The actions of some particulary ignorant Irish politicians means that ownership of the folloing dogs in Ireland is very difficult.

"Dublin City Council is to introduce a ban on eleven breeds of dog from properties including houses, flats and estates, with immediate effect.

The breeds are: English Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, German Shepherd (Alsatian), Doberman, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Japanese Akita, Bull Mastiff, Japanese Tosa and Bandog. Cross-breeds of these dogs or crosses of these dogs with any other breed are also banned."

Although I can own any on the above, in public they must now always be muzzled.

Can anyone recommend a good guard dog not on this list please?

Thanks!

American Bulldog







But they will think it is a pit bull. You could also try an Argentine Dogo, South African Boerbol, Bouvier (not sure on the spelling on that one) or an Alaskan Malamute.

I've seen some pretty cheeky Jack Russells, they are not on the list.

I do not know what you expect of a guard dog, but some of the livestock guardian breeds like the Anatolian Shepherd and Kuvasz are very watchful and grow to a decent size.

Hi Irish Paul

Australian Cattle Dog or Blue/Red Heeler.

See my Avatar pic.

Need plenty of exercise and as a bonus you can herd cattle

Most people won't come into a yard that has a heeler guarding it in Australia.

Regards
Deafdog

Paul,

I agree with Charles on the Kuvasz and Ann on the Bouvier. Had friends that had both and those dogs were quite the protectors!!!
A few others that come to mind:
Giant Schnauzer
Leonberger
Great Pyrenees
Swiss Mountain Dog

Ann..your dog is beautiful!! I am a big fan of muscular doggy breeds. He has great confirmation and a face you just want to kiss on the nose!!! Is he as mischievous as he looks?

I agree with deafdog. A good Blue cattle dog may be the way to go. Or look at the Belgian Malinois. They are being used for police and military work more and more.

http://www.justdogbreeds.com/

http://www.justdogbreeds.com/australian-cattle-dog.html

http://www.justdogbreeds.com/belgian-malinois.html

Kuvasz or Komondoor.

Get a Catahoula Leopard Dog and no one will know what you have.

quote:

Originally posted by Macifej:
Kuvasz or Komondoor.

Get a Catahoula Leopard Dog and no one will know what you have.

Might be hard to find a good working strain Catahoula in Ireland.

Those folks must be deep into the whiskey or drowning in Guinness. One dog stands out for me that is not on that list. The Argentine Dogo.

English Mastiff not on the list but too scary when guard trained.

I have owned 6 Kuvasz and one Great Pyreaness. You must raise them carefully AND WITH GREAT INTENTION (read time consuming) If you do a good job you will have a dog that WILL TAKE A BULLET FOR YOU OR YOUR FAMILY.

Thanks all for your replies.

What can I say about Irish politicians???


I am leaning towards the Belgian Malinois.

Dogos are flat out illegal in a lot of European countries, but I would love one!

The Catahoula suggestion is great, but as mentioned it might be tough to locate one. We used to pig hunt with a Catahoula in California - he was as fearless as they come.

What about a Weimaraner? They look like they get to a good size, might be suitable for fowl hunting here.
Or a Newfoundland?


Thanks again
P.

I would have two concerns with a Mal, the first being that you would have to convince the authorities that it is not just a small German Shepherd, and the second being that a work-bred Mal is likely to be very driven and a handful.

I have never had one, and only know what I read, so take that with a large container of salt.

How about a Cane Corso?

Mals can be very driven more so if you get a working line mal. They are not dogs that cope well being shut away all day and it will need training. But a trained mal is a very good dog.

quote:

Originally posted by Bakes:
Mals can be very driven more so if you get a working line mal. They are not dogs that cope well being shut away all day and it will need training. But a trained mal is a very good dog.

Thanks for the pictures. I have nothing but respect for the Mal, but was not sure it would work in these circumstances. You have the experience and would know better than me for sure.

An Airdale from a working strain --- stay away from show dogs.

I'd have to agree with Bill.....An Airedale is a wonderful family dog AND a guard dog. You even get a strain that's been bred for hunting birds, etc.

I love 'em.

Giant Schnauzer (black)
Standard Poodle (black)
Russian Terrier (black)

All large enough.
All very smart.
All trainable.

Get a Presa Canario. It's not on the list, but it's way more dog than anything on the list. That would fix them.

Another vote for the Airedale. Typical terrier...courageous, strong, dedicated family dogs. Excellent working breed and very trainable as an extra benefit.

Just my opinion.

Hire a Sicilian with a Lupara......
Smart, easily trained....
A few tomatoes and some pasta....
No concern about biting, barking,...
Long lived.......

My B.I.L lives outside Budapest and has a freak Bernese. He's about the size of a small car, could break glass with his bark, and lives outside in all kinds of weather. Looks nice & friendly to the "Man". Dog is from an Austrian or Swiss breeder can't remember. FCI paperwork and conformation.

In Missouri we used Irish Wolfhounds as kill dogs when hunting coyotes. They are one badass dog! Coyotes would never last more than a couple of minutes with the Wolfhound. Just think, they are Irish, too.

quote:

Get a Presa Canario. It's not on the list, but it's way more dog than anything on the list. That would fix them.

