Obedience/pet Obedience

I meant kick ass in the intimidation level cause they look freaky, when in truth they are lovable ol' goons. Which is exactly what the OP suggested when it came to 'aggressive dogs who attack you by licking your face off'.

As for the list, of course! I wasn't sure how correct the list is but I did find it fascinating and it did make me consider certain breeds if it is true: http://petrix.com/dogint/

As for the BSD, my bad, I didn't realize the Malinois is part of the BSD line! Wow I am embarrassed . And I'm not sure, I was quoting from different breed infos about them, hence the apostrophes. I am guessing, from what I read on other sites is that despite being a protection dog it doesn't go into immediate 'aggression' but takes time to calmly evaluate (or something like that) before attacking, I'm not sure how true that is.


I am starting to realize breed info is as useful as DARE pamphlets

Stanley Coren's books are very interesting, however what is often forgotten by readers is the stats are sourced from the US. There are actual differences between the temperamants of some breeds in different countries.

The dobermann is a very good example of this with UK stock being a world away from their continental counterparts. One reason for this is due to the fact that unlike in the UK, on the continent dogs of this breed and others must obtain proof of working ability prior to breeding.

The BSD has Malinoi, Terveuren, Laekenois and Gronoeandal types. Theoretically they should be the same just with different hairdos, but in reality only the Malinois has proved to cut the mustard for working.

The BSD is no more or less likely to be "calm" prior to deployment than a GSD!

Breed information is VERY useful, providing you get it from the correct source!

You really don't need the typical "scary" breeds for a dog to serve well as a deterrant. My 35kg mutt (who adores people by the way) is big enough that most people aren't really willing to mess with him. Not even people in a really rough area. He's also been taught to bark on command and while I've never had to get him to do that my brother has and the would be attackers backed off. Rupe looks nothing like any of the macho breeds, he looks quite a bit like a German Wirehaired Pointer so not overly scary looking.

I had thought about a dobe, have heard they are easier to train than rotties before, but never met an adult. I prefer the chunky look of the rottie tbh.

Was thinking about a goldie, seems a good idea, and don't see many around. Not too keen on a lab, prefer the goldie's appearance.

Thanks for some additional ideas.

Sarloos or CSV? Hmm shall have a look into it. I think they are gorgeous but wonder if this is a breed/look I should openly support. Same with the NI really. Was just a late night thought. (Not because of the dogs, just because the trends that go with them, I don't want to be encouraging a difficult little known breed by having a practically perfect one in a class.)

I also interested in this list, I was trying to google obedience dogs last night to see what other breeds I could come up with and wasn't really getting anywhere.

What do you think about an old english sheep dog, or an american bull dog? Two breeds I love but know little about temperament wise.

If you like Grooming than the OES may be the dog for you, the risk you take with an American Bulldog is that it could be siezed under the DDA as being of "type", do you need that aggro?

Plus if you are using a dog like this in a class situation you must accept that, rightly or wrongly, many people are afraid of bull breeds such as this, is that the sort of atmosphere which is conducive to learning?

I like the short cut for the OES and would probably enjoy trimming it, as I have done with my mum's old spaniel cross. Daily brushing isn't a problem, and I'm sure I could learn anything else about coat care.
Good point of the american bulldog, didn't think about the type seizing which seems to be in full force. I couldn't stand for my dog to be taken away. And yeah I suppose it wouldn't be a great class is half the owners were scared of my dog. Suppose a rottie or GSD may also have the same response though.

Ooh, I didn't even think that the breed of the dog can influence future clients/participants. Very good point there (and incredibly responsible of you.)

Dalmations? They seem to be good with other pets and they don't cause as much fear?

(Man, I love suggesting dog breeds, its like playing a jigsaw puzzle and you must find the right piece.)

Yeah, gotta thank SB for pointing that one out!
So I need something trainable, big, but fluffy

A mutt is always a good demo to clients how you do not need a "special" breed to achieve a high standard of training..................

I read the initial want list and I too thought a Dobermann would be just what you wanted. 46kg not chunky enough?
Excuse me Cadi there is nothing freaky looking about a Dobie .

I agree with what someone said about a Rough Collie.

If you're looking for a dog that typically has good stamina, but tends to be sedate rather than very excitable, then a RC is a good bet. I grew up with one and he was a pretty biddable dog.

They don't look intimidating but if you were to get a Tri-colour, it would look slightly more so than a Sable, I think.

How about a Poodle?

A boxer

A Weimaraner!

Sure they are Trouble, they were bred to look intimidating! Its one of the reasons I love them, the package doesn't match their inner squishiness. ...Well, dobermans with docked ears and nubby tails look intimidating. Floppy-eared ones just look pure awesome.

Oh! And uh...Samoyed!

no more docked dobes in the UK and cropped ears have been outlawed for years.......

I used to admire Zeus and Apollo the dobes from Magnum ...

How many Dobermanns with cropped ears do you see on a regular basis ?

Intimidating only when they want to be, the rest of the time they look like this. They're aloof and distant, and more than capable of making their presence felt when necessary, the rest of the time they're not interested in strangers.



Freaky really, I'm offended on their behalf.

I would say Border Collie, but I doubt they'd be much of a deterrent to strangers?!

As an alternative to the BC there's always the Australian Shepherd Dog - lurvely!

me TOO one of the reaons for me watching........