text:
"Very seldom in literature have the legends of the Old West been so vividly painted." Tombstone Epitaph
"Lovers of Louis L'Amour–type Westerns will welcome [this] series." Nashville Banner
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An extraordinary saga of the trail-blazing cowboys who made their fortune
driving cattle from Texas to the Great Frontier.
Across the Pecos, the Rio Colorado and La Panza mountains, the Texans and their longhorns kept charging-all the way to California gold!
Between The Bandera Range And California, They Faced All The Challenges Of Man And God/b>/b>
An extraordinary saga of the trail-blazing cowboys who made their fortune
driving cattle from Texas to the Great Frontier.
Across the Pecos, the Rio Colorado and La Panza mountains, the Texans and their longhorns kept charging-all the way to California gold!
Between The Bandera Range And California, They Faced All The Challenges Of Man And God, But Nothing Could Ever Make Them Quit.
The only riches Texans had left after the Civil War were five million maverick longhorns and the brains, brawn and boldness to drive them north to where the money was. Now, Ralph Compton brings this violent and magnificent time to life in an extraordinary epic series based on the history-making trail drives.
The California Trail
Gold fever had hit California, and suddenly, the land was full of hungry pioneers. For Gil and Van Austin, two Texas brothers, it meant the chance to sell well-grazed longhorns after years of hard ranching and a treacherous cattle drive up through Mexico. The only trouble was that California was on the other side of a searing desert, swollen rivers, a barrage of Indian attacks, and a whole passel of outlaw trouble. And while the Texans and their men were ready and willing to take it all on, there was one thing they weren't prepared for: the ultimate act of treachery and deceit in a land of schemers, dreamers and gold!
"Very seldom in literature have the legends of the Old West been so vividly painted." Tombstone Epitaph
"Lovers of Louis L'Amour–type Westerns will welcome [this] series." Nashville Banner
Once Gil and Van Austin had agreed upon the trail drive to the California goldfields, they wasted no time in approaching Clay Duval with the proposal.
"You're right," said Clay, "this is somethin' we can't afford to pass up. If the kind of money they're talkin' about is for real, this one trail drive could set us up for life. We'd never have to sell another cow. Trouble is, I don't know if I. should feel flattered that you're leavin' the Bandera spread in my hands, or insulted that you reckon you can take a herd of longhorns on such a drive without me."
"Take it as a compliment," said Gil. "Remember the last trail drive, when the both of us ended up in a Mexican juzgado? Next time, it may be a California juzgado. We may need you on the outside, with a keg of powder."*
"Don't laugh," said Van. "He may be more right than he knows. We're only lookin' at the potential reward of such a drive, without considering all we may have to survive to reach it. We could hire a segundo and the riders to look after the ranches, the longhorns, and the horses, but there's more at stake than that. I want to know that little Van and Dorinda are safe, all the time I'm away."
"And there's Rosa," said Gil.
"Whoa," said Clay. "She's your querida.* She'll grab a horse and light out after you. You want me to rope her out of the saddle and hogtie her till you get back?"
"We still have some time," said Gil. "I'll talk to her." He looked forward to that with all the enthusiasm of a man about to be bucked off into a cactus patch and then stomped.
"You're only leavin' me Solano," said Clay, "but with Mariposa and Estanzio helping, we should be caught up on the gentling of horses before you're ready to move out. Now at your place, there'll be only the cook, old Stump. We'll need a good dozen riders while you're gone, and I don't mean just men with horse and cow savvy. Sooner or later the Comanches are goin' to come after us; if not for our hair, then for our horses. Same holds true for rustlers."
"Why don't you ride to San Antone tomorrow," said Gil, "and make known our need for hard-ridin', fast-shootin' men? While you're there, stop at the mercantile and have them order us new weapons. I want two dozen of the new Dragoon Colt six-shooters, with the seven and a half inch barrel, and a thousand rounds of ammunition for each. If possible, I'd like the same number of .50 caliber Hawken rifles, out of St. Louis. Get plenty of horseshoes too, along with an extra set of necessary tools. I'll want enough shoes for every horse on the trail drive to have an extra set. We'll be taking a sixty-horse remuda and five packhorses."
"My God," said Clay, "do we have that kind of credit in town?"
"We do," said Gil, "and more. Remember, we've been supplyin' beef to the town for nearly six years, gettin' only credit. Nobody's had any gold."
"That reminds me of something," said Van. "The outfit's been taking wages in cows. Do you aim to let that four thousand head include some or all of their stock?"
"I'm inclined to," said Gil. "I think it's fair. We could allow every rider to take as many as fifty, without it hurtin' us."
"That's more than generous," said Clay. "All right, I'll ride to town tomorrow and get the word out that we're needin' riders, and I'll drop this list of needs off at the mercantile. I just hope they have credit enough to buy for us."
"So do I," said Gil.
For three days after she had learned of the impending trail drive, Rosa had sulked in silence. Not so much because she wouldn't be going, Gil felt, but because he would be. She had become so possessive, something had to be done. Thanks to Dorinda and Angelina, Rosa already had a better education than most frontier females, but Gil decided she was ready for something more formal. Such as a four-year girl's school, in New Orleans or St. Louis. If the trail drive to California proved even half as successful as they hoped, he would have the money for such an extravagance. But it soon became apparent that they wouldn't be able to begin the drive until after the first of the year, and that Rosa had ideas that exceeded Gil's wildest imagination.
She had always respected his privacy in the cabin they shared, and Gil had respected hers. It came as a shock when, one night, he awakened from a sound sleep and found Rosa in his room. She stood at the foot of his bed, and how long she had been there, he didn't know. While he wasn't sure why she was there, he had a terrifying suspicion. His first look at the girl dispelled forever his thoughts of her as a child. The light of a full moon shone through the window, and Rosa stood there stark naked, a woman in every sense of the word! Gil almost stopped breathing, but forced himself to continue slowly and evenly, lest she know that he was awake. But his years on the hazardous frontier had so conditioned him, that another's breathing could awaken him, and this Rosa knew. Still he played possum, fearing that she might actually get into bed with him, forcing him to acknowledge her presence. Finally she turned away and, like a pale ghost, swept slowly through the open door, out of his sight. He slept no more that night, discarding one idea after another, a vivid picture of the naked Rosa burned into his mind. When at last the eastern sky paled from gray to rose, Gil got up. He would say nothing of Rosa's nocturnal visit, covertly watching her. It came as no surprise when he found her in her usual garb, breakfast all but ready. He sat down and she poured his coffee. She returned the pot to the stove, and when she turned back to face him, the half smile on her lips was more terrifying than the frown she had worn for the past three days. Something in his expression told her what she wished to know, and she was glorying in it! She spoke not a word, but sat down across the table from him, sipping her own coffee. Her enigmatic smile remained, and in her eyes was the wisdom of a thousand years. Chill fingers caressed his spine, and he sat there looking into his half-empty cup. . . .
When Gil and Van Austin had departed, Clay Duval sat at the kitchen table so immersed in his own thoughts that Angelina had to speak to him twice before he heard her.
"They are going without you," she said. "Do you have regrets?"
"No," he said. "I was just wonderin' why Dorinda didn't come out breathin' fire and smoke when Van decided to go."
"Dorinda understands. Van is concerned about his brother."
Angelina had pulled out a chair and sat across the table from him. His eyebrows lifted, Clay looked at her, and she laughed.
"Gil is restless, lost, vulnerable," she said.
"So Van is goin' along to protect him," said Clay. "Querida, Gil Austin is about as vulnerable as a lobo wolf."
"I do not question his ability to physically defend himself against almost any odds," she said. "It is you and Van who are forcing him to face an enemy he fears, in a fight he is unsure of winning."
"Well, by God," said Clay, "thanks on behalf of Van and me."
She continued as though he hadn't spoken. "You have a home, a wife, and a daughter. Van has a home, a wife, and a son. Gil is lacking all this, and it is the contrast that is bothering him, making him vulnerable."
"So he's likely to go to California and bring back some female catamount that'll geld and brand him."
"Clay Duval, sometimes you are so crude, I—"
He grinned. "That ain't what you said, but it's what you meant."
"The problem does not lie in California, or at the end of any trail, but within Gil himself. Can you not see what is happening between him and Rosa?"
He kicked his chair back and got up, his palms flat on the table, just looking at her. His nostrils flared and his brown eyes had gone cold.
"Rosa can't be more than twelve," he said. "Thirteen at the most. Are you sayin' that Gil—"
"I did not accuse Gil of anything," she said. "While you think of Rosa as a child, she thinks of herself as a woman, and it is in that light that I see her. So does Dorinda. Rosa has the resources and the yearnings of a woman. A child of twelve, perhaps thirteen? I think not."
He sat down, allowing his temper to subside before he spoke. "So the trail drive to the goldfields ain't just the money," he said. "Gil's leavin' a situation here that he ain't sure he can handle. But a man can't run forever. What's going to keep this thing from gettin' back in the saddle and sinkin' the gut hooks in him again, when he returns?"
"A wife perhaps," said Angelina.
Oscar Stackmeier was a Missourian, a friend of Moses Austin, Stephen's late father. The potential of Texas's American Colony had excited Oscar, and he had given up his trading post in St. Joe for a larger one in San Antonio. Oscar had long been a friend to Gil and Van Austin, even when they were anything but flush, a condition that had plagued them since their arrival from Missouri. It had been Oscar Stackmeier's willingness to trade for beef that had been the salvation of the Bandera spread. He was a thin little man, with watery blue eyes and wire-rimmed spectacles, whose generosity was exceeded only by his bluntness. Having read the list Clay Duval had given him, he looked at Clay over the tops of his spectacles.
