If you have the patience to raise one, I'd suggest you go in for a Caucasian Ovcharka. Preferably raise a puppy so they can get used to your children and family

If you have the patience to raise one, I'd suggest you go in for a Caucasian Ovcharka. Preferably raise a puppy so they can get used to your children and family. I wouldn't call them non lethal but they'd certainly give pause to anything short of an armed robber. Second choice will be a pitbull. Also I've known a signpost with the following words to be very deterrent if deterrence is also an option : "Please do not walk on this property unescorted. Pet Cobra on property. Insert picture of large realistic cobra" How many people are willing to rob a house with snakes? And finally on weapons, i know a guy with a homemade flashlight casing taser. Not sure it's even up to 5000 volts but he claims its come handy in an altercation with an intruder before.