The Protection Dog

A person should never select a dog beyond their capabilities to control — either physically or psychologically. For example, even though the Rottweiler is a highly intelligent and friendly breed (they excel as therapy dogs), they are powerful and stubborn, so they would be a poor choice for someone who is frail or weak; conversely, the Doberman Pinscher is a relatively compact and lightweight breed, yet they are too high strung and energetic for someone who is timid or slow. Exotic protection breeds (such as the Fila Brasileiro, Perro Dogo Canario, and Timbershepherd) should be left to the experts, as their temperament and strength require a master dog handler to control.