Dogs.

[PaganPrepper]

I have a German Shepherd who couldn't be described as a hunting dog by any stretch of the imagination. He does like to chase rabbits and he is successful every now and then though there would be absolutely no chance of getting the rabbit off him as he'd just run in circles around me thinking it was part of a game.

He's magnificent at keeping people out of the garden and you can literally see fear on the faces of cold callers when I open the door whilst holding his collar, he barks and genuinely looks like he wants to kill, he's very territorial.

Don't underestimate the psychological advantages of having your best friend around, especially if you're on your own. They can lift the spirit, give you "someone" to talk to and act as hot water bottle.

He's my best friend.

my GSD is the same! it's very much part of the breed being so territorial! he's a big softy to people I invite into the house though and people in general whilst out in the woods or walking! very much my best friend and is being taught "Defend" as a command to bark and go mental. Plus of course as you say, you're never alone with your dog around!

[Curious George]

recently our neighbors hamster escaped and somehow found it's way into our living room , the jack Russel was on it like a flash and since he made his first kill it is like he found his purpose in life !!!

He is continuously searching/ hunting , the instinct is so strong .

In a shtf situation he will probably be great at rabbiting .

Soutie your tale made me smile, it reminded me of finding my 5 year old daughter looking guilty by her sisters empty hamster cage that she was'nt allowed to touch and our 9 month old Alascan Malamute sitting next to her looking very innocent! When I asked her where the hamster was she pointed at the dog and said "In Leo's mouth". I opened up the dogs mouth only to find a completely unharmed hamster sitting there! True story!

[handyandy]

Vespa's 100% right about the positive effects of having a dog.
my Sasha is great at security and keeping the kids entertained but is too slow to catch bunnies!
a well trained german shepherd is a major plus in a variety of situations
she has a car fetish as you can see!

[seedbank]

My dog is coming with me. Cross Staffie. I shall have protection.

[NBC_UK_PREPPER]

Just a point, to anyone wondering if a dog maybe useful.

I had a Labrador, that as as a lot of you describe, soft, funny, friendly, good with other dogs and likely to lick people to death.

I will never forget the day a random dog bit me out of the blue while walking down a street and that my dog..................The "soft" family favourite became a snarling, biting killing machine.... I ended up dragging it off the dog that bit me

Dogs are very loyal and will know if your being hurt. If I had one now it would definatley be part of the family of SHTF..

[ojiu0u4]

I do not have kids, I do have a dog. My dog is my motivation. I have no doubt my very friendly soft cute breed would react if I was under threat. I also have to think about the possibility that someone could get hold of him and use him as a source of coercion. It just comes down to the ratio of numbers in your group and the numbers in the other group. We are stronger together without doubt, but as the numbers tip on the other side our allys and loved ones can and would be used against us.

[Glydr]

I have a GSD that has assisted in successfully repelling two attempted home invasions, yet is soft as a teddy bear with people he sees me accept into the home. Yeah, that's him with the hat in the avatar pic.