"Clay, you boys are a mite late. Two thousand years late. Jesus Christ could of turned longhorn beef into Hawken rifles and Colt revolvers, but I purely can't. I doubt the Hawken brothers make as many rifles in a year as you're wantin' right now. As for the Colt Dragoons, you'll have to get in line behind the Texas Rangers and the United States Army. Now horseshoes, I can get."
That had been setback enough, but the day wasn't over. Clay had made the rounds of the saloons, the stores, the barber shops and bathhouses, even the wagon yard, without finding even one potential rider for the Bandera ranch. Instead he heard story after story of men who had lit out for California in pursuit of gold. He had been about to ride out in total defeat, when he encountered "Big Foot" Wallace and several of his Rangers. In the fall of 1843, Gil, Van, and Clay had brought a herd of longhorns and a herd of blooded horses from Mexico, stampeding them across the Rio Grande, with the Mexican army in pursuit. Big Foot Wallace had been the first Texan they'd seen, and the big Ranger had taken a personal interest in them.*
"Howdy," said Wallace. "Them Mex cows learnin' to eat Texas grass?"
"That's the easy part," Clay grinned. "We're aimin' to take a herd to California, to the goldfields, if we can find the guns, the ammunition, and the riders. We was hopin' for some of the new Colt Dragoon six-shooters, but I just learned the Rangers and the United States Army's ahead of us."
"You can thank Captain Jack Hays for that," said Wallace. "He's managed to order enough for every Ranger to have two Colts, plus an extra cylinder. The extra cylinder will interchange with either Colt, givin' a man eighteen shots without reloading."
"That's why we wanted our riders on the trail drive to California to have them," said Clay. "We hear there's hostile Injuns every jump of the way, and we come out of Mexico with all manner of foreign-made pistols. I reckon no two of 'em takes the same kind of ammunition, and I'd swap the whole bunch for one good Colt."
"Know what you mean," said Wallace. "How many Dragoons was you tryin' to get?"
"Two dozen," said Clay, "but we could make do with fifteen."
"Captain Ben McCulloch knows you and the Austins," said Wallace. "Ben's after Captain Jack Hays to order enough of the Dragoons so we'll have them to arm new men. You know, Colt went busted in 1842, and Ben thinks it could happen again. Let me talk to Ben McCulloch; if he can get Captain Jack to order a few dozen extra Dragoons, I might arrange for you to get the Colts you need. The Comanches are goin' to give us hell in the years to come, and I'd like to see every Texan armed with one of these Colt six-shooters."
"We'd be obliged," said Clay, "and the sooner the better. Now we need some riders. Ain't got a dozen Rangers, with horse and cow savvy, that you can spare for about a year, have you?"
Wallace laughed, not even dignifying that with a reply. Clay mounted and rode back to Bandera Range.
Gil had delayed his talk with Rosa as long as he could, and when he finally decided to be done with it, he found her every bit as adamant and unreasonable as he had expected.
"If I cannot go with you," she insisted, "then I will stay where I wish to stay, and I wish to stay here at our house. I am no longer a child, and I will not endure all the months you are gone, having Angelina and Dorinda threatening to spank me."
"I'd not mind you staying here," said Gil, "if our own riders were going to be in the bunkhouse. But they're going with me on the trail drive, and Clay will be hiring some new men to take over until we return. I am very much aware that you're no longer a child, Rosa, and I don't want you here alone, with strange riders in the bunkhouse."
"It would upset you, ah reckon," she said, imitating his drawl, "if these new riders had their way with me."
That half smile touched her lips. She was taunting him with the very thing he feared the most, throwing it in his face.
"Yes, damn it!" he shouted. "It would upset me. I didn't drag you out of Mexico to have you become a puta in my own house while I am away. Maybe I've been wrong, but I'd hoped that if you had no respect for yourself, that you'd have some for me!"
That got to her. Her face paled, the smile vanished, and she swallowed hard before she spoke.
"No man will ever use me against my will. I would kill him."
Their conversation ended, resolving nothing, but Gil discovered he had won a small victory. While she adamantly refused to stay with Angelina or Dorinda while he was gone, never again did she taunt him in a manner that opened her morality to question.
When Van and Clay again rode to Gil's place, their concern was for new riders. Or the lack of them. The three men seemed to fill a room, each of them over six feet without hat or boots. Gil and Van were towheaded and blue-eyed. Clay's hair was a faded brown, almost a sorrel. His eyes were soft brown, but when he was angry, they shot sparks of green fire.
"I've got just one possibility," said Gil, "and it's not my idea. Long John Coons claims if he could ride back to Louisiana for a few days, he could maybe bring us some old pards of his."
"For some reason I've never quite figured out," said Van, "I like Long John, but I'd think long and hard before hirin' any rider that's a friend of his. Remember in 'forty-two when we was tryin' to get a trail herd out of Mexico, and we ended up in a Mex calabozo in Monterrey? Who ends up right in there with us, but Long John Coons, big as life and twice as ugly? When we'd left him here with specific instructions to keep an eye on the ranch."*
"It was just a thought," said Gil. "We don't have that many prospects."
"Who wants to stay in Texas and nurse cows?" said Van. "Huntin' gold has to pay better."
"Anything pays better," said Clay. "Hell's fire, I hear a private in the army gets eight dollars a month. That's a regular bonanza, compared to what we've made in the cattle business."
"This is gettin' us nowhere," said Gil. "I'm going to ride into San Antone tomorrow and nose around some. Maybe I'll check with Big Foot Wallace and see if he's havin' any luck gettin' us some Colt Dragoons."
November 5, 1849. San Antonio, Texas When Gil reached San Antonio, Wallace and his men were away. Captain Ben McCulloch was there, however, and that proved even more beneficial. Gil, Van, and Clay had fought under McCulloch's command at San Jacinto. Then, in 1843, when the trio had brought a miraculous trail drive from Mexico, they had so impressed Big Foot Wallace that the Ranger had arranged for them to tell their story to Sam Houston. The information Gil, Van, and Clay had supplied had been helpful in the eventual war with Mexico. As a result, Clay Duval and the Austins were well thought of by the Texas Rangers and by men at the reins of state government in Austin. When Gil saw Captain McCulloch go into a restaurant, he followed.
"I hear you're taking a trail drive to the goldfields," said McCulloch.
"I'm beginning to have some doubts," said Gil. "We've run headlong into a couple of problems, and haven't found a solution to either of them."
"I reckon I can solve one of them," said McCulloch. "The one you spoke to Wallace about. Eventually, I'll be forced to account for the, ah, items in question, and this is something you are not to speak of. Not to anybody."
"I understand," said Gil, "and I'm obliged, but I have to be honest. I purely don't have the money to pay for them, and won't until this trail drive is done. God knows, we've survived only by swappin' beef for everything from horseshoes to bacon on the hoof."
"I'll have a few months' grace," said McCulloch, "before I have to pay. We're a state, but Texas still ain't flush. Not by a jugful. Have you hired the riders Duval was lookin' for?"
"No," said Gil. "Looks like everybody's lit out for the goldfields."
"I can maybe get you some good men," said McCulloch. "That is, if you ain't opposed to Injuns."
"We brought three back from Mexico as part of our outfit," said Gil, "and I'd pay double wages for some more riders as good. We already have the riders for the trail drive, but I need some men on the spread I can trust. I agree with Big Foot—sooner or later the Comanches are going to try and run us out. I want some fighting men with cow savvy, but the longhorns can pretty well take care of themselves. The riders we leave behind will be working under Clay Duval, and he's responsible for the safety of all three of our homes and outbuildings on the Bandera spread."
"Then I think I may have the solution to your problem," said McCulloch. "You ever hear of the Lipan Apaches?"
"Yes," said Gil. "Captain Jack Hays has been using them as scouts against the Comanches."
"That he has," said McCulloch, "and a Lipan Apache will ride a hundred miles to fight Comanches. The tribes are bitter enemies. Otherwise, the Lipans are peaceful Injuns. There's a village south of here, on the San Antonio River. The Lipans catch a few cows, sometimes crossing into Mexico. They trade beef for goods at different villages, and are well thought of. They were friendly to the padres when the Spanish had missions here. The time's comin' when Texas will be cattle country, and these Lipan Apaches were the first cowboys, learning from the Spanish. They ride like they're part of the horse, they got cow savvy, they're hell on Comanches, and my God, they can follow a trail across solid rock. Someday—and you'll live to see it—there'll be many trail drives such as yours. Then I believe you'll see cattlemen turning to these Lipan Apaches as hard-ridin' cowboys, scouts, and Injun fighters."*
"They sound like our kind of people," said Gil. "Will there be a language problem?"
"Not if you speak Spanish," said McCulloch. "Most of them speak it well, but I'll ride down there with you, if you want."
"I'd take it as a favor," said Gil, "but can we do it tomorrow? Since Clay will be in charge of these riders, I'd like for him to go with us."
"Tomorrow, then," said McCulloch.
Returning to the Bandera spread, Gil rode immediately to Clay's, telling him of their good fortune and setting a time for them to ride out the next morning. When Gil returned to his own place, it was nearly suppertime, and Rosa had the meal ready for the table. She seemed unusually contrite, and had a smile for him. There had been a change, and he had no more than sat down at the table when she told him what it was. Or what she wished him to believe it was.
"While you are gone on the trail drive," she said, "I will stay with Dorinda and little Van."
"Pardon me if I seem suspicious," said Gil, "but why the sudden change?"
"I decided that I was being selfish, and that you would worry about me. I remembered what you said about bringing me out of Mexico, and I decided I was being very ungrateful. You could have just left me where you found me."
"You've done some growin' up since we talked last," said Gil, telling her what she wished to hear. His own private conclusion was that she had decided what she was going to do, and that staying with Dorinda was the furthest thing from her mind.
Gil and Clay reached San Antonio an hour after first light, and a few minutes later, when McCulloch led out, they followed. They traveled south along the San Antonio River for a little more than three hours.
