Low prey drive, but still a guard dog?

Knight · 01-03-2011, 02:13 PM

I have a deposit down on a male GSD from a reputable breeder. I told the breeder I have 2 cats and a young child, and she stated a dog with low to medium prey drive would be best. One thing I forgot to ask her, was if the lower prey drive would affect their ability to guard us or the house? The puppy's parents are from German lines and have VA (stud) and V (dam)titles

It will mostly be a family dog, but part of the reason I chose a GSD was a guard dog as well

Thanks

Ace952 · 01-03-2011, 02:57 PM

What type of GSD? East, west, ddr?

A good percentage depends on the lines fo the dog. Also to be a family protector you will need to put a dog through training for that. Just b/c a dog will bark and lunge at someone on a leash doesn't mean it will protect you.

Liesje · 01-03-2011, 03:43 PM

Sounds like a German show line if there are VA dogs.

Does the breeder produce dogs for guarding or have experience with that type of training?

**Castlemaid** · 01-03-2011, 03:53 PM

The short answer is: Yes, a dog with can have lower/medium prey drive, and higher defense drive.

Knight · 01-03-2011, 03:56 PM

The breeder is Haus Juris in Virginia. I think they are mostly show dogs as stated. Does anyone have any feedback on this breeder?

Ace952 · 01-03-2011, 04:23 PM

I think you need to ask yourself what kind of protection are you looking for and are you willing to put in the amount of time and money for that training.

IMO...I personally wouldn't look to a showline for that.

**Samba** · 01-03-2011, 04:24 PM

What do you want the dog to do? Alert bark or more than that?

Knight · 01-03-2011, 04:26 PM

Alert bark is all I am looking for.

Ace952 · 01-03-2011, 04:41 PM

well you should be fine with that with a showline.

**Castlemaid** · 01-03-2011, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knight

Alert bark is all I am looking for.

Just about any GSD of any line will fill that niche. More important that you get a confident outgoing pup and socialize him/her well to make sure that they are comfortable with all kinds of people. Some dogs start to alert bark very young, others only when older.

01-03-2011, 02:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
Knight Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 158	Low prey drive, but still a guard dog? I have a deposit down on a male GSD from a reputable breeder. I told the breeder I have 2 cats and a young child, and she stated a dog with low to medium prey drive would be best. One thing I forgot to ask her, was if the lower prey drive would affect their ability to guard us or the house? The puppy's parents are from German lines and have VA (stud) and V (dam)titles It will mostly be a family dog, but part of the reason I chose a GSD was a guard dog as well Thanks

01-03-2011, 03:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
Liesje Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 12,962	Sounds like a German show line if there are VA dogs. Does the breeder produce dogs for guarding or have experience with that type of training? __________________ UCH Alta-Tollhaus-Krieger Lamb Chop FO OB1 CL1R CL1F RA TT HIT TDI CGC VPC's Coca-Cola HIT CGC SG UCH Alta-Tollhaus Bono SchH1 AD T1 FO PA CL1R UNJ UCA HIT TT CGC OFA SG Pantalaimon vom Geistwasser BH AD HIT CGC

01-03-2011, 03:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
Castlemaid Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Northern British Columbia Posts: 9,088	The short answer is: Yes, a dog with can have lower/medium prey drive, and higher defense drive. __________________ Lucia Keeta BH, OB1, TR1, AD (HOT) Rottweiler/Hairy Dog mix?? Shelter rescue Gryffon Vom Wildhaus BH, OFA Good (HOT) "Bites Through the Sleeve" Cuddlebug, b: Mar 2009

01-03-2011, 02:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ace952 Master Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 691	What type of GSD? East, west, ddr? A good percentage depends on the lines fo the dog. Also to be a family protector you will need to put a dog through training for that. Just b/c a dog will bark and lunge at someone on a leash doesn't mean it will protect you.

01-03-2011, 03:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
Knight Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 158	The breeder is Haus Juris in Virginia. I think they are mostly show dogs as stated. Does anyone have any feedback on this breeder?

01-03-2011, 04:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ace952 Master Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 691	I think you need to ask yourself what kind of protection are you looking for and are you willing to put in the amount of time and money for that training. IMO...I personally wouldn't look to a showline for that.

01-03-2011, 04:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
Samba Administrator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: USA Posts: 6,447	What do you want the dog to do? Alert bark or more than that?

01-03-2011, 04:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
Knight Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 158	Alert bark is all I am looking for.

01-03-2011, 04:41 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ace952 Master Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 691	well you should be fine with that with a showline.

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