I am trying to find a breed of dog my dad would be okay with and looks are big with him. He doesn't understand that smooshy face dogs, like french mastiffs or pugs, are adorable and he thinks catahoula leopard dogs look like puke (but I love them). I know that any well trained and well loved dogs will protect their owners, but he doesn't. But here are his "requirements"...
-Has to be people friendly but wont happily greet an intruder,
-Would protect us if needed,
-Be well proportioned(no big headed smooshy faced dogs, or long bodies with short legs),
-Looks intimidating,
-Loyal,
-easy to train,
I might add something else later if I forgot anything. I was thinking that a doberman might be a good choice? But I want other suggestions and comments. He would take the dog on a daily jog/walk and lives in a one bedroom apartment near the ghetto (sorry, I dont know how else to explain it), so he needs a dog to help protect us.
Update:Yeah,Kelle, a security system would be cheaper, but come on a dog is soooooooo much more fun. And a well trained security system wont even sit when you tell it to.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Why don't you and dad head down to the local shelter and see what they have. If he doesn't like any there, then wait a week- more will come. If he gets a young adult dog (a year or two old) it will be fixed, UTD on shots, and ready to go with him on his daily jogs. A pup would have to grow up first.
A German Shepherd, Doberman Pinscher, or a Golden Retriever are my top choices. I have a 1 1/2 year old female german shepherd and she fluffs up and growls like a bear with a deep bark at any jogger or dog walker, etc that we come across. She acts like she is going to kill them and once she meets them she licks them to death! German Shepherds are a good size, great family dog, and very good guard dog. A Doberman looks more intimidating with it's ears cropped, but are big sweethearts like German Shepherds. They are lovely dogs. A Golden is more of a family dog, they are easy to train but usually not fierce with intruders or anyone for that matter. They make good watch dogs, though. You CANNOT slack off with exercise. A nice long walk each day is good. Goldens have been known to get tubby, and Shepherds have been known to get destructive, Dobermans too. Goldens will shed a lot and so will Shepherds. Goldens are long hair with a double coat and Shepherds are medium with a double coat. Dobermans might need a doggy jacket for the winter but practically no grooming is needed. They have very short soft coats and don't shed much. They are all fairly large and are good guard dog size. I would suggest a Rottweiler but you might run into some insurance problems. Don't get me wrong, i love rotties and I think it's sad that the big softies are so misjudged! I wish you the best of luck with your new family member!
Ok if he lives in an apartment then you should only get a SMALL dog i know they don't really fit the criteria but a dog especially like a doberman is going to need to get out the house alot more and a daily jog will not be enough for a dog like that. If you get a big dog in a small place it could get very destructive and very bored and when dogs get bored they get destructive.
A dog who protects safely needs to be trained highly. It costs a lot of money. A security system would cost l;ess.
Don't let us choose, for your father's happiness. Remember, the dog will be with you, unless you give it to a local shelter. It would be an utterly complete DISASTER if he didn't like the dog you've picked.
A German Shepherd would be a good choice. They are large, loyal, and protect their families. A Border Collie would be another good choice. They look after all members of the family and usually don't take kindly to people they don't know.
How about a rottweiler, rotties pretty much tick everything on that list, expect some rotties have squished in faces, get a mixed breed, rottweiler x
a shiba inu sounds perfect for what your dad wants, its not to big and not to small, protects owners when needed, loyal, friendly, also very easy to train, and its adorable!! But i also would suggest a husky or lab. but here are some pic and info:
http://photobucket.com/images/shiba%20inu%20/
http://media.photobucket.com/image/shiba%20inu/Gum...
http://www.nextdaypets.com/directory/breeds/110024...
Generally the big and imposing dog breeds don't fit the EASY to train category. They are STUBBURN, due to there EXTREME intelligent which can make them HARDER to train especial for an inexperience owner.
Remember NO dog is perfect. All dogs are protective once they reach 18month old.
Akita
The strong temperament. Akitas are not Golden Retrievers. They have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. Many Akitas are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
Alaskan Malamute
The strong temperament. Alaskan Malamutes are not Golden Retrievers. They have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. They can be manipulative, and many are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
Anatolian Shepherd Dog
The strong temperament. Anatolian Shepherd Dogs are not Golden Retrievers. They have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. Many Anatolians are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
Bernese Mountain Dog
Strong temperament in some males. Some Bernese Mountain Dogs, particularly young males, are not pushovers to raise and train. Some are willful and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. Some Bernese males are also dominant or aggressive toward other male dogs.
Black Russian Terrier
Doberman Pinscher -Stubburn
Providing enough socialization. Many Dobermann Pinschers have protective instincts toward strangers. They need extensive exposure to friendly people so they learn to recognize the normal behaviors of "good guys." Then they can recognize the difference when someone acts abnormally. Without careful socialization, they may be suspicious of everyone, which could lead to biting. Some Dobermans go in the opposite direction -- without enough socialization, they become fearful of strangers, which can lead to defensive biting.
German Pinscher
giant Schnauzer
The strong temperament. Giant Schnauzers are not Golden Retrievers. The best Giant Schnauzers are versatile working dogs, capable of learning a great deal, but they have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. Some Giant Schnauzers are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
Great Dane
The strong temperament. Great Danes are not Golden Retrievers. They have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. Some Great Danes are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
Great Pyrenees
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
The strong temperament. Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are not Golden Retrievers. They have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. Some Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
Komondor
The strong temperament. Komondors are not Golden Retrievers. They have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. Many Komondors are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
Kuvasz
The strong temperament. Kuvasz are not Golden Retrievers. They have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. They can be manipulative, and some are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
Newfoundland
Strong temperament in males. Many Newfoundlands, particularly young males, are not pushovers to raise and train. Some are willful and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. Some Newfoundland males are also dominant or aggressive toward other male dogs.
Portuguese Water Dog
Samoyed
Siberian Husky
Standard Schnauzer
Tibetan Mastiff
Beauceron
Belgian Sheepdog
Bouvier des Flandres
Briard
Canaan Dog
German Shepherd Dog
How about a Rotweiller or a Boxer??? Hahaha just my suggestion good luck.
XOXO, Alyssa