The Name’s Jacob asked:
I am thinking about getting a dog, and I want a Guard Dog or Explosive/Drug Sniffing dog. But I also want a playful dog. Would a Labrador Retriever be a good dog for me if I train it?
I am thinking about getting a dog, and I want a Guard Dog or Explosive/Drug Sniffing dog. But I also want a playful dog. Would a Labrador Retriever be a good dog for me if I train it?
Security/Guard Training: Military Style (attack)
Drug Sniffing and Detection
Explosive Detection
– What dogs are good for that kind of stuff, but they are also easy to train and fun to play with.
Dog Lovers Mega Pack
Tags: Dogs, Explosive Detection, Fun, Guard Dog, Guard Security, Labrador Dog, Labrador Retriever #1, Military Style, Security Guard Training, Security Training, Style Attack, Train
July 28th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
I’d say a German Shephard..
Or, it sounds funny, but a Beagle would also be a good choice.
July 31st, 2007 at 5:14 pm
yes, theyre really smart and learn quickly . and they make amazing pets as well.
August 1st, 2007 at 5:30 pm
No, they are not candidates for security training.
Yes, they can be candidates for detection work. What need do you have, though, to be sniffing out bombs and weed?
August 4th, 2007 at 1:44 am
YES and NO its defiantly a play-full dog but a guard dog well you could train it and if its trained good its a great dog for u
August 4th, 2007 at 7:57 am
I have two dogs now….one is a lab/dalmation and even though he’s only half….I can tell you that labs are very very very very hyper….but if trained properly they can be the perfect pet. my other dog is a german shepherd mix. He’s just a pup right now but he’s very playful and very smart…
August 6th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
oh yeah…I love those dogs!!
August 9th, 2007 at 11:52 am
Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, or German Shepherds would probably fit this profile best. They are all friendly, and good guard dogs.
August 11th, 2007 at 5:59 am
Labs are not bred for guarding/security/protection-they do not have that drive built into them. However, they are great as far as playfulness goes. If you want a protective retriever-a chesapeake is the way to go as they were bred to guard the boats of their masters after long days of hunting and do require a firmer hand in training-but again, you will not find as serious of a protection drive in them as you would in a working breed dog.
For protection, I would recommend a working line german shepherd (East German bred or Czech bloodline), or a Belgain Malinois. Do tons of research before diving into it though-it is very extensive, strict training generally not for the first time protection dog handler-find a trainer/handler in your area of protection/schutzhund dogs, and seek their advice. Shepherds and malinois are also great great loving, fun family dogs-they can do their work and be good fun at the same time.
August 11th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
labrador retriever is going to be good at the sniffing stuff and will be very playful, but they are not good for guard dog/attach dog stuff.
A german shepherd is probably the best option for you. They have been used for work like this for a long time. But, you have to be very careful when buying a german shepherd that you get one from an experience breeder and that the pup has a good “hip rating” German Shepherds often have hip problems, so a good hip rating will increase the likelihood that your pet will be healthy.
August 12th, 2007 at 10:22 am
i remember i had a golden labrador retriever when i was a young kid, she was my best friend and she always made sure that everyone in the house was safe. so i would say definitly a great dog for what you need it for.
August 12th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
I had a chow who was very fun and loving to the family, but protective as well. I am not sure how she would be at drug sniffing and such because she was never trained. She was an extremely intelligent dog, given the proper training, I bet she would have been able to.
However, she wasn’t always playful, she was a very mellow dog after a few years. She was still protective (saved me from a pit bull charging after us when we were walking) but she didn’t often initiate play or run around much.
Hounds or german shepherds could be good.
My aunt and uncle had a lab retriever who had a very good nose, he just ate everything he encountered and was difficult to train.
August 13th, 2007 at 11:59 am
I have labs and I don’t think you’re going to make them an attack dog. On the other hand I do believe he would protect an alpha pack member with his life. Most any dog could be trained to sniff anything out. Labs to me are just big goofy companion dog that will love you to death.
August 15th, 2007 at 4:16 am
I also say German Shepherd. Labs are playful but they aren’t good guard dogs, some won’t even bark when strangers come in the yard that’s how much they like people!
Our shepherd is playful, she’s a goofball, but she also barks at people which makes her a good guard dog. Shepherds are very smart and sensitive and ours is very much. Take care where you get one. Be sure the parents have good hips, no limping, soreness etc. This means hip dysplasia. Ideally the parents would have had their hips x-rayed and cleared for this problem. Same goes for Labs.
We had a Lab/Rottie/Shepherd mix and she was the best dog ever! Playful even when she was getting older but also barked when people came in the yard even though she went nuts when company was over, she loved people. They’re very common mixes at shelters and one of the best mixes you could ever get!
August 16th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
I think you’ll have trouble getting a Labrador to attack anybody. I’ve had three Labs (and still own one). All three were extremely friendly with all people, including strangers and people I don’t like. Two of them never even barked at strangers. The third at least barks, but he only barks as a way of saying hello.
They are very playful and would be good for all the other purposes you mentioned. Be warned – they shed a ton even though they have shorter hair.
August 18th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Most labs will gladly hold the door open while some stranger takes your stereo as long as they’ve got a treat.
They would be very good at drug and explosives detection, and are also very playful.
A belgian malinois would fit the bill, but I don’t recommend them for inexperienced owners. They can be dog aggressive if not socialized and trained properly. Mals can be to smart for there own good sometimes too.
Another option is a german shepherd. Some places use standard schnauzers for these tasks as well.
August 21st, 2007 at 8:44 am
Labrador Retrievers are great dogs, but they are not for everybody
Here is information on the breed that will help you decide whether or not this breed is right for you.