Dogs are not called man’s best friend for no reason. Not only do they provide companionship, but they also can protect you when your personal safety or home security is threatened. In fact, the foremost duty of the earliest documented domesticated dogs was to protect their owners and their property.
Before we discuss the benefits of actual guard dogs, let’s make clear the difference between guard dogs and watchdogs. Almost any dog with a bark can be a watchdog. These dogs, such as poodles or Cocker Spaniels, are typically house-kept and only alert the owner to an approaching stranger. Small, excitable breeds are the best watchdogs because of their ear-piercing, incessant, high-pitched bark.
However, watchdogs are not capable of fending off any intruder or protecting their owners. A guard dog, on the other hand, can be trained to restrain or attack any unwelcome visitor to your home. Perhaps the best home security feature of the dog is that its bark could stop the intruder in his tracks and scare him away altogether. But, if need be, guard dogs will do whatever it takes to protect their owners. If they are well-trained and well-taken care of, they are even more loyal.
Choosing a guard dog can be a difficult choice. You want to do some heavy research on a variety of breeds to see which one will best fit your home, family and lifestyle. For example, Rottweilers are more genetically inclined to become aggressive than most dogs. German Shepherds are used by police K-9 units around the world and are particularly good with children. Dobermans, like German Shepherds, are known for their superior intelligence. While these are common breeds in regards to home security, there are a variety of other options. Just be sure that you make a well-informed decision.
Don’t stop there, though. If you are looking to truly keep your home protected, a security system is also a great addition. Not to mention that it’s going to take a little while to train your guard dog. However, when the dog is grown and well-trained, the combination of the two should scare off any potential intruder. The guard dog’s stature – most guard dogs are of substantial weight and size – and its bark should scare away most intruders. Additionally, if you have your warning signs and stickers up from your security company, a burglar would be a fool to enter.
You’d spend whatever amount of money it takes to make sure that your furry best friend is in good health and eating well. Needless to say, then, you can’t put a price on your family’s safety. Fortunately, you don’t even have to worry about spending a lot of money when it comes to home security systems. You can sometimes find the system or installation or both for free. Then, all you have to pay is a monthly fee of well under $50. Not only are alarm-protected homes statistically less likely to be broken into, but you can also have your home insurance premiums reduced by certain companies, due to your increased security.