"Lipan Apaches aren't nomads," said McCulloch. "They live in mud and log huts, and they have some pretty decent farms. The women do, that is. The men still hunt with bows and arrows."
"If they ride for us," said Gil, "I aim for 'em to have guns. How do you feel about that?"
"If it was anybody but the Lipans," said McCulloch, "I'd draw the line at guns. But for these Injuns, I'll have to make an exception. I doubt they'll be a danger to anybody but Comanches, and for every one they shoot, it's one less we'll have to track down."
McCulloch knew the chief—Feurza—and when Gil had been introduced, McCulloch explained to Feurza what Gil wanted. Feurza called a meeting, and although he had excluded the women, they peeked from behind every bush and tree. Some of the men had seen at least seventy summers, and might not see another, while the youngest were only children of maybe nine or ten. Once Feurza had explained what Gil was seeking, there arose a clamor that would have drowned out a buffalo stampede. McCulloch spoke to Feurza, and the chief managed to restore order.
"He's telling them you want nobody younger than seventeen," said McCulloch.
"Ganos!" shouted a youth. "Ganos!"
He was muscular, a man by anybody's standard, and looked strong enough to throw a bull. But Feurza shook his head and spoke to McCulloch.
"His name is Goose," said McCulloch, "but he's not quite fifteen. By God, when he grows up, he'll be a man."*
One by one Feurza chose a dozen men, not a one older than twenty-one or -two. Much later Gil learned that the chief had honored him by choosing men that Feurza believed were a credit to the tribe. When it was all done, Gil was dismayed to learn that the dozen young Apaches would be riding with him that very day!
"We won't move out with the trail drive until sometime after Christmas," said Gil, "and until we do, there won't be room for them in the bunkhouse."
McCulloch chuckled. "No matter. You don't see a bunkhouse here, do you?"
Gil and Clay shook the hands of their new riders, and then Clay turned to McCulloch with a grin.
"Cap'n Mac, we owe you one. The Comanches come lookin' for a fight, I purely believe these hombres will see they get one."
McCulloch laughed. "I'm countin' on that. Why do you reckon I brought you here?"
Gil, Clay, and their new riders passed to the east of San Antonio, and it was there that Ben McCulloch left them, riding back to town. When they reached the Box AA, the new riders created a sensation. Rosa spoke to them in rapid Spanish and soon had them laughing. Ramon and the vaqueros greeted the Lipans in Spanish, and everybody was excited over their arrival except old Stump, the cook. Gil thought he swore in all five languages, and then slipped in a couple more of which nobody was aware.
"I got to bring Angelina over here to see these hombres," said Clay.
"Make it tomorrow, then," said Gil. "Bring Van and Dorinda too."
The following day was Sunday, and they made it a festive occasion. Rosa set a table for Van, Dorinda, Clay, and Angelina. Despite Stump's grousing, he rose to the occasion and fed the riders a meal they never forgot. While Dorinda was lacking in Spanish, she was readily accepted for her smile.
"They ain't a bit like the Indians we brought from Mexico," said Van. "But when we get back from California with our regular riders, what happens to our Lipan Apaches?"
"If this trail drive's the success we're lookin' for," said Gil, "we'll build another bunkhouse and keep them."
Suddenly there was a commotion outside, followed by a mad rush, as everybody in the house jumped up and headed for the door. The riders had finished eating and had gathered in a circle outside the bunkhouse. At the center of the circle, facing one another, was a grinning Long John Coons and one of the newly arrived Lipan Apaches. Each man grasped a deadly Bowie, and they circled each other warily, like a pair of lobo wolves.
"Dear God!" cried Dorinda. "Stop them!"
"No," said Van, "leave them be. Go back in the house."
But Dorinda didn't move. Her eyes were frozen in hypnotic horror on the two combatants. The lanky Long John was tall, gawky, seeming to loom over the Indian. Like a striking rattler, Long John's blade nicked the Apache's brawny forearm, drawing blood. The Indian laughed in savage glee, retaliating by slashing Long John's shirtsleeve from shoulder to elbow. Time after time they parried, until finally the Apache's blade struck Long John's with such force that the Bowie was torn from his grasp. The Indian then began what might have become a death thrust, slowing the drive until the point of his blade stopped just short of Long John's belly. Dorinda screamed, but nobody heard her except those on the porch. The riders, including Long John and his Indian adversary, were shouting and laughing. Angelina was pale and Dorinda was trembling. Only Rosa seemed at ease, dashing off the porch and joining the shouting riders.
"Don't swoon on us, ladies." Clay laughed. "They're just havin' themselves some frontier fun."
"Dear God," Dorinda cried, "if they call this fun, what happens when they get serious?"
"Somebody dies," said Clay.
* Trail Drive #4, The Bandera Trail
* Sweetheart.
* Trail Drive #4, The Bandera Trail
* Trail Drive #4, The Bandera Trail
* Trail Drive #3, The Chisholm Trail
* Trail Drive #1, The Goodnight Trail
Ralph Compton stood six-foot-eight without his boots. His first novel in the Trail Drive series, The Goodnight Trail, was a finalist for the Western Writers of America Medicine Pipe Bearer Award for best debut novel. He was also the author of the Sundown Rider series and the Border Empire series. A native of St. Clair County, Alabama, Compton worked as a musician, a radio announcer, a songwriter, and a newspaper columnist before turning to writing westerns. He died in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1998.
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text:
Today's championship flight finale of the 2002 Amarillo Country Ladies Partnership will be a repeat of 2001.
Marian Barker and Penny Perry will be going for their third-straight title when they meet the Midland team of Trina Albright and Jo Dickson beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Barker and Perry reached the final match on Wednesday by turning back Carol Buchanan and Lisa Held by a 6 and 2 margin in this low ball, low total format that features two points per hole.
Albright and Dickson edged Lisa Beck and Mona Freeman in the other semifinal, 3-up in a rematch of last year's semifinal. A year ago, the Midland duo won by a 6 and 4 margin.
Barker will be going for her fifth title in this tournament, and for the third time with Perry.
Last year's championship match between the teams went to the final hole, with Barker and Perry winning by a 2-up margin.
"It could be just as close this year," Barker said. "They are a good team that partners well together. We'll have to play well."
Albright and Dickson took a five-up lead after three holes, and were still leading by that margin when they turned after nine.
Beck and Freeman won points at four of the first five holes on the back nine to finally square the match at 14.
Dickson's par at 15, while the other players made bogey, gave her team a two-up lead.
Beck and Freeman won a point at 16, courtesy of a bogey by Dickson, to pull them within one.
The teams halved 17, before Albright and Dickson closed out the match by making birdies at 18, while their opponents made par.
"We helped each other out just about the entire way around," Albright said. "When one of us would struggle on a hole, the other would pick her up."
In that match, each team won points at seven holes to show just how close it was. The difference was in the fact Albright and Dickson took two points at four of the holes, while their opponents did in only once.
Dickson shot 4-over 75, while Albright carded a 7-over 78. Freeman shot 1-over 73, while Beck was 10-over 81.
Barker and Perry took charge of their match on the back nine, after trailing by two points at No. 8. Perry's par at 9, while the other three players made bogey, was worth two points and enabled her team to square the match going to the inward half.
Over the final eight holes of the back nine, Barker and Perry won points at four of the holes, and on each occasion it was worth two. Their opponents won points at two holes, and on each occasion it was worth just one.
Perry birdied the par 5 13th for a three-up advantage, then made another birdie at the par 3 17th to close out the match.
Barker was 4-over at the conclusion, while Perry was 6-over.
Buchanan, who earlier this summer captured the Women's West Texas Championship, was 4-over, while Held was 13-over.
"Those two birdies Penny had were huge," Barker said.
"She really played well. I didn't play all that well, and didn't have a birdie during the round."
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Pascal Survives Late Scare To Defeat Bute in Montreal
Bell Centre, Montreal, Canada - Jean Pascal (29-2-1, 17KOs) dominated most of the action, but he was forced to survive after getting hurt in the last round - winning a twelve round unanimous decision over Lucian Bute (31-2, 24KOs). Bute was moving up to light heavyweight for the first time. 116-112, 117-110, 117-111 - all for Pascal.
Both boxers were tentative in the first, with Pascal having the edge. Then Pascal erupted with punches in the second and appeared to stun Bute late in the second. Bute came back with a better third, but then Pascal started firing back with hard punches in the fourth. Bute was allowing Pascal to outwork him in several of the rounds that followed, as he wasn't throwing enough punches or countering the incoming shots.
Pascal was landing some bombs in the eight, and Bute appeared to go down, but the referee ruled it a slip. In the tenth, there was a clash of heads that opened up a cut above the nose of Bute, who also was having issues with a badly swollen left eye. Pascal suckered Bute in during the eleventh round and unleashed a monster arsenal of shots.
In the final round it wasn't clear if Pascal was hurt or initially playing possum, but Bute staged a huge rally early in the round and had Pascal running around trying to coast as the punches were landing well. Bute seemed to be dominating the action in the final minute as well, with Pascal looking completely spent and trying to make it to the final bell.
