My Pit Bull "Ad" Responses.......

Another recommendation: Akita
They are bred to be guard dogs for children. Properly raised they are wonderful,playful and very good with kids and adults.

Personally, I have always wanted a small dog. But my husband wants a German Shepard. The only problem that I have found with them is that they tend to have bad hips (which can be found at an early age by a vet).
With any dog I would recommend to take them to obediance school especially if you have children.

German Shepards are more stable than a pit bull though.

Hi E.,

I just saw your response post. I never saw the original but I noticed it said you were looking for a gaurd dog. My husband used to travel every week with his job and I was home alone with our daughter. We bought a personal protection dog. If you would like more info just email me.

You don't need a big dog for a guard dog...just something that sounds mean and will always let you know when something isn't right. We have two rat terriers...they are high energy but great with our little one. The best thing (most of the time anyway) is that they will bark when they hear a strange noise or sense something isn't right. One night we awoke to see that one had cornered a tiny mouse in the kitchen! And if you need a big dog, a lab is the way to go. Most burglars though, aren't going to get close enough to the door or window to see how big the dog is. If he has a good bark, the burglar won't even bother. Hope this helps!

I just wanted to tell you that I have a German Shepherd who is very protective of our family...he's an excellent guard dog. He's WONDERFUL with my 19 month old baby girl and he's a big sweetie and very loyal to us. He accepts strangers once he knows they are OK with us and then wants them to play ball with him. German Shepherds are excellent watchdogs and excellent family dogs. They are not vicious and are not known to "turn" on anyone. Any dog is capable of being vicious no matter what the breed. You have to look at the individual dog. If you have one that has a sound temperament and good breeding you'll have no issues. Also, if you train the dog, neuter/spay the dog and make sure it's a part of your family(live inside) you should have no issues. Pitbulls have a bad rap, too, but you have to look at what they were bred for--fighting. Any dog bred to work closely with humans(ie. German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, etc.) are going to be loyal to their family. Search the internet for dog breeds and read up on them before you get one to see their characteristics. I highly recommend "Rescue". There are so many great dogs given up(both of my dogs are GREAT and they were both given up). There are many breed specific rescues out there.
Also, most dogs I know need to be with their families(live inside the house with them). It's in their make-up and they are generally not happy(ie. behavior problems) if they aren't a part of the family. Let me know if you need more advice/information.

Good luck...N. K.

A properly trained German Shepard would be your best choice. They would not hurt a fly, but would scare anyone that did not know them. They can basically be trained to be as vicious or laid back as you want them to be.

If you are looking for a family dog who is good with kids, I've always been impressed with the labs and retrievers. You can also call your local vet and ask their opinion, they know a lot more about breeds than anyone else.

Try a wiemarainer. They are beautiful dogs with a loyal and protective spirit. I had one when I lived in a sketchy part of St. Louis. I'm certain he saved my life more than once, and I'm sure anyone who even considered messing with me had second thoughts when they saw his teeth and heard him growl. These dogs are extremely loving and loyal to their family and anyone that their family thinks is ok, but look out if you're a stranger or the mailman.

We have an English Mastiff and she is a wonderful dog. They are not aggressive, but are big and very intimidating. They are kind of pricy but you could go to a rescue orginazation. Our dog is great with my son, he can tug on her ears and hit at her and she just lays there!!

Just a thought!

E.,
I just wanted to give you some feed back on Boxers. I have 2, one is 1 1/2 yrs and weights about 65lbs and the other is 1 yr and weights around 85lbs. They are the most loving dogs I have ever owned. I have a 7mth old and they are so protective over him, and very gentle too. They love laying next to him and letting him kick them in the face over and over and they never do anything about it. They just lay there. They are the best guard dog we have had and it's prob b/c they know my 7mth old can protect him self. They sleep in his room below his crib and dont leave his side if other people are at our house. We also have several friends that have small kids/babies and also have boxers and none of us have ever had an issue with the dogs turning. They are said to be the most loyale dog you could own. That is why we got 2. =) I also have friends that have pit bulls and they are great dogs to own too (as long as you get them really young) but there have been some minor issues with the kids and the pits. They are good dogs for older kids to be around but not really babies. they however are really good guard dogs too but they do have a history in turning on you. No matter what age you get them. I have only known friends to have them though, I've never owned one. They just come over to play with mine. Hope this helps you! Good luck with your search. Depending on the size you are looking for I would also recommend checking into Great Danes but they will get over 100lbs. they are awesome with kids and great watch dogs. I had one growing up.
A.

