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What is a Protection Dog?
As crime rates increase, the desire for personal protection arises. Many individuals and families are considering the option of purchasing a personal protection dog. But what exactly is a protection dog, and how are they different from any other regular dog pets?
How Protection Dogs are Different
Protection dogs differ from regular dogs in several ways. Each trait is an essential distinction you’ll need to account for if you decide to purchase one of these incredible dogs.
The most important distinction to make between regular dogs and dogs that serve as protection for you and your family is the fact that protection dogs aren’t strictly “pets.” Protection dogs are trained to help your family in a specific role, whereas pets are merely companions. As a pet, your dog might learn to sit, stay, rollover, shake, and jump on command. These commands are mostly for fun and make perfect crowd-pleasers.
Protection dogs, on the other hand, learn life-saving measures and protection strategies when you and your family are faced with a serious threat. Depending on what you want your protection dog to be capable of doing, they can be trained to do everything from keeping an intruder away from you, distracting them, or taking them down. If need be, a protection dog will give its life to keep you and your family safe. They are trained to disarm a threat and keep it neutralized until authorities arrive.
They Need Leadership
As important as it is to ensure that you’re the top dog when you have a pet, protection dogs need your leadership even more. Protection dogs are not recommended for inexperienced dog owners because these dogs need a high level of consistent, steady training and dedicated leadership. Because of their propensity to lead, they will take over if given a chance. It is critical that your protection dog takes their cues from you, so you can go into public with them and have friends over to your house with your dog well under control.
They Need a Job
The best protection dogs have been bred in the working dog class. They thrive on mental and physical stimulation and tend to get bored quickly. They also need regular exercise and refresher courses to keep up their sophisticated training. Protection dogs are highly adaptable and can live nearly anywhere, but they cannot live without several hours of exercise each day. They need to be walked, run, and give tasks to keep them busy. If left alone for too long, they’ll get themselves into trouble. Protection dogs often get blamed for being unfit or lacking training when, in reality, it is the owners who have failed to ensure their dogs have enough time to exercise and work off their high energy. These dogs cannot be left alone in an apartment all day and be expected to sit or lie down for the rest of the night when owners return. They need activity, exercise, and stimulation, just as much as they need food and water.
Common Protection Dog Breeds
Protection dogs are unique animals. After all, it is not just any other dog that can serve in this role. According to Scott’s K9, these dogs must be known and bred for their work ethic, intelligence, build, loyalty, and fearlessness. While nearly any dog can serve as a watchdog – a K9 companion that simply alerts you to trouble – only a few breeds qualify as a dog that can protect you should a threat arise.
German Shepherd
German Shepherd trained protection dogs have long been favorites of the police. They serve as bomb detection, drug sniffers, and aid police in apprehending suspects. They are intelligent, loyal, and dedicated to hard work. Like any German Shepherd protection dog, they need plenty of exercise, training, and do their best when given a job. They’re always on alert and will protect individuals and families well.
Belgian Malinois
An up and coming favorite, the Malinois is an incredibly intelligent dog with a high prey drive and consistent work ethic. They need plenty of training and a minimum of two to three hours of exercise daily. These dogs need strong, steady leadership, so they are not recommended for inexperienced dog owners.
Akita
These dogs were bred and used to guard the royalty of Japan. Naturally alert and suspicious when it comes to strangers, they take their guarding duty seriously. They take well to training and will need socialization lessons. These dogs have a high energy level and need plenty of exercises.
Bullmastiff
The Bullmastiff is as loyal and brave as it looks. The size of this large dog provides a natural deterrent to would-be intruders. They are naturally affectionate and loving toward their family and are excellent protectors. Like any protection dog, they need training, consistent leadership, and plenty of physical activity.
Protection Dogs Serve You
Protection dogs are different from regular family pets. They are loving, intelligent, and trainable. They have a high prey drive and will protect you with their lives. With the right training, proper leadership, and plenty of exercise, protection dogs can become a functional part of your family.
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