Anyone have a dog for protection?

3 words

South African Boerboel



and No, that's not shopped... those things are more horse than dog, lol.

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THE OFFENSIVE SERVICE DOG

A student at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota (I believe) had to leave his teacher training program because his service dog was threatened by a Muslim student. Tyler Hurd is a 23-year-old student in a teacher-training program at Technical High School. Hurd has a service dog, a black lab, by the name of Emmitt who is trained to protect Hurd when he has seizures. Hurd's seizures can occur weekly and they are the result of a childhood injury.

Hurd's dog Emmitt was threatened by a Somali student who is ... Muslim. As we know, Muslims forbid the touching of dogs. But students at the Tech schools taunted his dog and when a Muslim student threatened to kill the dog, that's when Hurd decided to leave his training.

The schools are calling the situation a "misunderstanding." What's to misunderstand ... the Muslim faith does not accept dogs. They are offensive. Therefore, it is the job of those surrounding the Muslim faith to bend to its every request.

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SCSU student leaves training at Technical High School By Dave Aeikens • daeikens@stcloudtimes.com • May 12, 2008 A St. Cloud State University student in a teacher-training program at Technical High School left the school in late April because he says he feared for the safety of his service dog. Advertisement The school district calls it a misunderstanding, and officials there say they hoped Tyler Hurd, a 23-year-old junior from Mahtomedi who aspires to teach special education, would continue his training in the district. Hurd said a student threatened to kill his service dog named Emmitt. The black lab is trained to protect Hurd when he has seizures. The seizures, which can occur weekly, are from a childhood injury. The dog has a pouch on his side that assists those who stop to help Hurd. Hurd said he was unable to finish his 50 hours of field training at Tech. The university waived the remaining 10 hours, he said. He plans to do his student teaching outside a high school setting. “We came up with a solution because I felt threatened by it," Hurd said. The school district and university are working to make sure a similar situation doesn't happen. Kate Steffens, dean of the college of education at St. Cloud State, and Tech assistant principal Lori Lockhart met Thursday. The threat came from a Somali student who is Muslim, according to Hurd, St. Cloud State and school district officials. The Muslim faith, which is the dominant faith of Somali immigrants, forbids the touching of dogs. Hurd trained at Talahi Community School and Tech. He said his experience at Talahi was good. The Somali students there warmed to the dog and eventually petted him using paper to keep their hands off his fur, Hurd said. Things didn't go as well at Tech, Hurd said. Students there taunted his dog, and he finally felt he had to leave after he was told a student made a threat. Hurd met with Lockhart but said he did not feel comfortable continuing. Julia Espe, director of curriculum, instruction and assessment for St. Cloud school district, said the school needed to do a better job communicating. “I think it was a misunderstanding where we didn't really prepare either side for possible implications," Espe said. Espe said the school's investigation determined the student did not make a direct threat. “We certainly welcome (Hurd) in our district, and we hope we can get this all resolved so he feels welcome and his dog is welcome," Espe said. St. Cloud State places about 1,000 students in 240 schools to help prepare them for careers in education. In St. Cloud school district, 330 are in the field training program Hurd was in and 94 are in student teaching. Steffens said it is important to respect different cultures and the rights of disabled students. “I think this is part of the growth process when we become more diverse," Steffens said. Steffens called Hurd a good student and committed young man. Gary Loch, who is the diversity coordinator for the district, said the situation was an unfortunate case of miscommunication. “I'm not quite sure where the breakdown comes into play here," Loch said.

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Holy! My friend has St. Bernards and they are just massive, I can't even imagine one that big! That yours?

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That dog is about 29" at the shoulders and just over 200lbs. 8-12 CUPS of dry food twice a day is what my Cousin used to feed the bastard.

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While I do carry almost daily, I have been looking to get a dog for awhile. Top of my mind has always been a GSD a) because they are beautiful and b) they are bred for service and protection.

My real interest in the GSD revolves around the Schutzhund training. I find is amazing a dog can do these kinds of things. (And possibly some training beyond Schutzhund for protection)

I've been wanting a pet I can keep at my place and take with me everywhere I can for awhile. It sucks I live in an apartment and next year probably a townhouse, but not much I can do about that for the future.

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You guys have some fine looking pups. I agree, Utahbagpiper re: dogs not trained for home defense. My dogs are a deterrent only. They might attack someone but if someone hit one of them hard enough to really hurt them I wouldn't expect any attack would continue. They are my "kids" and while I am sure they will protect me to a point, it is up to me as the alpha male to protect the entire pack.

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I have 3 mini-daschunds. Don't laugh, they will do a number on your ankles.

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You guys have some fine looking pups. I agree, Utahbagpiper re: dogs not trained for home defense. My dogs are a deterrent only. They might attack someone but if someone hit one of them hard enough to really hurt them I wouldn't expect any attack would continue. They are my "kids" and while I am sure they will protect me to a point, it is up to me as the alpha male to protect the entire pack.

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Akita, the ancient Japanese bear dog. Bred from Asian wolves over three thousand years ago. With the ferocity, power and tenacity to bring down bears. The courage, agility and strength to do battle alongside Samurai. The alertness and protectiveness to guard the palaces of Shoguns and Emperors. The intelligence and compassion to lead the blind and care for the disabled. The stamina and drive to run the Iditarod. The gentleness, patience and nurture to care for toddlers and teach infants to walk. No other canine as ever matched the broad range of abilities of the Akita. Yet all these proven characteristics of the Akita dwarf in comparison to their fierce loyalty and love for their family. Monuments have been erected in memory of Akitas unwavering, undying loyalty to their master. A national treasure of Japan. The symbol of prosperity, health, love and loyalty. This regal and noble breed is cherished by an entire nation.
Akitas are emperors among canine, masters of all they encounter. Their appearance reflects their noble nature. Stunningly beautiful, regal, aloof and powerful. Akitas are best described as tender in heart and strong in strength. Few have the honor and privilege to have an Akita as a member of their family. None who have ever had an Akita ever wants any other lesser dog. Yet they are not the dog for everyone.

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