[QUOTE=AP♠;14148298]After being exposed Bute has turned into an embarrassing sissy[/QUOTE] im the furthest thing from mad, just dont appreciate lil kids acting like weirdos. as for bute,i could give a rats a.ss about the dude, he's been a hypejob for…Comment by ThatDude44 on 01-19-2014
[QUOTE=ADP02;14150441]On your point, Floyd and company admitted to it. "My game plan for Mosley will take into consideration that Mosley is now [B][COLOR="Red"]OLD[/COLOR][/B]" [B]- Floyd Mayweather[/B] "Floyd is fully aware of Canelo's weaknesses and will be able to take full…Comment by jondacon on 01-19-2014
[[email protected];14148285]Somos boricuas but STFU bro! Nobody lets someone specially a power punching guy beat on you just to try and secure a rematch when in fact you can get laid out. Pascal got tired after the 10th like he always…Comment by jondacon on 01-19-2014
[QUOTE=Box-Office;14148254]There was someone calling for Bute by 3rd round stoppage lol. I mean Bute has been given easy opponents all his career then comes Carl Froch and Jean Pascals of the world. To think there are ppl saying Andre Ward…Comment by ADP02 on 01-19-2014
[QUOTE=ThatDude44;14150022]So if he fights them young then they're too green and if he fights them later they're too old. Got it.[/QUOTE] On your point, Floyd and company admitted to it. "My game plan for Mosley will take into consideration that…Post a Comment - View More User Comments (83)


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The Rev. Chris Schuller, former rector at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in St. Petersburg, Florida, who posted a video on YouTube calling on people to "thank God for marijuana" and stop being judgmental by "throwing stones at people who are already stoned," might soon face punishment from his bishop for the public statements supporting the recreational use of the drug.
While the video was posted back in December it was recently brought to the attention of Bishop Dabney Smith, head of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida.
Diocesan spokesman Garland Pollard told The Tampa Bay Times in an interview published Wednesday that the bishop "was very disturbed by the video." more >>
A district court judge in Texas has ruled in favor of a diocese of the Episcopal Church that broke away in 2008 over theological differences regarding who controls the diocesan name and property.
Judge John Chupp of Tarrant County ruled Monday that the Diocese of Fort Worth under Bishop Jack Leo Iker owns the name and property of the diocese instead of the mainline denomination.
In a one-page order, Chupp granted the breakaway diocese's second motion for partial summary judgment regarding the properties, save that of All Saints Episcopal Church of Fort Worth. more >>
A South Carolina judge has denied a motion to reconsider a ruling made in a $500 million property dispute case in favor of a diocese that voted to leave the Episcopal Church due to the national denomination's increasing acceptance of homosexuality.
Judge Diane Goodstein decided earlier this week to reject arguments made by The Episcopal Church requesting that she reconsider her order granting the Diocese of South Carolina ownership over the name and $500 million worth of diocesan church properties.
"The court has studied defendant's lengthy motion extensively and oral argument would not be of assistance to the court," ruled Goodstein on Monday. more >>
A "motion for reconsideration" has been filed on behalf of The Episcopal Church of South Carolina against a diocese that voted to break away from the denomination, and is seeking to take over the local church's properties that are estimated to be worth $500 million.
A group loyal to the national denomination, called The Episcopal Church in South Carolina, filed the motion against the Diocese of South Carolina, which earlier this month won a court judgement in which it retained ownership of dozens of church properties.
Although District Court Judge Diane Goodstein ruled on Feb. 4 that the Protestant Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina rightfully owns the church properties and not The Episcopal Church, it was expected that the national denomination was going to file a motion in an attempt to gain control of the church's assets. more >>
A former orthodox member of the Church of England's Archbishops' Council, who once staunchly opposed the church's affirmation of same-sex partnerships, has been appointed the new director of an LGBT-activist Christian coalition seeking to change the church's biblical beliefs about homosexuality after publicly announcing for the first time that she's a lesbian.
Jayne Ozanne, a 46-year-old lay campaigner who was appointed as one of the founding members of the church's Archbishops' Council by then-Archbishop of Canterbury Lord George Carey in 1999, was announced as the new director of the pro-gay network, Accepting Evangelicals.
The network advocates for the Church of England to accept same-sex partnerships at "every level of church life," and open up its leadership to practicing homosexuals — those who are involved in same-sex relationships and believe God condones gay marriage. more >>
Former Anglican Archbishop Dr. Rowan Williams has responded to atheist actor Stephen Fry's recent criticism of God by saying that only a "stupid and insensitive person" would never protest suffering in the world. At the same time, Williams said that he hopes Fry would actually wait for God's reply, if he got a chance to speak with Him.
"It's interesting that already in the Psalms and the book of Job, you're beginning to have that kind of protest voice within religious communities," Williams, who led the Church of England for 10 years, said on BBC's Newsnight.
The former Archbishop was responding to Fry's controversial comments earlier this month, when the actor called God "utterly evil" and "monstrous" for designing a world which includes bone cancer in children, and other such diseases. more >>


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|Citizens for Adequate Housing, Inc. breaks the patterns of instability that lead to homelessness for every family served.
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Executive Director, Corey Jackson, talks about Raising the Roof 2015 on RadioBDC!


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As the highest profile player of the bunch, Phillippe Aumont was supposed to be the guy to watch. It was Aumont, who was going to ease the pain of having dealt Kyle Drabek - 7-4, 3.22 at Double-A New Hampshire - to the Blue Jays organization in the Roy Halladay deal.
Originally, all three players - Aumont, pitcher J.C. Ramirez and outfielder Tyson Gillies - were supposed to start the season at Reading, but Ramirez started at Clearwater, while the other two went to Reading.
After two rough starts for Reading, it looked like Aumont had caught on to how to get Double-A hitters out and he turned in two good outings, throwing a combined 11 innings and allowing three hits, two walks and nine strikeouts and just one earned run, lowering his season ERA to 3.32 after four starts. From there though, things turned very ugly and Aumont was never quite the same.
Aumont allowed 15 earned runs in his next 9 2/3 innings and in his last three starts, Aumont was truly bombed to the tune of an 11.48 ERA and finally, the Phillies had seen enough.
"I thought we made a mistake," assistant GM Chuck LaMar told Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer on Sunday. "Hindsight is 20/20, but we probably put him in a situation that was extremely hard for anyone."
LaMar believes that Aumont has the tools to be a starting pitcher, (he had been a reliever in the Seattle organization) but that he needs to develop more consistency with his pitches. LaMar said that Aumont's increased pitch counts meant that he had to have more than just good stuff to succeed at the Double-A level and it was the consistency that was lacking.
Right now, the Phillies will look just to rebuild Aumont's confidence and may put him back in the bullpen for a while in an attempt to help him readjust. Long-term though, LaMar still believes that Aumont will pitch as a starter and that he definitely has good enough pitches to reach the majors.
"We think he's going to pitch in the major leagues for the Phillies. We like his size. We like his stuff. We like his competitiveness. He had to gain confidence in himself. Ability can only take you so far," said LaMar in his interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Gillies has been on the DL at Reading since May 13 with a left hamstring strain and will need more time before he's ready to return to the lineup. Gillies hit just .247 with Reading before going on the DL.
Ramirez, while expecting to start the season at Reading, is 3-3 with a 4.55 ERA at Clearwater after struggling again in his last start on Sunday, going 4 2/3 innings and allowing five earned runs.
Meanwhile, after a spring injury, Cliff Lee is pitching well for Seattle, going 3-2 with a 2.91 ERA in seven starts.


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"I'm passionate about helping businesses and their owners succeed. I aim to be as entrepreneurial as my clients by providing innovative solutions to their tax challenges."
—Diane Gilabert, CPA
It's not how much you make...it's how much you keep! When selling or buying a business, the after tax results are what matters.
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"Tax geek" Diane Gilabert enjoys working collaboratively with her clients to solve their complex tax problems.
Diane is proud to be a partner at CEA, LLP, a full service accounting firm just north of San Diego in Carlsbad, California.
From 2011 through late 2014, Diane was a trusted adviser to small and medium sized CPA firms. She built a thriving practice consulting with her fellow tax professionals on a variety of challenging tax issues.
Prior to striking out on her own, Diane worked at KPMG and then PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, both members of the "Big 4" - the largest CPA firms in the world. Diane was elevated to tax partner with PwC in 2001, minimizing taxes for both public and private companies.
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Adopting a dog is a wonderful experience on many levels. In addition to a cuddly companion, you get unconditional love and unwavering devotion. In most cases, you also get your own personal security detail. Canines are naturally protective of their families, happily putting themselves in harm's way if it means saving the life of a loved one. That is, assuming your pet is able to identify a potential threat and respond appropriately. It's a skill that some dogs are better at than others. In the pages to follow we present 12 dog breeds that are particularly good at protection…..
161 thoughts on "Twelve Great Dog Breeds to Protect You"
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Clearly you aren't familiar with the history of the Great Dane. This dog was originally bred to be a hunter and guardian. While it seems like an oversized lap dog, don't be fooled. This dog is 150lbs or more of guard dog if required and it will guard members of it's family or core family with it's life. They are amazing dogs that may hide behind you during a thunderstorm but they will leap to action of one of the members of their family is in danger.
I'm with you on this one, Mark G; these big dogs are sweet-tempered but will do whatever it takes to keep their family safe from any sort of threat. The same dog who is ok with little ones tripping over their paws and sitting on top of them will climb or jump an enclosure to protect a kid under threat.
Irish wolfhounds are a good breed as well Gentle around active-curious children. Will protect a family if need be..
Ridiculous list. I've owned two of the breeds here and neither one is described accurately. Several of the dogs listed here are very protective but far too touchy and would be a disaster in a house where kids from outside the family might come over and rough house or just run around yelling. Look, posting click bait is a good way to make some money, but giving people genuinely harmful advice is uncool.
Catahoulas are very territorial and great protectors.
KomoNdor, not Komodor.
ALL dogs (and there is no such thing as "pure" bred – they're just inbred mixed breeds) are loyal and protective.
here here!
The American Bulldog should be at the top of this list and its not even on it at all??? huh??
