HELP! Good Beginner Dog For These Conditions?

You may find the best solution is an older dog.  Possibly a retiring show dog or a breeder rehome.  It is not appropriate for you to consider a "protection" trained dog, due to your beginner status.  Also, for many folks the cost is prohibitive.  The mastiff idea is a good one.  I personally prefer the bull mastiff.  One option besides pet finder is to go to the national breed clubs for the dogs you may be interested in acquiring.  It does not matter where in the US the dog is located.  If you are patient and willing to drive an hour or so, you will get a dog.  The screenings are intense and may have requirements that rule you and your father out (fenced yards are a biggie).

The idea of larger intimidating black dogs is a good one as well.  Making sure your dog has very good obedience behaviors (mean that to be a dog that very quickly responds to commands with only one word) makes it look more intimidating.  You can say with all honestly the dog is trained.  Folks will often assume you mean more than basic obedience.  A dog with a dark head and light colored eyes is also intimidating (more wolfish, some of those fears still lie in our brains).

A puppy will not meet your needs for a long time, and there is always a chance that it will not have the temperment to stand its ground when there is a threatening sound or situation.

If you can stand exercise of a mental sort (training and mind games frequently during the day (and some good walks daily), a good doberman is a nice choice.  They have very minimal coat care (and may need a weather protection coat).  The giants are intimidating, personally I could not live with slobber on the walls etc.  (the mastiffs do have the trait as well). 

 OOOOhhhhh... I'd forgotten about English Shepherds. They're good dogs. My dad had one.  I was also thinking maybe a chow mix or an american bulldog? I like american bulldogs.

Big dog with a deep voice.

Sasha isn't much of a visual deterrent, but she is very scary sounding and I like that.  Her alert barking sounds fierce, even when she's announcing someone she knows and likes.  I can tell when she's truly wary and when she's excited, but to the average ear she sounds like she means business.  

The giant breeds make great deterants and can do very well in the house w/o a yard, but for someone new to raising dogs altogether, one could present major challenges. Everything they do, they do it bigger & harder so you have to do a good job training in the early years. If you don't feel like you could control a 70lbs+ puppy on a walk who's decided he WILL go lick that little old lady down the street or wrestle with that fun looking dog over there, you may experience difficulties. Also be aware that even if house-trained, you'll eventually end up shoveling what can appear to be fair sized cow pies (manure, for you city folk). We've had several great danes &, even though they grow up to be gentle & easy-going, they didn't start out that way. A calm, well-socialized adult giant might be ok, but a giant puppy probably isn't the best way to start out brand new.

Keep in mind that there are also plenty of protective, intimidating medium sized dogs. We used to live next door to a standard schauzer who scared the poo out of me. Probably only 35 or 40 lbs, but a very watchful, scrappy guy. He growled almost constantly. While his family knew it was just casual "talking," it was pretty alarming for everyone else. I actually saw him mark his territory on a mailman once because the mailman was too scared to move, lol. From what I've heard, they do well in apartments, don't shed much at all, are playful, and pretty protective of their family. Just a thought.

 I think you should visit an SPCA where they have a behavior program.  Ask for a large, dark colored dog that is low on the energy scale, but a good "alarm barker" (means he barks when he detects an intruder, but is not barky all the time).  Take the dog to classes, and learn how to make him bark on cue as well.  That way, you can have a word that will set him off barking (thus making him more intimidating), and you can use that as a deterrent, too.   You want a dog that is intimidating looking, but friendly to kids, cats, etc. so he will be a good canine neighbor. 

As to medium sized dogs that are intimidating, my little Australian Shepherd weighs 29 pounds, and stands only 19" at the shoulder.  I guarantee that no one would get into this house without me allowing it.  Like many members of her breed, she has a natural tendency to guard, but that kind of dog requires more skill than you have as a newbie, so that the dog does not become a liability.  Just an example that smaller dogs can be protective of life and property, too.  So, go for temperament, rather than size.  There is something to be said for the small dogs, too.  After all, a robber can shoot your large dog (big target, plenty of area to aim for), but the little piranha grabbing at his legs?  He'd have to aim at his own ankles!  By that time, you could clock him over the head LOL.
 

<< Take the dog to classes, and learn how to make him bark on cue as well.  That way, you can have a word that will set him off barking (thus making him more intimidating), >>

Our old lab would bark on a hand signal. 

fair warning...

Dont get an American Bulldog unless you have a super dominant control freak personality and a LOT of time to train and take this dog with you everywhere

You also need to check local BSL because in some areas they are considered pit bull types and are illegal.

They're not ideal for someone just wanting an idol threat (aka Big bark, little bite) ABDs are serious naturally protective dogs. they love their people and will automatically attack any threat... but if you arent their boss they will make your life hell by becoming YOUR boss.... you also have to socialise them with other dogs at a young age, otherwise you'll have a muscle head that picks on other animals.... 

if you're serious about an American Bulldog then check out this book http://www.amazon.com/Working-American-Bulldog-Dave-Putnam/dp/0967271002

its not, as someone said in the reviews, a cookie cutter book.. the man that wrote this book is writing from experience and tons of research ..  its worth the price if you're serious about the breed. i even have a copy! 

just my $0.02

 With ANY dog, you need to be able do dedicate training, especailly larger ones or breeds with a stubbord or alpha personality. I'd avoid working and hearding breeds and remember with some training and bonding any sze dog will defend you. Our 15lbs shih tzu may not be able to do much, but he's VERY protective and will defend to the death. Terriers aren't always good with small animals, but usually suffer from a complex where they believe they are a large breed dog. lol

 I agree with a shelter dog, and a deep voice.

