'Big Scary Dog'
Discussion
A quick bit of context...My girlfriends family were burgled at the weekend and once we'd cleaned up & taken stock of what had happened a question came up from them, if they had, in their words a 'big scary dog'. e.g an Alsatian or similar and someone looked to break in, would they be deterred by a big snarling dog? What would happen if said dog was to bite them? Would the dog/owner be protected from prosecution? They aren't planning on actually getting a Dog/Puppy (they have two adult cat's so probably wouldn't be fair on them)... It was just a question that none of us could answer & wanting to be a dog owner in the future myself, I'd love to know. I've got a huge soft spot for Boxers, Alsatians/German Shepherds and also Huskeys/Malamutes. But if someone were to break in & my dog protected itself/us by taking a chunk out of that persons leg/arm, then I'd want to know for certain they wouldn't be confiscated/put down etc.
My dog bit someone, this was probably 25 years ago now, we were out, the dog was loose in the garden, and the neighbours tearaway kids came into the garden and basically provoked our dog who wasn't happy about it and sank his teeth into said little hooligan's leg.
The police got involved, but a neighbour saw it happen, and the dog was pardoned as it was provoked.
So, I would guess based on that that someone entering your house and getting bitten by your dog would not result in your dog being destroyed. This is assuming the dog doesn't maul the intruder to death of course
The bigger worry for me would be if the intruder attacks and injures the dog, or slips a poisoned/drugged steak through the letter box in finest Famous Five baddie style. Maybe you need two dogs
The police got involved, but a neighbour saw it happen, and the dog was pardoned as it was provoked.
So, I would guess based on that that someone entering your house and getting bitten by your dog would not result in your dog being destroyed. This is assuming the dog doesn't maul the intruder to death of course
The bigger worry for me would be if the intruder attacks and injures the dog, or slips a poisoned/drugged steak through the letter box in finest Famous Five baddie style. Maybe you need two dogs
Apparently dogs are more likely to put off burglars by acting as deterrents, preventing them from trying to break in, than by pursuing and seizing the criminal. Our four would be useless but opportunists don't know that.
There are lots of good reasons for having a dog, but just to put off burglars on its own seems somewhat excessive
There are lots of good reasons for having a dog, but just to put off burglars on its own seems somewhat excessive
Potentially, yes they could be prosecuted under the DDA.
More information here: https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/overview
More information here: https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/overview
Edited by moorx on Monday 14th December 10:40
House up the road just got as good as ransacked, family upstairs and they had a lab (albeit an older boy) obviously a dog in the house did not deter these guys.
Goes without say that you should want a dog for all the other reasons people have dogs for and not just as a deterrent to being burgled. Plus the risk of the dog being pts if courts went against it in the case of attack have to be considered. Think I'd rather my house got burgled than risk my dog trying to deter them (not that he would, he is in no way a guard dog, except a very occasional bark
Goes without say that you should want a dog for all the other reasons people have dogs for and not just as a deterrent to being burgled. Plus the risk of the dog being pts if courts went against it in the case of attack have to be considered. Think I'd rather my house got burgled than risk my dog trying to deter them (not that he would, he is in no way a guard dog, except a very occasional bark
bexVN said:
House up the road just got as good as ransacked, family upstairs and they had a lab (albeit an older boy) obviously a dog in the house did not deter these guys.
Goes without say that you should want a dog for all the other reasons people have dogs for and not just as a deterrent to being burgled. Plus the risk of the dog being pts if courts went against it in the case of attack have to be considered. Think I'd rather my house got burgled than risk my dog trying to deter them (not that he would, he is in no way a guard dog, except a very occasional bark
Absolutely agree. I and they wouldn't get a dog, for the reason of being a deterrent to burglars. It was more of a conversation around the legality around it. I'd never want to go through having to put a dog down for any reason, let alone the above. Especially if the reason was down to some pond life breaking in & being bitten/attacked etc. Goes without say that you should want a dog for all the other reasons people have dogs for and not just as a deterrent to being burgled. Plus the risk of the dog being pts if courts went against it in the case of attack have to be considered. Think I'd rather my house got burgled than risk my dog trying to deter them (not that he would, he is in no way a guard dog, except a very occasional bark
You don't need a big scary dog, you need a small lary dog 
Years ago we had a Jack Russell/Staffy cross that could start a fight in an empty room, she was attitude on legs and was the only dog I've ever met that would drink whiskey which then made her even worse...
This dog was so noisy people would cross the road to avoid walking past our front door, unsuspecting callers would run back up the steps in pure terror at the noise when they knocked at the door.
Once the visitor entered the house she was fine, she'd be all over them as their new best friend. Mind you, every visitor to the house left with a good coating of short white fur as a leaving present.
Years ago we had a Jack Russell/Staffy cross that could start a fight in an empty room, she was attitude on legs and was the only dog I've ever met that would drink whiskey which then made her even worse...
This dog was so noisy people would cross the road to avoid walking past our front door, unsuspecting callers would run back up the steps in pure terror at the noise when they knocked at the door.
