I can’t tell you the number of hours I’ve spent online over the past 2 weeks doing research. Weighing pros and cons. Investigating maintenance costs and general upkeep. Calculating size, usefulness, expenses, spatial requirements.
No, we’re not investing in a generator.
We’re considering a dog for family protection.
We live in what I considered a very safe area. We’re rural, on a road to nowhere, surrounded by family. There’s no businesses, no large thoroughfares. Just quiet, peaceful, safe. The perfect spot to raise a family!
Well, that’s what I thought til this summer when my neighbor’s house was robbed of dozens of antique guns while his wife was running an errand. And 2 cars were broken into. And the guy up on the hill went stark-raving mad and pulled a gun on a neighbor. I’m starting to wonder if there’s something in the water 
After putting off the inevitable for many years, I’ve conceded and my husband and I are actively researching the various breeds of dogs trying to find the best option for our family. Now, we’ve had several dogs before, but not since the children came along, so in many ways I feel like we’re starting at square 1 in terms of knowledge.
What I don’t want is a ‘Guard Dog’. You know the kind. Menacing, slobbering, just looking for a reason to attack. Not a good fit, right there. I’m looking for a pleasant addition to our family:
-A dog for both the good times and the scary times.
-Patient and playful enough to be a joy to the children…think Mary Poppins in canine form.
-Possibly a working variety…something that could pull a small cart, be helpful during hunting season or at very least, herd the children.
-Friendly and docile enough that we won’t have to be afraid of it.
-Large and impressive enough that an intruder would think twice.
-Loyal and family-oriented, willing to protect its people to the end if necessary.
-Able to go for help if little Timmy falls down a well.
Wait a minute. I may have watched too much Lassie on the TVLand channel.
You can Google ‘personal protection dogs’ and come up with thousands of hits on the best and worst choices. The irony is that the same 5-10 breeds are often on BOTH the best and worst lists for personal/family protection dogs. German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Akitas are tops on both lists in many cases. Check for yourself and see!
So, by means of elimination, we’ve come up with our own list of possibilities for the best family protection dogs. (In no particular order.)
1) Anatolian Shepherd- A friend has one of these dogs on her farm. Very friendly dog. Doesn’t know how to play fetch(?) and can sometimes get nippy.
2) Plott- I love, love, love the looks of this dog. Animal Planet Dog Breed Selector has wonderful things to say about it…but where would you find a Plott Rescue?
3) Great Dane- We had a Great Dane when we got married and he was the BEST DOG EVER. Loving, playful and very protective of his people and pets. And the only drawback: when Boone laid around the house, he really laid around the house. What a massive dog!
4) Scottish Deerhound- Sounds very family friendly, but may require more grooming than I want to take on.
5) Hounds- I love hounds! Any sort, but especially Foxhounds. The only thing I worry about with a hound is that if she caught a whiff of the wild turkeys, rabbits, coyotes, deer that are plentiful in our area, there’d be no stopping her. Once a hound is on a scent, all bets are off.
6) Rhodesian Ridgebacks- Again, I love the looks of this dog, but maybe it’s a bit too boisterous for small children?
We’re in no rush to get a dog as it’s such a huge commitment…a lifetime commitment! But I am curious to hear other family’s experiences with their ‘nanny’ dogs. In your opinion, what are the best breeds for family protection?
In His Service,
Andrea
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6 comments
Shelly
September 17, 2010 at 7:00 pm (UTC 0)
Andrea
September 17, 2010 at 7:14 pm (UTC 0)
Anonymous
September 18, 2010 at 1:23 pm (UTC 0)
Andrea
September 18, 2010 at 4:56 pm (UTC 0)
Gen-IL Homesteader
September 25, 2010 at 2:23 am (UTC 0)
Andrea
September 27, 2010 at 5:11 pm (UTC 0)