard and watch dog you can ever come
across!
One of the key signs you want to see is:
1) A puppy that tears everything in sight
2) A puppy that responds well to sound
3) A puppy that's alert to anything unusual
instantly and stops suddenly what they were
doing
4) A puppy that bullies other dogs around
That's the puppy you want - and often times
they look ugly, but when they grow up, they
change, and they become beautiful - almost
like the "Ugly Duckling Story".
These Puppies are very trainable and are very
eager to train, it will require just a little extra
effort of work, but the pay-off itself is worth it
in the long run.
Once they're in your hands, you must let them
know immediately you're the Master, and if you
must, set up an appointment with an Instructor
first before getting one so you can be the
Denominating Factor from the very beginning,
so you would have complete control from the
very beginning, and then the obedience school,
and the training - it's not as costly as one is led
to believe. For there are 2 ways to do it.
1) Where the instructor comes to your place
and works with you (cheapest way)
or
2) Where you send your dog off (more expensive
way)
Hope all this tips and tricks helps.
There's more to it - such as crates, choke
collars, training, commands, language, etc.
But that would be between you and the instructor
and the best way to obtain one and find one is
through the Vet. He/She would know of the good
one(s), for they don't like or deal with junky ones!