A few years back, I lived in a very rough neighborhood. It was actually a beautiful neighborhood, but then an organized gang of drug dealers opened a number of crack houses and things really went to hell. I am talking lots of shootings, drive-byes, gangs of wild kids out roaming the streets. My house was broken into three times in about a year and I was shot at once. (Then I got a dog and got serious about my security and most of that bullshit stopped.) It was a truly dangerous situation. And it was very sad how a beautiful older neighborhood previously populated mainly by older people became a nightmare.
During that period, I owned a Belgian Malinois dog. Based on my experience, I would disagree with posters who say that the size of the dog does not matter. It mattered a lot. My dog, Walt, was so big and protective and snarly that the local wild boys starting calling him "loco diablo." They left us alone after he bit two people who meant to do us harm. He also once single-handedly cleared the street when a big gang fight started in front of my house. With all due respect, a little dog would never have made a difference there and then.
Belgians are not for everyone. They are very smart and independent dogs and they can be very stubborn and willful. However, they are very serious about protecting their homes and families and because they are athletic and aggressive they have the means to do so.
Later on, I had a Pit Bull, who was without a doubt the kindest, smartest dog I have ever owned. He was also a tremendous guard dog. He once chased a would-be burglar THROUGH a wooden fence. He always got between my wife and any stranger and he charged a number of people who were acting aggressive and crazy. Again, he had the size, attitude, fearlessness, and athleticism to make a difference.
I no longer live in that neighborhood, thankfully. But my experience there has taught me that when the chips are really down, you do want a big, alert, aggressive dog with you. The dog will react much quicker than you possibly can, will pick up threats way before you do, and the size and attitude of the animal WILL make people think twice about messing with you or your home.
If you are concerned about your security, or you are living in a neighborhood that has become a war zone, you want these things:
-- Good property insurance
-- Good locks and doors
-- A seriously capable guard dog
-- An electronic security system in your house and in your car
-- Well thought-out security planning
-- Last, and I mean, last, a gun and the training to use it. The other things are much more important. I say this as a gun owner.
I cannot stress enough that when someone comes after you or your property, they will do it when you are least aware and most vulnerable. You almost certainly will not be able to react quickly enough and decisively enough to deter the action. A big, aggressive, smart dog will often TAKE CARE of the situation when you are still only vaguely aware it is happening. And if you ever get people breaking into your house, you will wish you had DOZENS of big mean dogs inside. The sense of violation and the damage these creeps cause is not to be believed. I was broken into, and had significant thefts, four times. Once the people who broke in were THREE ex-cons, all of whom had done time for either murder or physical assault. You do not want these people in your house. And if they get in, believe me, you will want every avantage you can get. I love all dogs, large, small, in-between. I just want to say, very seriously, that if you really are worried about your security, get a big, smart, aggressive dog and train it well. You will have no better friend when the shit hits the fan.
