Let's see, how do I describe her.  First she is a family pet, not a guardian or anything, but she is naturally very protective of the kids and the yard.  She does not like it when the deer get too close to her fence and will bark them off.  She will also bark at strangers in the neighbors yards, doesn't even pay attention though when it is the neighbors that she knows.  In the house, she is pretty mellow.  Gentle with the kids except for being big and clumsy and if my wife or I are roughhousing with the kids, she tries to protect them from us.  When out on our walks, she thinks that everyone in the world is only here to pet her and wants to be everyones friend and is submissive to other dogs in the neighborhood.  She is a great family pet!