I think your claim that the bull terrier being confused with the pit bull is really inaccurate. As far as I understand it, experts have never agreed on the difference between bull terriers and pit bulls. Pit bulls (despite their name) were bread from the Bull Terrier to be working dogs. Many are dual registered as Amstaffs with the AKC and Pits with the UKC. I have a ten year old pit bull and two young children. He is protective of our yard and of my children but is in no way aggressive. He loves children, other dogs, even cats. And you know what? His behavior is typical of his breed. I have no doubt that there are countless families like mine who have a loving, affectionate and trust-worthy pit bull and only a select few that own aggressive pits. I'm really disappointed that an article about the best breeds to protect families–featured on a website that is supposed to be an advocate for dogs–would basically add to the misconception of pit bulls by making such a careless, inaccurate statement. I am by no means one of those crazy bully breed advocates (despite how I may sound here) but the little quip about confusing the breeds really struck a nerve. The statement inferred that Pit Bulls are NOT family-friendly dogs and therefore added more fuel to the anti-pitbull fire. A better article would have been "10 characteristics to look for when selecting a family-friendly dog" as opposed to taking something so subjective and treating it like a fact. Clearly, the comments below indicate that there were several noteworthy breeds that were not mentioned. What makes a giant schnauzer more family friendly than an Irish Wolfhound? Or a golden retriever? Let's be honest: the only thing that really makes a good family dog is a good family.
I got a picture today of my calico cat (who's in heat) climbing onto the back of my 9 yr old 85 lb pit bull. He just laid there and let her walk all over him.
That's so sweet. You should put pics like that out for everyone to see just how good these and most dogs really are! Most people with negative comments just don't know any better and go by what they have been taught by an uneducated media….We have to show them the truth!
The article was 12 breeds that will PROTECT you, not family friendly. Any breed of dog, when treated correctly, is family friendly. Not all will go that extra yard to protect.
I so agree with you Amy. I have three Pit Bulls, and they are as family friendly as any of the dogs mentioned. I treat mine like they are part of the family and have done so since I got Breanna the first Pit. I have never chained my Pits up outside. They live in the house with us.They grew up with my boys who were 16, 14, 12, and 10 when Breanna came to live with us. She is now 14. I have a granddaughter that all three Pits dote on. Gotti is 13 and Chocolate is 12. They go nuts when my granddaughter comes over. I think they love her more then me now.
gotta red nose and he better than a human . he loves you no matter what . he won't eat anything that does not have real butter on it
My fullblooded. American Bulldog gets a bad rap since everyone thinks she is a pit bull she has gotten shot at dog catcher has tried to pick her up, Both of my dogs are always on a tie out that is only on my property, mind ya, my last Am.Bulldog was 12 or 13 yes. But someone gave here something not sure what but she had a heart attack an died… Now my dogs are only out when I'm out or it's morning afternoon evveing & just before we go to bed just because I don't want anything else to happen.. my other is whip pit/lab (30lbs 8yrs) she has also gotten bad rap sweet dog was a service dog to my mother with Alzheimer's, she has been shot in the hind quarter & her chest she is terrified of anyone… she was a dump dog, that just showed up when she was a puppy… It is people who make animals bad…
Not always Pamela. I respect your opinion but there have been a multitude of attacks by pits that were unprovoked. They have a bad rap because they can kill an adult man. They have a very strong prey drive and are typically not all that good with other animals. Fact is, some owners think their dog is the greatest and force them on others. I have an idiot at they gym who let's his unleashed pit walk around while he's lifting. So you're right in some respects but the pit has killed more than any other dog.
Just saw your comment. I rescued an American Bulldog dropped on the road in Calhoun Georgia last year. Great dog, the vet even wanted to take him but I eventually gave him to a neighbor with a 13 year old girl who loves him. In the summers he escorts kids walking the street, even a neighbor who rides a sulky drawn by a pony. It's hilarious. He walks them all like he's a parade band leader.
That is such a great story!! One man's trash is another man's treasure. I don't know how anyone can do this, but shame on that man. Look at all the joy he missed in his life! smh!!!
where are you living that your dog would get shot
The south I bet…. Lots of dogs are shot in the south. Lots of dogs are running loose, whether they have owners or not. Rural shelters have horrific conditions and so many dogs are pts, even gassed. Sad situation.
I live in the south and I've 3 times had someone try to shoot my rat terriers. For God's sake they are ten pounds. If you kill my dogs something unpleasant is going to happen to you.
We have an AB, who is quite large for his breed. He weighs more than his mom and dad put together @ 140lbs. He is quite the lounger around the house type of dog. Has even has his own recliner. However, out where we live his protective instincts are very welcome. He was raised with a stray who is larger than he is. Between the two of them it's quite a full house. Our AB has also been accused of being a Pit Bull. I can't tell you how many times i have heard "that's the biggest pit bull I ever saw". He will bark, and carry on with strangers, but once the stranger is introduced to him as a friend, he will remember this person forever. His canine buddy is a mix of a St Bernard, and German Shepard. When these two get to playing, it best you stay out of the way. The extra exercise they provide each other is a very good thing. We live out in the country, and these guys get a lot of exercise. Strangely enough we have to protect them in return, since we have snakes, coyotes, wild burrows, big horn sheep, and cougars in the area. As large as our guys are, they are no match for most wild critters. I think owners of large dogs forget this sometimes.
Are you positive he's an AB? If he's that large he could be a dogo argentino. They can resemble AB, but are much larger.
You are so right! It's people who make dogs nasty! It's all in the training! I'm so sorry you have had to deal with all the hatred!
I like our 4 P W Corgi's. Don't laugh…These little big guys keep tabs on our farm better than any other breed, many on this list, has in 35 years.
I had a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix when I was living in Colorado. My wife called the police about getting obscene phone calls. When the police arrived, the dog went crazy when anyone came to the door. She opened the door to the police officer and the dog sat down right at the edge of the carpet. The cop took one look at him and told her to call them if there was anything left when the dog got done with them.
Great story. I have an RR mix I got from the pound 7 years ago. Best dog I've ever had.
When they bred a Male Boxer with a Female English Bulldog they created a new breed referred to as a " VALLEY BULLDOG ". It did away with bad genetics associated with the English Bulldog while retaining it's physical stature minus the extremely baggy face. They also have twice the life span. My dog Joe is a GREAT watch dog and loves every kid he meets.
Richard, may I make a request for more pics of Joe? with some full body shots? I have a Boxer, and I'm a big fan of English Bulldogs and I've always wondered what would a "Bullboxer" look like Thanks!
For more pictures of Joe, go to AOL's website " Cutest pets " and click on the top right hand box – " Cutest Pets " . Then explore the pictures. When the page comes up with a large picture of him as a pup on the left side of the screen you will notice small triangles in the middle on each side of the picture. Click on them to see various pictures of him. He will be 4 years old in November & he weighs 51 pounds. When you scroll half way down the page you will notice 4 catagories of pets. Joe is #1 in the " All pets " & the " All dogs " catagories. Plesae cast a vote for Joe. Thank you for your interest in Joe !!!
If you click on the picture above it will display his entire head shot !!!
Will do! Thanks Richard
Looks like your dog is living the dream. Good for him and you.
ADOPT!!!! It's simple. You provide your new shelter friend with their basic necessities, and they in return give you unconditional love. Sounds like a pretty good deal!
Dutch Shepherd, will protect, herd and amaze you with it's intelligence.
Great family dog, but needs a yard to burn off energy.like's eating birds
right out of air also, so watch it's diet.
Very true!
In all these articles … the ones about the most protective dogs, the best for families, kids, apartments, active families, etc. I have yet to see mentioned the best dog (In My Humble but also really Partisan Opinion) in the world, the Bouvier des Flandres.
When fishing, my Bouv would follow me out to the middle of any river, then fret because my wife was on the shore and I was far out. He wanted us together so he could both protect and herd. I have never met a more loyal, smarter dog.
LOL. My rottie does this too. I love all the comments from people who love their dogs as much as you obviously do yours. Of course, like our children we all think ours is the best ( mine really is-hehe). The bond you can have with that special dog makes me wonder how anyone can hurt them.
That is one of the many great things about dogs. If the human does right we can all have the best dog in the world. Doesn't matter the breed, they are the best dog in the world to you.
I also wondered why they didn't mention the Bov. I owned two over about 18 years and trained both in Schutzhund. Their characteristic jump straight up into the face of an intruder can stop ones heart. Once had two guys climb over our privacy fence which was to isolate our back yard along on a lake. I saw them at the fence and start to climb. Then saw my Bov tense his feet (he was lying on the patio) but to the casual observer he gave no indication of attention. He waited until they reached the point of no return across our yard and then he looked like he was shot out of a cannon. It was "loose the Kraken"! They wanted no part of him and decided the lake was a better choice and dove in. They swam to a safer location. It was hilarious!
I don't know how the Boxer didn't make the list. Incredibly entertaining,loyal,great with kids and babies.
Aside from being a bit slobbery and snotty nosed, Boxers are great dogs.
I have had seven boxers in my lifetime and not one was slobbery or snotty.
My two don't slobber either. Some drooling when a treat comes out but thats about it
had six of them over the years——each was a constant source of entertainment—-maybe one more.
The list is about dogs that are best at protecting humans. I've never had a boxer so I don't know how protective they are. I do have rotties and they are extremely protective which is why I have them
Have had both both great dogs bith woukd protect ne and family to the death!
Boxers are very protective of their family. I have 2 and they guard both the house as well as the kids when they are outside playing.
