How Protective Are They?
Many people are under the misconception that all dogs are good guard dogs. While it is true that many breeds of dogs are excellent at protecting their home and family, there are a few that are better than others.
Huskies appear to be intimidating, but can they actually be good guard dogs? It’s a popular question we receive, so let’s break it down, and the answer might surprise you.
What Makes A Good Guard Dog?
When we are looking for a dog to protect us, our family, and our home, there are certain qualities we seek. The level of intelligence and alertness should be above average. A competent watchdog must be able to detect any unfamiliar sounds or scents and rapidly determine whether or not they need to act. There are several characteristics to consider when selecting your future guard dog.
➨Patience
Patience is key for a good guard dog. You don’t want a dog breed that will bark at every little thing. It will quickly become annoying, and your neighbors will start to hate you. An excellent guard dog should be able to sit calmly and wait for something to happen. They shouldn’t be so relaxed that they fall asleep on the job, but they shouldn’t be so wound up that they are constantly on edge.
➨Trainability
A good guard dog should be trainable. It is essential because you will need to be able to teach them specific commands such as “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” You will also need to be able to train them not to bark excessively or attack without provocation.
➨Confidence
It does not mean that they should have aggressive behavior, but they should not be afraid of strangers. A confident dog is less likely to be intimidated by someone trying to break into their home.
➨Sociability
This quality is important because you don’t want a dog so antisocial that it bites everyone, including family members and friends. At the same time, you don’t want a dog so friendly that it would let a burglar walk right into your home. A good guard dog should be able to distinguish between a friend and a foe.
➨Assertiveness
An assertive guard dog is not afraid to take action when necessary. It does not mean that they should be aggressive, but they should not hesitate to defend their home and family if the situation arises.
Now that we know what qualities to look for in a good guard dog, let’s see if Siberian Huskies measure up.
Are Siberian Husky Good Guard Dogs?
The Siberian Husky is a beautiful breed of dog originally bred in Siberia. They are known for their thick fur coats, which make them survive even the coldest climates. Huskies are also known for being very friendly and good with children.
While their size and appearance can be enough to deter potential intruders, Husky is not bred as guard dogs and is not naturally aggressive. Huskies are quite friendly, even to strangers.
Husky dog is bred to be a man’s companion, so it’s in their nature to be by your side. It is not to say that a Siberian Husky couldn’t make a good guard dog with the right training. They are very intelligent dogs and can be trained to do just about anything. However, it is essential to remember that they’re not naturally aggressive and should never be left alone with strangers.
Reasons Why a Husky Might not Be a Good Guard Dog
While a husky might be able to protect you and your family, there are some reasons why they might not be a good guard dog.
Huskies Are Too Friendly
One of the main reasons a husky might not be a good guard dog is that they are too friendly. Huskies are naturally friendly and playful. They’re not naturally aggressive or territorial. It means that they might not be able to protect you from an intruder if they’re not properly trained. Aside from these, huskies love people, even strangers.
It is difficult to find a Husky who does not want to be your best buddy, even at first glance. Huskies will start to wag its tail, give you a big smile, and may even jump to hug you. It is one of the reasons why huskies aren’t good guard dogs since they will make friends with anyone, even strangers.
A husky is a wonderful characteristic for a pet to have, but it’s not the best one for a guard dog.
Huskies aren’t Suspicious Breeds
Huskies were not a suspicious breed. They’re not naturally distrusting strangers like some other breeds are. It means that they are less likely to bark at or attack someone trying to break into your home.
While this might be good if you have friends and family who come over often, it is not so good if you are looking for a dog to protect your home from burglars.
They Can Be Destructive
Huskies have a lot of energy and get destructive when frustrated or bored. They are more likely to chew up your furniture or belongings when left alone. They are also known for being escape artists. It means that they are good at getting out of fences and yards.
If you are looking for a dog to protect your home, you might want to choose a different breed.
