It's easy, when asked what is a real 'manstopper' dog, to name Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Dobermans, etc. Yet sometimes having a larger dog just isn't feasible yet the need for a dog who can stand up to home invaders or walking a dark city street is still there.

So the question is: What breed of dog under forty pounds is the "baddest dog in the whole dang town"?

Probably a pit bull.

Probably a pit bull.
Maybe a female could squeeze in under the weight but those males look SOLID.

UKC info the American Pit Bull Terrier
http://www.ukcdogs.com/breeds/terriers/americanpitbullterrier.std.shtml
The American Pit Bull Terrier must be both powerful and agile so actual weight and height are less important than the correct proportion of weight to height. Desirable weight for a mature male in good condition is between 35 and 60 pounds. Desirable weight for a mature female in good condition is between 30 and 50 pounds.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier- a breed similar to the Pit Bull
http://www.ukcdogs.com/breeds/terriers/staffordshirebullterrier.std.shtml
Height, measured at the shoulders, ranges from 14 to 16 inches.
Height, measured at the shoulders, ranges from 14 to 16 inches.
Weight ranges are as follows: dogs, 28 to 38 pounds; bitches, 24 to 34 pounds.

Wow I had no idea a Pit Bull could go that light, now I have something to think about.
The Staffordshire is a good dog and is sturdy but lacks the "visuals" that the pit bull brings.

Now this is interesting. If there is another breed that can fit I would be surprised. I had little hope to be honest with you but right off the bat there is an answer. Great.

A teacup poodle. :D

A teacup poodle.
Too quick to bite, yes they intimidate but I think they are too likely to attack without provocation. Thanks for bringing up the BAD BOY though.

Without a doubt a female pit would do the job. I have done just about every sort of work with my German Shepherds over the years and have seen many pits in competition. They are great family pets in general, but have to be carefully monitored around other dogs. I have known one personally who was a great little dog, hard hitting as a freight train, quite small...and killed a German Shepherd bitch who she was out in the yard with, a dog from her own house. Don't expect to be able to train them in bitework until you have worked with dogs, tough dogs, for years. You have to get your basic obedience training skills down before you try to train in specialized work. For a good introduction to dog training see:

www.leerburg.com

The information available there is extensive. I have trained my dogs in SAR, cadaver search, AKC tracking, and protection. It requires tremendous dedication on the part of the owner. The last thing you need is a dog that is poorly trained and a bite liability.

If you choose to buy a small pit and not train it, except in basic obedience, that's fine because they will naturally protect if they see danger. For most people, that's the best way to go.

I want to thank all the comrades for this input, the pit bull seems to be the only choice, so far . I thought I knew the breed but I obviously didn't. Good information from you all.

I would love to own a St. bernard someday. I'm not sure about their qualifications as guard dogs, but in interaction with children they are second to none.

I would love to own a St. bernard someday. I'm not sure about their qualifications as guard dogs, but in interaction with children they are second to none.


I don't really know a lot about St. Bernards, but I have always heard that they are pretty non-aggressive. I have always been partial to the rott. They seem to be impressive as far as protection goes. And(the girly part of me :p ) they are some of the cutest puppies I have ever seen.

I have heard more then a few stories, though, about dog breeds that are normally non-aggressive that will become quite aggressive in defense of their owner in the right situation.

One example I can think of is an extremely friendly yellow lab my aunt had. A dog that by its actions you would assume would not hurt a fly. To make a long story short, a guy attempted to climb over her fence to get into her yard one night and this nice, sweet dog went wild, growling at the guy and chased him off her property and even bit him. :D

I don't really know a lot about St. Bernards, but I have always heard that they are pretty non-aggressive. I have always been partial to the rott. They seem to be impressive as far as protection goes. And(the girly part of me :p )


You mean you're part man, too!? :eek:

You mean you're part man, too!? :eek:


Correct, I am a hermaphidite(sp) :p

Being that I am an accused feminist, I think you know what I meant.LOL.

When I was around ten I walked by a Saint Bernhard; it was so big, and I wanted so much to ride on its back. Would be fun to have a Saint Bernhard and equip it with one of those little kegs around its neck, watch people's reactions as you walk down the street with it. Filled with rum, of course.

But I would really like to have a German Shepherd, the Nazi dog. Alas, right now I have no time or room for a dog. And I think I'll end up getting cats anyway.


While we're on the subject of animals, though it has nothing to do with dogs I think this is interesting: did you know you can't ride zebras? Their backs aren't made for riding, they'd break. And the zebras are hard to tame, they'll bite you. (So that Disney movie....)

I think that's freaky. I mean, they look like striped horses, but they bite and you can't ride them. And they don't even neigh, they have a scary sound going instead. They're like monsters camouflaged like horses. Fake horses! I name the zebra the Jewish horse! I bet if it could speak it would demand reparations because you've failed to protect it against the lions.

I have a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, fuck knows how much she weighs. But nobody walks into my fuckin house uninvited!

While smaller and less intimidating looking compared to the American Staff or the Am Pit Bull the jaw power of the little Staffordshire Bull terrier is enormous and God help the person whose leg or other appendage is caught in those jaws. The pressure per square inch makes a Doberman look like Teacup Poodle....sorry HG ;)

Denver CO police raid a woman's home and confiscate her female American Staffordshire and it is now scheduled to die at the pound.
Denver is getting tough with enforcement of its ban of Pit Bulls, American Staffs, and even the cute little Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
What an insane city!

They have incredibly hard bites and will not let go, and the only way to get them off is to choke them off. Finding the windpipe isn't hard, but squeezing it long enough to get them off is the real challenge, all while enduring the pain of the bite. No amount of hitting or banging them about will get them to loosen their grip. Any good protection trained dog is that way, but it seems to be more instinctive with pits.

The only dogs who have ever successfully bitten me at work were a chow and a chihuahua. Chows have some very serious protective instincts about them, but I don't know if you could squeeze a female under your weight limit.

Pits are great dogs. Very family loyal, and great with kids (and protective as hell of their own human family) and willing to go the distance if anyone unannounced tries to play games.

:) Good luck on your doggie search.

kim

Minpins. Miniature pinschers. They're basically small Dobermans, with many of the same characteristics. Great dogs. Google "dog breed selector" for a cool site that allows you to find the kind of dog that fits what you want if you're in the market for one.

As for the baddest dogs on the planet, check out Boar Dogs. These Australians have a website all about their boar-hunting dogs. With heaps and heaps of pics and stories. Great stuff. Now those dogs are B A D.

I went on a hunting trip to northwest Idaho about 15 years ago. The dogs the guide was using were called Black-Mouthed Curs(no pun intended). I had never heard of them but think of the dog in the movie 'Ole Yeller and thats what they look like. Tremendous hunters, totally fearless, strong as hell and smart as the dickens. Top it off with a even temperment and you have one 'rite good dog.