Playful Huskies might not become the cautious guard dog you need
Magnificent Huskies can definitely scare away strangers with their wolf-like appearance. But they’ll probably lick them lovingly and ask to be pet. Huskies are too playful and calm to be good guard dogs. In some scenarios, they can be adequately trained to serve as reliable watchers of your property. This is especially true for places that are frighteningly cold since these dogs can adapt well to cold environments.
But are Huskies good guard dogs?
Clear your doubts. They aren’t. Their extra friendly and trusting nature undoubtedly makes them an angel breed. The lack of aggression is further suggestive of their innocence. Huskies essentially lack the rough and tough traits required by a reliable guard dog.
Here are the reasons why huskies are not good guard dogs
Huskies don’t like being alone
One prominent trait of guard dogs is their ability to remain alone for long times. Huskies are a pack breed and have evolved to co-exist in trustworthy groups. These dogs are very loving by nature and crave company. They are very playful and love being excited for the best utilization of their abundant energy.
This enormous love for companionship and interaction cannot be substituted by the regulated duties of a guard dog. Huskies are known to develop anxiety about being left alone. It is recommended that you employ a suggested guard dog breed instead.
Huskies are not very protective
While Huskies are definitely possessive and tend to get jealous if their humans show extra fondness for a new person or dog, they are not quite protective as a guard dog ought to be. A typical guard dog would show aggression on realizing that the property has been intruded upon. Huskies don’t show such aggressive behavior. They are gentle and loving beasts no matter how dangerous they might seem because of the wolf-like appearance.
Huskies are not aggressive
Huskies have a calm temperament and they only ever get enthusiastic and joyful when the game is exciting. These gentle beasts are seldom known to exhibit any aggressive traits. When Huskies come across a stranger, they might only demand to be petted. They can even be over-friendly with strangers just for their want of attention.
If somebody intrudes your territory, your Husky would probably lick them and try to initiate a friendship. For a guard dog, they are too welcoming. Sometime in your life, you might come across the story of a Husky who played with the thieves while they emptied a house.
These angels are too loving to show aggression towards any stranger. A typical guard dog would recognize and suspect every intruder. Well, a Husky wouldn’t.
Huskies are independent by nature
Guard dogs are supposed to be obedient and trainable. Huskies are quite the opposite. While they can be trained well to exist neatly in a household and to play softly with kids, they cannot be asked to stay firm at the appearance of a stranger. A good guard dog ought to learn discipline and follow commands.
Huskies like to follow their wishes and whims rather than orders. You can obviously train a Husky to be obedient and disciplined, but it is certainly not possible to instruct these dogs to the core. A Husky is not a reliable dog in an urgent scenario.
It is very difficult to train a Husky to be a guard dog
You can work at your best in training a Husky to be a guard dog, but this task is not commonly achievable. They can definitely be taught obedience and they can be trained to behave following your lifestyle. But it is not like a Husky to be aggressive.
These energetic, adventurous, and playful dogs may be difficult to train even as a normal pet. Seeking obedience out of a Husky might just be an uphill task. Moreover, Huskies are very stubborn and refuse to learn if you get tough.
It is suggested that you don’t try to bring out the anger in a breed that isn’t naturally fiery by nature. Aggressive training patterns could cause other behavior problems. The animal may develop anxiety instead of aggression.
Huskies work better as watchdogs
While Huskies aren’t much reliable as guard dogs, they can still function quite well as watchdogs. This is owed to their natural howling and yelling tendencies. Many Huskies are also known to sing.
While they might not spot a thief or act aggressively in response to an intrusion, they can definitely make the noise to raise an alarm. However, they will usually welcome the thieves into your home and lovingly escort them like friends. It will be on you to watch out and spot the intruder.
The natural hardiness of Huskies to cold weather also goes in favor of their work as guard dogs. They have a double coat and can remain comfortable in very icy conditions. Coupled with this, the amazing energy levels of Huskies make them very adept at chasing off people or animals that may be creating a disturbance.
Huskies’ ability to serve as good watchdogs is owed to their natural tendencies to howl. Huskies love making sounds and they especially love howling. But you can train your Husky to bark in a controllable manner at movements around your house.
You must consider other breeds to serve as reliable guard dogs
Some particular breeds of dogs are known to serve well as guard dogs. As compared to Huskies, these dogs are much more reliable, obedient, and disciplined. The natural instincts of these select breeds make them amazingly loyal and fearless. Such breeds include Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Bullmastiff, Rottweiler, and Boxer.
Doberman Pinscher
Doberman Pinscher breeds can be trained to be very disciplined such that they can accurately follow all of their owner’s demands. Their special agility and athletic build allow them to execute the swift action expected out of a guard dog.
The extremely loyal Doberman Pinscher dogs are well-known for their commendable alertness. While they are supposed to react to the intrusion of strangers, they are also very respectful to their owner’s commands. If you happen to cross a boundary guarded by a Doberman, you ought to be terrified. Their challenging bark and growl are enough to drive away any intruder. Doberman Pinschers are also very good with children if they are raised together.
German Shepherd
German Shepherds are extremely popular as trustworthy and reliable guard dogs. Their natural tendencies to pay attention and act fast make them very reliable. German Shepherds may be intimidating in appearance, but they are very affectionate and caring. Their action to intrusion is quick and foolproof. Properly trained German Shepherds are hard to get across.
Bullmastiff
Bullmastiff dogs are known for their amazing instincts and their pack mentality. They are extremely loyal to their pack/family and would go to any lengths to protect it. The alertness and awareness of Bullmastiff are insurmountable. Best of all, they are also good with kids. So they will be aggressive with intruders without any harm to your family.
Unlike other guard dogs, Bullmastiff will not just growl and threaten. A properly trained Bullmastiff can take down a burly man. The most amazing quality of this breed is its love and affection towards its own family underneath the rough outer demeanor.
Rottweiler
Rottweilers make the most reliable guard dogs when they are properly trained. When gently raised, they are very friendly with kids. Rottweilers are typically well-known for their aggressive snarl, they can learn to follow commands in the utmost obedient manner. Underneath their rough and bulky appearance, they are loving beings who’ll go to any extent to protect their master.
Boxer
These energetic guard dogs are very dependable. They are most well-known for their ability to decipher the intentions of intruders. Boxers might not be as large as the other guard dogs but they make up for that through their snarly appearance. Although, boxers may be one of the most loving dog breeds.
Like most family dogs, they are very fond of attention and affection and would try to attain it. Their excellent alertness and agility could drown the plans of the most skilled burglars. If you are looking for a gentle guard dog, this may be the best breed.
Conclusion
Slight aggression is an essential trait of guard dogs. Because Huskies are relatively gentle and loving, they cannot exhibit the requisite aggression towards intruders. They are more likely to devise means of playing with them.
Also, Huskies are a bit stubborn. They cannot be trained to follow commands as well as typical guard dogs. So they might not be very dependable in the time of crisis. Although, the confidence and the superior agility of Huskies make them very reliable as watchdogs. This is also benefited by their likeness of producing noises.
Your precious Husky may be the most beloved creature of your life, but they can serve as good watchdogs at most. As a companion and a friend, they are truly exhilarating and will bring joy to your home.