In today’s world, we need protection from things such as crime, burglary, and theft.
There are many different types of guard animals available for purchase, but not all breeds are suitable for the job.
A guard dog needs to be able to protect their owner at all costs. However, they can only do this if they are well-trained in a variety of skills, and get along with other animals in the home.
Are you looking for the best breed of guard dogs to put around your house, or wondering whether your pointer will suffice?
Most people are not aware of the intense amount of work that goes into raising and training a guard dog, but this article will get you started.
What Is a Guard Dog?
A guard dog is a type of canine whose primary purpose is to protect property (real or personal) from damage or harm.
They are generally large and powerful, as well as intelligent. Guard dogs are breeds of dogs that are known for their protective instincts.
They don’t simply attack anything and everything that tries to enter their territory, whether it be a person or an animal.
Instead, a good guard dog will be intelligent enough to recognize and distinguish between a threat and a non-threat.
Guard dogs may also warn the owners about intruders by barking and acting anxious around strangers.
The Difference Between a Watch Dog and a Guard Dog
Guard dogs might easily be confused with watch dogs, but there are some differences to be aware of. Watch dogs will sit and watch for trespassers.
If someone comes along, the watchdog will bark, letting the property owner know someone is coming.
Watch dogs are less likely to intervene when a hostile threat is present, as they aren’t trained to do so.
Guard dogs, on the other hand, go through extensive training in which they learn various search, attack, and release commands to help intervene in a dangerous situation.
Some guard dogs are suited to serve as both a watch and a guard dog, but others are too energetic to sit in one place and keep watch for extended periods of time.
Frankly, GSP’s are great loyalty to the family, but as stated, not exactly the go-to breed for a guard do scenario.
What Makes a Good Guard Dog?
Having a good guard dog for your home can bring you an added sense of safety and security, especially if you have children.
Some people might assume that a guard dog shouldn’t be kept around people, but the opposite is actually true.
The best guard dogs are loyal and brave, but also highly intelligent and personable.
They should be able to fit into your family seamlessly, but also know when it’s time to go to work.
Good guard dogs need to be devoted, which requires extensive and continuous training from you.
If you’re not sure about how to train a guard dog, you should contact a professional for help, as they can help you train and leave the rest to you.
Size is also an important consideration. Small dogs will most likely be unable to physically defend your homestead, and the biggest dogs may be difficult to train.
Medium to large-sized dogs are ideal because they’re intimidating, strong, fast, and often excited to learn new tricks – even aggressive tricks.
Are Pointers Good Guard Dogs?
Pointers are fairly good-sized dogs – they’re not small. Someone who’s unfamiliar with dogs might even be intimidated by them because of it.
They have a lean, muscular build that allows them to cover lots of ground for extended periods of time. The pointer is a quick, agile, and responsive dog.
It has excellent vision and sense of smell, which makes it effective at locating and tracking game overhead, but not ideal at serving as a guard dog.
Pointers have been bred over centuries for one sole purpose, and that is to hunt.
They might bark at unexpected visitors coming up your driveway, but they’re highly unlikely to become aggressive toward them.
It’s simply not in their instinct to do so. Their bark, however, is notorious for being extremely powerful, which may be enough to frighten an unsuspecting intruder.
Pointers may not even be the best watch dogs, as they’re almost always searching for birds in the sky. However, they are almost impossible to distract when they’re pointing.
This attention can possibly be tailored toward becoming a watchdog, but it will take a great deal of work, and should be started from a very early age.
However, pointers are well known to be extremely intelligent, loyal, and protective of their own.
So don’t be discouraged that your pointer isn’t top-notch guard dog material. In a fight or flight scenario, pointers will likely be the first to stand their ground – they just won’t have the same aggressive instincts, or the intensive training that other guard dogs do.
Why Would Someone Need a Guard Dog?
Non-aggression is the default posture for most, but the other – often ignored or overlooked – side of the same coin is known as self-defense.
Without self-defense, mankind is vulnerable to all forms of theft.
Although training a dog to do your fighting for you might seem cruel, it can actually be done in a humane way – and has been done more and more in recent years.
Tips for Training Your Pointer as a Guard Dog
If you plan to train your pointer as a guard dog, you need to start training from a very early age.
As soon as they’re able to be around other pets (pending vaccinations), begin socializing them. Make sure to never allow anyone else to give them food. This way they know that food only comes from you.
Start small by teaching them to bite and play tug of war with you using a rope or toy, but make sure that they know the command to let go – that is essential.
Gradually work in new techniques, and work with a professional trainer to help clarify the difference between work and play.
Conclusion
Pointers are excellent hunting dogs and loving family dogs, but despite their few deficiencies, they might just become great guard dogs if trained from an early age, as they’re highly energetic, and love new challenges.
