When Rio, my100+lb yellow lab was only a year old, a hotel housekeeping lady tried to come in teh room with the security latch fastened. Rio stood head lowered snarling and growling. I was totally off guard.
He adores everyone, goes ape at the vet because he can't wait to see them, worships every child that crosses his path, etc etc.
His parents are titled in Hunt tests and his littermate brother is a therapy dog. He isn't trash bred.... but he watches over me.
Now that he is a little more mature (emphasis on "little") he will bark at strangers at the gate, but if they are brave enough to risk it they get a thorough lashing with his wagging tail and tongue. If he is feeling really rambunctious they could get knocked into one of his abyss holes he digs at the gate.
ETA - but I don't know how he would act away from home just me alone with him, as was the case when he growled before.
I feel safe enough with him, but I would never consider him a protection dog per se. For that I am going to be looking at an Australian Cattle Dog in the spring. Maybe. I sure do miss having one around.