Hi there,
You might try a full sized collie or standard poodle if you are just wanting a big dog that is protective, but good with kids. I did not read the ages of your children, but babies under 2 are best not exposed to all the pet can track in (germs, dander, worms, etc.). I had a small female pit bull once, and she was very sweet natured. A labrador or golden retriever is also good, if you have anough room and energy to make sure they get enough attention and exercise outside the house. Also, adopting a larger dog already socialized to the ages of children and even other pets (cats) you may have is a great, less painful way to bring a dog to your home. Also, do not forget that the first dog of any size is considered a theft deterant/alarm by the IRS. You can write off the cost of dog food, purchase of the pet, and necessary vet bills under that heading.
Check with your tax man for further details!
Best of luck,
D.

Have you considered getting a Golden Retriever? They are excellent family dogs and very good watch dogs. They look and sound intimidating, but they are all "talk"...

Hi, E. --

Sorry you're getting such mixed advice on pit bulls. I've never owned one, but I've heard that they are actually wonderful with children when properly socialized.

Re: german shepherds and boxers -- we had a german shepherd when I was a kid, and she was a really nice, gentle dog. Never had any problems.

We recently lived near a family with a boxer, and she was absolutely the best babysitter for those kids, lol. The parents were comfortable letting their kids play outside as long as their dog was with them. She was a very sweet dog, and once she got to know them, she was just as protective of the other kids on the block as well. Not only with strangers, but also with other dogs, and she would also intervene if she thought the kids were playing too rough!

I've never heard anything about a boxer being vicious EVER, and I think that might be a really good compromise between your desire for a protective dog, and your BF's desire for a gentle one.

Good luck!

L.

Hey, it's me again. I responded to your Pit Bull question earlier. My dad has owned German Sheperds for the past 20 or so years, and I can tell you they are THE BEST all-around dogs besides the Collie. They definitely would NEVER harm their owners or children in the house. They are very protective and highly intelligent. I would say the only negative trait is they tend to be very active for the first 2-3 years; almost hyper. Otherwise, you won't find a better dog.

Hi E.,

I am not a pit bull owner so I didn't respond before but my brother and his wife have one. They don't have kids but I have a toddler that is over there once in a while - with me. The last time I was there my toddler walked up to the dog while it was sleeping and it startled the dog so the dog snapped at him. The dog hasn't been around kids much. Even so, I was across the room and pinning the dog down before anything more could happen. Scared me to death - all I could see in my mind were the news stories you hear so much about. Since you had asked for responses - I will just tell you that I have not heard that this breed of dog (or German Shepherds or Akitas or Chows) are child friendly dogs. I wish it was different - esp since I think German Shepherds are so beautiful. Anyway, I personally would not take the risk with that breed of dog.

But can I suggest another breed? My sister and her husband have a golden retriever named Duke. He is the most wonderful well trained dog with a very sweet disposition. He lets my toddler poke and prod him (I am working with Jackson to not do this with animals but during the learning curve, its gonna happen). He lets him climb on him and pet him and hug him. He is a very tolerant dog but still goes hunting with my brother in law.

Good luck in your selection - hope it all works out well.
A.

E.,
We have a BullMastiff. They are the best dogs. We had a yellow lab before him. We were told to give her about 3 years to calm down. We had to give her to some friends, because even at 3 years, she was still hyper.
Anyways, we got our BullMastiff at 4 months, and he is soooooo calm. They do get big(140 lbs), but that just makes him look intimidating. They know when to be gentle and when to protect.
I can't say enough about this breed. They are the perfect dogs!

