These zombies are very bad, and I would have been burglarized already had I not been home and vigilant.
They aren't scared of dogs and will harm them.. my dogs were pepper sprayed behind my own fence by the squatters that helped themselves to the forclosed house across the street while law enforcement did nothing about it.
While my other neighbor was gone grocery shopping had their dogs herded into a room and the door closed while the "burglars" did as they pleased. They also just open the gates let the dogs out (to possibly be ran over) and then go about their shady business. Mind you I was armed 24 hours a day due to home invasions being the reality. For me, the dogs were just an alarm to give me time to.. be alert and prepared. Before this house.. in an apartment while waiting to close escrow.. we were burglarized while I was gone to the dog park at 10 am in broad daylight.. They got more than 10,000 worth of items including TV's, firearms, lap tops, kids piggy banks.. etc. The loss was the LEAST hurtfull.. feeling violated was awful. Cops caught them the next day, some firearms were recovered, nothing else was replaced.. the charges were dismissed for plea to something else.
They also ransacked the place. Come to find out, 3 prior tenants to that apartment were all burglarized! The dog I was gone to dog park with was right about a year old and got ran over by a tow truck in front of me that week, as the leash had been lost in the frenzy and something caused him to bolt which was not usually a problem. Subsequently, I got 3 dogs (not all at the same time).. so if I took one out 2 others could be at home with company/backup.. and have them take turns for who gets to go out.
My queensland heeler (puppy from the prior dog's pregnant dog friend at the time of his passing) was a great family dog and protected the poulty.. also wouldn't back down when the gang members who would flex their attitude and start coming toward the dogs (to test them). My other dogs (a bully and a hound cross) retreated.. while continually barking.. but retreated none the less. The hond had the hardest time with prey drive and small chicks. The bully, not so much but very human oriented. The healer had a fair amount of stranger danger while easily allowing invited guests, also allowed other farm animals their space *maybe* herding some but without nipping.. cats, pigs, goats. He even protected them from his other dog friends who would show intrest when visiting. SO trustworthy, solid, confident and protective but not agressive, resiliant. No real health issues.. (he had a benign fatty tumor for years and was starting to experience "sun downers" at 13.5 when we felt it was time to say goodbye). Of course all are individuals and YOUR relationship, that connection matters.. so getting the right one AND putting in the time still counts regardless of breed. Biggest draw back on the Healer front
for me.. the high pitched bark, especially when they're excited. It's not deep like some other breeds. But it does have plenty of varriation to discern what they're communicating, if you're familiar enough to know them. Also it was never excessive or relentless for no reason.
I hated healers when I was a kid.. due to family members who thought nipping was cool and getting bit every time I turned my back on that dog or tried to walk away.
But with proper training.. many breeds can work. Without proper training.. even alleged LGD breeds may not work out. I affectionately refer to my motley crew as LPD's.. livestock predator dogs.. Seriously though.. I've taught many dogs including visiting ones from a range of breeds to respect the fowl.
Will you be keeping this dog in your house to protect your items or outside to protect your livestock? Outside.. they aren't much good to the guns, TV, jewelry, etc. I'd rather come home to a house burglarized than a brutalized or dead family member which dogs are. Just for conversation.. I'm sure you'll get lot's of other feedback.
Florida heat and humidity.. would be a key factor in breed selection for me. Or that is to say that weather always is.
I'll admit.. I been looking at Merama also.. they're SO dang cute. Not right for my lifestyle though.. so sticking with Labs, for now. Regarding being hard to find.. have you already looked at clubs breeder directory type stuff?
https://www.maremmaclub.com/maremmasheepdogbreederdirectory.html
I DO feel ya, deeply.. we just happened to hit the housing market right and have another eventual destination already planned (9-ish years ago). But with gunfire ringing from nearby apartment complexes as my daughter walked home from highschool.. something had to give.. We made a huge amount of sacrifice for the move.. hubby rented a room and commuted home 7 hours each way on weekends.. for about 2years until finally being hired locally, once the politics played out and the employer (CDCR) (nursing management) was caught "discriminating", nepetism, and not filling positions despite having qualified applicants. Then of course, he still had to work with them once hired on.
I don't think a dog changes it.. meth is everywhere. Even here, there's just less people and infrastructure here.. making a litle less of it over all. This statement in support of you staying where you
I guess I'm gonna vote for Queensland Heeler.. WITH training and proper outlets for puppy energy, etc.
We did have a fantastic Austrailian Shephard when I was a kid and I do think they're beautiful.. but seems more "roaming" type and less stranger danger.. I remember Blue clearing a 6 foot fence.. and he found his way home once in less than a week, after being left at the gas station more than 30 miles away on the regular trip to the methadone clinic for my "parents", so he was at least soewhat familiar with the route but I'm no less impressed.
Funny enough.. in videos on how "domestic" (untrained to attack) dogs react when someone breaks in.. most the big dogs run for the hills and some even greet them and do tricks for treats and the little dogs (chihuahua's) are the ones that stand their ground (some, not all).. the burglar almost always got what they were after either way. Of course a chi would never be a real threat to an invader regardelss..
In the end, the squatters are gone, nice families have bought and moved in. If you stay long and firm.. the changes will take place and it's come full circle! Hope it happens sooner than later for you!
I do still think dogs *can* be a good "detterent" and many are crimes of opportunity. I do love me a good E fence!
Hmm, I rarely leave the house and have extreem anxiety about doing so.. I know that burglary (coupled with childhood tramua) plays into my fear response but living on guard is not really living.
Sorry so long and maybe jumbled, also a lot about myself.
Hope it does give some things to consider.
