A great medium-large protective dog?

Vet_Tech_1 · Yahoo User

I love Dobies - they are one of the few breeds that were actually bred for protection- by a tax collector named Dobermann (I for get his first name...). Beautiful dogs, but they dohave a tendancyto be nervous - so screen your breeder carefully! Nervousness is NOT a breed trait, but some are not as careful as others to select for correct temperament. Also be sure that your breeder tests dor VonWillebrand's, a clotting disorder, that can cause lots of problems down the road. OFA hips, heart and thyroid should also be in order - ask for results, not just if they have been tested! There are some very sneaky breeders out there.Love Boxers, but all of the aforementioned health risks apply, in addition to cancer and allergies. Boxers can also be very high-energy and can be aggressive ifnot socialized and trainedproperly, though this goes for all breeds! My recommendation, though way bigger than your guidelines, is the Bullmastiff. Wonderful, wonderful dogs - I can;t say enough good about them!. They don't tend to be as high-energy as Boxers, Dobies or any of the herding breeds (Beaucerons are on my top 5 overall, but they are new to AKC and you have to be careful of temperament- they are also high-energy working dogs) and they are protective without being aggressive and they are normally very gentle dogs. Rotties are also very wonderful if all ofthe above suggestions are followed (correctly bred, health tested, trained and socialized). The best thing I can tell you is to go meet breeders and the dogs and see what you like! Good luck....I am excited for you! Very Happy

Would love to be in yourposition and dog-shopping! Don't forget to check out rescues. **** Also LOVE Giant Schnauzers and Akitas, but they do take a lot of coat care****