We selected the DOG(s) at last!

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For everyone who so generously worked to share their knowledge and experience to assist me in selecting the "right" guard dog, my heartfelt gratitude.

We opted to err on the side of child-tolerant pups with amiable personalities who are extremely intelligent and loyal. The thought is that the barking and protective instincts that will develop if we do our job well will result in enough deterrent and an early-warning system for us. That's really all we need. No attack dog training required.

So... what did we choose? ROLL THE DRUMS:

TWO -- yes, 2 !!! BEAUTIFUL, CUDDLY DOGS THAT ARE 1/2 SIBERIAN HUSKY and

1/4 AKITA and

1/4 ALASKAN MALAMUTE.

We feel like proud parents. Thank you all again.

Sara

-- Sara Nealy (keithn@aloha.net), October 29, 1999

Answers

What a wonderful mixture. We had a beautiful Akita. It broke my heart when we lost him to bloat. Akitas often die of this. We also had a Malemute and she loved everyone in the world.

Two things that you should watch for are bloat and getting loose. Our Akita climbed the fence like a cat and NOTHING could make him come when called. We ended up putting him on a 60 ft rope and he could then have the run of the yard. Another problem is losing the coat because of a thyroid problem. Boy!! Don't I sound cheerful! I just thought that it is better to know these things in advance.

-- Kath (wingy@sprint.ca), October 29, 1999.


Thanks, Kath, I fully agree in being prepared. Isn't that what we all have in common here?!

Anyone have experience with Siberian Huskies? I'd love some more real-world experience from a Husky-owner.

-- Sara Nealy (keithn@aloha.net), October 29, 1999.


Hi Sara, I have a wonderfull Siberian, blue eyes and all. He is playfull and very intelligent. He is loyal and especially tolerant of my 2 year old crawling and jumping all over him...just one problem with him and ALL siberian huskies; he treats EVERYONE this way. Siberians are notorious for not barking, ever, and for loving everybody they meet. I am curious though, to see how yours turns out! I hear that Akitas can be great guard dogs! Good luck! ------------- ------

-- Omega Man (wishing I were H@rri Seldon.com), October 29, 1999.

Are labradors too friendly for use as guard dogs?

-- looking (looking@for.a.doggie.com), October 29, 1999.

Yes, that loving, tolerant quality won us over. Though the mother of the dog is quite the watch dog, evidently. She can stare you down and barks a lot.

The breeder explained how to train the pups to growl and bark when an intruder is present. You actually take the dog and act out how you want them to respond. She said to use a word cue, such as "Watch!" and then show the dog the menacing growl and warning bark you want them to mimic.

She says they are so intelligent that they pick up on it well.

They are big teddy bears, though.

(One of ours is a blue-eyed boy, too, very striking.)

-- Sara Nealy (keithn@aloha.net), October 29, 1999.



Sara:

I think you made a great choice! Our pack consists of 3 mixed breeds and, by far, our best "protector" is our Malamute/Lab/?? mix. If he doesn't know you he really looks mean! Of course at 125 lbs, any barking dog looks mean! He also is very loyal, smart, and has more personality than any other dog I have ever owned. Drawbacks? Very headstrong and mischevious (sp). Requires a firm and fair hand (have never struck him and wouldn't recommend it). Another drawback for me is that he tries to "dominate" me by putting his front paws on my shoulders and licking me in the face! He never does that to my hubby! But I have never felt threatened by him and know that he would sacrifice his life for mine if required. Enjoy!!

-- Cath (fin@llyGI.now), October 29, 1999.


Congrats! I've had part huskies and part malamutes. Both breeds were great, and my kids loved them. My current canine companion is a mutt (but probably dog on both sides), and will at least bark at strangers.

Remember to stock up on kibble (We get it from Wal-Mart).

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), October 30, 1999.


For "looking" - I have a black lab and he's very friendly but also a good guard dog - any stranger entering the property gets 80 lbs of barking dog with his hair up on his back.

My only advice re Huskies is (1) the breed does have a tendency to roam but you should be able to correct this if you start early and (2) they do tend to be small-animal aggressive (ie even with training, they are sometimes hard to trust around cats, etc). So can Akitas, so this is a combination that should be watched in this area.

-- dakota (none@thistime.com), October 30, 1999.


Thanks Dakota. Anyone else have a good labrador guard dog? Also, how old do they have to be to be a good guard dog -- i.e. would it be ridiculous to get a puppy?

-- looking (looking@for.a.doggie.com), October 31, 1999.

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