Personal/family protection dog

[Pardus 1,610]

2 minutes ago, Daniel cain said:

Back around 2000,I was working as a greenkeeper/pest controller at a local golf club,out in the sticks ,it came with a little cottage,my mate Kevin used to do the night Watchmen job...the owners had 3 ridgebacks,a male and 2 females...tbh they wasn't worth a wank ,bar the 1 bitch Zena...3 years I worked there,and every time I went near the 1 bitch, would have to give the cnut a sausage from the kitchen or a food treat....it was a sly cnut,try and walk past it without the treat,and it would charge and  grab youhad a few members and had to be PTS in the end......she used to follow me digging....first time I showed it something in a block end....it couldn't get up there quick enough to bust it up.....did the job on the big ones, had some bite on her

Seen a few Ridgeback x bull greys,and they was decent animals TBF...but them pedigree ones are unstable  as f**k

Never owned one tbh, never been that keen on them, never thought they had a strong enough looking head, a bit to snipey on the muzzle, but must admit they are growing on me, a much nicer dog than I used to think, probably due to the fact that most pedigree breeds are now monstrosities.

[Bosun11 537]

Really sorry to read about your problem Bornhunter. I can only imagine the stress and worry it has put on you and your family.

Reading through the pages on this thread, the posts that register with me are those by Downsouth. I think I've liked just about every one...

I know little about protection dogs, so I don't feel qualified to answer, but this is something for the whole family, especially in your absence. The last thing I'd want would be a Mali or any other 'wired' breed. To me you require a breed/type that will fit in, easy to handle and make a noise. If it has a bit of substance to it, then so much the better, but the main thing would be, how it would be/workout when you're away. The last thing you'd need is something just as dangerous in with the family, as those who broke in that night.

I've never owned a dog for security in the home, all my lurchers have offered some sort of something that would help. Almost all have been vocal with anything suspicious, and one or two, over they years, would of taken that to a different level if required (I know, as I tested it) AND for me, for what is required from a dog, my scabby arsed lurchers are OK.

Best of luck mate  

[Welsh_red 4,999]

On 08/06/2025 at 10:15, Bangersanmash said:

Turkish Kangal are ment to be great family dogs aswel as guarding. The ones you see most over here on adds aren't like the big fuckers you see on youtube over the water. f***ing massive some of them. And look intimidating too. 

I had a rehomed dog from Spain at 6 months who I think was part kangal on account of his double dew claws on back feet . He was absolutely huge and the best dog I've ever had in my life . I still miss hin like crazy 

His bark was enough to put off most people 

But in your scenario born it might be worth cost wise having a look at changing the windows and doors . I'm not sure what's out there but their must be something that's damn near bomb proof to stop people breaking and entering 

[downsouth 8,333]

3 hours ago, greg64 said:

they are hunting dogs not guard dogs so that doesn't surprise me but they are loyal and protective and not a liability like some breeds mentioned and one that you could leave with your mr's and kids in the house and would be handy to take out in the field as well bit of an allrounder  

Have you owned many Ridgebacks?

[greg64 3,036]

14 minutes ago, downsouth said:

Have you owned many Ridgebacks?

not personally no but been around a few that were owned by friends 

[The one 8,583]

37 minutes ago, downsouth said:

Have you owned many Ridgebacks?

Walshie does i think he might jump on this thread 

[downsouth 8,333]

58 minutes ago, greg64 said:

not personally no but been around a few that were owned by friends 

I've only ever been around 3 and they were all scatter brained with weak nerves.But then you cant expect much more from an out and out show breed

[DogMagic2 85]

21 hours ago, downsouth said:

Why spend a load of money on a sport trainer,The guy is after a home guardian not a dog to do long sends or bark at a decoy behind a blind

