Breeds Like The Rottweiler Except...?

I'm planning on getting a dog but I'm still going to be waiting several years because I want to make sure I'm getting the right dog breed.So the first thing I decided I REALLY REALLY want in a dog is to have that protective instinct towards family/owner and has that wariness towards strangers, but yet I've only had experience with one dog, and from that little bit of experience, I think I'm not the type who could handle a very dominant challenging breed kinda like the Rottweiler. I can handle a dog, but a strong willed dominant breed like the Rottweiler may be a bit too much for me.So I'm wondering, are there any breeds who are still pretty protective of their families sorta like the Rottweiler, but yet have a little bit more "softer" temperament and are more forgiving of the owners mistakes?I was maybe thinking....possibly Boxer, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, or Bernese Mountain Dog. But I'm thinking even Berners may be too much on the friendly side.What do you guys think? Advice???? I'm open to suggestions. : )But please, NO rude unnecessary answers.Aren't German Shepherds a strong willed breed too? I've heard they too are dominant and can be challenging even though they are easy to train. Have you had any experience with them? What are they like?Oh I forgot to add that I'm moderately active and just prefer walks either in the woods or out on the road. So no exploding with energy breeds. : )

Maybe a German Shepard.You need to research dogs honestly, Rottweilers are known for being protective but thats not all of it's personality.

What abouta german shepherd? They are very protective of their families but they do have a soft side

boxers sound like they're made to order for you. brave. play full. protective and not to big to handle. easily trained. had one myself for 8 years. was absolutely wonderful with my newborn son.

a boxer would be great, but what I think you need is an Airedale Terrier, they are very loving and have a wonderful temperament, they make great guard dogs, and they are also very easy to train. heres where you can find more information about them: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/airedale.htmedit: also I forgot to add that if your not sure what dogs would make a good guard dog, heres where you can find out all the different guard dogs and get information on them http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/guarddogs.htm hope that this helps!

I really worry about anyone wanting a dog that has "protectve instinct towards family / owner" and also "has that wariness towards strangers", In both situations you are going to end up with a dog that will bite. This is not a rude answer, just a truthful one. You have already said that you don't want a rottweiler and I am glad about that because they are not suited to what you require of a dog. I know some will be thinking they are exactly what you want of a dog... and if they think that then I hope they never get a rottweiler either. Just out of interest - here is a very very well written piece on a rottie - just in case you start leaning towards getting one. http://www.dogwoodrottweilerclub.com/soyouwanttobuyarottweiler.aspI would say look at a boxer but forget the attributes you want.

German Shepherd's can get just as dominant as Rottweiler's. They have that natural protective instinct of their family, and are very loyal, but they will need just as much pack leadership as a Rottie, plus, as extreme herding/working dog they have quite a bit of energy, and NEED to have an active family and a job to do to help get that energy out. Also, if you look into German Shepherd's you'll notice a few different types such as the American Show Lines, European/German/Czech Show Lines and the European Working line. Here are a couple sites explaining the Difference in Types.http://wildhauskennels.com/gsdtypes.htmhttp://www.myguardianangelshepherds.com/workingvsshow.htmlBernese Mountain Dog's and Newfoundland's are definitely large and fairly intimidating looking dogs, with a deep bark that would make anybody think twice, and yes they can be protective of their family, but they Can Not be considered a Guard dog in any way, since they are both naturally outgoing breeds and will do just as well with strangers as they do with their families.Boxer's. They are great dogs, and are fairly protective, but again, they aren't a breed that I would consider dominant, with a guarding instinct. Then again, no breed is considered a guard dog just by it's breed. They don't look intimidating, and most have friendly temperaments. Also, they are a energetic breed, most that I have met are very playful and full of energy.Have you considered Saint Bernard's? They don't have a bad reputation like some very dominant breeds, and they are NOT considered a dominant breed either, while still holding a protective instinct towards their owners. It might a breed that you should look into.Here's a list of other breeds that are fairly similar in some ways to Rottweilers, but then again, like with most breeds known for having those loyal and protective natures, most will be dominant:-Akita-Argentine Dogo-Black Russian Terrier-Bouvier Des Flandres-Bullmastiff-Cane Corso-Chinese Shar Pei -Doberman Pinscher-Great Dane-Great Pyrenees-Greater Swiss Mountain Dog-Leonberger-Perro De Presa Canario-Mastiff-Olde English Bulldogge-Rhodesian Ridgeback-Giant Schnauzer-Shiloh Shepherd-South African Boerboel-Alpaha Blue Blood BulldogI have to be honest, I am biased towards Rottweiler's, since I currently own 3 myself, but I'm glad you're taking the time to do research on them before just going out and buying one, as they are most definitely not for everyone. If you have your heart set on a Rottweiler -or any other dominant breed- then my suggestion would be to talk with some breeders, find one who matches the puppies to their buyers, and ask for their least dominant female puppy of the litter -that's what I did when I got my first Rottweiler, and it worked out wonderfully. Being raised around Sporting breed dogs I was a bit worried about owning a Rott too, but I got my girl and I will always own a Rott from now on. She was Not a dominant dog, but she still managed to keep that Rottweiler personality that I love, and though she wasn't the most challenging dog in the world, she showed me what A Rottweiler is supposed to be and prepared me for my male- Who is VERY dominant. It was a great choice to make, and you can find breeders who will help you with picking out the puppy that fits in best with your lifestyle. www.amrottclub.org/http://www.esmondrott.com/ http://www.esmondrott.com/upcoming_litters.htm <<< This is a wonderful Canadian Rottweiler breeder who does everything a breeder should do, and the kind of breeder that can help you find your perfect puppy. Though I don't know them personally, they seem to have exceptional dogs, and I'm sure anybody would be lucky have a puppy from them.Also, I have to add that a dog can't naturally be considered a Guard Dog just by the breed. The dog must be specially trained to be considered a Guard dog, and that can cost you thousands of dollars. Any guard dog that has just been under socialized with be dangerous and aggressive towards other people. If you do end up going with a breed that is known to have a protective instinct then be ready to do lots of socialization with new people, places and other animals during the first 2 years of your dogs life. Several puppy/obedience classes with a professional trainer can help as well. EDIT~No dog with be naturally weary or aloof around strangers just by the breed. Yes, it does happen in Rottweiler's (my female is like that) but not with all (my boy would cuddle with just about anybody -stranger or not-who gave him a belly rub), and if you're dog has been properly socialized like it should be, then most will do well with strangers too.Good luck and I hope this helps!