Once the visitor entered the house she was fine, she'd be all over them as their new best friend. Mind you, every visitor to the house left with a good coating of short white fur as a leaving present.
Tango13 said:
You don't need a big scary dog, you need a small lary dog
Years ago we had a Jack Russell/Staffy cross that could start a fight in an empty room, she was attitude on legs and was the only dog I've ever met that would drink whiskey which then made her even worse...
This dog was so noisy people would cross the road to avoid walking past our front door, unsuspecting callers would run back up the steps in pure terror at the noise when they knocked at the door.
Once the visitor entered the house she was fine, she'd be all over them as their new best friend. Mind you, every visitor to the house left with a good coating of short white fur as a leaving present.
Sounds very similar to my mates dog! She's boxer & is absolutely nuts. Snarls, barks, even tries to rip the wrought iron gate off the hinges (it's a 7ft gate and weighs about as much as a small car) to get to you but as soon as you're in the garden or house she flops on her back wanting to be tickled! I've never seen anything like it! Years ago we had a Jack Russell/Staffy cross that could start a fight in an empty room, she was attitude on legs and was the only dog I've ever met that would drink whiskey which then made her even worse...
This dog was so noisy people would cross the road to avoid walking past our front door, unsuspecting callers would run back up the steps in pure terror at the noise when they knocked at the door.
Once the visitor entered the house she was fine, she'd be all over them as their new best friend. Mind you, every visitor to the house left with a good coating of short white fur as a leaving present.
My dog (Rottie/Alsation) watches the house when I'm away at work as we have some d
heads around here. In fact one tried to steal my car in October 2013. The dog was somewhat younger then, but we ran him down and caught the bd, but that's another story.
As far as I'm aware the dog attacking is no different to any other use of force, the onus is on me to demonstrate it was proportionate. The excuse of "the dog as doing his own thing" is not acceptable out in public, so it's not on my property either. I actually believe this is correct, and pet dogs should not be trained to be violent.
In terms of the house, I've made sure our dog is alert but placid with strangers in the garden. Frankly there's a host of legitimate reasons for them being there long before attempted theft. He does still protect the workshop which is an unanticipated benefit!
So in terms of property protection he isn't perfect, but in addition to the visual deterrent is people protection. He will protect my family and myself from other people, and frankly as a "big scary dog", he really is a very real physical threat under very specific circumstances. The rest of the time he is gentle, he is currently in with my wife requesting his morning hug, and saying hello to my son.
That's the key thing for me he's here to protect family not the garden. Everything else can be replaced, and any accusations of having a dangerous dog would be unlikely to be upheld in the circumstances or someone advancing on them. To be honest, having heard of the procedures I would be able to guarantee his safety regardless. They simply would not be permitted to remove him from my care if I felt a court was unjust, so it's all a moot point.
heads around here. In fact one tried to steal my car in October 2013. The dog was somewhat younger then, but we ran him down and caught the bd, but that's another story.As far as I'm aware the dog attacking is no different to any other use of force, the onus is on me to demonstrate it was proportionate. The excuse of "the dog as doing his own thing" is not acceptable out in public, so it's not on my property either. I actually believe this is correct, and pet dogs should not be trained to be violent.
In terms of the house, I've made sure our dog is alert but placid with strangers in the garden. Frankly there's a host of legitimate reasons for them being there long before attempted theft. He does still protect the workshop which is an unanticipated benefit!
So in terms of property protection he isn't perfect, but in addition to the visual deterrent is people protection. He will protect my family and myself from other people, and frankly as a "big scary dog", he really is a very real physical threat under very specific circumstances. The rest of the time he is gentle, he is currently in with my wife requesting his morning hug, and saying hello to my son.
That's the key thing for me he's here to protect family not the garden. Everything else can be replaced, and any accusations of having a dangerous dog would be unlikely to be upheld in the circumstances or someone advancing on them. To be honest, having heard of the procedures I would be able to guarantee his safety regardless. They simply would not be permitted to remove him from my care if I felt a court was unjust, so it's all a moot point.
Tango13 said:
You don't need a big scary dog, you need a small lary dog
Years ago we had a Jack Russell/Staffy cross that could start a fight in an empty room, she was attitude on legs and was the only dog I've ever met that would drink whiskey which then made her even worse...
This dog was so noisy people would cross the road to avoid walking past our front door, unsuspecting callers would run back up the steps in pure terror at the noise when they knocked at the door.
Once the visitor entered the house she was fine, she'd be all over them as their new best friend. Mind you, every visitor to the house left with a good coating of short white fur as a leaving present.
Years ago we had a Jack Russell/Staffy cross that could start a fight in an empty room, she was attitude on legs and was the only dog I've ever met that would drink whiskey which then made her even worse...
This dog was so noisy people would cross the road to avoid walking past our front door, unsuspecting callers would run back up the steps in pure terror at the noise when they knocked at the door.
