Weeell...

I guess the first question is always, what do you NEED from a dog?

Yes, I meant Caleb being able to fullfill the scenarios that you outlined.

On Harrison k9 the dogs all look like German showline dogs. Good greef, one of the females is 95 lbs & still growing!)I was amaized to see that several of these dogs were sold to people in towns right next to mine & a couple with in a few towns away. I was amaized that people that one would assume were very well educated & wordly ( judging by the income needed to purchase & maintain a home in this area. (Greenwich, New Canaan, etc)I'm not dissing other areas on this, just stating a fact about this one area & there are many others in the states like this) would be so 'taken in' that they would spend between $37,000 & $50,000 for these dogs. Like PT Barnum said: There's a sucker born every minute!

Vanessa, what's your situation? Will a deterrent work? Or do you need a dog who will truly engage and fight an attacker? Do you have a family? How capable are you of handling the dog you need? If you want a true man-stopper, which are very few and far between...can you competently, effectively, and SAFELY handle it?

My situation:

I want a dog that is (more to your wording) a deterrent. A dog that will bark it's head off if someone comes near my house/kids, a dog that will scare any intruder, a dog that will be more "bark" that "bite". As I think I said, I have two kids under the age of 10. I want a dog that can become a member of the family. I admit, you go on Harrison K-9's web-site and see the little girl with the giant shepherd and it appeals...ah, the perfect mix! A protection dog that will roll around with the kids! Probably a bit much to expect. So, no, I don't need a "man-stopper". God forbid that there was ever a man that needed stopping, I think my DH's gun would do that very well. I just am ready for a good, trained, protective dog. I don't want a puppy.

Maybe I am asking for too much? Thanks for your response.

-Vanessa

 Quote: Jo Harker

Yes, I meant Caleb being able to fullfill the scenarios that you outlined.

He better, or he'll be in trouble. He's a dog. They have minds of their own and do things you don't expect sometimes, but he has been in all those situations numerous times over the years and is quite good in them. Granted, he is a bit more alert/watchful at a party w/strangers than a party at my Grandma's. I can honestly say I think he's as likely to do the correct thing in a given situation as any dog, but there's always that chance you take when dealing w/an animal w/its own working brain.

Vanessa, that's another thing to consider; a dog is not 100%. It's a living being w/it's own thoughts that could potentially not mesh w/yours in a given situation. Do you want a dog or a gun or both?

Edited- read your last post. IMO, you need a well-bred, temperamentally, genetically correct GSD from working lines who has a clear head. Most people are not going to mess w/a dog and will just move on to the next target. From what you describe, I think you need to skip the PPD vendors altogether and just buy a good dog from a reputable seller or breeder. You will spend far less money doing this and probably get a better fit for your family.

Edited by Jenni Williams (07/23/2009 12:41 PM)
Edit reason: Saw Vanessa's new post

Where are you located Vanessa?

You don't have to spend $60,000 for a dog like that.

You'd do better to get a pup, just so that it can bond to your family, especially your kids, and therefore be inclined to be protective. Otherwise, what's the incentive for a dog to do so?

However, if you are absolutely adverse to getting a puppy, you could talk to some workingline GSD breeders. They often have older dogs available. Sometimes they are green started "sport prospects" which would easily fulfill your desire of a visual/auditory deterrant.

A retired, titled breeding dog would also be a good choice.

My question is, though, why do you need the dog?
The sound of a pump-action shotgun is as much, or more of a deterrent than a dog.

Do you want a canine companion, or an alarm system? If you want a nice family pet that will bark at strangers, I would go with my above suggestions.
If you aren't interested in having a family companion, someone to play with, run with, train, etc... then a dog is probably a poor choice.

Well, I have a gun. I understand that a dog is going to come with it's own personality, I have had dogs all my life (good and not so good). As a family, we are ready for another member in the form of a dog and I know we will have to accept any quirks, as we all have them. I was attracted to the idea of a PPD mostly because of all the press I've read about how much a dog can matter when it comes to protecting your family/deterring intruders, etc.

Betty, I live in MD.

Why not a puppy?