by Quietus

Created on: February 14, 2007   Last Updated: December 08, 2007

Let me start with a little clarification. A guard dog is one that is physically protective and capable of deterring or taking down an intruder or attacker. A watch dog is used primarily to give warning if something unusual or threatening occurs.

The Terrier group is one of the most active and alert and will, almost without fail, act as a watch dog. Unfortunately, they end to be quite indiscriminate if left to their own vices, and a kid on a bike, a paper bag blowing across the yard, or a ten man SWAT team will receive equal enthusiasm!The key to a good watch dog is temperament, socialization, and training. An intelligent healthy dog will respond to its environment. Any sized dog can be a watchdog. Their hearing and sense of smell is far better than humans.

A guard dog needs to be able to physically defend persons or property, not just intimidate or sound the alarm. For dog lovers, the dog is a family member that we do not want to put in harms way anymore than ourselves, our spouses, or our children. A thug with a leather sleeve and a box cutter will put an end to most dogs quite quickly. Unless the dog is protecting property in the absence of human supervision, a watch dog is adequate to alert their owner to danger; fire, intruder, etc, and give the owner time to respond protecting themselves, their family, and their dog!

If you want a family member that doubles as a guard dog, choose a fairly active breed that is a minimum or forty pounds full grown that can get its paws up on a man's chest. Choose your breeder wisely. Visit their home and meet both parents. If they have to be locked up when visitors are present, then either their temperament or training is bad, neither of which is promising!

Whichever breed you select for a guard dog, first get it obedience trained, then protection trained with a reputable dog trainer.

Some of my recommendations would be the following breeds, if the above criteria is met,; Doberman, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Tervuren, Bouvier des Flandre, Standard Poodle (Yes! Very athletic, intelligent, and capable!) Rhodesian Ridgeback, Standard Schnauzer, Giant Schnauzer, Bull Mastiff, Weimaraner, German Shepherd, and Rottweiler. This is far from comprehensive.

I would not recommend Chow Chows, Pit Bulls, or Mastiffs for family guard dogs. Not that they are incapable, but Chows were breed to guard temples and to remain aloof and independent, good Pit Bulls have been breed to be non-human aggressive, and most Mastiffs tend to be very laid back and tend to have short life expectancies, which may be a factor in the cost involved with proper training.

A smaller watchdog and larger guard dog is often a good mix. Dogs will protect their families with their lives, but they are a deterrent or a delay only, not a substitute for a capable human being exercising their Second Amendment rights!

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