I'm looking for advice on a working breed for a family with 4 children (12,9,5,3).
We have a Bullmastiff from a breeder in Maryland which we're very happy with, although she's been diagnosed with bone cancer. She's 5. I obedience trained her with Leerburg's video and socialized her according to that tape and the 8 to 8 months tape. Results were excellent. I've read someone comment that the Bullmastiff has a natural defensive attitude. I agree, our experience was very good - she has never caused a problem with other children or dogs (she's been around dozens of both in controlled settings). We live with more deer and bear than people - very rural. I'm interested to know people's opinion of other breeds such as American Bulldog, Giant Schnauzer and GSD in terms of natural protective sense and disposition. I'm not unwilling to protection train a dog but would like to know whether some breeds require more work than others compared to the Bullmastiff.

What did you like about your Bullmastiff that you would like to find in another dog?

Our bullmastiff is a female. She's a very quiet easy going dog - she doesn't charge the door when someone arrives. She'll bark and go, but is friendly with our friends and strangers. Our 9 year old son wrestles and plays with her all the time. She's exceptionally patient with him, never short or nasty. He's not a nasty kid at all, just a type A personality that loves his dog and spends most of his time with her wrestling or running outside. She's demanding to go outside if the kids go out. She'll find a spot to lay down and chew a stick and watch. She doesn't leave the property but stays with them until they come in.
In the summer, there are many bicylclists that ride through the area; when they see her they usually dismount and walk past the property. She won't chase, challenge or growl at them - she'll usually move closer to the kids and stand there until they pass. Her visual intimidation is a plus to us. She stays at my wife's knee if a serviceman or delivery man arrives - again without any sign of agression. She travels well and is very friendly with strange dogs (although most are afraid of her). The dog listens to my wife and I and obeys us. Slobber is a problem around mealtime but we don't worry about it - it doesn't stain. She behaves similarly when our friends bring there kids over - not at all protective of our kids with others ( I grew up with a GSD that was impossible with my friends, very protective of us). It's a low-maintenence dog I'm sure would do the heavy lifting if someone came in the house - especially when I'm away. We're happy with the breed but are wondering if we ought to look at others and whether to protection train the next. We wonder sometimes if our experience with this dog is a fluke.

Have you considered another Mastiff breed, because I think that if you went with one of the breeds you mentioned it might be more than you would want to deal with in the area of energy level and drive.

Things that you mentioned like not chasing bikes, being calm around strangers coming up to the house, just hanging out with the kids and not roaming are possible. They will require a lot more training to get with the higher drive and higher energy breeds.

Getting along with kids is a pretty easy one, all the breeds mentioned are pretty good with kids. . .especially the well selected GSD from a good breeding.


If you did want to go the route of protection training, and you were aware of what it will take to train the dog to be good around the house, you won't find a better breed than the GSD. I'd find a good working line breeder and tell them what you want. See if they can provide a well selected pup that can closely fit in with your family.

Robert, thank you for the input. It's much appreciated. We'll probably get another bullmastiff.

Regarding your comment about the work involved to properly train a protection dog - I don't know. My wife and I are well aware it's a big responsibility not to be taken lightly. Wer'e intrigued by having more control of the dog.

We've decided to read Protection Dogs for You and Your Family by Weiss / Rose in addition to Training Dogs A Manual by Most to provide a base of fundamental understanding before we make a decision regarding protection training. I bet we'll have more focused questions afterward.

We'd like to have a dog in the house but we're not sure when Kelly will need to be put down and we're concerned with comments about working lines and show lines; our breeder is a champion show breeder. Are there working line Bullmastiff breeders?

Again, thank you very much for the input.

Are there working line Bullmastiff breeders?


Not as far as I am concerned. There are no breeders of Bullys that I know of that are selecting breeding stock based on PROVEN working ability.

In fact, I think they are good protection dogs only based on their intimidation factor and size. Honestly, I wouldn't trust that one could actually defend if necessary.

When I mentioned other Mastiff breeds there are some that are bred for working ability, but you need to be very careful about finding a good one.

Cane Corso, Presa Canario, Neos, Filas, etc. Most of these breeds can be similar to the energy level of the Bully, but will have a bit more of a protective edge.


I think taking a good look at protection training and the type of dog it takes to do the work, you will find yourself leaning towards the GSD, Rottweiler, Giant Schnauzer, or Doberman. There are some fantastic working line breeders for all those breeds here in the US. But, as I mentioned that is going to be a step up in the amount of training and care necessary to raise a good dog.

(Not because they need more training to protect that other breeds, they need more training and control work because of the drives and higher energy level they possess.)


You seem to be a smart guy, and you are doing things right. I doubt you would have problems with a GSD or similar breed if you put a little research and work into it.

Have fun

Another breed I would suggest would be the Black Russian Terrier. In the house they will have a bit of a lower activity leve. If they are not with another dog they will tend to be a little quieter than the breeds mentioned, and from the right lines are going to be serious protection dogs. My second choice in your situation would be the GSD, and then the Giant. I would only recomend the Giant if you have EXPERIENCE with a dominant, and handler aggressive dog. Almost every one of them I have heard of will make at least 2 attempts at biting the person that it sees as the "alpha".

With any of the working breeds you will get what you train for. Teach the dog what you want starting when it is young. With all these breeds with out early and heavy socialization you will have a big problem. With the Giant and BRT if they are not properly socalized they will be very aggressive with strangers. They are also more territorial than many of the other working breeds. The Giant also tends to be sharp and claim a lot of territory (read that they bark a lot). BRT is less hard with the handler and adore children. Properly socialized they will be accepting of strangers, however if they feel there is a threat they will react instantly. Particularly while they are maturing you need to pay close attention to them as they are sensitve to the actions of others and you need to be able to read your dog to prevent "accidents".

About time Richard, I was waiting for that BRT plug.


Good advice.

Sorry, I been working 10-12 hrs day 6 days a week for a month. I am doing interviews, and 2x today I spelled my name wrong.

Trust me buddy, I'm self employed, I feel your pain.