Real Protection dog? - Page 1

After reading the latest thread on protections dogs, trained or untrained I gathered your best bet is to start with a pup that has the best chance of acquiring those traits via genetics. 

Would this mean a working line in most cases?  Does anyone have a suggested kennel or breeder whose dogs tend to have these traits?

Thanks gang

Do you have in mind only a GSD or are you open to other breeds?. If OP is open to other breeds, it would be nice if members can enlighten us on breeds which can make good protection dogs, personal and territory.

Ibrahim

I would suggest if you want a protection dog, get a older dog that is trained.  That way you know what you are getting by seeing the dog work.  With a puppy it is a crapshoot and with the time and money you spend in training you do cheaper with a older trained dog.

i'll have to agree with ACE952...if i were looking for a dog for a particular purpose,puppies wouldn't even be on my list...you could have the perfect pup,correctly imprinted,and well bred,with excellent training...yet the same pup could break down prior to maturity with bad hips/elbows,weak jaws,undersize,undecended testicles,gun shy....OR he could be great,with no problems.pay the price for a "well-bred working prospect",that cost could range between $800 to $3000 bucks...figure in training cost,such as paying a "helper"(bite doctor),gas and wear and tare on your vehicle,equiptment(it's all gotta be first class stuff)...up to this point,you've spent a fair amount of cash on that little furball that's chewing on your sofa everytime you look around..maybe he'll make it,maybe not...now the question would be"well,where do i find this "super dog"(12/16 mo old)that will fit the bill with out a doubt,i can only say that there will always be doubts,setbacks in training...it goes on and on,hopefully your"prospect" will be up to the task...next question...where do i aquirre this dog...get to tickets to europe,hire your own helper(experienced) to travel with you,rent a car,get hotel rooms and pay for meals,search high and low for a workable prospect,pay big bucks and fly him home.at this point you've probably went thru ten grand,but at least you've"laid eyes" on what you're spending your hard earned cash on....option # 3...buy a sch trained dog in the states,strong but not rank,then "flip" the training...that may cost you 3-4000$.or,get a pup and take your chances!

I agree with VOM OST SEE and ACE. An adult is certainly the way to go, although I do doubt most people who ask such questions as OP really want a true "protection" dog that will bite your ass for real. 
     I do think genetics is the clay and training is the mould to produce the finished piece, without both you will not have the desired product. We have all seen highly titled, supposed bad ass ppd dogs stolen from their homes as an example, this is whyitis necessary to "flip" a sport trained dog for real ppd work. OP are you really readyto handle a "for real ppd"? Ask yourself this question and think about the liabilities and thingsthat come with having a dog trained this way...
   Are you comfortable telling your friends,"hey if a bee or fly is swarming you, dnt swat at it or my ppd will bite you. Or dont get too excited about anything around my dog or he will go off..."I HOPE you see what I am saying.
   OP you are right to seek a working line GSD in my opinion for protection but there are many breeds including showline GSD that have great "man-stopping" abilities naturally, IMHO besides biting forreal the GSD has a lot of other nice qualities that make it "tops" in day t day real life bodyguard/companion duties and biting is only a small part of that role.
    As for suggestions on breeders and kennels to get what you are looking for, first clearly define what level you want for yourself and I bet you can find a ppd dog within 50 miles of where youlive.You may even be able to hire a neigborhood kid to steal you a IMPORTED sch3 IPO3 dog for 50 bucks and a couple hotdogs THEN YOU CAN FLIP HIS TRAINING LOL.

Although I agree with some of the benefits mentioned of an adult dog, I think you have to look at your living situation also.  If you need a dog that will get along with your kids, your cats, any other pets, etc etc you might find the right adult, but you also might have a better shot with a pup, and raising it to be the type of companion you need, along with the protection training.


   Are you comfortable telling your friends,"hey if a bee or fly is swarming you, dnt swat at it or my ppd will bite you. Or dont get too excited about anything around my dog or he will go off..."I HOPE you see what I am saying.


I disagree with the above.  Although this might be true of some PPDs, in my opinion a good stable dog should know the difference between swatting a bee, someone getting excited about a touchdown on TV, and a real threat.  Being PPD trained shouldn't change this.  Some dogs are sharper, and will reactive negatively in these situations, but those are the same dogs that really shouldn't be allowed in those types of social situations, unless under 110% control at ALL times.  It's a balancing act, how much PPD do you really want/need, and how much are you willing to alter your lifestyle to work around the dog.

Gsdhaven wrote and confused me:

"As for suggestions on breeders and kennels to get what you are looking for, first clearly define what level you want for yourself and I bet you can find a ppd dog within 50 miles of where youlive.You may even be able to hire a neigborhood kid to steal you a IMPORTED sch3 IPO3 dog for 50 bucks and a couple hotdogs THEN YOU CAN FLIP HIS TRAINING. LOL". .

huh?