Dogs

Cane Corso
Rottweiler

both live 10-12 yrs, both better health, both love kids (love them too much and want to play with them all the time!!!) both alpha personality breeds though, so more training and work. There are some great websites out there that have charts or details on the breeds. Need to know more info, do you live in apartment/house/have a big yard, will they be left outside a lot...
kids/lots of strangers in your live / take them to work.. etc etc...

remember, give your dog love, affection and treat them right, they will naturally guard you/yours and your stuff!
watch the Dog whisperer for some very good tips on training, on of the most effect I ever saw was just stand in front of them, calms them right down and enforces your the boss! So easy and so quick to change the patterns that get built up. Both the Canadian and American shows have tons of great tips and ideas!

best of luck and sorry your fur friend died, take care

Hi meinmachine:
I am sorry to hear that your dog passed away, it takes quite a while to get over the loss of a beloved pet and their memory will always stay with you.
My wife and I are dog lovers and last year we lost our two loving companions of over 15 years to disease within days of each other. We have been without a dog since then and not a day goes by that we do not think back fondly to those wonderful, loving and loyal members of our family.
We are just now exploring the idea of getting another dog and one we are seriously considering is the Argentine Dogo or also known as the Dogo Argentino.
This breed is large, (27 to 29 inches & gets anywhere from 9 to 130 lbs) is all white and gets quite muscular. It is extremely protective of its family and is great with kids. It is free of most large breed diseases and has a life expectancy of anywhere from 9 up to 20 years.
We want a dog first and foremost because we are dog lovers and want to give one a great home. Secondly, a dog is the best early warning system that any prepper can have and while we do not want to put our dog in harms way we still like being alerted to anyone/anything that comes on our property. We enjoy all that comes with owning a dog and in fact are thinking strongly of getting into Schutzhund training with whatever breed dog we get.
While getting a dog is a highly personal thing I suggest that while you are exploring breeds you take the time to check out the Dogo, you may really like what you see, I know I did.

Hi meinmachine:
Sorry for leaving out a zero on how large the breed gets. I meant to write 90 to 130 pounds, even though I guess in fact it will reach 9 pounds quite easily...probably within a couple of weeks actually.

While I don't have this breed at this time, I spent a goodly amount of time with them in my younger age and hope at some point in the future (after my current dogs pass on) to bring one in on the farm..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catahoula_Cur

Big enough to get the job done without being huge but they do require a active lifestyle and a job to do along with lots of steady even training..

For me personally, the high level of intelligence, loyalty, and trainability of the German Shepherd cannot be surpassed. I have 2 myself (3 until recently) who are from the old type level back German blood lines, not the extreme low slung type that is seen most today in the show ring. They are extremely loyal, protective, obedient, and amazing family members. Mine have no hip, elbow, or joint problems, but I started them off right from little pups with restricted activity and exercise until their bone structures and muscle strength had developed sufficiently before alllowing them to have free range. They are also fed a natural diet which contributes to their health and wellbeing. Incorrect feeding, over exercise at a young age, and environment are all common factors that can determine how/if bone & joint disease develops in any dog, not just hereditary breed factors. Very large and giant breeds mostly have a lower life expectancy than other breeds, but many GSD's can easily live up to 10 or 12 years. They do have some quite specific traits, so it is vital to research as much as you can first. Mental stimulation and early socialising is very, very important for them.

All pure bred dogs (and other animals) have heritable health issues to one degree or another, as do many mixed breeds also. Larger breeds are predisposed toward hip and elbow dysplaysia problems, or joint problems but this is where the importance of selecting a very reputable and experienced breeder is paramount. If choosing a large breed, always ensure you find a breeder who guarantees the dog to be healthy and sound, hip and elbow scores all their breeding stock, selects only those with desirable temperaments, and where ever possible, tests their stock and progeny for other known heritable problems also to reduce the risk of them being passed on, and are deemed suitable for the purpose of which you want to train him or her.

Selecting a dog for security that is capable of high endurance and agility is also very important. Most very large or giant breeds cannot climb fences or obstacles all that well or cover a large area of ground in a short time which is something you may need to train them to do in certain situations. This is why GSD's are the preferred breed in military and law enforcement rolls. They are multi purpose working dogs who are loyal and devoted to their handlers & families.

You may also want to look at breed profiles of the Belgian Shepherds or Shilo Shepherd.