I never said a sport trainer, he needs a good trainer who can get the dog perfect. They need to obey commands INSTANTLY  100% of the time. And they need to use their judgement and NOT attack when appropriate and to STOP an attack on command. I wouldn't be able to get a dog to that level. Neither would most of us. But if that dog bites just once when it isn't appropriate there's hell to pay, understandably. A good, experienced trainer is worth their weight in gold 

[greg64 3,036]

3 hours ago, downsouth said:

I've only ever been around 3 and they were all scatter brained with weak nerves.But then you cant expect much more from an out and out show breed

can only speak for the ones I've seen and to be honest all of them were the complete opposite

[downsouth 8,333]

50 minutes ago, DogMagic2 said:

I never said a sport trainer, he needs a good trainer who can get the dog perfect. They need to obey commands INSTANTLY  100% of the time. And they need to use their judgement and NOT attack when appropriate and to STOP an attack on command. I wouldn't be able to get a dog to that level. Neither would most of us. But if that dog bites just once when it isn't appropriate there's hell to pay, understandably. A good, experienced trainer is worth their weight in gold 

You said a shutzhund trainer which is a sport trainer.

[mC HULL 15,657]

7 hours ago, Bosun11 said:

Really sorry to read about your problem Bornhunter. I can only imagine the stress and worry it has put on you and your family.

Reading through the pages on this thread, the posts that register with me are those by Downsouth. I think I've liked just about every one...

I know little about protection dogs, so I don't feel qualified to answer, but this is something for the whole family, especially in your absence. The last thing I'd want would be a Mali or any other 'wired' breed. To me you require a breed/type that will fit in, easy to handle and make a noise. If it has a bit of substance to it, then so much the better, but the main thing would be, how it would be/workout when you're away. The last thing you'd need is something just as dangerous in with the family, as those who broke in that night.

I've never owned a dog for security in the home, all my lurchers have offered some sort of something that would help. Almost all have been vocal with anything suspicious, and one or two, over they years, would of taken that to a different level if required (I know, as I tested it) AND for me, for what is required from a dog, my scabby arsed lurchers are OK.

Best of luck mate  

i’d agree the best is a noisy dog that you can’t get near but makes a facking racket most lurchers are like it lol 

[Bosun11 537]

16 minutes ago, mC HULL said:

i’d agree the best is a noisy dog that you can’t get near but makes a facking racket most lurchers are like it lol 

Especially this coursing bred thing, it takes suspicious and vocal to a whole different level...

[waltjnr 7,939]

Sorry In today's society, I wouldn't rely on a sabre tooth tiger to protect my house ,family ,as has been said ,scum are prepared to do anything when they want something, very sad times we live in ,sorry to BH experience, worst nightmare 

[Carraghs Gem 1,699]

As much as I love dutch shepherd's they ain't for most folks.. I got a bull mastiff x rottweiler pup Last year and she looks and sounds the part.. she's a good deterrent and a exceptional family dog.. pretty laid back.. high prey drive so have to watch her around other animals but that's her only real issue... had a group of men land on my doorstep uninvited and she put on a good show.. 

[mushroom 14,052]

A well bred mastiff breed mate or maybe one of the Caucasian/kangal types. They bond with family and will die to protect them but are supposed to be a liability with outsiders of the direct family. 

Fuucking disgusting you have to deal with this mate. I hope it doesn’t have to much impact on your wife and you going forward. 

Up security, run trips to flash bangs (on the inside of your wall and at least 6” below the top of the fence/wall). I’ve seen some motion activated jet sprayers online recently never used them mind. Anything that is loud and disorienting in addition to a dog or two will deter most. Keep the dogs inside though if you do do the flash bangs  

Not sure if it’s still legal there but on the inside of your fence you used to be still allowed to used a broken glass shelf. It had to be lower than the top and had width restrictions.
 

Here they have the 24 cameras and security linked to centers. If it goes off and no code is put in they call and if it ain’t you the police are on their way. That’s in the cities and middle of nowhere. 

Edited June 9 by mushroom