Guard Dogs vs. Watch Dogs

Watchdog Purpose

• The purpose of a watchdog is more of an alert than to physically protect you or your family. A watchdog is trained to bark when a stranger has come too close or has even entered your home. In some cases, the barking serves the purpose of alerting you as the owner that something is not right so you can handle the situation. Other times, the barking of the dog may be enough to deter a potential criminal from invading your home. Watchdogs also make good family pets.

Guard Dog Purpose

• The purpose of a guard dog is to physically protect you and your family. While a guard dog is also likely to bark and snarl when an intruder comes too close, a guard dog is trained to protect its owners at all costs. If a guard dog senses a threat by an intruder, the dog will not hesitate to attack the person to protect its owners. An unrestrained guard dog can be dangerous and is not usually recommended if you have small children at home.

Watchdog Breeds

• While just about any dog can be a watchdog with the proper training, some dogs are better suited for the task. Any dog that barks frequently and makes a lot of noise is a good choice for a watchdog. Good hearing is another important characteristic for a good watchdog. Terriers, chihuahuas, larger poodles, dachshunds and shi tzus all make good watchdogs. Smaller dogs are often well-suited to be watchdogs due to their tendency to bark and their good hearing.

Guard Dog Breeds

• The breeds that are best suited to be guard dogs are larger and more vicious than watchdog breeds. A good guard dog should exhibit characteristics such as being protective of its territory, strength, courage and aggression. Some of the common breeds used as guard dogs include pit bulls, doberman pinschers, german shepherds and mastiffs. These dogs typically require special training to serve as good guard dogs, though some breeds are more apt to be naturally aggressive than others.