My wife and 3 kids from 1958 until 2005 have had 7 Boxers . I type slow so i can't tell you all the qualities these dogs had in their lifetime. I never had a negative thought or concern or wonder how these Boxers. with our kids coming up would react to anything that could and did come up. They did all good things listed in these post plus too much more to list. Since then we've had a Alapaha Blue Bulldog [ plantation dog,South Georgia all purpose working dogs, the breeders have passed on now.} but dogs listed on the net in Calif. for big bucks, Beautiful dogs. Now i have a Rottweiler, all our dogs have been female ,She is a wonderful dog maybe a little overly protective,very strong and big like most Rottweiler .I recieved her because her owners had a young child and either the dog didn't respect the baby or was so big when she got close she didn't pay attention to the baby and would knock her down.This type mistakes never would or did happen with any Boxer we had. But we love her,[miss rocky] She guards my wife like i was paying her to do so. Who ever run these studies has no knowledge about Boxers . Lots of great dogs out there , and i certainly don"t know most of them, I believe i do know Boxers and what more would anyfamily w/kids want? They just always seem to get it right and thats what i like.
I find your he comment about the Rott and the baby interesting. I have had quite the opposite experience with a Rott and my youngest granddaughter. This Rott was a rescue that we had adopted about a year before our granddaughter was born. When she came home for the first time and was introduced to him he sniffed her from head to toe and back again. From that moment on he was her constant companion and protector, never leaving her side when she at our house and as gentle as could be with her and our 8lb. Yorkie. Stitch has passed on but he taught our granddaughter what unconditional love is and what it means to have a best friend.
Staffordshire terriers/pit bulls, when raised by a nice family, are one of the LEAST AGRESSIVE breeds out there. And of course, like any dog, they will protect their family. But if a burglar climbs in the window and nobody is home, the only thing the burglar has to worry about is being licked to death. A German Shepherd would kill him.
yep, do not trust those GSD's. If anyone ever watched the show "pit boss", there's an episode where this guy had to rescue three pit bulls abandoned in a home. He took a baseball bat to break the window, climbed into a house with 3 pit bulls and came walking out with these 3 pit bulls on a leash. Classic example of how great of guard dogs these dogs are.
It's the owners that make a dog vicious. Take the time and responsibility to train your dog of any breed. If by chance you have a dog that is stubborn or aggressive to certain people then take responsibility as the pack leader to protect your dog and others. I have owned rotties and pitbulls for 40 yrs. I have 6 children and have never had an incident. Children should never be allowed to hurt an animal. Humans are usually the problem. Don't get any dog if you aren't going to do what you need to do. Small dogs bite too. They can kill a baby or bite an artery. You have just shown how an ignorant statement has turned a whole breed of dog into being labeled "bully breeds". There is only irresponsible owners and stupid people who don't think before they act. All of our family and friends know that we have dogs, so they give us a heads up before just walking in. Our pets do protect us as they have been trained to do so. Nobody will get near the kids unless invited in. Trust your dogs judgement about people. They sense when a person is not good or trustworthy. A fact mine have proven many times.
Your description of the Great Dane is spot on. I've owned, bred and shown them for almost 58 years and I've been burgled once. (Turns out that particular Dane was afraid to go down stairs in the dark!!!). They are a loving breed which bonds very deeply to it's family. Unfortunately, their life span averages about 8 years. The longest I've had one is 10 1/2 years.
I have had 2 and both were very protective of the family… very protective.
I still have a picture of my first dane protecting my baby brothers. He allowed the mailman to come into our fenced front yard, but always stood between him and the boys. He was deathly afraid of kittens, though.
Go figure!
I had a brindle great Dane several years ago. Your description could have been describing my Dane (Zeus). He thought he was the town greater– had to be careful when the school bus came around as he would try to go with them.
He was impressive if you didn't know him, but if you knew where the chocolate cookies were hid, he was your best friend.
One thing that is not mentioned, he would like to lean on anyone standing still, and his drool is probably still on the ceiling.
My best friend!!!
I hope you had a lot of great years with him. The leaning thing is peculiar to brindles and it just makes them more loveable.
The "leaning thing" is most certainly not peculiar to brindles. It isn't even peculiar to Danes. My blue boy was a HUGE leaner (and lap sitter). And I have had labs, goldens, poodles, pitties, rotties, and pretty much every other bread I've ever come into contact with lean on me. It's dog thing.
You're likely correct, but among my friends who breed and show, the brindles seem to hold a title of sorts for leaning. Harls do it, as well.
We have a Blue GD named Sir Elliott — very protective of the entire family and the house. He loves Loves LOVES chocolate– so much so that he ate 2 boxes of 60 chocolate candy bars each and lived to hear the stories we tell about it..LOL His favorite snacks are raw carrots and green beans. He is so loyal and has such a neat personality. He loves going for rides in the cars and hanging his giant head out– it looks too funny. We always get comments about our "horse"– we hope he sticks around for awhile. He is already 4 years old.
He may love chocolate….many dogs do….but the fact that he survived a massive amount of theobromine, although he may not have gotten as much as you thought because many "'chocolate" candy items are really "'chocolate flavored". However, you might want look into getting him some carob, which tastes like chocolate but is safe for him.
One of my male Danes lived to be 12. I was very fortunate in that regard. My male Dane Conquistador was very particular about people. He seemed to be able to sense if someone was of dubious character. I remember as a young pup, he would not let my neighbor's husband touch him. He would growl every time. It turns out the man was very abusive to his wife. She finally divorced him. Another time, we had a painter painting our home. I told him not to start on the outside unless I was there, because Conquistador was very territorial and protective of my home when I was not present. The painter did not listen, and attempted to paint the back of the house when I was not present. Luckily, I just happened to be arriving home when I heard someone cry out 'help me.' My Dane had the painter cornered and would not let him move. Once I was there, my Dane backed down and was ok with the painter. He sensed, that since I was ok with the painter, he too was ok with the painter. Great Danes seem to be very intuitive about he Karma people exude. Danes make excellent pet therapy dogs.
My two Chihuahua mixes are loyal and highly protective. Adopt and save a life!
My chihuahua will take someone's ankles off if they come in without permission!! Lol
Mine chases along and nips my ankles when she wants to get me to play. She's literally an ankle biter.
My 6lb chi is the most devoted little dog ever! When she's scared and defensively barking, she runs to me to get in my lap and continue to guard mom. My min pin/chi/italian greyhound mutt barrels right toward whatever she think is dangerous to take it right on.
Malinois , GSD, BRT, American Bulldog , Rottweilers, Giant Schnauzers, Doberman Pinchers, Bouviers , Boerboel ,Cane Corso , Am Staffs……in any order you prefer. But these dogs are agile, mobile and are loyal. I'm sure I missed a few other but most of these I've worked with at one time or another. Mastiffs are very slow usually. I like dogs that can move , jump and have stamina.
Just a Mastiff is a SUPER Dog . They don't have to be Bull mix
My Fila Brasileiro (Brazillian Mastiff) puppy weighs 115 lbs. and is showing signs of knowing when to become defensive. She has been extensivly socialised with friends and neighbors especially children. My old and declining English Mastiff was slow to do this in his younger days but "Katie bar the door" when he did.
My Fila is 11 years old and 125 lbs. I socialized him outside of home and he is safe to take out in public, but a terror at home. As we rarely have company over, it works well for us. He is also protective of our cats. Great Pyrenees are good protectors as well.
I have a 10 month old Giant Schnauzer he's the most calm dog I have ever seen:he can be inside the house looking out the storm door and stay quite while a dog is walking down the street 30 feet from him.On the other hand if he hears something out of the norm he's on the top of the coach growling and barking.Besides being a good watch dog I would recommend this breed for inside living because you rarely see loose hair.
Great Danes are house dogs. They do not like to be left outdoors. They are real goof-balls. If they roam free, they cover a radius of 4-5 miles. They have a metabolism different from other dogs and do not "eat you out of house and home".
My last dog was a large rott. He was a very dangerous animal, with his tongue. He could give you a slobber bath in 3.2 seconds.
But he did know when to get defensive so he made me feel better leaving my wife and daughter at home when I worked at night.
The great Dane is an excellent watch dog and so is the boxer and so many more not to mention some great mixes out there. So many good dogs out there but my preference is of the mastiff line …
I'm not certain how the Newfoundland didn't make the list. They look a bit like a bear and are certainly big enough to scare someone. I have a sign posted on my fence gate that says "This Home Protected by a Newfoundland, Please Be Careful Not to Trip". Did I say big and imposing???
Raphael – Newfys are great dogs and I love them to death but Labradors are much more docile. Labradors were bred from Newfoundlands in the 1800s as breeders were looking to develop a dog that had many of the same characteristics of the Newfoundland but more laid back and would also make a good upland bird dog. They were breeding the Newfoundland with Setters/Retrievers and end up with the modern day Labrador originally known as a St.John's retriever. There are many books on the development of these 2 breeds that explains what the breeders where looking to develop and what we ll ended up with. Essentially the Lab is a mini Newfy with many of the same characteristics of a Setter. Problem is the Lab wants to play all the time like a Setter
My Newfie, Bear was protecting me one day from a neighbor's big Chocolate Lab that they trained to be mean, and bite folks. He stood up on his hind legs and started snarling and walking and waving his paws at the Lab. The Lab backed down and ran off. Bear was a loyal companion for an unheard of 14 years. He loved to swim and we would swim across the Smith River CA. to the sand dunes near the mouth at the ocean. I have a video of him playing with a young Poodle. They were both on leashes about 10′ apart, and were playing catch with a ball. One guy walked by and he couldn't believe it. Of course they were tossing the ball at each other and not catching it in the air. My BEar loved the ball so much he would approach strangers with a ball in his mouth while barking at the same time. Then he would drop the ball at their feet and want to play.
"be careful not to trip" LMAO! good one.
Boxers should have been on the list. I grew up with them. They are very protective, very tolerant and patient with small children, and extremely intelligent.
I was raised with Great Danes. They are very gentle and loving. The are VERY protective of children.
I just rescued 2 female Boxers two weeks ago.
I've always had Greyhounds (in some ways they aren't dogs LOL) And I had a 3/4 Newf 1/4 Lab (140 lbs) for my last service dog.
