Growing up we mainly had pure breed dogs (Sheppard’s), most bonded more with the my mum and I rather then my dad, and were more protective of us.

My parents now have a Pit Bull/ Boxer mix (rescue) and he is a big sweetheart would not hurt a fly, you can do anything with him, however when outside he is very protective of my mum, and show is presence.

I adopted my girls almost 3 years ago she is a Rhodesian Ridgeback / Pit Bull Mix and she is also very sweet but until she feels that other people are ok she is cautious, and I would dare anyone to touch me, she is very protective and loyal to me, more then she is with my hubby.

I don’t believe it is the breed I believe that every dog is different and some bond with their owner stronger then others, especially with women, maybe they sense that we might be “weaker” and need protection, who knows.

I also know that rescues seems to be more grateful and showing it by over protecting the one that rescue them.

Now being protective is a good thing but any dog must understand that not everyone is a threat and need to socialize, that is why I love to take my dog to the park and let people pet her so she does not see a threat in people, because there is nothing worse than a dog that fears everything or everyone, because often their fear transform into aggression.

If she has her reserve when it come to someone, but without having an aggressive attitude, I start talking to the person and she seems to understand that the person is ok and she is then very sweet.


She has shown an aggressive behavior outside only with one person, she would not stop barking and I could tell she did not like that person at all, even though I talked to the person and say it was ok, she did not care, it was my former neighbor, she just never liked him, yet she has no problem with any other people. I think dog have a good sense that I trust.

You have to keep in mind that Tank just arrived and if he is a puppy and he needs training, has to get used to people.

Right now you might be the only one that has been good to him who knows what he went through and are much interaction with human he had, he just need to learn and trust, get him to socialize with people.