re: Home defense system: Your dogs?

I have three pit mixes - no one is coming in my house without their permission. One was rescued from a fighting situation - built like a short bulldozer. he's got scarring and those real short ears that fighting dogs have - he just looks like he would frick somebody up. he goes most places with me - no one has ever tried to pet him...

I was watching a show that followed addicts and this one guy who broke into houses for his fix money said he hated little yappy dogs worse than any others because they made so much commotion. Another show, "to catch a thief" had a guy that would break into your home to show you how easy it was. He would always go straight to the fridge and feed the family dog a bunch of meat or cheese and then it was his best friend. Usually it was golden retriever or lab type dogs.

We have two big labs that stay inside. The younger one goes ballistic when someone comes to the door or walks in the yard. He usually lays down in front of the entertainment center where he can see the front and back doors. He barks when one of our cell phones rings or gets a text. He's a good watch dog. If someone is trying to break in my fear is the dog will get hit in the crossfire since he is stubborn and doesn't back down.

He used to be able to tell when my son was coming down he street due to the loudness of his truck and would run to the door and sit there waiting. Kid bought a new truck last week and the dog can't tell when it's him.

I have a boxer. He could be a great guard dog if he were vicious, but he's just a big dumb happy animal. He barks and growls ferociously any time someone is outside the house or comes to the door, but once inside he is falling over himself to lick them and play.

That said, he hears everything and would alert me well before I'd otherwise be aware of an intruder. In that case, the dog would be the least of the intruders worries, vicious or not.