what dog is a good guard dog?

[Anonymous]

I want to get another dog to protect us. We have a large lab/chow mix that outside most the time. She will bark if someone is around but will not bite. She looks really scary. Anyways I want a dog for inside. Maybe a medium-sized dog. Has to be nice with kids and willing to protect. What kind do you suggest? Also pits make me nervous.

[Anonymous - Original Poster]

Bump

[FooLynRoo]

You need to train a dog to be a guard dog. but generlaly any type of shepherd or cattle dog will be a good watch dog.

[harehelper]

Are cattle dogs ok with kids? I was thinking they aren't, but I could be wrong. I know Aussies have a bad rep with kids.

Quoting FooLynRoo:

You need to train a dog to be a guard dog. but generlaly any type of shepherd or cattle dog will be a good watch dog.

[Blueliner]

Bring the Chow/Lab inside... easy.

[FooLynRoo]

I don't really subscribe to breed generalizations, if you train them correctly absolutely. They have a strong instinct to protect (and yes herd) their families. So you have to have a strong alpha relationship and enforce their children's hierarchy to the dog, but they are very very loyal and protective.

Quoting harehelper:

Are cattle dogs ok with kids? I was thinking they aren't, but I could be wrong. I know Aussies have a bad rep with kids.

Quoting FooLynRoo:

You need to train a dog to be a guard dog. but generlaly any type of shepherd or cattle dog will be a good watch dog.

[mom2the.rescue]

Our german shepherd is the best dog ever.  She'll let a toddler beat the crap out of her, but won't let a person enter our yard unless I say it's okay.

[kidlover2]

Any big dog with a bark. I had a Doberman which I adored. But they are super smart and need a lot of training.

[LLbaby143]

German shep

[FooLynRoo]

Quoting LLbaby143:

German shep

[Aislinn]

 A well bred, well trained German Shepard cannot be beat, IMO. A not well bred, untrained German Shepard can be really bad news, though. You can find smaller Shepherd breeds, but generally they are on the bigger side.