If you're just wanting a dog that looks scary and talks big, I definitely think you should check out the local shelters and petfinder.  :)  If you were actually wanting a personal protection dog, you're living situation probably wouldn't be the best (most dogs that can actually do this work need LOTS of mental and physical stimulation and wouldn't do well without tons of activity.  I've heard that Anatolians are very good watchdogs, though I don't know how they would be with cats...I don't think they're super-active, either.  I'd also second the though of an older Doberman (puppies are very active, pretty much any breed you get).  Dobes still have their reputation as "man-eaters" but normal they're just big, sweet, velcro-dogs.  In my experience, however, Dobes that aren't specifically bred for protection-type work aren't very good at protection.  They've just been bred to be too soft.  I'm sure just the appearance would deter most people, though.  :)  I also thought that a Shar-pei would be pretty good, but the breed is notorious for skin and eye problems.  They're definitely "scary," though, and, as far as my experience, they will have no problem with protecting you or your home.  Everyone has given you great advice so far, so good luck with your decision.  Keep us updated!  :) 

VelvetFuzzButt

With ANY dog, you need to be able do dedicate training, especailly larger ones or breeds with a stubbord or alpha personality. I'd avoid working and hearding breeds and remember with some training and bonding any size dog will defend you.

Come on now, no reason to rule out two entire groups of breeds based on poorly trained, poorly bred few!  Many herding and working breeds are the easiest to train and are velcro dogs, making them perfect for someone that wants a loyal and constant companion.  They WANT to be with their people and they WANT to be trained.  Whether a dog has a dominant temperament will totally depend on the individual dog.  I have no problem recommending a German Shepherd to a newbie dog owner as long as she finds the right individual dog for her lifestyle and training commitment. 

A medium to large sized mixed breed adult with an easy-going nature sounds perfect for your situation. Most dogs will bark an alert and many, once you bond with them, will seek to protect you and their territory. Conrad's bark sounds absolutely blood-curdling when someone comes to the door (or comes in to the house--we have a few friends who have permission to just march right in) and he throws a low growl in at the end until he can personally see for himself who it is and whether or not he knows them. You'd honestly have to be a complete idiot to hear that bark and continue to try to break in or invade our house unless you had our permission. He looks like a german shepherd mix too, which just adds to the "scary" factor for him.

But the reality is that he lives happily with our two cats, has never bitten anyone, gets along wonderfully with all of our friends (very young children are a recent minor problem but we are working on it), and is mostly just pretty lazy. He doesn't look or sound like he'd be that way if you were to come to my door and try to break in, but he is a complete softy and a great dog.

Most breeds that are good for protection usually aren't recommended for first time owners- Dobermans, Mastiffs, German Shepherds, etc. Dobermans also tend to be high energy, so I don't think that would be a match for you. Of course there are exceptions to every rule, so if there's a breed that you end up really liking, a good option might be getting an adult dog with through breed rescue or a retired show dog from a breeder. With an adult dog, you know what you're getting as far as their personality. Especially through a rescue or breeder since they typically know the dogs very well.

Edited to add that getting a large, black or dark colored, easy going dog from a shelter is the best suggestion I've seen. Most dogs are naturally good watchdogs. Even my VERY laid back, passive Shih Tzu barks and growls when someone comes to the door! A big bark is a huge deterrant and people will think twice about bothering you. I think a dog like the ones I posted below would be perfect!

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9580002

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=8849089

ya chows are super protective , whoa i know this from personal experence lol 

Liesje

VelvetFuzzButt

With ANY dog, you need to be able do dedicate training, especailly larger ones or breeds with a stubbord or alpha personality. I'd avoid working and hearding breeds and remember with some training and bonding any size dog will defend you.

 

Come on now, no reason to rule out two entire groups of breeds based on poorly trained, poorly bred few!  Many herding and working breeds are the easiest to train and are velcro dogs, making them perfect for someone that wants a loyal and constant companion.  They WANT to be with their people and they WANT to be trained.  Whether a dog has a dominant temperament will totally depend on the individual dog.  I have no problem recommending a German Shepherd to a newbie dog owner as long as she finds the right individual dog for her lifestyle and training commitment. 

I say this because from my experience they need the work, or running time everyday. I wasn't sure the OP had a yard or time to get one out or into some activity like they seem to crave. I love my cadi mix and she would be good, very protective yet lovable and then theres the ACD mix who cannot be without a yard..and walk, training sesion, game of fetch..watever everyday. its not so much the training as how bored they can become.

I agree with the Chow/Chow Mix idea and the fact that searching for a dog with an intimidating "bark" would be your  best bet.  I know that if someone knocks on my door Falon's bark would send them running.   She sounds mean when someone's at the door, but once the door is opened her tail is wagging a million miles a minute and she starts to lick their hand or roll over on the floor LOL.  So I think if I were you, I would go for the "image/sound" of protection, but not a dog that would be aggressive. 

However, even though I own an APBT and love the breed, I do not recommend the breed to first time owners, especially those who "want protection."  Usually wanting a dog for protection tends to mean the owner is going to treat the dog in a way that will antagonize it and teach them to be aggressive in un-orthodox ways....with all of the BSL bull&#$% that's going on, I wouldn't want another APBT to be in the news because of the way the owner treated it and ruin it for the rest of us who own perfectly wonderful dogs...

But honestly, if it came down to a real situation, I think that any dog would be protective if you were seriously being threatened; that's just a dog's nature, no matter what the breed.

 Just remember to spay/neuter whatever dog you choose....being intact doesn't make them any better of a "protector" and certainly doesn't make them look any more "manly" or "mean."