My mother lives alone and there has been some recent robberies not to far from where she lives. I want to get her a dog to protect her in the instence that someone were to break in. Now this is not going to be a dog that is stuck in the yard or anything like that. My mother loves dogs and pretty much just stays at home all the time, so this will be a companion for her too. It will be kept inside also. I have a boxer and originally wanted her to get a boxer too, but as playful as boxers are I kind of think that if someone broke in a boxer might just want to play. We were also looking at german shepards, dobermans, rotts, and pitts. I read on dogbreedinfo that german shepards can become very timid if there natural instict isnt trained. Anyone know anything about this? Im kind of worried a rott may just be too big for her. The pit and doberman seem like they would make a good pet for her. I would like to getr a boxer, but even though mine looks like the hulk I just cant imagine hime protecting anyone. Does anyone have any experiance with this? Thanks
Is a boxer a protective breed?
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Caney Creek
Boxer Insane
There is a recent thread in this forum that discusses this exact topic (linked below). Most members agreed that, if the situation called for it, their boxer WOULD protect them. But is that what your mother wants -- a boxer? Or is she only interested in them (and those other breeds) because they can offer her protection? Is she experienced with large, dominating breeds that require firm leadership (and a strong arm)? Assuming you get a puppy, it's going to be at least a year, maybe two, before the dog has the guarding mentality of an adult. That's two years of strict training, exercise and attention BEFORE it will even start "guarding." So, with ALL of those breeds considered, make sure your mom is up for it 
and choose a breed that best suits HER -- not the one that "best guards."
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138019
To add, the boxer IS a good watchdog, most definitely, and the vast majority of burglars would rather avoid a house with a dog, rather than make the dog bark and blow their cover, or risk being attacked.
and choose a breed that best suits HER -- not the one that "best guards."http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138019
To add, the boxer IS a good watchdog, most definitely, and the vast majority of burglars would rather avoid a house with a dog, rather than make the dog bark and blow their cover, or risk being attacked.
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jwray
Boxer Buddy
My Boxer is just a puppy, but his guardian instincts have already stepped in. BF came home late one night while Lennox and i were asleep upstairs. As soon as the key hit the door Lennox began sniffing and growling. Once he smelled and knew who it was he stopped, but i felt GREAT knowing that Lennox is making sure that mommy is safe. He also began barking at the oscillating fan, because he never saw it oscillating before. ha ha TOO funny.
Good luck in your search for the right dog for your mom.
He also began barking at the oscillating fan, because he never saw it oscillating before. ha ha TOO funny.Good luck in your search for the right dog for your mom.
Indy's mom
Boxer Insane
Truthfully I think almost any breed would most likely be protective of your mom if they have a good relationship. One of the most protective dogs I've ever known was the miniature poodle i grew up with, GiGi. She was sweet and friendly, but you had better believe if someone didn't belong in the house, you knew it.
Boxers are great companion dogs. They bond with their family and instinct generally directs the rest. Each of the three (3) I've lived with has naturally 'guarded' us. That being said, we always worked at training them so that that natural alert never had a chance to become aggressive. For instance Indy knows when there is someone walking past or parking in front of our house who doesn't live here. He let's me know. Yet he doesn't move a muscle if one of my grown children comes into the house. Our other boxers Rocky
and Rascal were very much the same, but they took it one step further. Each of them lived with me in turn when we were raising our kids. When my firefighter husband would be working at night, they would occasionally get up and tour the house. Checking both floors, each of the boys and then come back to bed. They only did this when DH was gone. When DH was home, apparently they trusted him to 'guard' us, they didn't do the tour.
good luck with your decision, I hope she finds the perfect dog to make her life a little safer and happier as well.
Sandy
Boxers are great companion dogs. They bond with their family and instinct generally directs the rest. Each of the three (3) I've lived with has naturally 'guarded' us. That being said, we always worked at training them so that that natural alert never had a chance to become aggressive. For instance Indy knows when there is someone walking past or parking in front of our house who doesn't live here. He let's me know. Yet he doesn't move a muscle if one of my grown children comes into the house. Our other boxers Rocky
and Rascal were very much the same, but they took it one step further. Each of them lived with me in turn when we were raising our kids. When my firefighter husband would be working at night, they would occasionally get up and tour the house. Checking both floors, each of the boys and then come back to bed. They only did this when DH was gone. When DH was home, apparently they trusted him to 'guard' us, they didn't do the tour.good luck with your decision, I hope she finds the perfect dog to make her life a little safer and happier as well.
Sandy
RoxiesEcho
Boxer Insane
I agree with Caney Creek that you should get a breed that your mother wants. There's nothing worse than living with the thought that I should have gotten something else. Any dog is can stop crime just because no criminal wants something inside the house that alerts someone to their presence. As far as GSD go, our Roxie never had any formal guard training but if I was home alone and an unfamiliar man came to our door, she put herself between him and me and in no way would let them get past her. But she never showed aggression while doing so. Although there was the one time that the sheriff department came to our house and she jumped into the cruiser
LILYLARUE
Boxer Insane
Have you thought of adopting an older dog and not a puppy for your MUM? I rescued two dogs and both of them will protect me in a heartbeat. My boxer Lily, Just runs around barking after them. She doesn't know yet what do do. She's getting there, but its from learning from the older two. One is a 3yr old pitbull and the other a sharpei mix. Both extremely dedicated to me and my daughter.
But adopting an older dog, about 3 or more, you can guarentee it's a dog that will love a new home and most likely protect it and your Mum. There will be training, but not as much as a new puppy. And you get more immediate returned affection from a dog that appreciates the new life.
Just a thought......
But adopting an older dog, about 3 or more, you can guarentee it's a dog that will love a new home and most likely protect it and your Mum. There will be training, but not as much as a new puppy. And you get more immediate returned affection from a dog that appreciates the new life.
Just a thought......
SweetCody
Boxer Insane
I know that my two would protect me with their lives, no doubt about it. I also know that people have run from my house just seeing Cody barking at them in the big front window (not the door) Of course I see the smile on his face and they just see big, mean-looking, loud, barking dog and it is enough to scare most people off.
On a different note, my two are so incredibly active, and require a lot of exercise and physical labor from us. It has gotten a little better since we got the puppy because they expend a lot of energy on each other, but we still have to do walks and ball throwing and tug of war, all that stuff that requires so much physical stamina. I would think that a slightly older German shepherd would be a wonderful companion, guard dog and friend for your mother. I lived with a GSD for a little over a year and he was very much a guard dog, ingrained in every cell in his body, he did not have the tremendous energy that Boxers had and he was very much a companion to my MIL.
On a different note, my two are so incredibly active, and require a lot of exercise and physical labor from us. It has gotten a little better since we got the puppy because they expend a lot of energy on each other, but we still have to do walks and ball throwing and tug of war, all that stuff that requires so much physical stamina. I would think that a slightly older German shepherd would be a wonderful companion, guard dog and friend for your mother. I lived with a GSD for a little over a year and he was very much a guard dog, ingrained in every cell in his body, he did not have the tremendous energy that Boxers had and he was very much a companion to my MIL.
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