[Sitz&Platz]

My lab Sam "defended" me many times, and Labradors are definitely not known to excel as protection dogs. I think it really depends on the dog's temperament and the dog/owner bond. Sam was very sweet tempered around humans and dogs, but at the same time very protective of our house, me and my small dog as well.

 

[julie87]

I would expect mine to protect me because she doesn't let anyone near me. And thats the only reason i think she would...She is ok with strangers when they get close to her but if they get close to me that's when I have to watch her because it looks like she wants to nip them... I could be wrong though. I hope that day never comes where she actually HAS to protect me.


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[RowdyDogs]

my female would definitely bark and carry on if someone were to try and assalt us. not sure how far she would go as far as bitting.

I think this is an important distinction. To me, "protect" implies that the dog is going to do more than just bark. The vast, vast majority of dogs will bark or growl at threatening people. Many will even lunge/bite. To me, true protection is a dog who won't back down even if the person fights back--and most will.

But that's also a good thing! Most domesticated dogs have a natural bite inhibition. Look at how few serious or fatal maulings we have every year (and even fewer are adults who are capable of fighting back), vs. how many dogs there are and how many people they interact with. The fact that most dogs are unwilling to latch onto people and not let go is a good thing. If not, owning a dog would be a dangerous thing. And really, the odds of you suffering violent crime at the hands of someone who hasn't already planned on handling the dog (usually random crime) is very low. Most violent crime is committed by people who know the victim...and they will know your dog, and plan for it. Even a protection-trained dog won't help if they rob you while you're not home and the dog is crated, or they bring a gun and shoot the dog. And most pet dogs will be easily distracted when someone they know tosses a steak into the spare room and closes the door!

My dogs make me feel safe, but it's just because, you know, I have 5 dogs and who in their right mind is even going to visit me, much less break in!

 

[katdog5911]

Not sure what Stella would do. Hope I never have to find out

My father had a GSD that protected him several times. NO ONE was allowed near my dad unless my dad said it was ok. I remember walking into my dad's apt once. Not everyone was allowed to do that even. But "Mike" the GSD knew I was ok to come in. My dad was sleeping and when I went to wake him up....grrrrr. A low deep growl came from next to the bed. Mike was never trained to do this. He just developed a very very strong bond with my dad. He would have died trying to protect my dad. And I think it would have been true the other way around too. I would love a bond like that with my dog.....it was amazing.

 

[bryant88]

Yes and No. I'm not sure if Zeus would protect me if something happened away from home. BUT if the threat arrived at home without a doubt. He would protect our home to the death. He is not people protective but big time property protective. So as long as im in my truck and hes with me or at home I am protected lol

 

[Valerae]

A little late to the convo, but my GSD has put herself between me and potential harm, she's done the same with my husband.

Was walking her late one night but on a well-lit main road. A guy bounded out of the bar across the street in front of me. When he looked back at us he apologized for darting out in front of us. He was on his way up the block to a gas station for cigarettes. He seemed like a harmless enough guy and introduced himself. There was nowhere else to go so we chatted for the half a block while we were on the same path. I was friendly enough with him, but my GSD positioned herself between the two of us and growled at him the entire way. I'm definitely too trusting (from a small town in the Midwest - haha), but she sensed something in that guy that I didn't. He quickly made his way into the gas station as soon as we got to it.

More recently my husband was walking her on our block when a rather large off-leash dog ran straight up to them at full speed. Wrigs put herself between my husband and the dog to defend him.

We've only trained her for manners and some tricks but she's definitely a loyal girl and I have no doubt in my mind she'd have my back in more serious situations.

 

[pets4life]

most dogs will bark many will get in the middle does not need to be a gsd a lab will do this so will many other breeds. Many will show lots of teeth.

But when someone says protect i think of a dog that will bite and fight someone who is attacking you. VERY few will do much more than bark and try to get in the middle and help in their own way. BUt there are still plenty of dogs that will just when you count the whole population very few of them will do it. Dogs that will really protect most of the time are dogs with a strong natural protection drive with civil aggression. Very serious dog with a good on switch. BUT NOT always. THere are plenty of dogs still that will engage a person and tear them up when you least expect it. Rare but it happens.

 

[AJT]

I would like to think my dog Ava would but more than likely she'll love someone to death. Really more like she wants everyone to love her.

 

[Rodimus80]

I think everyone might be forgetting a simple truth. If you are the Alpha in your GSDs eyes, then I would assume if you were being attacked and called to your dog your body language and tone alone would tell him all he needs to know. It's instinct for the Pack Member to join in on the fight against aggressors to his pack. And all of these mock simulations I find unscientific. I don't think even the best actor could fool a dogs senses.

 

[Gunner&Bella]

My GSD is almost a year old. While he is good with people and other animals, he never lets anyone get between he and I. I have no doubt in my mind that he will "fight" for me til death, if necessary, and I would do the same for him. He and I have had a very strong bond since day 1.

He knows I am his Alpha and what I say goes. He is also very protective of our other dogs, animals, and kids.

I think what it comes down to is the dog's instincts and its bond with its owner.





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[Go Fetch]

I'm very skeptical. I don't think any staged events can truly measure the dog's response/reaction. I believe dogs and certain breeds like GSD more so are very innate and can "sense" feelings from their owners regardless of how good of an actor/actress he/she can be. The two separate times I witnessed a protective instinct from my GSD happened during our walks. It was the time that we encountered the two dogs I dread the most around my neighborhood. I had never seen such a reaction from Satie. She only did that with me and not with my husband and I firmly believe that it was her "reading" my tension. One is a Rottweiler but its not the dog himself per se but the owner that I dread. He walks many times off leash with the dog and does little to control his 100lb dog. Even allows the dog to bark and lunge at little kids. Everyone in the neighborhood is fearful of this dog because it has zero training and is left to do whatever he wants. We rounded the corner and saw them in the distance. Thankfully he was leashed. He started barking and lunging and Satie started matching it. She is normally a very quiet dog - just does the GSD whining. She hadn't really found her bark. Anyway, the thought of a Rott and a GSD going at it with each other is not something I want to think about and since Satie is the newbie and only other "alpha" dog in the neighborhood that is otherwise labs and doodles, the Rott was especially territorial. I had to drag Satie away but she really surprised me, she did not back down for a second! The other dog, again it's the owner. The dog is a terrier but very aggressive. The owner is ALWAYS on her cell phone and the dog is on a very long leash and is allowed to bark and jump at anyone and anything. The owner is also nasty and has no problem yelling at you even if unprovoked. I had never seen her somewhat aggressive with a person. But this time, Satie immediately did not like this woman and growled and showed off her impressive teeth - total intimidation tactic. Thankfully Satie took my sit command and pulled back.