Rottie or GSD or Boxer?
Discussion
I've always been a dog lover despite never owning one, but have dog-sat for friends' pets for a week or two at a time whilst they were away and have always enjoyed it.
The missus sometimes gets scared being at home on her own at night if I am away on business and I'm definitely considering getting a dog now as I've always wanted one and I'd need a dog that could ideally fill the following roles (in order of importance)
1) Good with kids (don't have any yet but definitely plan to)
2) Appropriate for a first-time dog owner to handle
3) Good guard dog and easy for the missus to handle
4) Not high maintenance
My best friend at school had a female Rottweiler and despite their ferocious reputations, she was actually a very sweet and clownish dog who was great with us kids playing in their back yard. German Shepherds look really handsome and I've heard are easier to train than Rotties but they shed a lot too I've heard. Boxers I've heard are excellent guard dogs and great family pets but will drool everywhere and can be stubborn to train.
I work from home usually so can spend a lot of time with the dog and take it for walks etc. and hopefully get it trained well. I would appreciate any advice though from any owners of any of the breeds above.
The missus sometimes gets scared being at home on her own at night if I am away on business and I'm definitely considering getting a dog now as I've always wanted one and I'd need a dog that could ideally fill the following roles (in order of importance)
1) Good with kids (don't have any yet but definitely plan to)
2) Appropriate for a first-time dog owner to handle
3) Good guard dog and easy for the missus to handle
4) Not high maintenance
My best friend at school had a female Rottweiler and despite their ferocious reputations, she was actually a very sweet and clownish dog who was great with us kids playing in their back yard. German Shepherds look really handsome and I've heard are easier to train than Rotties but they shed a lot too I've heard. Boxers I've heard are excellent guard dogs and great family pets but will drool everywhere and can be stubborn to train.
I work from home usually so can spend a lot of time with the dog and take it for walks etc. and hopefully get it trained well. I would appreciate any advice though from any owners of any of the breeds above.
In my opinion no dog is going to be a "Guard Dog" without training but we have a GSD who makes a lot of noise at strangers near the house. I don't think for a second that she would do anything I'd they came in but I'm sure they would think twice after hearing her.
A GSD would meet your needs and if you got one with a medium length coat the loss isn't much of a concern and they still retain their looks.
A GSD would meet your needs and if you got one with a medium length coat the loss isn't much of a concern and they still retain their looks.
GSDs imo are a great family dog, extremely protective and good natured with their "pack". They are not too onerous regarding exercise being a bigger dog. It's super important if you are getting a puppy (which is important with young kids vs a rescue) that you get one from a reputable breeder. This is both from the temperament and health aspects.
They are relatively easy to train being highly intelligent and eager to please their owners, but as with all dogs training is a huge part in forming a well behaved dog. Dog classes are also a great way of socializing the pup around other dogs.
Anyway my vote of choice would be a GSD : )
They are relatively easy to train being highly intelligent and eager to please their owners, but as with all dogs training is a huge part in forming a well behaved dog. Dog classes are also a great way of socializing the pup around other dogs.
Anyway my vote of choice would be a GSD : )
We used to have a Rottie B itch. She was a great dog and was about 5 when we had our first kid. She was really good with him and very protective of him too.
She sadly died of bone cancer of the back leg at 7. But even going through all the discomfort and pain of that she was still very gentle with my son and stayed protective. Miss her loads coming up to 10 years since she went now.
Don't have time for a dog now but would have another Rottie in a heart beat.
She sadly died of bone cancer of the back leg at 7. But even going through all the discomfort and pain of that she was still very gentle with my son and stayed protective. Miss her loads coming up to 10 years since she went now.
Don't have time for a dog now but would have another Rottie in a heart beat.
ChrisNic said:
In my opinion no dog is going to be a "Guard Dog" without training
Our LGDs will guard without any training at all. If you don't believe me, ask our plumber who just got the door shut in time!Plenty of Rotties and GSDs will guard against a threat to their friends or family perfectly naturally.
OP, go and see breeders of each of the dogs and decide from there - good breeders should be happy to allow you to visit them and let you meet their dogs even if they don't have a litter (we do this a lot for people ourselves). You can ask them (and even the breed clubs) about the breeds and actual experiences of them to suit your needs.