Huskies Aren’t Overprotective
The primary characteristic of guard dogs is safeguarding their property and family (humans). Many people are perplexed by the distinctions between protectiveness and possessiveness. Huskies are extremely possessive but not overprotective. If the owner pays attention to anyone in the household than them, huskies might get envious. However, it is often not accompanied by real protectiveness or aggression.
Being a Guard Dog Is Not in Their History
Finally, huskies have never been used as guard dogs. It’s not their forte. Huskies aren’t bred to be guard dogs, and it is bred to be working dog. It means that it is a sled dog and works alongside humans.
Today’s guard dogs have an ancient legacy of serving in this role. It’s quite difficult to find a dog without a lineage that can do the job well. And huskies might not be the best candidates. However, a husky can make a good guard dog with the proper Siberian husky training.
Are Siberian Husky Good Watch Dogs?
The debate of whether a Siberian Husky can be a good watchdog or not has been going on for years. But what’s the difference between a guard dog and a watchdog?
A watchdog’s job is to notify its owners when anything or someone enters the premises. A guard dog is supposed to react to its presence and scare the intruder off, even though its owner is not there.
Now, are Siberian Huskies good at being watchdogs? Huskies are quite loud and will howl at night, bark, and sing all day if given the opportunity. As a result, the only training they would appreciate is training them to be vocal on command.
On the other hand, Huskies seem to like the sounds of their own voices. It’s possible that training them being more outspoken may cause you and your neighborhood a few problems. All in all, are Siberian Huskies good guard dogs? No, not really. But are they good watchdogs? With a little bit of training, yes, they can be.
Ways to Train Huskies to Be Good Watch Dogs
Since huskies might be hard to train to be your guard dog, you might have better luck training them to be a good watchdog. A competent watchdog may howl or bark as they detect danger, but they will also discern between potential dangers and innocent guests.
Here are a few ways to train your husky to be a good watchdog:
Basic Obedience Lesson
It should be the first step in teaching your husky anything. If your husky is not able to follow simple commands, then training them to do anything will be much more difficult.
Start with the basics such as sit, stay, come, down, and off. Once your husky has mastered these commands, you can move on to more difficult tasks.
Introduce Them to Strangers
If you want your husky to be a good watchdog, you need to socialize them early on. It means introducing it to as many different people, places, and things as possible. The more exposure they have to new people and situations, the better they will be at handling them.
One way to do this is to take them on walks around your neighborhood and introduce them to your neighbors. Another way is to take them to dog parks or doggy daycare.
Teach Them the “Speak” Command
It is an essential command for any potential watchdog. You want to be able to tell it to bark when necessary and to be quiet when it’s not.
To teach them this command, wait until they start barking and say “speak.” Once they are barking, give them a treat. After doing this a few times, they will start to associate the word “speak” with barking and will do so on command and be quiet when it’s not.
To teach your husky the “speak” command, start by getting their attention with a treat. Once your husky is looking at you, say “speak” in a firm voice. When it barks, give your husky the treat. Repeat this process until your husky can bark on command.
Get a Dog Trainer
If you are having trouble training your husky on your own, you may want to get a professional dog trainer. Dog trainers are experts at teaching dogs of all breeds and temperaments.
A dog trainer can help you with everything from socialization to obedience to the “speak” command. They can also teach you how to handle your husky properly and prevent them from developing bad habits. Also, you can get tips from them on how to train your husky to become a watchdog.
Dog Breeds That Make Good Guard Dogs
Huskies are not the only breed of dog that can make a good watchdog. In fact, there are many different breeds of dogs that are better suited for this job. Some of the best guard dog breeds include:
Doberman
Since they’re easy to train, Doberman makes excellent guard dogs. They’re also territorial and protective, and they’ll claim your belongings as one of their own. This level of protection is perfect for a guardian.
German Shepherd
Like Doberman, German Shepherds are easy to train. They are also very loyal, perfect for guarding your home and family. They are also large dogs that can be intimidating to strangers.
