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Old 06-11-2003, 06:18 PM   #11 (permalink)
Balaniki
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Location: WI
Here's a link about the Fila's. Since they are a Mastiff breed I *think* you would have to deal with the drooling issue.

http://www.dogtimes.com.br/english/fila-us.htm

From the AKC website about the Anatolian Shepherd:

"Loyalty, independence, and hardiness are the three factors most appreciated by fanciers of the breed. First entering the United States in the 1950s, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a fiercely loyal guard dog not considered a "glamor breed." Faithful to its job, the Anatolian is highly intelligent and responsive to its master. However, its independent nature means it can be slow to respond to commands."

Don't get me wrong - these are probably THE best breed for livestock guarding. But for a novice owner these can be too much dog.

Unless you want a professional trained personal protection dog - you should look for the "visual deterant" factor.

Allowing the dog access to the house and outside at all times will solve your issues about the dog protecting the property as well as you and your wife.

Before I met my wonderful husband (he reads this forum you know ) I lived by myself in a not so great neighborhood. Well, not exactly by myself. There were my 4 German Shepherds. After a year of coming to visit and listening to my dogs bark like crazy when they showed up - even though it was "Oh BOY!! They're HERE again" happy barking - my parents FINALLY stopped worring about me living alone!

And when my husband and I bought our house - at first he worried about me being there alone. He wanted to have one of our guns (we are both avid sport shooters) downstairs just in case. I told him that the dog would slow down an intruder enough to allow me to saunter to the room where the guns are, get out a gun, load it and check the aim and THEN go downstairs.

After witnessing the dogs "greeting" him at the door a few times - he agrees!!

Unless you are under a direct threat - a visual deterant will take care of 99% of the problem people.
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