Guard Dog? I wish.

[karan]

I read that most boxers are good watch dogs, but do any of you have a boxer who would hold open the door for a burgler and show them the way to the TV if they could? Hanna is sooo friendly! She hasn't met anyone she doesn't like. We're happy she's so gentle because we have young children and there are lots of kids in the neighborhood who play with her, but I'd like to think she'd bother waking up and barking if someone came to the house during the night. The only time she shows aggression is when we play "rough" with the kids. I think she'd hurt somebody over that. My husband's job requires 24-hour on-call, so he often has to leave during the night. Says Hanna never bothers to get off the couch when he comes back home, sometimes not even raising up her head. She kidney beans up to every stranger we meet on the street. She's almost a year and a half old and our first boxer. Do you think she'll ever change?

karan, mom to Hanna, flashy brindle with natural ears

 

[myrocky]

Boxers aren't quick to turn barking/growling unless it is called for. They are smart cookies and know when the time is needed to be on the protective side

I wouldn't have any worries about your dog's loyalty and the knowledge she will protect if the time is needed

 

[Sera's Mom]

With the cooler weather lately, I've turned off the a/c and opened the windows to air out the house. The first couple of nights we did this were the worst for both Sera and Millie. When they would hear something outside, they would bark. Sera got into a stance I had never seen before. Her head was up, her back legs were spaced a little wider than normal, she was growling deep in her throat, then started this wild barking! She was definitely guarding her family! (Even if was guarding us from the wicked leaves that blow outside) I don't doubt that she would have torn anyone apart if she had the chance. I finally got her settled down after the first couple of nights. Now she just raises her head and listens if she hears something outside.

 

[KELLY W]

Muggsey gets very protective at night also. He will be laying on the floor chewing his bone, and all of a sudden, he will jump up and run to the glass sliding door and growl and bark wildly!! Most of the time, there is nothing there at all. He even does this when the neighbors come to the door and he knows them. Of course, as soon as I open the door for them, he is beaning like a mad man, but his growling and barking is enough to keep away someone who doesnt know him!!! He is only 5 1/2 months old and people are afraid of him :eek: :eek: ! If they only knew what a little silly boy he is!

 

[Bruins Mom]

Bruin NEVER barks unless we are rough playing with him. When a stranger comes to the gate, he just sits there and stares at them. When he hears something outside, he just runs from window to window getting excited.

I lock my gate and his dog run because if someone came in to steal him, he would be like "a new person YEA"! And go right along with them. I know this because one of my friends (that Bruin has never met) came to pick him up, and he went without a protest!:eek: He is just too cute!

 

[Barb_IA]

I agree with Andie. You'd be surprised at what your fur baby might do.
Just having a bigger dog in your home is a warning to any stranger. Most burglers won't break into a home that has a dog.

 

[brandimonkey]

i've been wondering too...........

i live in a 4 plex in an old neighborhood, that's not exactly the greatest. and my husband called the other day to say to be careful b/c earlier two of our grrl neighbors came up to the house and there was a man on our porch digging thru stuff and he was asking them if they live alone and stuff. (very scary) and the thing is, the three of us are married, but our husbands are all in bands and are gone ALL the time. so i was also wondering what patricks reaction would be. he never barks at anyone but me & my husband (when he's talking back) i hope i never have to find out how protective he is.

and on another note i cannot BELIEVE my neighbor for suggesting this, he says i should stake patrick outside on our porch during the day (when nobody is home) so people wouldn't come up to our house. HELLO!!! with NO cars there. and patrick loving strangers sooo much. i have no doubt he would be stolen the first day. i just looked at my neighbor with a blank stare. what an idiot.

 

[BXRmum]

I think you would be surprised at Hanna's protecting abilities if the situation arose. My boxers are very friendly towards people and love to meet strangers on the street, but if we are at home and someone walks past our house they are both glued to the window growling and barking like idiots. They don't get all excited when my bf comes home at night because I think they recognize the sound of the truck door shutting and then the back door opening. If someone was breaking into your house, I'm sure they wouldn't open the door nicely, there would probably be some banging/smashing/broken glass etc. and Hanna would probably recognize this as an unfamiliar sound and jump into action!

 

[jess]

The only time Biscuit barks is at night hubby works nights so it's just the dogs, Rachel and I. We live in the country on a dead end dirt road with very little traffic. She goes into her defensive stance everytime she hears a noise but saves the barking for cars pulling into our driveway and growls at strange noises. However when hubby comes home at midnight she doesn't even bother to lift her head from the pillow even when he had a different car when his truck went in for service. I have no doubt though should the time arise she would protect us. We had someone stop a few weeks ago looking for the neighbors very scary looking guy and we have a baby gate that blocks the front hall so the dogs don't get out when people stop by FIL has let them out several times anyways Bis jumped the baby gate which she never does and came to my side she never barked but went into full protective stance and was letting out a low growl. I'm not sure if she senced this person made me uneasy or if she just didn't like the looks of him but she has never growled like that before I have heard her growl but this was a very scary growl I think it got the point across because he apologized for bothering us and left in a hurry. Usually Bis greets everyone with a kidney bean dance and slobbery kisses.

 

[mshifflett]

Just to add my two cents.

Maggie is a very friendly dog just as Hanna is. The other posts about boxers being very smart and knowing when the time is right is so true. I was outside with Maggie one day not long ago and a new neighbor walked up to our driveway to introduce himself. Maggie watched him very carefully and never made a sound. The guy talked to me for a minute and then went to shake my hand, Maggie then stood in front of me and growled at the guy with her hair standing up on her back. When I told her it was okay, she was fine.

I find that she does not just quickly jump at the chance to be a 'guard dog'. She studies the situation and then acts accordingly. She rarely barks unless she is playing with other dogs, she mostly stands at attention, watches and listens. When she thinks there is something wrong, she will either growl a bit or do that low-pitched quick bark.

Maggie is only 14 months old, so I can only imagine that she will further hone her protective skills as she gets older. And of course, will always be ready for play time!