As some of you are aware we have been looking to adopt another dog. So far its been really hard to find a rescue that will adopt out to homes with very young children. A few have been ok but the rightdog for us hasnt been there unfortunately. We've found a few private rescues who would be willing but so far nothing has worked out.

circumstances have changed a bit now and it means that my partner has to work more nights now so he wont be in the house with us. I will be on my own with our 2 kiddo's (nearly 5 and nearly 1) and Yogi. I HATE being in the house on my own and feel very vunerable on my own with the kids. So we started looking at larger breeds and/or those with guarding instincts. Before I go any further if anyone feels this is not a good enough reason for getting one of those breeds of dogs please let me know how you feel. I dont want to be classed as someone who wants a "status dog" because I REALLY am not that sort of person but having said that I suppose I do want "would be intruders" to be intimidated enough to be put off (if that makes any sense!)

I also walk in very remote areas of the forest on my own with the baby and I would feel safer with a) 2 dogs and b) a bigger/guarding breed.

We were looking at dobermans, rotties and DDB. First and foremost though, any dog we decide to get would have be tolerant of kids (who are taught to respect dogs I might add) and get along with Yogi.

Thanks to anyone who replies after that confusing, longwinded spiel!!

It may just be how I've read your post but getting a dog JUST to be what is essentially protection and it does strike me as a Status type thing e.g. "Don't mess with us we've got a giant dog."

I don't know, I feel harsh saying it but I don't think it's a valid enough reason to get another dog. But this of course is my own personal opinion. I'd rather sort out the security in my home before even entertaining any measure such as this - plus I'd think I was underminding Donnie's own level of defence. Lol I'll stop rambling.

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sorry to be a bore with the whole stafford thing but they offer everything you are looking for in your post
They are loyal extremely good with children my husband also works nights and she will bark if needs be and sounds a lot bigger than she really is.....but only barks when she needs to.
Also not to big but I really can't stress enough how fantastic they can be with kids big softies really
To add there never is really a good reason to get another dog there more expense more mess more training time act the list goes on .
But saying the above sometimes when alone at night and cookie barks it scares me more as then I'm convinced theres someone there lol .......I prefer not knowing lol

I've got a lhasa/poodle and he lets out a right noise if someone knocks at the door. It sounds miles worse than the 'woof' my sister's GR does and would probably put someone off.
If the worst happened and someone did break in they could steal everything as long as they left him alone and I would worry more about me being able to protect him then him being any use against burglars.

I would say if you want protection, get a baseball bat, CCTV system, alarms and fences. I would say a Lab would be enough of a deterrent to would be attackers/burglars anyway.

If you want a loving companion, Dobes are my favourite breed by far. They are intelligent, beautiful, loyal, athletic and very trainable. I also think they are good with children, as long as you go for a good breeder who breeds for temperament and they definitely require a firm hand. However, personally I dont believe I would be able to train a Dobermann and handle two young children at the same time.

I've posted the pros and cons of Dobes a few times, but I'll post them again.

Pros:
Very smart and trainable (eager to please)
Athletic
Barley shed
Beautiful to look at
Couch potatoes in the house
Medium size
Great at working sports/agillty
Very playful
Natural guarding instinct

Cons
Can't be left alone for long periods of time
Need constant stimulation and training
High energy
Need LOTS of socialisation early on
Prone to temperament/health issues from bad breeding
Require a firm but fair hand
Not good first time dog
Play rough wih other dogs
Prone to same-sex aggression
Cost a fortune to feed

If you can handle the cons, the Dobermann really is (in my biased opinion!) the ultimate in German engineering. I'd be happy to answer any dobe related questions you might have

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My Saarloos is absolutely excellent with children. My nearly 3 year old feeds her out of her mouth! The breed as a whole is generally good with children. She won't bark when someone knocks the door, but we had a friend come in unannounced about a year back and she barked the house down (she'd never hurt anyone, but she barks like a good 'un!) My mum in law used to have a staffie and he was fab with children too.
I don't believe you're thinking about getting another dog for the sole purpose of being a guard dog. I'm sure you'll love and care for it as much as you would any other dog.

I see where you are coming from. We are looking to get a 2nd dog anyway but now becuase of the circumstances we thought we would look at those breeds I mentioned. I know its highly unlikely that I would be attacked in the forest but if a potential attacker was put off becuase I had 2 dogs with me or becuase one of the dogs was a dobe, rottie or DDB then I would be glad. I wouldnt want the whole world to fear me or the dogs just anyone who has bad intentions. I cant really put it into words!!! I know it sounds like I want a status dog but I just want one that I know would stand by me and the kids if the worst happened and not lick an attacker to death like Yogi would!!

I think that wanting a dog specifically to guard is the wrong reason if that is the sole reason. Kilo's breeder did ask me whether I wanted the breed to guard and that she wouldn't sell me one if I did. She also said that he would naturally guard and to do nothing to encourage this trait at all.

However, I do know what you mean about feeling safer with a bigger dog as I spend a lot of time alone too. I got Kilo as a companion but do like that he will make a lot of noise if the door goes at an unexpected time, stick close to me offlead if people that he doesn't know come close etc but without bothering them. I have never encouraged him to guard as I think that puts him at risk and my job is to protect him, not the other way around.

I know that I haven't explained myself too well, but I hope you get the gist.

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my friend had a Japanese Akita - he was amazing!!!

they are extreamly loyal and protective dogs - fantastic with children - she had 4, and each time she brought them home from the hospital when they were born, she just had to set them down in the car seat - he would sniff them, may lick their feet, then as far as he was concerned - his to look after he would always sit right by the pushchair when they were sleeping in there, and when i went to admire the baby, he had to look in there with me to make sure they were ok too (awww!)

when he died my friend said she missed him so much, but there was also the element of feeling vulnerable without him, so i understand what you mean.

they were traditionally used for protecting the children in the village when the men were fishing and the women were working the fields. later on they were used to hunt bears. unfortunately they were then bred with a fighting dog - creating an 'ultimate dog'. when people realised how dangerous and powerful they were, they bred the fighting dog back out.

if you considered getting one i would recommend, as always advised - is to check where you're getting them from and their background etc.

best of luck

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I also wouldn’t under-estimate Yogi. I know a black lab that would let the kids sit on him and pull him about and would never even bark at the door. One time his owner was walking through the woods alone when she saw a man who she thought was following her; the dog went crazy, lunging and barking. Never happened before, never happened after.

Dobes generally don’t start guarding until over 2 years old.

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