Once the visitor entered the house she was fine, she'd be all over them as their new best friend. Mind you, every visitor to the house left with a good coating of short white fur as a leaving present.
Lot of truth in that.
Mind you that dog wasn't the only one to drink whisky. Both our Staffies will steal whisky if you leave a glass on the floor/table/chair/anywhere else they can reach.
No, the owner will not get prosecuted under the DDA. The DDA doesn't separate public to private property now so it's important if you have a dog capable of inflicting serious injury that you have the appropriate signage up at entrances in to the property....and no, the 'Can you get to the end of the garden in under 3 seconds...because the Rottweiler can' signs are not the appropriate sign and invite trouble for you
If somebody with intent tries to break in to your home and you have the appropriate signs up (and even better if you have CCTV to prove said scumbag was breaking in), if the burglar gets eaten, it's incredibly unlikely that you'll have the dogs ceased.
If somebody with intent tries to break in to your home and you have the appropriate signs up (and even better if you have CCTV to prove said scumbag was breaking in), if the burglar gets eaten, it's incredibly unlikely that you'll have the dogs ceased.
We got a dog that looks fairly intimidating (olde english bulldogge) about a year ago, he seems very aware of what's going on at home in terms of irregular noises and sights and makes us aware with a good bark. Never been in the situation of an unwanted guest entering but we think he would not hesitate to take action, good to know. The key point I'm trying to make is we feel his presence alone would make somebody think twice about entering in the first place and him then doing something about it is a bonus if they are silly enough to continue!
Also from what I've experienced huskies/malamutes are far too friendly to be effective guards, although they do look intimidating enough to deter anybody who doesn't really know a lot about dogs. And boxers are fantastic, I want to add one to the household
ETA - don't know the legalities of the situation myself, so I'm reading and taking all the information of the thread in! Also just realised the first line makes it sound like we got him because he's intimidating, certainly not the case ha!
Also from what I've experienced huskies/malamutes are far too friendly to be effective guards, although they do look intimidating enough to deter anybody who doesn't really know a lot about dogs. And boxers are fantastic, I want to add one to the household
ETA - don't know the legalities of the situation myself, so I'm reading and taking all the information of the thread in! Also just realised the first line makes it sound like we got him because he's intimidating, certainly not the case ha!
Edited by AM7 on Wednesday 16th December 23:17
If I was going to choose a dog I would probably get a Doberman. They make great family pets and they are very intelligent and loyal. Short hair too so less dog hair to clean up.
https://youtu.be/8uxDs4LawTQ
https://youtu.be/8uxDs4LawTQ
dudleybloke said:
If I was going to choose a dog I would probably get a Doberman. They make great family pets and they are very intelligent and loyal. Short hair too so less dog hair to clean up.
https://youtu.be/8uxDs4LawTQ
Not a breed I'd ever recommend to an inexperienced handler. Don't get me wrong, they are brilliant family pets and you couldn't ask for a more loyal dog but they can be seriously hard work. I guess it's sometimes luck of the draw with any breed, but Dobes do seem to have a fairly high chance of being a problem dog and the handler needs to know how to control them. Obedience and control are very different things.https://youtu.be/8uxDs4LawTQ
I'd disagree that there's less dog hair to clean up. There's just as much, it's just shorter and less obvious than longer hair. Our Dyson will literally be filled up every day
Funnily I'm actually more worried about being burgled with the dog in the house!
Hopefully her serious bark acts as a deterrent but if anyone were to break in and harm or take her I would be more upset about that than anything else.
As far as I'm aware (happy to be corrected) you are fine if your dog kills/ maims anyone that is in your house uninvited.
This does not apply to areas like your front garden or driveway or anywhere else that public can access without breaking into where your dog needs to be under control. For example killing delivery men is not allowed.
Similarly the dog is not allowed to eat anyone who has been invited into the house, eg plumber , friends etc.
Hopefully her serious bark acts as a deterrent but if anyone were to break in and harm or take her I would be more upset about that than anything else.
As far as I'm aware (happy to be corrected) you are fine if your dog kills/ maims anyone that is in your house uninvited.
This does not apply to areas like your front garden or driveway or anywhere else that public can access without breaking into where your dog needs to be under control. For example killing delivery men is not allowed.
Similarly the dog is not allowed to eat anyone who has been invited into the house, eg plumber , friends etc.
kentlad said:
I've got a huge soft spot for ..... Huskeys/Malamutes. But if someone were to break in & my dog protected itself/us by taking a chunk out of that persons leg/arm,
Malamutes are rubbish guard dogs, they might be able to pull off the mean look 'sometimes'
But the reality is more like this..
My dog's the same. She's half EBT - half Staff and despite her appearance, a total wimp. If anybody broke in she'd be so excited about having new playmates they'd be licked to within an inch of their lives, if a burglar came armed with a hoover, torch, sponge, foil, then she would be cowering behind me. She also makes a rubbish guard dog as she is completely deaf. In my experience Jack Russells would be better, as they make an awful lot of din and try to jump up the front door if anybody comes near
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