Cane Corso
This breed’s name means “bodyguard-dog” in English. That should give you an idea of how they are as protectors. They are large and powerful, but they are also very gentle with their family. It makes them perfect for guarding your home while still being a loving companion.
Rhodesian Ridgeback
This breed was originally bred to hunt lions in Africa. It is no wonder then that they are such good guard dogs. They are large and powerful, but they are also very intelligent and easy to train.
Rottweiler
Rottweilers are strong, devoted canines that may become violent and deadly if their territory is threatened. They are also one of the most loyal dog breeds, perfect for guarding your property.
Bullmastiff
This breed is a cross between a bulldog and a mastiff. This mix results in a powerful and large dog still gentle with its family. They are also very intelligent, making them easy to train.
Giant Schnauzer
It is the largest of the schnauzer breeds. They are very protective of their family and their property. Giant schnauzers are also easy to train, making them good guard dogs.
Boxer
Boxers are large, powerful, and muscular dogs. They are also very loyal and have a high level of intelligence. These traits make them perfect for guarding your family and your home.
While there are many different breeds of dogs that can make good guard dogs, huskies aren’t one of them. If you are looking for a dog to protect your home, you should consider one of the breeds listed above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are Siberian huskies aggressive when it comes to protecting their family?
No, Siberian huskies aren’t aggressive when protecting their family. In fact, they are known for being extremely gentle and even-tempered dogs. They are also very loyal and protective of their family, so you can rest assured that your Siberian husky will always be there to look out for you.
Q: Can a Siberian husky be trained as a guard dog?
While huskies aren’t the most common choice for a guard dog, training them for this purpose is possible. As with any animal, the key to training a husky to be a guard dog is consistency and positive reinforcement.
You’ll need to start by teaching your husky basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, come, and down. Once your husky understands these commands, you can begin working on more specific guard dog behaviors. For example, you might teach your husky to bark on command or to act aggressively when someone approaches you in an unfriendly manner.
It’s essential to keep in mind that not all Huskies will be suited for guarding duties. Some Huskies are simply too friendly and gentle to make good guard dogs. If you’re not sure whether or not your husky would be a good fit for this type of work, it’s best to consult with a professional trainer or behaviorist.
Q: Can Siberian huskies be trained to be protective?
The best Siberian Huskies are the ones that have been bred and trained properly from a young age. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that huskies aren’t naturally aggressive or unstable dogs, so it is important to find a reputable breeder and trainer if you are interested in having a protective dog. A well-socialized and trained Siberian Husky can make an excellent watchdog and loyal companion. Still, they will not likely be aggressive towards strangers unless they feel that their family is being threatened.
Q: Will the Siberian husky protect you from an attacker?
No dog is 100% guaranteed to protect you from an attacker, but a Siberian Husky may be more likely to do so than some other breeds. Huskies are generally considered loyal and protective of their owners, and they are bred as working dogs, which means they are natural guardians.
However, every dog is different, and it’s important to remember that even the most loyal and protective dog can’t replace common sense and caution when it comes to strangers or potentially dangerous situations. If you’re looking for a dog that will help protect you and your family, make sure to do your research to find the right breed for your needs.
Q: What are the traits of a good guard dog?
The traits of a good guard dog include:
- Being protective of their owner and property.
- Having a strong watchdog instinct.
- Being intelligent and trainable.
- Having a stable temperament.
Some breeds of dogs are better suited for guarding than others. Typically, breeds bred for watchdogging or protection, such as the Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, German Shepherd Dog, and Bullmastiff, make the best guard dogs.
These breeds are typically large in size with a powerful build, have a thick coat that helps them withstand cold weather conditions, and are known to be loyal and protective of their family and home.
Final Thoughts
Siberian Huskies aren’t typically bred or trained to be guard dogs. However, they are loyal and protective of their family, making them a good choice for those looking for a dog with these qualities. Suppose you are interested in training your husky to be a guard dog. In that case, it is important to consult with a professional trainer to ensure that your husky has the temperament and obedience training necessary for this type of work.
