Collie

Mel: Will a Collie protect if I put it through a training course? The Collie is the most beautiful dog I've ever seen but I also need a dog for protection. I know a collie will not protect if it's not trained. It'll alert me to danger but it won't do anything about it but if I do get it trained for level 1 or 2 protection she should be fine right? Photo Credit: ThreeDee912/Flickr CC Answers and Views: Answer by Rosalie That's what's calling barking up the wrong tree. If you want a dog to go with your outfit, get a Papillon. If you want a dog for protection, get a big black Lab mixed with Shepherd from a reputable rescue. No one's going to be deterred by a Collie, and Collies aren't protection dogs - at all. They bark - a LOT- which will get you kicked out of any neighborhood where you are living. They herd, which means they will chase cars and cyclists and children, and get you on the neon Sh*t list at the local Animal Control. What's an attacker going to be scared of - fur? You'd be better protected by an air horn in your purse. Get a big dark dog that is actually friendly. If you try for something that is light colored, it won't be seen as a threat. For some reason, people think black dogs are more dangerous than white and fawn colored ones. The LAST thing you want is a dog that will actually lay teeth on anyone - or you will find out how fast lightning travels in the form of a lawsuit form the attacker's dog bite lawyer. It's what they pray for. Answer by Charles Several factors...... 1. Talk to the trainer about what you want from this dog and ask if the trainer can produce that with your dog. Likely trainer can, but at what price, and I don't mean money. 2. Having a real trained dog for protection is basically asking for trouble. Such a dog must have constant and knowledgeable control by owner; the dog will not just know what to do if you are not his total master and know how to control him. That control does not start when a bad man is knocking on your door but has to happen every hour of every day BY YOU for the life of the dog. 3. An attack dog, which is what you are really asking for, is a ticking time bomb around children, animals, and others. What happens when a guest near by snaps his fingers or makes an innocent gesture toward you... the guest is chewed up or killed way before you can stop your attack dog. 4. Fearful people unfortunately think that a guard dog will take over their own job of personal protection, lock double key locks, alarms, and normal behavior caution. Talk to the trainer and I hope the trainer talks you out of this goal. Know better? Give your own answer to this question!