Sorry to hear about your dog MM, don't have input on breeds, but I did want to take the opportunity to tell/remind people that chocolate, most especially dark chocolate and onions are very bad for dogs. A couple Christmasses ago, I stepped out to go deliver some presents and when I got home I found my dogs had unwrapped themselves a box of chocolates and were in the process of robustly enjoying it. Thankfully it was only milk chocolate with cream centers, so not nearly as bad as dark chocolate, which can kill them quickly.

Also onions in any form whatsoever, cooked, dehydrated, raw, powdered causes irreversible damage to blood cells which is cumulative. I learned this the hard way. I had a dog with severe allergies and the vet told me to feed her potatoes for a week, then add ground beef for the next week, then another vegetable, and in a week another & so on. I added onions in the third week and continued with that and I do believe that is what caused her blood cells to break down irretreavably.

Now, maybe many of you have gotten away with giving your dogs onions at times, ie in stews, etc. Nevertheless, just because you've gotten away with it, doesn't mean it's good for the dog. I'm not sure about garlic, need to look that up. Grapes & raisins are also bad for dogs.

I have an Australian cattle dog blue healer well not big they live for over 20 years and a choc lab 5 years but I would suggest a German Shepard or a husky, or pit bull all good with kids and great protectors

I really appreciate the suggestions, thanks so much. We have started the search, and hope to have a pup in the late December early January time period. Not sure what yet, I know I lean towards the Rotty/ German Shepard, but as many of you know, such decisions are not made alone.

Thanks again,

Rob

Most breeders won't have anything till April or march maybe because of Christmas being crazy enough but best of luck

We are a dog family,
3 big ones.
Our 'old fella' is a Rotti-Shephard X. He is 13 years old and still has the vitality and health of a puppy. He is a retired champion in the flat pull as well. I like the Rotti-Shephard X because, it seems that the good qualities from each breed have been kept and the lesser qualities dumped. He is smart, well trained, and easily trained right from a pup.
He is our 'bug-out' work horse as well. He pulls a custom bug-out cart or sled(depending on season). He does shed pretty good in the fall though.

Our second is a Mastiff-Leonberger X. Again mixing the good qualities of each breed and discarding the lesser. She is 4 years old, very large but has the most even temperament of any dog I've met. Does well in the cold, easily trainable, very smart, loving and protective. She also pulls a cart or sled under command very well. Also sheds pretty heavy in the fall.

Our third is a collie - x. If you can handle the barking, a very well rounded breed. Good with security at home. Again, easily trainable, loving and smart. She isnt the physical worker like the other 2 but she would if we'd let her. Sheds in the fall but in clumps so, it's easy to manage.

All three dogs are amazing with our 1 year old daughter, loving and calm. She pulls their ears, teeth, and puts things in their noses with no complaints from them. Not one health issue with any of the dogs, not one behavioral issue either.

I would recommend the Rottie-Shepard X as the best all rounded dog.
The only down side is that a 100 pound dog takes up a lot of room on the bed.

I asked this question on the boards awhile ago. In my search I came across a mixed breed known as "king dobermans". Its a great dane/doberman cross. essentially a Dane sized doberman, without the health issues of either. Life span of about 12 years, which is a very long time for a dog that sized. When trained they are an extremely effective deterrant, both physically and psychologically. Only issue is I couldnt find anywhere locally that breeds them. Not a very common crossbreed.

I asked this question on the boards awhile ago. In my search I came across a mixed breed known as "king dobermans". Its a great dane/doberman cross. essentially a Dane sized doberman, without the health issues of either. Life span of about 12 years, which is a very long time for a dog that sized. When trained they are an extremely effective deterrant, both physically and psychologically. Only issue is I couldnt find anywhere locally that breeds them. Not a very common crossbreed.

