08-14-2016, 11:40 PM
Don't know much about Dobermans but I expect that they would need a lot of training. If you don't have the time or experience, it may not be an easy fit.
A Maremma might fit the bill. That's a livestock-guarding breed which won't take kindly to interlopers. You might have seen the movie Oddball which fictionalised a true story of this breed being used to protect penguins. They are very safe around the people or animals they are supposed to protect but don't like strangers. They are bred to defend against attacking wolves and will do the same against invading humans too. As most of their guarding behaviour is instinctual, the training load would be lighter. I'd imagine most of the training would involve trying to ensure they will allow guests to come in without going to DefCon5.
From your point of view, it's a bonus that they look a bit like a Lab and they get on with other animals. They might not have the immediate visual impact of a Doberman but anyone casing the neighbourhood would cross off your property anyway and a random invader would be impressed by its size and ferocity.
A Maremma might fit the bill. That's a livestock-guarding breed which won't take kindly to interlopers. You might have seen the movie Oddball which fictionalised a true story of this breed being used to protect penguins. They are very safe around the people or animals they are supposed to protect but don't like strangers. They are bred to defend against attacking wolves and will do the same against invading humans too. As most of their guarding behaviour is instinctual, the training load would be lighter. I'd imagine most of the training would involve trying to ensure they will allow guests to come in without going to DefCon5.
From your point of view, it's a bonus that they look a bit like a Lab and they get on with other animals. They might not have the immediate visual impact of a Doberman but anyone casing the neighbourhood would cross off your property anyway and a random invader would be impressed by its size and ferocity.