If you want a guard Dog don't get a Bullmastiff they like their sleep far too much to be bothered with dealing with burglars etc.
Not always possible but if you can find an "Alpha" Dog they tend to be very good at defending their territory.Not always easy to spot in a puppy and its not always the biggest in the litter either
Not always possible but if you can find an "Alpha" Dog they tend to be very good at defending their territory.Not always easy to spot in a puppy and its not always the biggest in the litter either
I wouldn't mind him letting himself out into the garden, if only he would shut the bloody door behind him!
I'm not sure he's any sort of guard dog, but he had a good old woof at the neighbour the other day when she stuck her head over the fence to talk to me. And if any cats, blackbirds or horses are thinking of burgling the house, they had better think again.
I'm not sure he's any sort of guard dog, but he had a good old woof at the neighbour the other day when she stuck her head over the fence to talk to me. And if any cats, blackbirds or horses are thinking of burgling the house, they had better think again.
Our old gsd was extremely protective of the home. He was an ex police dog so I assume he had some form of guard training? He wouldn't let anybody up the garden path let alone in the house. My wife would happily walk him along the towpath at night as he was very protective of her to.
Imo they just fill the guard dog roll so well.
My ebt is bloody useless really, but she does bark at noises in the night if alone with my wife.
Imo they just fill the guard dog roll so well.
My ebt is bloody useless really, but she does bark at noises in the night if alone with my wife.
Can't get a better guard dog than a bullmastiff, after all they were bred specifically bred for it.
Ours will guard her 'territory' and that is without any training as it is a natural trait of the breed.
Yes they like to sleep but the slightest noise out of the ordinary and she springs into action.
The other breeds you mention are capable of guarding but that is under instruction, and you can't guarantee they will do it under their own initiative.
Ours will guard her 'territory' and that is without any training as it is a natural trait of the breed.
Yes they like to sleep but the slightest noise out of the ordinary and she springs into action.
The other breeds you mention are capable of guarding but that is under instruction, and you can't guarantee they will do it under their own initiative.
TomS09 said:
Can't get a better guard dog than a bullmastiff, after all they were bred specifically bred for it.
Ours will guard her 'territory' and that is without any training as it is a natural trait of the breed.
Yes they like to sleep but the slightest noise out of the ordinary and she springs into action.
The other breeds you mention are capable of guarding but that is under instruction, and you can't guarantee they will do it under their own initiative.
maybe females are different but my old Bully didn't like to have his 12 hours sleep disturbed in fact you couldn't disturb him and getting him out of bed in the morning was almost impossible unless chicken was involvedOurs will guard her 'territory' and that is without any training as it is a natural trait of the breed.
Yes they like to sleep but the slightest noise out of the ordinary and she springs into action.
The other breeds you mention are capable of guarding but that is under instruction, and you can't guarantee they will do it under their own initiative.
OP here, to owners of German Shepherd Dogs, do you ever have any issues with socialising the dogs with babies and very young children (not your own)? Obviously I am aware no dog should ever be left unattended for anytime with very small kids but am checking to see if the GSD has any issues with this?
And also, how do you find maintenance for GSD? Being long haired do they shed a lot?
With the Rotties, does anyone ever have any negative reactions from the public when out with your dog? My best friend's dad mentioned to my dad once that the dog occasionally attracted the wrong sort of attraction from people who would ask how tough the dog was and whether the dog had ever attacked anyone. I suppose being the dog from Omen III has never helped either.
And also same questions as above? How well do Rotties react with babies and very small kids?
And also, how do you find maintenance for GSD? Being long haired do they shed a lot?
With the Rotties, does anyone ever have any negative reactions from the public when out with your dog? My best friend's dad mentioned to my dad once that the dog occasionally attracted the wrong sort of attraction from people who would ask how tough the dog was and whether the dog had ever attacked anyone. I suppose being the dog from Omen III has never helped either.
And also same questions as above? How well do Rotties react with babies and very small kids?
Edited by ATV on Sunday 30th November 12:30
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