SHTF/GUARD DOG BREEDS

**Hootiewho** · 08-19-11, 07:03

Everyone knows dogs are among the best criminal deterrents one can get. In hard/bad times, I'm curious what breed you guys believe would serve a guard dog role best?

I am thinking real hard about a fila brasileiro for this task. Yes they are big, and they will eat a little more, but from my experience really no more than a high energy dog like a shepherd. A good buddy has a great dane/mastif mix, over 200 lbs and he eats less than some labs I've seen. This is also true of another friends Fila. The Fila/mastifs are very hearty/strong dogs that I believe would far well in rough times, plus they will not out of boredom chew up everything under the sun. They are quite happy just laying around until the time comes to bite an arm off. They are great around & guarding other animals as well.

What say you guys?

**Parky** · 08-19-11, 07:14

If you are looking for a dog in preparation for SHTF scenario, choose one that tastes good.

**Reagans Rascals** · 08-19-11, 07:22

I found a jack russel terrier/ rat terrier/ mutt running down the road one day. She's about 20 pounds and just a little bigger than a Jack Russel terrier. She is the most vicious thing I've ever seen, but only to anyone or anything getting close to me. If something makes noise, she hears it. If something moves, she sees it. I rely on her increased awareness as an early warning so I can grab my weapon. Nothing is going to come around unnoticed with her here.

She has backed down my Miniature Doberman Pincer, Chihuahua, My parents German Shepard, and their Mississippi Red Hound Dog that weighs better than 90 pounds.... she's a little Joe Pesci... just a little death dealer...

Solid white with a light brown stripe on her back from the top of her head to her tail that stands straight up when she is playing or attacking... and her name is La-Ronda

The most loyal dogs are usually mutts... IMO

**zacbol** · 08-19-11, 09:52

I don't know much/anything about dogs, but I remember the blogger ferfal (also author of Surviving the Economic Collapse mentions the Dogo Argentino as a particularly good breed for this role.

Ferfal's stuff has some interesting points and some other misguided (IMO) advice, so I don't know how valid/invalid, but seems like an interesting breed and one that may fit the bill if you're unfamiliar with them:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogo_Argentino

**Diesel47** · 08-19-11, 10:12

For hard times I would go with a breed no larger than 75-95lbs. I have a great dane/american bulldog mix and he's alot of dog to take care of. As far as the particular breed if the size is no problem for you then the Fila is a excellent choice as well as a Presa or Boerboell. With the right training though you could be well served by a mutt also.

**Blstr88** · 08-19-11, 10:15

I'm certainly no expert on dogs, but when my wife and I decided to get a dog I wanted something that would be a good "guard dog" as well as a family dog, since Im away a lot for work...

We got a German Shepherd. Somehow we ended up with the funniest, friendliest, and goofiest German Shepherd in the world! However any strangers or people planning to do harm to my wife/property dont know that, and just SEEING a german shepherd makes people think twice. She's the perfect family dog, listens well, hardly ever gets out of sight of us...yet again, she is ALL GSD looking. And she's got the GSD bark...

I do wonder if she'd actually attack someone who broke in, or just bark at them...but if they decide the bark isnt scary enough hopefully my AR will change their mind

**dustdevil13** · 08-25-11, 16:39

Originally Posted by Blstr88

I'm certainly no expert on dogs, but when my wife and I decided to get a dog I wanted something that would be a good "guard dog" as well as a family dog, since Im away a lot for work...

We got a German Shepherd. Somehow we ended up with the funniest, friendliest, and goofiest German Shepherd in the world! However any strangers or people planning to do harm to my wife/property dont know that, and just SEEING a german shepherd makes people think twice. She's the perfect family dog, listens well, hardly ever gets out of sight of us...yet again, she is ALL GSD looking. And she's got the GSD bark...

I do wonder if she'd actually attack someone who broke in, or just bark at them...but if they decide the bark isnt scary enough hopefully my AR will change their mind

I've had two Sheppards and i think they are all "goofy." but hell if anyone wants to get close to you when one is on leash or in your yard. One draw back, they shed like no other.

**M67A2 Zippo Tank** · 04-06-14, 22:57

Originally Posted by Blstr88

I'm certainly no expert on dogs, but when my wife and I decided to get a dog I wanted something that would be a good "guard dog" as well as a family dog, since Im away a lot for work...

We got a German Shepherd. Somehow we ended up with the funniest, friendliest, and goofiest German Shepherd in the world! However any strangers or people planning to do harm to my wife/property dont know that, and just SEEING a german shepherd makes people think twice. She's the perfect family dog, listens well, hardly ever gets out of sight of us...yet again, she is ALL GSD looking. And she's got the GSD bark...

I do wonder if she'd actually attack someone who broke in, or just bark at them...but if they decide the bark isnt scary enough hopefully my AR will change their mind

EXCELLENT! You realize that the dog is part of layering your defenses, too. The fact you're chosen an AR-15 over a pump shotgun is outstanding. NFA 1934 ruined pump shotguns for defense. How? By requiring they have a disconnector. Disconnectors are why pump action shotguns jam. A relative of mine nearly came to violent harm when her pump jammed. Only the timely arrival of her husband prevented violent drunks from doing a possible mass murder, as her two pre-school age kids were at home, too. That shotgun was pawned towards a hyper-reliable M1 carbine.