But don't Presa's eventually eat their owners too?

I would avoid many of the breeds mentioned here. Unless you know how to train the dog you are opening yourself to a world of trouble.

As for a Weimer if most are like mine she would be willing to open the door and lick the intruder possibly to bodily harm if they promised to take her bird hunting.

Of all listed I see the Airdale as a good choice. The ones I have known were great protectors and yet gentle family dogs.
A gentleman in my hometown got one as a companion for his young son. No one and I mean no one could touch Tommy without having "Rope" put the grab on their leg. He never had to bite, just held tight enough that you knew he meant business. Also Rope at least twice pulled the young fellow out of a pond saving his life.

I knew a guy that had a protection trained Great Dane that was very intimidating. I also have to say that my DD is a heck of a guard dog which was not something I anticipated. Woe betide anyone that tries to break into my house when she's home.

I met this guy a couple times at his house and shows. He was 37.5" and 325 lbs when last we met. He was a great runner too. Anything smaller than a Brown Bear would be toast.

I have known more than one Chesapeake that had definite ideas about property. One, took part of a finger from his owner for messing with one of his ducks. One thing about Chessies is they don't bluff. I have my doubts that they are smart enough to bluff. A Chessie tells you he's going to bite you, it's been my experience he'll have a manly run at doing just that if you don't back off.

Their people, their property, are theirs.

Chessie is good choice especially for cold wet climate. They are STINKY dogs though!! WOW!!

quote:

Originally posted by miles58:
I have known more than one Chesapeake that had definite ideas about property. Their people, their property, are theirs.

What an excellent reminder. My boy was not only exceptional when it came to waterfowl hunting, and field trial work, but our house was his house, my car was his car. Very trainable and instinctively protective. My daughters were very young when Gunner was with us and he was very patient and gentle with them. Someone said "stinky." I did not experience that and he lived inside; we lived then in Tucson, and the pool was his as well.

Another recommendation for the English Mastiff. They are highly intelligent and truly gentle giants around the family. They do, however, become part of the family and will defend them as one of their own.

They have an unbelievably high threshold for pain. Our one mastiff came in the house limping one day. Took her to the vet, who manipulated her knee all over the place while she did not bat an eye. She had torn her ACL (or whatever the dog equivalent of that is). Most dogs and any person I have known that have had similar injuries would be climbing the walls. She did not flinch and did not try to bite the vet.

They are such large animals, though, that a little nip will cause some serious injury. A 160 to 300 pound Mastiff is all muscle and they often do not realize their own strength. Don't expect a screen door or an average fence to hold them. I would caution anyone against "adjusting" their temperment. They are naturally protective, but not in the sense that they will tear something apart. Once they lock those jaws onto something, they tend to stay locked (they kill in much the same way big cats do, by cutting off another animals air supply).

They are big enough anyway that anyone seeing one will stop in their tracks. And if the sight of them does not do it, their bark will get their attention.

I have had English Mastiffs for over 10 years, and have had many other breeds over the years. Mastiffs are the best dogs I have had the pleasure of being owned by.

Absolutely! Known many handlers and breeders and many of the top Mastiffs. We were originally going to get a Swissie but our handler friend was showing a Mastiff at the same venue and there is no comparison in personality and size. Truly excellent dogs if you have the right environment and the time to spend with them.

try the boerboel. they very protective and scary

One more vote for the Airedale. Know of one in Alaska that "owns" a gold mine. Since she's been around, bears and wolves are nonexistent. She won't let outside people anywhere near the equipment. Actually I think I just talked myself into an Airedale!

Depends on what you want to guard and if you have kids. If you want a dog to look after empty property during the day when you are out, then any large dog that makes a racket will do.

However, if you want a dog to live with kids, and that will literally chomp any stranger that comes near them, a Kerry Blue is the beast for the job. I had one for years when I was a kid, it was particularly hard on strange dogs that came near me.

I just picked up a Kuvasz puppy to go with my Great Pyr. Let the adventure begin!

quote:

Originally posted by billinthewild:

quote:

Originally posted by miles58:
I have known more than one Chesapeake that had definite ideas about property. Their people, their property, are theirs.

What an excellent reminder. My boy was not only exceptional when it came to waterfowl hunting, and field trial work, but our house was his house, my car was his car. Very trainable and instinctively protective. My daughters were very young when Gunner was with us and he was very patient and gentle with them. Someone said "stinky." I did not experience that and he lived inside; we lived then in Tucson, and the pool was his as well.

Our Chessie has backed many people away from our front door with her stance and bark. She lives in the house with us and sleeps on our bed.

When she leaves us, I will get another Chessie.

our PD has gone to Giant Airedales. They are much more easy going (until you get cross of one)than shepherds, much hardier, do well with kids, and are somewhat territorial. 100-140lbs for a big male.

Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...

I've never owned one (but am thinking about it) but if the recommended above Giant Schnauzer is HALF as protective as the 20 pounder that owns my wife, you house and family would be VERY secure.

Airedales are an excellent choice as well.