Would my setter defend me?

[Christine]

Hello at all.
I´m not sure if we already had this discussion. Anyway, there`s one thing I would like to tell you/ask you.
When our doorbell rings, Vito doesn`t bark, he never did. Annie, our other dog did bark. She passed away a few months ago... Though it was annoying sometimes especially when she barked for no real reason, we do miss her alerting. Not only this, of course!
Vito is usually behind a glass door when we open the door. He`s curious and would love to welcome everyone. I don`t want that. One example: Our postmen (and women) usually have biscuits with them so they can "corrupt" dogs. Annie would rather have starved than ever taking cookies from strangers, But Vito would love such gifts, but I actually don`t want my dog to welcome each and everyone and taking biscuits.
What do you think: Would my setter defend me if anybody would attack me? Would he just feel when something`s wrong because of his instincts?
Would you allow your dog to take the postmen`s cookies?

Vito is such a sweetheart, i just can´t imagine he could become mean or defensive, though I had one experience where he became so, it was when any old man was suddenly talking to me when I took Vito for a walk and it was already dark. We passed that man when I heard his very dark voice. He was just asking something but I was so scared. Vito seemed to feel that somehow and he started to bark like he never did before. The man smiled and said this would be a very good dog and walked by. It was not ironic!
Do you think Vito would feel if situations are dangerous generally?

[Susan L.]

I have the setter who barks and talks all the time. He is very territorial about the house and the car. He freaks if anyone he doesn't know even walks by let alone comes to the door. I have to fight him off to even open the door. I need one of the dog trainers to come to my house and work with us! But I do feel mine would defend me. I don't think it wrong to have a sweet dog who won't protect the house or you. I prefer a friendly dog. I do not want the liability or worry of a dog who is reactive. This is the first dog I have had who is so reactive to strangers, so given that, I think I would prefer your situation. If I want protection, I would get a gun or carry mace. I want a companion animal. This isn't the breed to get for protection. . Normally setters will greet people. I feel my dog is very fearful and skittish and that is why is is so reactive about his house. On the other hand, at the dog park he meets people everyday who he doesn't know and he is lovely and warm to them. He just has this thing about the car and house.

[Christine]

I´m glad to have such a sweet dog. And I know that a setter was not invented to be protective. But I often think of what I wrote concerning the old man who talked to me. Obviously my dog IS ABLE to switch into protective behaviour.
If anyone he doesn`t know approaches our fence, Vito barks, especially at night or in the evening.

[ursula wilby]

I think if you expect your setter to protect you... you may well have chosen the wrong breed.

Mine would most definatly go and lay down discretly whilst I would have to take any burglars on. But then a setter was not bred for protection, so how can I expect anything else?
They are told from an early age to let strangers (judges etc) grab hold of them and for instance look at their teeth without a protest...we can not teach the dog one thing and then expect it to behave in the oposite manner!

I think the incident when Vito barked was due to him being scared as well...

The one dog I had that barked the most was the weediest one.
Particually when it was dark outside. :-)

[Astrid Landsaat]

My setter only barks when she wants to go out or in the house. About the protection thing, I think it is the other way around. I have a sign on the gate that says: "Close the gate, I live here". Nowadays I am thinking to replace the sign by something like: "Please don't step on me, I sleep here". :-)

[Tony]

Our setter Nellie was protective of young children. She was never at all aggressive, but she seemed to have a motherly instinct and always stayed close by if the kids were on their own in the garden, just watching out for them. Nobody taught her to do this...

[Kristina]

I have to agree with Ursula. Setter were not breed to be protective but outgoing and friendly. I also think dogs can smell or feel our emotions. You were scared and you passed you emotins on your dog and that is why Vito was barking at the strange man at night. I guess he was afraid as well. I wouldn´t count on Vito to defend you.

As for accepting cookies: I don´t let mine take any from strangers as well. She is to friendly towards people as it is, if she was to be taking cookies.....

[Christine]

Thank you for your comments!
It is actually what I was expecting you all to write. Maybe I should buy a german sheepdog to protect me and my setter (just kidding).
Do you really have to decide whether you want a friendly or a protective dog? If I had a german sheepdog for example, would I have to accept that there`s a risk for me, too? In other words: Could I be sure that a dog that`s more protective than a setter is not aggressive towards me or our family and guests? This is difficult to discuss in english for me and I don`t want to make the topic too big either. I´m trying once more: Are there any dogs that are friendly as setters with characters you can absolutely rely on and that are protective anyway?
I`m not asking for a special reason. I´m just interested in your opinions and experience.

[ursula wilby]

I used to have two german shephards and would trust them 100% when it came to me and my family.
On the other hand I knew they would protect me if anyone had attacked me...as my setters would not. Yet they were not as easy-going as my setters when it came to strangers at my door. I would first have to show that these people were OK and then the dogs would accept this.

So the "protective" side often has side-effects.
There are numerous incidents of dogs doing the right things (in their oppinion). But how can you expect a dog to know the difference between a TRUE threat and false one? And where would you like the dog to draw the line?
All dogs are individuals and will (unless tought otherwise) react to what they consider to be a threat. There are setters that will attack, just as there are german shephards (for instance) that will not...but a protective setter is not something I would ever want.

A setter should be kind and gentle...and yes, I let other people give treats to my dogs - depending on the situation.:-)

[Melinda Auld]

I'm another who agrees with Ursula :)

My dog will bark like crazy if anyone comes to the door - there's no way anyone could get into my house without him barking. But once they're inside, he brings them toys and just wants to play. He hasn't a mean bone in his body. My bitch is the same, though she carries herself with considerably more dignity lol. I don't even think my Labrador would attack someone.

I rely on my Setters' bark - but I would personally be HORRIFIED if I ever saw their bite. Setters make great watch dogs, but they aren't - and should never be - guard dogs.

[Christine]

Thanks again, I love the expression "he has`nt a mean bone in his body" :-) It`s the same with Vito and for that reason and for many many many others I love him that much.

[Carmel Murphy]

My setters too are great at barking when someone arrives but also give a great welcome when the stranger is inside the gate or door!!!!! My Shepherd Luka is a little different, as he waits for the OK from me to see if the strangers are allowed in!!;o)) I think my setters would be worried if something was wrong but I dont think they would do much about it!!

[Michelle Briggs]

I have only had one setter who i would protect to the end.
He was a great showdog,highly sort after by juniors but when it came to me in the house .car or similiar he would protect.

It didnt worry us as only 2 females live here .
My GSD passed away & my Std smooth dachie who was the greatest alert dog also passed away so having a large dog to fill that void was good.It was also at a time when i was younger & picking my mum up for late night meetings or home alone whilst she was at meetings.

All my other setters would most likely help carry things .
The English would be lucky to move.

I now own a Gordon & they are certainly more aloof & of the varieties be more inclined to do the "This is my house act"
Although my young lad is a social butterfly but at home i see him take more care about noises compared to the Irish & English.

We have strangers coming to our place every day & anyone could walk in with no issues from my crew ,its generally the size alone that puts people off & the slobber.
The gates are locked so people have to weight but they give a bark & then run to either the kennels or the house to be let in because thats the routine