If you’re not familiar with the intricacies of different dog roles, the difference between a guard dog and a protection dog may not be immediately clear. After all, the role of both dogs is to guard and protect the home, right?
There are no universal definitions of what constitutes a guard dog. Although their roles are similar, guard dogs and protection dogs fulfill their role of protecting the home in considerably different ways. Although guard dogs are similar to watchdogs, there are enough differences to split them into two categories.
Watchdogs
Since the main role of the watchdog is to alert a family to intruders, almost any dog can fulfill the role. Even small dogs like Chihuahuas make good watchdogs, as they are fiercely loyal and protective of their family. Watchdogs don’t have to guard the home or ward off intruders. Their role is simply to alert your presence to outsiders. Almost any family dog can be a watchdog.
Guard Dogs
The role of guard dogs is somewhat more intense than that of watchdogs. Although guard dogs alert the home to the presence of intruders, they do more than that as well. One of the purposes of guard dogs is to bluff or put on a show. Growling, baring teeth, and snapping are typical behaviors. If a guard dog is outside, it will often bark or growl aggressively and stand up against the fence in a show of force.
Guard dogs, like sheepdogs, need to be fairly intelligent. They also have to be unfailingly loyal and devoted to their family. An intelligent, able guard dog learns to recognize specific noises, such as the distinctive sound of your car engine. In this way, a guard dog will not bark when you get home because it recognizes the sound of your car.
It is also important for guard dogs to be able to learn friend from foe. Some dogs, especially sheepdogs, can identify family members – even ones they’ve never met – simply from their smell. If your dog can’t do this, it’s important to introduce them to family and friends. In this way, they will be familiar with their presence and won’t try to guard against them.
One major difference between guard dogs and watchdogs is that guard dogs cannot be too friendly towards strangers. For example, neither retrievers nor Labradors are suited for the role of a guard dog. The breeds are exceptionally friendly and welcoming of strangers, making them unlikely candidates for a show of strength.
Protection Dogs
Protection dogs share some of the characteristics of guard dogs. Like guard dogs, they alert you to potential intruders and put on a show of force in your defense. Unlike a guard dog, however, protection dogs do not bluff. Protection dogs are trained to attack, so they must be extremely intelligent to distinguish friend from foe.
You clearly don’t want a dog that attacks any unfamiliar face. No one wants a dog that will savagely attack the mailman delivering a package. Family protection dogs receive thorough, careful training. They learn to bite on command, and they also must stop biting on command.
Protection dogs are family dogs. A protection dog must form a strong bond with their family to be useful, and they must get along well with children. Although they do not attack unprovoked, a good protection dog should have finely honed instincts. If they perceive a threat, particularly to a child, they will attack. Because of demanding requirements, protection dogs are typically limited to a handful of breeds. A protection dog can be neither too friendly nor too aggressive.
Training Requirements
Protection dogs often have dominant personalities. In order for your relationship with a protection dog to be effective, you have to establish dominance over it. You cannot coddle a personal protection dog. While you can treat them with affection and respect, it must be immediately clear who is the master.
Think of a police dog, for example. Police dogs work very closely with their assigned officers, and the two form a very close bond. However, there is never any doubt about who is in charge and who is not. The officer will always be the master.
Personal protection dogs need to be highly trained in order to be effective. Furthermore, it is doubtful that you can do this training yourself. Police dogs and military dogs go through extensive training to prepare for their work. It is impossible for you to do this training yourself.
This means you have two options. You can find personal protection dogs for sale that are ready to bond with your family.. Alternately, you can raise a puppy and pay to have it trained. If you have children, it may be better to start with a puppy. This allows the dog to bond more thoroughly with you and your children.
Guard Dogs Versus Protection Dogs
Guard dogs and protection dogs both fulfill an important role, keeping the home safe and guarding against intruders. Protection dogs are typically limited to a few breeds, such as German Shepherds, Dobermans, and Collies. Guard dogs are somewhat more diverse.
Before you choose between a guard dog and a protection dog, weigh your needs and expectations. Do you want a dog merely to alert you and ward off intruders? Or do you want a dog capable of protecting your family in danger, particularly if no adults are around? Family protection dogs are a serious investment, but they can also be a very rewarding friend. Personal protection dogs for sale may be expensive, but they are worth it.
Dogs fulfill a wide variety of roles in our lives. Ranchers and farmers often rely on cattle dogs and shepherds. Hound dogs can be invaluable for chasing down birds or ferreting rabbits. Some large breeds are used as rescue dogs. And of course, dogs are popular as companions.
Personal protection dogs are no different. These intelligent, family-oriented canines are bred and trained to keep you and your loved ones safe from danger. A dog could have no greater purpose.
