ASDs are much more protective, independent, and territorial than most Pyrs. The owner of the place where we board our dogs during vacation -- CEDAR SHADE PET RESORT -- has a rescue Pry named Al.
Koda is very social currently, but will get more protective with age. With proper socialization and assuming the dog has a normal temperment, ASDs can become service dogs, therapy dogs, or companions. Most ASDs do not tolerate strange dogs on their home turf, but may be more accepting of other dogs when out and about.
I took Koda to the SPCA to be microchipped last week. At 15 weeks, he was the best behaved dog there, hands-down. He was calm, confident, friendly, acted appropriately with the other dogs. He touched noses with a small Shibu Inu, showed no fear or aggression toward any other dogs (even those barknig at him), and mostly laid about watching the pandemonium around him.
In contrast, if we are out walking and a dog barks at us, he will growl and bark back. The ASD's protective instinct is hard-wired and, having been bred to guard flocks in Turkey without any human supervision, independent. Thus, I'm aware that owners must be careful to avoid certain situations. For example, I would never take Koda to a dog park or to the lake where dogs run off-leash. What if a dog ran up to us, barking and growling? When full-grown, Koda will most likely consider the dog a threat and act accordingly, despite my wishes.
