Thai Ridgeback or Argentinian Mastiff (Dogo Argentino)?

[nzpouter]

anything said about american bulldog?

 

[RabbitMage]

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American Bulldogs, I'm willing to bet, will still fall under 'pit bull' territory. Usually when somewhere prohibits pit bulls they also prohibit any dog that can be mistaken as one-any bully breed, mastiffs, Boxers...I've even heard of people not allowing Lab mixes and Boston Terriers because they look too similar, apparently.

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

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Personally, and having dealt professionally with all kinds of personal protection breeds I would not recommend any of these breeds. Mastiffs, as a general rule, do not have the strength of nerve to deal with a real threat in a way that is controlable. Corsos are notorious for poor protection ability. Can they bite? heck yeah they can! However its usually only as a last resort or the dog is so freaked out they thing everything is a threat. Not a safe dog. Dogos are not bred to directly guard a person, and have some of the same nervy behaivors as the Corso, though to a lesser extent. I would never get one thinking the dog would be anything but a visual deterrent (which if that is what you want then go for it).

As for the Thai ridgeback: a quote from the website: "The Thai Ridgeback is a primitive breed and as with other primitive dogs, traditional training methods often fail to give the expected results. Especially training methods based on play do not easily catch the Thai Ridgeback's attention, but food and treats are appreciated and can be used as rewards in training exercises based on positive reinforcement."


I suppose as far as just a visual deterrent that would work as well. They are not bred, according to what I read on that site, to guard a person. I am very very familiar with primitive breeds and temperaments. They are not "regular" dogs and have more intact insticts, they are more doggy than most people are used to. Training will be more difficult.

I am not trying to talk to out of anything, just giving my personal and professinal opinions. If in fact you want a dog that just looks cool, will be a companion and will bark at strangers then you might find what you're looking for in these breeds. But you also might find you have bitten off much more than you can chew. Just be very careful, do your homework. Good luck

 

[SarahBeth9394]

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The way it's REALLY gonna work is you will be evicted - immediately. Trust me. I've been a landlord for a really long time and you're not getting either one of those dogs. Worse part is that people like you pull this stuff and get thrown out then have no where to go because no other landlord will let these dogs in either.

The dog winds up on craigslist or the shelter and usually DEAD with 6 months. You know, one of those 5 million dogs killed in this country every year.

Congratulations! Another responsible pet owner....

ok, i was NOT asking for your opinion on my living status! my landlord is one of my best friends and i know this will not happen. i know how her mind works ive known her for years and have been renting from her for 3 years. i did not ask for anyones two sense on this. basically what im trying to say is mind your own business!

If you don't want opinions you shouldn't open up the topic. You did ask for everyone's two cents when you posted because you stated why you couldn't have a pit bull then said which one of these should I get. Getting anything that resembles a pit is just asking for landlord troubles. Why chance getting something that could get either you or the dog tossed out. That is just not fair to the dog just because you want a bully looking one. Well if you have your heart set on that type of dog you are better off buying your own home first. Going and getting one of those dogs and counting on the landlord not objecting when she sees what it grows into is not only unfair to the dog but very juvenile. But don't expect the membership to agree that what you are planning is smart. Go ahead and have the thread closed if you don't want to hear opinions. In all honesty those who told you it wasn't a good idea were only saying it for both your future dog and your benefit.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Jamie, now you've got my interest!

Are there dogs out there bred for guarding a person? If so, which breeds are some examples?

I'm not looking to get a dog any time soon and when I do, it will probably be a larger shelter dog that "looks" a little intimidating, but I think I'd like a big lovebug. Anyways, I'm certainly drooling over some of the dogs posted on here, especially the dobermans and the GSDs!

Also to the OP, I think when people these days say "pitbull" they aren't referring to the actuall pitbull breed, but rather to any dog that resembles a bully breed. If it were me in the situation, I'd either talk to my friend/land lord and find out what is acceptable or I'd wait until I had a house or apartment where I could own the type of dog I want. Otherwise, I would feel like I would constantly be worrying about the landlord kicking me out, having to give up the dog, or losing a friendship with that person.

From what people on this site have said, it seems like neither of those dogs will be suitable for your needs. However, just about any dog will be a deterrant simply on the basis that they are a dog and dogs can be unpredictable. My dog will wag his tail (Which really just means he is excited, both positively and negatively) and growl at the same time. This scares people and does a pretty good job of scaring off those we don't want around! A dog doesn't have to bite to be a suitable "guard" dog. I know the main thing for me is more of an alert from the dog that someone is around. That way I can be prepared to act and not have to rely on the dog for protection. My dog's barking is usually enough to run off those we don't want around. They don't know how big he is or where he is...they just hear a low pitched, "large" sounding bark and that's enough!

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that you should look at what type of guard dog you want. I'm thinking that a dog who will guard you is one that should be a good companion, not one trained to specifically guard anything. Also, are you looking to encourage guard behavior or just let the dog do what comes naturally? Are you looking for a pet or purely a working dog? If you are looking at training the dog to be a guard dog, I would certainly recommend lessons on how to do so, even if you are very experienced. Training a guard dog can be a whole mess of trouble. However, the best guard dogs I've known were not ones that were trained to do so. We never trained our dog to guard, but he will guard "his" land and "his" animals with his life.

