Would your dog protect your home?

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I've ended up down the YouTube rabbit hole again...

I know mine wouldn't protect my home. He didn't meet my brother-in-law until he was over a year old when my brother-in-law walked in unannounced while I was sleeping off a night shift. My dog greeted him like a long-lost friend. He would bark if he heard someone trying to get in but once they were in he'd be besides himself with joy.

One would just sleep through it or hide. The other barks like hell whenever anyone goes up the road but if someone came in he'd just roll over and want belly rubs even if they were attacking me probably, he only cares about food and belly rubs.

just to add she's a collie, and it more men she doesn't trust. Once she knows you she is daft as a brush with you though. Her reaction is linked to how familiar I am with the person who has entered the house so people checking meters, or come to fixing stuff she is very very watchful she Follow them occasionally give a little bark to remind them she there watching 😆

Yea, ours barks like a dog possessed when someone comes to the door or into the house. Unfortunately he’s an incredibly cute little cockapoo, and it’s very hard to take his barking seriously.

Ha! No. She's lick a burglar.

My dog would only be delighted to see them but my neighbours dog is the best watch dog ever. He will let you in but he won't let anyone leave 🤣🤣

Absolutely not, way too friendly. I wouldn’t want my dog to even try in case he got hurt.

I have a German Shepherd who would defend the house - tried and tested unfortunately. We are rural and had an intruder a while ago. Luckily he was seen off by the shepherd. He is very very protective of us, especially the child who he is literally glued to and follows around the property while she plays. If the barking doesnt see them off the resulting munchies would. He loves the postman and our nearest neighbour's though, and can be called to heel in any situation even when guarding. He isn't aggressive in general and is very sage and level headed. We take him everywhere even to the fair and have zero issues. Outside of the house his protectivness seems to consist of blocking and standing on front of us while looking alert. He happily accepts pats from strangers after we talk with them for 30 seconds.

Our St Bernard cross though.... He would bark and growl and maybe charge if need be but is far too easily distracted by food so all it would take is for an intruder to throw a biscuit and protecting would be over. Its just not in his nature in the same way as it is with the German Shepherd. He was also badly abused in his previous home so the minute someone raises their hand near him even to open a cupboard he cowers. That's no good in a guard dog, you need a brave dog with no sensitivies wjo listens to commands instantly, but he is a sweet pet who we love despite the quirks.

you need a brave dog with no sensitivies

Yeah, definitely not my dog. That tiny thing in his mouth in one of the pictures? She steals his bones and makes him cry

Not at all, they would happily greet them then go and sit back down like they were a member of the family!

Hmmmmm not sure. A few years ago, DH came home from work on his motorbike and went straight to the back door. He was still in his leathers wearing his helmet.
Ddog1 went to the back door and went garrity- hackles up teeth bared, Ddog 2 was the same but stayed by me.
However - as soon as he took his helmet off, the numpties both melted and were overjoyed to see him!
So on balance, I think they would. 🐶🐶

I absolutely do not want him to protect my home. That's not his job and it's often just luck that allows a dog to determine a true threat from someone entering the home that has permission but is way out of the ordinary. e.g. maybe the police/ambulance coming inside if someone inside is hurt.

I would personally always want a dog that welcomed anyone and everyone into the home in a relaxed manner. I will then take on the 'burden' of ensuring we are all safe.

I’m loving this thread!! Cocker spaniel here who’d just play with them! Horrendously he’d possibly be taken too, just had to have plumbing and electrics done and randomly 3 different guys said we should be careful as people would definitely steal a dog like him (which I find so weird and horrible?!)

Yes. I'd worry for the life of anyone who broke in here. Seriously, I think she'd fight them to the death. I've had this thought process before and wondered if I'd end up in prison for it if it happened! She's an absolutely lovely dog, but she definitely sees it her job to protect me (& she has, more thsn once).

No idea on the breed, but he's gorgeous

He woukd bark, he always barks at strangers and he has a nice big bark. However if a stanger gets close to him he pees and runs away.

Westie basically thinks everyone who walks past or visits the house is trying to kill us 😔 never bitten, just woofs.
This is why I have no friends.

Mine would, he isn't always sure about people I invite in, he'll give them the eye as if to say, I'm watching you!

Absolutely.
It would bring the house down with its barking at a stranger.
Glad our house is detached and quite some distance away from others for that reason alone.

I fear that any intruder may need a lot of stitches

My old childhood dog made the headlines in the local newspaper -

"Dog sleeps while burglar strikes"

@OhAmBackAgain

Snap, sounds so alike, breed traits.

Definitely not and I have a German shepherd 🙄

Of our 3 dogs the scaredy-cat Dalmatian was the surprising one who showed any protective traits - the other 2 - one would probably have annoyed them into leaving by insisting on playing ball and the 3rd one probably would have left a landmine for them as she has bowel problems!
The cat was the real killer - once scared the s**t out of an electrician when our row of houses lost power- pounced on him in a pitch cellar- he screamed and ran for his life.😅

He's dead now but no, he wouldn't have. He'd have run up to intruders wagging his little tail and trying to lick them.

I'm afraid not. DDog would gently lead any intruder to the gravy bone cupboard and give him the eye.