A.

i have a client (i'm a hairstylist) who's house i go to twice a week with my 2-1/2 yr old and 1-1/2 yr old. she has a lab and a german shepard. the GSh is so sweet with the girls but if i was to walk in that house with out the owner being there he'd probably attack even though he knows me really well. if he's with her he's very loving. they have to lock him up when ever there is a worker coming because he has bit someone already even drew a little blood. another great dog i saw a few years back when i was researching was a belgian malanois. similar to GSH but very good with children but also easy to train and are great at protecting. hope this helps!

Hi E.!
OK, a ton of advice, here is a bit more :-)
The book "The Perfect Puppy" by Benjamin and Lynette Hart rates 56 different dogs by kid friendliness, easy of training, playfullness and Destyructiveness. It also tells you if they need a lot of execise, attention, etc... .
Look into an Akita or Schnauzer maybe??

D.

I know I am repeating myself but I cannot let anyone out there not hear this warning tale: To be blunt - this is the WORST idea I have EVER heard in MY WHOLE LIFE. I am an aminal lover myself, grew up with horses, cats, dogs, birds, fish ... you name it. When my husband and I married he had a pit bull that had been "socialized" throughly. Was around people, children, other animals regularly since he was a pup. When I discovered I was pregnant, though I absolutely adored his dog, I felt immediately that he (the dog, not my husband :)) had to go. I plead with my husband citing the fact that if the animal did turn on our baby it'd be a life altering incident and not a wee scar. He said it'd be fine. Long story short - when my daughter was almost 8 months old, the dog picked her up by her tiny little skull and ran off with her. He crushed the back of her skull, left check bone, tore her beautiful face to peices and placed an inate fear of all animals in my daughter. She is now almost 4 and has recovered, physically, quite well. She however still has scar tissue in her skull cavity that causes communication delays. Has had surgeries to correct the bone placement in her face and skull. And still will not go anywhere near animals. I am forced to plead with you to consider a less aggresive breed. If you have any doubts as to what a very socialized, very protective dog can do - I have pictures of what my daughter looked like in the aftermath I'd be willing to share with you.

hey E.....
don't want to confuse you more, but contrary to popular belief german shepards are NOT good family dogs. they are very territorial and can view a child as a threat. two of my good friends had to give away their sheppards when they had kids.
i'm not a huge dog person, but we have a chocolate lab and LOVE him. my husband had him before we met and he's now 6. our son is 9 months old and crawls all over our dog - pulling his ears and sticking his hands in his mouth. the dog LOVES it and follows my son all over the house. he is also great with my friend's babies.
i know each dog is different, but i completely trust our lab and know they are considered the perfect family dog. good luck!
M.

We just got a chocolate lab and she is wonderful with my 3 year old. I was trying to get on to Maracyn and the puppy was not happy with me at all. Just and idea?

I am certainly NO expert but was involved in the dog show circuit while growing up and have simply been in contact with many breeds of dogs. I honestly would NEVER allow my children near a Pit, Akita, Malumute, or Rotty simply because of their unpredicatability and the breed's tendencies. It is just not worth the risk. If you do go with one of those breeds I would be very certain to go with a reputable breeder where you have seen the parent dogs, seen a history, know the temperment of the aduls, etc... You never know the inbreeding or temperment of a street Pit (just something you find in the paper or pound) I would just be in constant fear. Again, I don't own a Pit, I am an Aussie girl myself. All three of my dogs have been Aussies/mixes.

I have personally been around very dangerous Akita's and Chows. My grandparents always had German Shephards and they were VERY protective. They never hurt us kids but my grandparents kept an eye on them. I have spent a lot of years around boxers and haven't heard of problems. They were great. I was surprised to see them on the dangerous list.

But, as with any dog, you just have to raise it with kindness and you never have any guarentees! Here is a site that I am sure your boyfriend has shown you!

http://www.dogbitelegalcenter.com/resources/common-dogs.html

By the way, the Lab/Golden was voted top family dog again for the umpteenth time this year.