 

[SarahBeth9394]

Chickerdoodle Both Steven Segal and Bo Derek own highly trained German Shepards that are very well trained protectors of them as people and their home. It does cost a pretty penny to get that kind of dog that is trained so well. But from what krypto says about what she (I'm guessing) wants in a dog that would be a good route to go.

 

[chickerdoodle]

I am a behaviorist and I also am not sure these are the most suitable breeds for what you mentioned you are looking for. I understand your predicament as when I was single I also wanted a dog who would be a deterrent and could back it up and yet still be my loving and affectionate companion. I also wanted a dog who could tell the difference between friend or foe and be trustworthy at all times and only act aggressive if it was truly necessary. I got a Doberman. She was a big goofy girl with me but whenever someone came on the property she alerted and looked serious enough to be menacing. They are very active and athletic and do need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them from getting obsessive compulsive disorders (flank sucking for one). If she became growly due to someone near my house just one command from me she would go back to a goofy love bug as if nothing happened--but always alert. I also had/have a Parson Russell Terrier. Nothing gets near our property without a chorus of sharp barks you can hear in the next town (can be annoying so have a "quiet" command).

Through the years I have seen/trained and owned many dogs. I do think many shelter dogs are worth saving first as a few other posters have mentioned and I would definitely start there and with breed specific rescues. I rescued a Doberman mix who was as strong, loyal and protective as my purebred. She was gorgeous and my velcro dog. I had an Irish Wolfhound cross who was huge but wouldn't hurt a fly. Her size, her bark and looks were enough to keep anyone away from my home. I currently have a Belgian Malinios I adopted that was trained by the US Air-force for patrol and explosive detection. This breed is preferred by many law enforcement groups and the military due to their intensity. These dogs may be one of the best security dogs but are definitely not for most people. They are a little smaller than GSD but big in every other way. Heavy handed training will shut them down so only dog owners who are experienced and use reward and other positive training methods (I believe all dogs should be trained this way) should consider them. I guess what I am saying is to check the shelters, rescues, and even petfinder.com and see if what you want is possibly there first. Do more research and then find the dog you need and one that will be accepted by your landlord. I wish you luck in your endeavor and hope you find your perfect match!

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

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Yes there are. Dobermans are the one dog that i know of that was bred for the sole purpose of guarding its owner. There are many other breeds bred for this as well, but they were originally bred for other purposes. For example, the German Shepherd was made up of hearding dogs, then later as the "jack of all trades" breed. They excell at home and personal protection if you get one with a proper temperament. Rotties also can do personal protection, they were bred as cattle drovers and also to protect the money of their owners. There are also breeds like Black Russian Terriers, Belgian Malinios and others that do work as police dogs and protection dogs.

There is a huge difference between a "guard dog" and a Personal Protection dog. Clasically a guard dog would guard property without someone present, also called watch dogs. This dog can be most any breed. A dog that wil bark and/or threaten a stranger. A dog guarding a property is using very different insticts than a dog that is guarding a person. Territorial aggression is a whole other type of aggression than defensive aggression in which the dog is defending a human being. I am over simplifying ths as not to get too deep into aggression and drives because it's a very convoluted area with lots and lots of opinions.

 

[twentynine]

WOW!

I got a question.

Why in the world would a person live in a place where they need to own such a dog to guard themselves?

Won't look into it? Come on, most every one in the world now has google at the finger tips. Information on any dog breed is seconds away.

For what it is worth I think you have been given some pretty good advice. Playing word games with dog breeds is not in your best interest. You know as well as any one your land lord's intention, is to keep it reasonable, dogo, and thai dogs are not filed any where under reasonable.

 

[onthespot]

my friend that had thai ridgebacks said they used training methods more like how you would train a cat with that breed. Not sure what it's worth, just tossing it on the pile.

As for a breed suggestion, have you considered a standard poodle? Most landlords do not have any objection to that kind of dog because they don't have a rep, but let me tell you, the VERY MOST PROTECTIVE dog I ever owned was one. Had a friend that was world champion Schutzhund "guy in the suit" I forget what they call it, but he was the bait guy for schutzhund dogs and WC at it, he saw my big poodle Bailey and busted out laughing, and said Why???? Then he started to do some informal temperament testing and then did more and more and said some words I can't type in BYC, and said that dog tested higher for protection, bravery, intelligence, tractability, holding his ground against a threat, than MOST of the dogs he had seen come over from germany already trained. This was a fifteen month old puppy. Anyhow, lots of people I know that have them feel VERY SAFE with that kind of dog looking after them and their stuff. He was pure white and I used to keep him in a show cut and take him everywhere with me and leave him in the car with the windows down and people would say "Aren't you afraid someone will steal that dog?" I would say, if they can steal him, they can have him! He would protect that car from anyone within five feet, never hurt a flea, got along with teacup sized dogs, didn't chase cats, didn't destroy furniture, didn't shed, didn't bark without cause, would stay in a three foot ex pen with no clips. I could tie him up with dental floss and he would never break the "leash" as it were. They might look like big old high falutin' sissy dogs, but there is a LOT of GOOD DOG hiding under that prissy hairdo, lemme tell you!