Hi Buggie:
For a while there was a big emphasis put on trying to breed very large Doberman Pinschers and there was a lot of “not too reputable” breeders jumping on that bandwagon and selling dogs that were advertised as very big and aggressive but they did not have the stability, temperament and health that legitimate breeders of pure bred Doberman’s try to obtain in their dogs. There were a lot of these type of Doberman crosses sold, and a lot of them ended up being put down due to aggression issues and families not being able to handle that type of dog.
I have owned a Doberman Pinscher in the past and they are mainly just big teddy bears at heart, I can tell you flat out that a pure bred Doberman weighing anywhere from 60 to 75 pounds or even more when it is in “protection mode”with teeth bared and barking angrily is definitely a psychological deterrent and if it is unleashed to attack and believe me on this, it is also quite the physical deterrent as well.
As a dog lover and former owner of a pure bred, Kennel Club registered Doberman Pinscher I ask you to please consider not buying a dog, especially a Doberman, that does not come from a reputable breeder. If you can’t trace the parents (both) lineage back at least 4 to 6 generations then you really can’t be sure of the temperament and mental stability of the dog as well as the health issues that may crop up.
I am not by any stretch of the imagination trying to tell you what type of dog to buy or not to buy but rather doing my best to inform you of what many unscrupulous breeders are selling to the public as well as doing to the Doberman breed and the possible downside of purchasing a dog from them.
While even pure bred dogs can and sometimes do fall victim to disease and that in itself is heartbreaking, but the majority of reputable breeders will feel just as sad as you do and because they care about your feelings as well as their reputation will offer to replace the dog with another puppy.
It would be very sad to take one of those Doberman/Great Dane cross puppies into your home and then a year or more later after you have come to love it, and it you, have to remove it from your life because it has become unstable.

Sorry to hear about your dog, we have 2 ourselves, a Rhodesian Ridgeback and Yellow Lab.

There are a number of things you have to consider when getting a dog, but when you do decide, choosing to go through a reputable breeder is probably one of the most important decision you can make.
That being said, there are a lot of "reputable breeders" that are glorified puppy mills, so really doing your research pays off in the long run.
While you will pay more for a purebred dog from a breeder, many of them participate in programs like the Penn State Hip analysis, etc and you are getting a higher quality dog.

While breeds are certainly known for certain temperaments, attitudes, etc, there is a lot to be said for dog personality.
In this case a rescue allows you to find a dog that has had time to develop a personality, and you can foster one to see if it will fit what you are looking for, or perhaps find a breed you thought you might like is not a suitable as you felt.

I personally prefer dogs that have not been over bred, particularly CRUFTS favoured breeds, as they have, until recently been bred for vanity rather than the function of the original working version. The comparison between the working German Shepherd, and the show version is a common example.
"Ancient Breeds" tend to be truest to their original working bloodline, and also tend to have less health problems due to cross and interbreeding.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_dog_breeds
If you like the working properties of a dog, you can search the AKC for dogs that are judged to the same breed standard that may have other traits you desire.

The next dog I get will be a rescued Thai Ridgeback, for a number of personable preferences.

Good luck in your search, a like anything with prepping, it is worth putting the time in to do right, rather than rush in.

Right now I have a couple of (pure bred show quality) dogs that have been great companions and watch, (not guard) dogs for over a decade. In a SHTF scenario they will be a liability (one is totally blind and the other has severe arthritis) but I will continue to share what I have with my two 'little buddies' that I still refer to as "my puppies". I'd no sooner turn them out on their own than most of you would 'set granny on the porch' as a distraction while you take aim at the enemy. Quite literally you couldn't walk up a concrete sidewalk to my front door without being 'announced' by my dogs while watching TV in the family room in the back yard side of the house. Between the two they have 26 years of experience as 'security guards' for my home.

When the oldest one (14 years) goes to the great dog park in the sky I will substitute (? not replace) him with an older (preferably larger breed) mutt that was surrendered by an old person forced into a nursing home. For some reason most mature rescued dogs seem to know they have been given a second lease on life (maybe they smell the extermination at the SPCA/pound?) and are appreciative/thankful for their second chance at being part of a family. Their loyalty is second to none in many cases.

The best dog I ever had was a huge (muscle bound 90 lb) Doberman that loved playing with children and 'had my back' all of the time. If you shook your fist at my face from 5 feet away he would growl at, but not attack without a command. If you shook your fist at my back from 15 feet away you were in deep trouble before I even knew what was going on. As I said, he always had my back covered.

FYI, a friend had an adorable 120 lb malamute. Like all Mal's she shed like she had chemotherapy and had to be brushed on a very regular basis. Buddies aunt had a spinning wheel and would card and spin the malamutes fur into a yarn. The yarn was used to knit the warmest light weight (thin) mitts and toques you could possibly imagine. Seriously the mitts would keep your hand warm in -30 weather and even if they were wet, the heat from your hands would 'steam' the water out of the mitts while keeping your hand warm. If some of you have a friend/relative who spins wool (an almost lost art) and access to large quantities of 'cold resistant' dog fur, I would strongly recommend that you save, spin and knit mitts from the dog fur for some unbelievably warm knitted goods. If your SHTF group can produce those knitted goods it would be a valuable barter item once the first pair of 'mitts' was traded and used by another group.

Just saying...