The Boxers are a riot!! I absolutely adore my girls already! I think the feeling is mutual.
I don't think they've ever been on a leash though… Oh Boy… Not going to be able to walk them together for a while! One by one leash training starting today!
When I read the article today, there wasn't a bull terrier but, instead, a Staffordshire Terrier . . . and there was discussion on it being confused with the American Pit Bull Terrier.
IF the article means the American Staffordshire Terrier (and not the Bull Terrier), then there is a good reason for the confusion. Mainly the confusion comes from the fact that the AST is a "manufactured" breed created for the AKC who didn't want to recognize the APBT. From the records I've seen, ALL AST bloodlines originate from APBT with a gamedog named Primo being a foundational dog (and he was a fine APBT).
Currently, people differentiate between the AST and the APBT due to purpose and trait more than looks. The AST, by reputation, is the "show" version of the APBT while the traditional APBT is a working dog. Both, when bred properly for accepted behavior and health are FINE dogs.
Also, for the record, a dog can be both. There is nothing keeping a dog from being dual registered with the AKC as an AST and with either the UKC or ADBA as an APBT. Technically, the dog can be both.
Note I'm not referring to some of the old Staffordshire Terrier lines from way back when nor am I referring to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier (another FINE breed). I'm limiting this to the AST and APBT.
Of course, it's all pretty much fluff discussion since most people involved in either (or all) of those three breeds will note some differences in some individual dogs, but they all fall under the proud and proper pit bull banner.
what ? They missed Irish Wolfhound ?
Rotties are the best !
My female and male rotties are the most loyal dogs I've ever owned. As the article mentions, mine like people more than other dogs and once they get to know you, they are very affectionate. Besides being my first line of protection.
you forgot belgian malinois. should be #1. Law enforcement and navy seals think so too
(and incredibly sweet family dog)
Ma;inois are great dogs, but too much for the average family. Thses dogs are highly driven and active needing a good trainer and a full time job or become nuerotic and destructive. Far too many people get them and give them up in less than a year. There are too many young ones with behavior problems in rescue and shelters.
A friend of mine adopted one that was supposedly trained as a security dog for a hospital. Unfortunately, one day, he was needed to attack and when his handler gave the command and released him, he hid behind the handler and trembled. Too people friendly for that job. Unfortunately, as he was a security dog and used to spending his entire day around people, he was found to have horrible separation anxiety. He was also a houdini. Sweet boy- loved kids- but too smart and very high maintenance. They gave him to another family that had someone home at all times, which worked out well for everyone.
Most wont agree. I have a 3 yr. Old weimeraner, who hunts and tracks deer. (Originally breed for big game like deer and bear, now mostly birds) anyone comes near house you will know it. No one can go near my wife this breed very loyal and very smart but thinks he is a 70 lbs. Lap dog he puts himself between you and the danger without hesitation.
Spot On ! 3 yr.s with my 2nd Weimaraner… 1st died of twisted gut – no symptoms until it was too late. This breed will willingly die for family against all odds. 1st trip to my brother's ranch with 2 young kids, they went to corral to pet horses, when I went to retrieve them, my then 2 yr. old Weimaraner spotted the horses which to him could have been alien GIANTS. When the horses weren't scared or intimidated by his barking and stance between kids and them, he went behind them in attempt to draw them away from kids. Despite being kicked (knocked yards away twice) and bitten when horses (who'd been raised around dogs) teamed up (3) to fend off my dog, he didn't give up until I made kids run bk towards the house. My dog only then came out of the corral, looking ?ly at me like "What took you so long, they were kill'n me !" He was bruised and a little bloody, but all-good in couple days. Both have been BEST dogs of my 62 yr.s and many other breeds. Loving, and after 1yr and half to mature, CALM and focused. Very quick to LEARN ANYTHING, and problem solvers. Extremely CLEAN, very careful and attentive to babies and the frail elderly. Would recommend female over males for families w/ kids, and are not prone to roam beyond line of site.
"no one can go near your wife"? So you can't go near your wife? What if a small innocent child wanted to go near your wife? Why does your wife need so much protection? Sounds like your dog is overprotective and dogs that are overprotective usually don't have a strong leader. If my dog felt the need to protect me from something silly I would step up to the plate to let the dog know, dog, I can protect myself from that little kitten. Thanks.
My chows are amazing watch dogs and extremely loyal and loving. They do not care about other dogs they walk right past them and enjoy their walk. The only problem we ever come across is other breeds who want to attack us totally unprovoked and that being a pit bulls, boxers and a shepherd. Pits are especially crazy when they see us walking–a few owners who could not control their dogs no longer can walk them in public.
I have two pits, a pit St Bernard mix (yes a Pitnard) and a German Shepherd. And if need be they can keep an intruder busy until mama shows up with her dear friends, Smith and Wesson.
The Puli's dreads are better than mine.
Doberman Pinscher, there is no other for me.
Just recently got my first dobbie and I am absolutely in love with him, super friendly with the family. Gets along with other dogs very very well, and he hates large men. Had never seen him get so vicious until he met my 6″5, 280lb. african american male friend and would not keep his eyes off of him for about 3-4 hours. He has not visited us since, I guess you could say it is a good and bad thing.
What, no English Mastiff? Extremely loyal, protective, yet renowned for being gentle toward family even in the heat of the moment. Plus, 260 lbs. If you're going for "scary looking," the most massive dog in the world should get a nod.
I have 2 English Mastiffs and they are awesome, loving, think they are lap dogs but very protective. We do not have a fenced yard but they do not leave their grounds, they sit on the top of the hill watching everything that goes on. Great security for my beautiful girls !!
Great Danes can be affectionate giants, but of you threaten their family … watch out, our great Dane almost killed a pit bull once.
Great Danes are so regal, they clearly are the monarchs among dogs, but they are not good fighters, simply because its physique, as big (tall) as it is, lacks muscle mass and agility.
Who said anything about fighting? They have a protective nature. They were also bred for hunting wolves.
My mother always maintained that if you have the choice of a black dog and any other color of dog for a guard dog, pick the black dog. I have had black labs and yellow labs, none were aggressive, but would bark when people came. People would wait in the car when it was a black lab. They would get out and pet the yellow lab. I guess looking like a giant sugar cookie isn't very intimidating.
Where dose the Ovicharka fit in to this mess, Ollie ? Read numerous articles that pretty much says they're intensely loyal, sensitive, fight bears, and downright nasty to anyone who threatens their family ! Reckon feeding them expensive raw steaks might have thrown them out of the running ?
its "ov-charka" not "ovicharka", which is the word for "shepherd" in Slavic languages (eastern europe, balkans), so which "ovcharka" are you talking about?
The Dog,, though I've never seen it spelled with a hyphen.First read about it in one of Brad Thor's Books.
Its not spelled with a hyphen, I was trying to emphize the correct spelling of the word….Brad Thor is not a cynologist, and I wouldn't use his novells for canine related refferences.
The word is Novels, not Novells. You asked a question , I answered politely, so don't get stuffy on me, I quite frankly don't care to be a cynologist and you should call/write someone else to have any further discussions on this, because I've seen the Dog & the rest I don't give a damn about !
Hands down, for protection there is none other then the Japanese Akita
A patient trainer can turn just about any intelligent dog into a security system. Some will just warn you, others can do a lot more. My wife does animal rescue and we work with lots of different breeds of dogs. We also deploy dogs for livestock protection against bears and coyotes. While the list is good and it is damn hard to beat a German Shepard there are a couple of other breeds worth noting. American Bull Dog, Airedale, Border Collies, Blue Heelers, Aussie Shepherds, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Catahoulas, Akbash, and Bluetick crosses. I am sure there are others but I just have not worked with.
My Chinese Shar Pei have been fantastic at protection, especially my first girl. Had three so far and will probably be what I have for the rest of my life.
Protection dogs. Nope.
I'm shocked to not see a Lab on the list. I own one now and have owned several in my life. They literally wouldn't hurt a fly. I have had litters of kittens use my Lab as a chew toy. There is only one exception to how docile they are, if my family or house is threatened they can be terrifying. With the size and strength to knock down a full grown man and jaws that can crush bone I don't even lock my doors at night.
I would have to say a 185 Lbs Male Saint Bernard is a very good protector.Only house in my area never robbed.Will not let anyone come near me except my wife.His bite pressure is over 500 lbs.The most of any dog breed.Not all Saints are like the ones you see in the movies.
aw hey my brittany is loyal…well he likes my gf more than me now. so maybe not
As announced in New York every year: "The peerless watchdog" is the Scottish Terrier. And it is correct.
I agree with you I don't want a dog killing my neighbors either!.. which is why I have a pit bull not a german shepherd. But understand that just because a dog is big, does not necessarily mean it's aggressive. Small dogs can me just as aggressive, if not more. There's plenty of cases of small dogs killing humans. But, yes adopt. And if you adopt an adult dog (big or small) you have a much better idea of the dogs overall temperament.
I don't understand saying that Great Danes are not guard dogs as far as personality but just the sight of them would scare away attackers. I have had Great Danes for 12 years. They are gentle giants. They love people and other dogs as long as they are socialized. They will also fight to the death to protect their family. They will even let other dogs pick on them but if that same dog acts aggressive to the Danes family, he will tear them apart. At least this has been my experience. I have been ruined for any other breed.
It is Dobermans for me, all the way! Her name was Taza. She seemed to be unaware of anything other than me. But not true. A single hint of behavior from myself or a stranger would not be missed. She at all other times ignored all people and other animals, including dogs. She was capable of all wolf, all at once if needed.
