Thai Ridgeback or Argentinian Mastiff (Dogo Argentino)?

[Slinkytoys]

The dogs that killed the woman in New York were cared for at a boarding facility run by a woman I know. Both of them were pretty nice well mannered dogs at that time. Granted they were still adolescents, she figured they were being treated differently than they should be (was that said delicately enough). Canes pronounced KA Neigh can be decent dogs. ALL breeds can be decent dogs. It's the deed not the breed.
Slinky (who is not an ignorant hausfrau)

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

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That case was so long ago.

Thanks for demonstrating your credibility.

Is she less dead now?

 

[chickerdoodle]

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I really like Standard Poodles--don't have one but would've if one was available for adoption locally. They are even tempered, intelligent, athletic, affectionate, non shedding (a real plus!) and as you mentioned protective of their family. I am not fond of the classic poodle hairdos and keep thinking if a rescue comes along I'll adopt it and just use the all over puppy cut for life, lol. Sorry to be a bit off topic but felt this is a breed to consider if you can afford all the grooming needs.

I should mention that any dog you choose will need lots of attention and mental stimulation in order to be the dog you are looking for. If you are able to do that than many different dogs would work for your purpose.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Quote:
I really like Standard Poodles--don't have one but would've if one was available for adoption locally. They are even tempered, intelligent, athletic, affectionate, non shedding (a real plus!) and as you mentioned protective of their family. I am not fond of the classic poodle hairdos and keep thinking if a rescue comes along I'll adopt it and just use the all over puppy cut for life, lol. Sorry to be a bit off topic but felt this is a breed to consider if you can afford all the grooming needs.

I should mention that any dog you choose will need lots of attention and mental stimulation in order to be the dog you are looking for. If you are able to do that than many different dogs would work for your purpose.

Sorry, I'm going off topic a little bit again, but can you groom poodles yourself? I used to work in a dog kennel that had a hired groomer. The vet I used to work at would also groom animals and I always felt that I could do the same (Definitely not as professionally, but decently enough) as the hired groomers for a lot cheaper. Years ago we would have our golden groomed every month or so and it was so expensive. I've always liked poodles and I think it would be fun to "style" their hair!

ETA: I guess I'm different though because I've had to clip horses, goats, and cows for shows. Some people have never clipped an animal in their life!

 

[Mugen]

I have two Komondors and a Caucasian Mountain Dog. All males. I love them to death. They're so sweet to us, but not to strangers. The CMD is a beast.

 

[onthespot]

Not sure if you are asking me, but yes, I groom them myself. I have about fifteen poodles right now and I would go broke if I had to pay someone else even for a dip 'n strip. Besides, I make mine look cuter than anyone else ever can, better faster quicker cheaper too. If the OP wanted to get a standard I'd suggest she just keep him stripped down pretty short most of the time and then let a bit grow out here and there, till she got the hang of grooming the pattern she liked best. Bailey had kick BUTT coat out to THERE and it was just too much fun to see people react to him and his outrageous coat. Groomers would run screaming up to him and just bury their hands in his coat and almost faint it was so "the kind" for carrying off the wild hairdos without matting or sagging. He really was something else. I learned to groom on him. Taught myself.

 

[Brindlebtch]

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They're supposed to be!

 

[Cara]

While on the topic of unlikely breeds for protection, my German Shorthaired Pointer is really a great guardian. 99.9% of the time he is the gentlest, kindest dog there ever was. He has never shown aggression to any other animal, a child could take his bone right out of his mouth and he will just wait patiently to have it back. He loves guests, and children make him so happy he can't stand it. He is very handy if I have an escaped chicken that I can't catch, he has a soft mouth and will bring them to me without harming them. However if he thinks I am being threatened he is quite fearsome. I feel safe having him around because attack is not his first reaction unlike some breeds. I have no doubt he would protect me if I needed him to. Best of all he was a rescue. I saved him, and I know he would do his best to save me.

He can turn from this

To this (my husband was messing around and came in with something over his head)

 

[Brindlebtch]

Wow. Definite Hound of the Baskervilles look there! Love the glowing eyes!

Actually kind of looks like she is defending her toy from the offending pup.

 

[Cara]

He actually couldn't care less about toys, weird dog. He'll retrieve birds all day but he thinks you're a nut if you throw a toy for him to fetch.