As descendants of Bulldogs, Great Danes, and Mastiffs, the Tosa is a very large breed, weighing up to 200 pounds. Tosas are not ideal for first-time dog owners. Bred for blood sport, you might not want this creature around your young’uns. In fact, the Tosa is a banned breed across four European nations, including the UK.
To board this type of dog, you’ll need a yard with a fence that is at least 6 feet high. Electronic fences are nothing to a Tosa, the shock will not deter this dog. Standing tall, this breed has the athletic look of a warrior. The Tosa’s history goes back to 14th-century Japanese dog fighting. Named for the Tosa Province on Shikoku Island, the Tosa is vigilant, dignified, calm, and courageous. These dogs make excellent guard dogs and caring companions. For training, this eager-to-please breed looks for an abundant supply of positive reinforcement.
Boerboel
The Boerboel, or “farmer dog,” came from South Africa in the 1800s as a protection dog. By 1938, they were used to guard industrial diamond mines. They are very powerful and large, weighing up to 180 pounds. It is an intelligent and stubborn dog and should not be adopted by an inexperienced dog owner.
Experienced dog handlers can bring about a well-socialized pet with continuous training and socialization from an early age. This will help prevent behavior issues and dominating conduct. These dogs have thick coats and enjoy being outdoors in cool weather. Dog parks, however, are not recommended for a dog who is very protective of its family and may attack without warning. Boerboels should always be leashed.
Rottweiler
The Rottweiler has been a successful police dog, herding dog, military dog, and therapy dog. This breed is highly trainable and very loyal. Rottweilers thrive as work dogs and get bored with nothing to do but chew up your sofa. The Rottweiler’s work ethic stretches back as far as Roman days when they were likely used as drover dogs. They are named after the location tiles for the roofs of Roman baths were sourced, called Rottweil. The dogs may have come from that German town.
Rottweilers rank second to Pit Bulls for bite fatalities. Some homeowner insurance policies will not cover your house if you have a Rottweiler, and owners are liable for the damage the dog causes. Rottweilers are powerful, large, and extremely protective. At 135 pounds, most of it is muscle; its instinct is to attack a threat. So, you may want to hope it’s not your friend sensed as a threat stopping by. For this reason, it makes a formidable police dog.
Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russel is one tenacious terrier. It digs, barks, jumps, and hunts with relentless abandon. The Jack Russell Terrier (JRT) was bred as a hunting dog. Your garden or living room is fair play if your JRT is after prey. Spiders, mice, and other bugs will be hunted to extinction, and your home will be scratched and dug up.
JRTs tend to fall into behavior problems, like “Small Dog Syndrome,” quite easily. Problems like snapping, separation anxiety, obsessive barking, and guarding may pop up. They are difficult to socialize with and need consistent and firm training by an expert trainer. These dogs need a lot of exercise and a high fence. Climbing and jumping over fences is one of its strengths.
Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a cheerful, intelligent breed that loves children. It’s one of the widely recognized Swiss mountain dogs. Its thick, long, and silky coat keeps him warm in frosty weather. This mountain dog was able to withstand an Alpine climate and worked as a herder or a flock guard.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a very large and strong breed. This is not too much of a problem since he is such a gentle giant. But one thing you may want to consider before introducing one of these lovers into your home is its lifespan. A Bernese Mountain Dog lives just six to eight years on average. These dogs are susceptible to cancer. One source from Dog Breed Info said that several of this breed died of cancer between the ages of three and four. One dog as young as two also died from cancer.