I have a Cane Corso she is 7 months old My friend is a breeder and gave her to me for my birthday! I have watched my friend with this breed for the last 10 years and she has always praised this breed for intelligence, loyalty, and protection! I myself have normally had Dobermans, Rotties, and always Bostons. Needless to say I am in awe of this dog! She shows complete trust to my husband and myself! You must socialize this breed as they can be very dominant! I have never felt more safe in my home!
My Golden Ret. is ferocious, He will disarm anyone with his big smile.
#4 and #5 could also double as a mop of sorts…
When I was 9 to 11 years old, I had a Dalmatian, I named her pepper. The love of my life. Inseparable. She would walk me to school, stop with me at the street corner across the street from school. Watch me cross and go into the building, return home, then be there when school was out to walk me home. She would not let my parents nor my older sister strike me. It they were going to spank me, they had to take her out of the house. When I was almost 12 we moved and they gave her away. My heart still aches for that dog. I am 57 now. They say you only have one good dog in your life, I have never tried to replace her.
Really quite surprised you didn't include Great Pyrenees. They are the consummate guardian dogs, not just for livestock but their humans and pack family.
I lost my Parson Jack Russell last Oct. She was the best dog I ever had. Smart, great with kids and death to moles. The neighbors always wanted me to bring her over to kill off the moles in the yard.
Dogs aren't dangerous, certain owners are dangerous.
I had a Ridgeback and she was amazing. Wonderful with women and children and very protective with strange men. And like Lt_Scrounge below, she would have eaten anyone who was a "bad guy".
LOL, Five of the 12 breeds are German dogs… Doberman, Rott, Giant Schnauzer, GSD, Great Dane… I would add the Weimaraners to the list too, they are very protective and loyal. Don't know what it is about German breeds, the Germans bred their dogs to be smart, loyal and protective… As a K-9 dog trainer I love all dogs but my personal favorites are German breeds, from GSD to German short hair pointers to Rotts, love them all, even Dachshunds
Most of the breeds on this list are also some of the mostly likely to bite and cause serious damage or even a fatality.
Now, before people start giving their own anecdotal accounts about how wonderful their dog is, not that I'm not saying your dog is the same as others, it may be a great dog.
I had one of these breeds (G. Shepperd) and was a great dog to have, very smart and protective.
But I know it was more breed inclined to attempt to bite a person or even another dog and so I took responsibility to protect against that (5 foot chain link fence, socialization dog classes, a head control leash for walking) because I did not want my personal feelings for the dog to obscure the facts that is is a dog that as breed to be more aggressive on average.
People that say their dog would never do such and such are much like parents of kids that say similar things.
Best comment Ive seen in a long time!
Other then the whole most likely to bite.comment but I never think that is a fair (nor supported by real statistics) statement to make
Unless you meant most likely to cause damage/death from their bites,,Then the whole thing is perfect to me!
This post is from a truly responsible dog owner! If.people would actually take the time to learn about the breed of dog they choose to own..and tho there are exceptions to the rules dont assume your dog is one!
The personal feelings thing..also perfect! Most of us love our dogs like they are one of our kids. that does not make them human! They are dogs.
These traits/jobs have been bred into these dogs for years and years..Some for centuries! you are setting the dog up to fail if you think for a min that..a GSD wont herd/guard or that a Lab wont retrieve..or a Pit bull wont fight another dog!
Seriously..It really is pretty cool..to understand certain things your dog does and why they do it..
Knowledge is power!
The sources were not specific on that. I agree on the point of bite with damage. For example Chihuahua's are listed as being more likely to be aggressive towards people. But they are much less likely to cause major damage with a bite.
WhaT???? No pitt bull??? I thought they were supposed to be so protective.
I'm disappointed you did not list one of the best family protectors who is often used in jails to watch inmates and assist guards/police. They are protective of children and look out for their well being, both on land and in the water. The Bouvier des Flandres. Ours would knock down a great dane and play with it, not letting it up. He did the same thing with one of my mechanics who weighed 240 lbs. Chaska had a 27″ collar. Loved out baby boy and would watch over him as he slept on a blanket on the LR floor.
The most dangerous breed? Out of control humans that believe they have the right to bastardize anything into what they want – for their own greed, stature, pleasure. You can start to curb this problem by getting rid of these people – all of them.
I would ad Presa Canario's and Himalayan Mastiff to the list
I had a Great Dane and 3 times he defended me or my brother to the point that nobody would mess with us and we had to get rid of him. You severely underestimate them.
I had a fawn great dane in the 70's and she was about the best dog in the world. Loved to play with children,loved it when my children crawled all over her. Very protectve over my brand new babies. She was the Best, RIP Fancy Girl!!!! <3
I grew up around Great Danes . Their size frightens a lot of people and they will protect children but they are just a big old lap dog . Sad to say their life span is a very short one . ( 7 to 10 years max )
Two breeds are missing that are number one and two on my 10 Best list; the Caucasian Ovcharka and the Turkish Kangal. Watch their videos on youtube and you will see why I have them at the top.
My beautiful red & white husky protects my family very well! He makes sure I know if my children try to leave the yard! He runs to them if they scream or cry. My chihuahua also will take someone's ankle off if they come in without permission!
Puli makes the list, Boxer doesn't…Mr.Berman, how could you??
Really enjoy reading all the comments and hearing about so many great dogs. Sure, this list leaves off many breeds, including Pit Bulls, but brings one basic principle to light. Some of the biggest, fierce looking dogs are actually the most lovable, trustworthy ones out there. About 5 years ago I adopted a German Shepard mix (not sure of the "mix" part). She is a great girl and immediately became part of my family. My 5 year old daughter considers her her older sister. When my wife and I had our second child, our dog took right too him and doesn't want to leave his side. My son hugs our dog and our Shepard doesn't move in fear of knocking him over. All I can say is I would rather have my Shepard walking around the house should anyone ever try to break in then any other security measure or gun. I know she would give her life to protect her family.
this FURRocious guy and gal protect me
When i was about 15 I had a Siberian Husky that knew when aggression was necessary. A neighbor that had to register as an offender just walked into my home when my 13 year old sister was home alone. Nothing is scarier than a husky in full protection mode, Looks exactly like a wolf cornering prey. Would lick anyone to death in any other situation, but she knew he was up to no good. That guy never came to our house again. Awesome animal. I really miss her.
I'd have thought the standard poodle would have made this list.
Much hullaballoo in the social media world about dangerous breeds; training & discipline is the key- & that goes for kids & visitors too. The majority of incidents are due to people treating dogs like people & dogs responding as they would to another dog. Be smarter than the dog y'all!
does any one have any pics , of a king corso mixed with a pit bull I was told that's what my dog is.and I cant find any on internet
We never had a need for a doorbell when we had our two big boys (Great Danes) who let us know when someone was at the front door.
Pittbulls are great….unless they kill someone.
With every other breed an "accident" means stitches, with pittbulls it means a coffin. I am sure that the owner of every pittbull that ever killed a child talked about how kind and loving it was. I am sure that is a huge comfort to the mourning parents.
my favorite is the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the pit bull , both are excellent breeds with my kids and I also used as working dogs
unfortunate boxers aren't on the list…..they are incredibly loyal, goofy but definitely know how to get serious when they need to. Years ago I was single, living alone, had a broken ankle in a cast…strange guy comes into my backyard ….Alec went after him, warned him first, but once the guy didn't walk away, it was on. Even the cops were shocked when they arrived Alec took him down like nobody's business. I learned then they WILL protect and can be all business when they need to.
I have a 9mm to protect myself. I'll take my Golden Retriever over any of these dogs anytime. Would not trust them around anyone.
I have a Valley Bulldog and a Colorado Bulldog. Both of them are great Family dogs! They love people!! Nike is the Valley Bulldog, she is 80 lbs. Adidas is the Colorado Bulldog, he is 120 lbs. They both think that they are lap dogs.
Anatollian shephere dogs, new to the U.S. but not to Turkey where they guard flocks from wolves, bears and everything else. Great dogs, but protective. I've had large German Shepherd Dogs, large Ridgebacks, and airedales, but the Anatolians are my favorites. I have to confess, however, for smarts, you can't beat the GSD.
Any dog that's loved and cared for will be loyal. It's all in how you treat them.
I have a 90 pound German Shepherd named Shadow. I don't call 911.
Great Danes can be quite lovable; they can also be extremely good at protection. I've heard stories of Great Danes knocking down formerly "friendly" people who turned into threats (including one who raised a gun) and one who sent a fence-jumping intruder running away missing one of his arms.
BTW: Belgian Malinois are also great for protection, and are used by many in law enforcement.
Our family had a Rottweiler (male) for 9 years. He was 6 weeks old when we first got him, and was only 8 lbs. He grew to be a stout 175 lb "baby". He was fiercely loyal, protective, and so loveable! He even jumped on a car door when the car almost hit my son and I along side the road. I could barely hold him back! That dog was like my own child. There will never be another "MOE".
It's funny that these things never mention the best WATCHDOG on earth, Norwegian Elkhounds. Come near the house and you are greeted by a dog that looks like a wolf and acts like it will eat you alive. Now they don't bite, so that's probably why they are not on this list. But we consider that a positive, no lawsuits from attacked girl scouts. Watchdog is the key word, take a look at how many people some breeds have maimed, killed and you get the picture. It is crazy, I don't want intruders but I don't want to lose my house over a lawsuit either. http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-study-dog-attacks-and-maimings-merritt-clifton.php a lot of the breeds on this list have killed people, mostly children. Norwegian Elkhounds had one (1) reported bite in 2015. They are the classic "all bark no bite", think about it. Go to that report and ask yourself, how much would it cost me, emotionally and financially if my dog killed the cute neighbor child ??
Maybe people are confused because the article has a picture of an American Staffordshire terrier (which is the AKC version of UKC's American Pit-Bull Terrier) but are referring to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier (different breed). AmStaff are known to be bad guardians because their natural tendencies have been bred out of them.
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