Hello,
I am looking to get a protective dog that would get along (be safe) with my parrot, cat, duck, kids, etc.
I guess something docile.
Any hints?
Thanks

Sounds like Friday nights are a bit quiet for you:D

Reminds me of a joke ;)

Why protective?

A pastoral breed would get on with animals although my try hearding them.  A gundog may be OK but don't get one from strong working lines witha  bird!

Moving to city (house with yard) from burbs in US.

We are just about to get a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and we have 2 cats, 3 guinea pigs and a Senegal Parrot as well as 2 kids.  I looked into it a lot and also asked the vet for his advice and we decided on a Cavalier.  We haven't brought him home yet so I don't know how it will go but will keep you posted.

Ahh but you won't look 'protected' when you take it for a walk LOL :D :D

What about a newfie? or is that a stupid suggestion! too big for city lifestyle.... laid back though

Don't get a dog that is known to bark a lot.  My neighbour had an African Grey Parrot and a Standard Poodle who didn't bark that much but when he did the parrot would bark back.  They would then have the two of them barking :D

We used to have two parrots along with various other pets including cats and a dog....the african grey was far better than any guard dog as he could issue a verbal warning before attacking and he was a right vicious bu$$er when he wanted to be (I still have the scars to prove it!). The parrot could also imitate the dogs barks, cats meows and call for every member of the household by name among other things.

Newfies are rubbish guard dogs...unless your plan is that the intruder might be disabled by tripping over a large lump of dog who will always be sprawled in the least convenient location (it's a breed trait, I think).

Hi, my advice would be a German Shepherd, you definitely get the protectiveness and they are very laid back from about 3 years of age. I had a German Shepherd upto this year, and he was wonderful with my children, other dogs, cats and 2 ducks, never bothered any of them.  Trouble is whatever dog you get, they are like people with different personalities what is good for one is not for another.  A puppy is always going to want to play and be quite boistrous so maybe have a look around for an older more laid back dog that has been used to children and some of the animals on your list.

There are so many breeds to choose from, a dogs behaviour will be a lot to do with how you train it and bring it up.

Not sure what you mean by protective but the breeder i got my pup from had a parrot (big noisy thing lol) she had a Miniature Schnauzer and Frenchie :)

[edit: reading the other posters, i see you mean protective for the family/home etc... maybe not a small dog then lol]

NO!!! Don't get a Newfie!!!

I have an african grey parrot who is 5 now, and 2 shar-pei
They get along great.
Except the parrot bosses them around lol.
henri sit, bloss go wee wee, get the ball, want to go walkies ect.

My bird is also an African grey. Has anyone heard of  a "maremma" sheepdog?
Thanks

These dogs look beautiful but this link does say they are not suitable as pets.  Maremma

It looks like they would be very difficult to control where anyone outside the family is concerned.  You would have tonsider things like the children's friends being seen as a threat to the dog etc.  I would think there are other well known breeds that would be good at guarding but make equally good pets and not be a threat to anyone outside the family.

The best idea may be to research what a particular breed was originally bred for, as the innate behaviour will always be there: that will help to narrow it down to a suitable breed for your situation :)

Lindsay
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