A Siberian Husky is a high-energy dog best suited to a fit and outgoing family. It is a sociable animal and loves the attention of people – any people.
Can Siberian Huskies be good guard dogs? No, Siberian Huskies do not make good guard dogs. They are not a guardian breed as they lack natural aggression and they are notoriously difficult to train. They love people and are more concerned with who will play with them not who shouldn’t be there. If you want a guard dog a Siberian Husky is not the best candidate for the job.
Before you get a Siberian Husky as a pet you should decide what you really want from a dog. If you are looking for an energetic and lively addition to your family, a dog you can take out for lots of
Why Siberian Huskies Are Not Good Guard Dogs
Though Siberian Huskies have many of the traits described above, the important ones they lack are patience and trainability.
They are not aggressive, possessive, or suspicious dogs. This makes them great dogs for a family pet but not so great as guard dogs.
Siberian Huskies are not a dog that can be left in your yard as a deterrent to intruders. They will spend more time looking for an escape route than anything else. Siberian Huskies are expert diggers and can burrow under fences. They have been known to scale solid fences over 6 feet high and climb over chain link fences. They will probably bark, howl and irritate your neighbors after a short while. If someone does enter your property, they are more likely to give them a friendly welcome and try to instigate a game with them than they are to scare them off.
Siberian Huskies have been known to sit by whilst intruders have helped themselves to household items. This is because they are not naturally suspicious of anyone. The Husky just isn’t a dangerous dog!
Siberian Huskies are not very good when left alone in your home. They can be quite destructive and for this reason, many owners put theirs in a crate when out. A dog in a crate can’t protect your home that well.
There are some people who also believe the Siberian Husky could be a good hunting dog, well – my thoughts on this matter can be found here.
What Breeds Are Good Guard Dogs?
Some dog breeds possess a natural instinct to protect their home and family which makes them excellent guard dogs. They are loyal, fearless, strong and ever watchful. If you want a dog to alert you when someone comes near your home and intuitively protect you from danger then a guardian breed is what you are looking for. Included in this category are:
- Doberman Pinscher – These are extremely loyal dogs and respond well to their owner’s commands if properly trained. Pinschers are large, agile and athletic. They are very alert and wary of people they are not familiar with but do respect the command of their owners which makes them great at protecting families. Their growl and bark are intimidating, and intruders will certainly think twice before entering their space. It is important to raise them in a household with children if they are to be around them. It’s not recommended to bring one into a house with small children if it has passed the puppy stage.
- Bullmastiff – These dogs have excellent instincts and thrive well in a family home. They are quick to learn who their “pack” is and will go all out to protect it. They are extremely aware of all that is going on around them. Their intimidating look means they are a great choice for deterring intruders without putting your children at risk. Many guard dogs will growl and bark if threatened, but the Bullmastiff has great attacking qualities and can easily take down a full-grown man. This breed should be raised with its family from a puppy and trained constantly until mature. Once it is familiar with it’s home and it’s family, this breed is gentle and loving.
- Rottweiler – If properly trained, this is one of the best dogs to protect a family and home. They are described as one of the smartest breeds in the world and can make fantastic guard dogs. This is one breed that should really be professionally trained. The Rottweiler is great with families if raised correctly, and even small children with them then. They are very obedient and despite their aggressive snarl, they are loving animals who want to please.
- German Shepherd – These are one of the best family guard dogs. They have natural instincts to listen, learn, and obey. They are menacing in appearance, but loving in nature. They are quick and eager to respond to commands but must be properly trained.
- The Boxer – Like The Siberian Husky, these are a high-energy breed. They seem to have the ability to sense peoples intentions. Boxers are often times smaller than the other dogs on this list but can grow to over 100 pounds. They look more menacing than they actually are. They are astute and alert and display enthusiasm for everything they do. They crave affection from adults and children, and will often go out of their way to get it. Boxers are extremely aware of what’s going on around them and will spring into action to protect its family. Its a great choice for families looking for a reliable watchdog.
What Are The Traits Of A Good Guard Dog?
Aggressive behavior is not the ideal characteristic of a good guard dog and isn’t what’s important when selecting one. When choosing a puppy that you want to eventually guard your home and family, you should be looking for the following qualities:
- High energy
- Alertness
- Patience
- Confidence
- Assertiveness
- Trainability
- Sociability
Is There Any Hope Of A Husky Protecting You Or Your Home?
Siberian Huskies have not been bred with the temperament to guard so it is not a good idea to try to train one to protect you or your family.
If you train any dog to protect you then it immediately becomes a liability. There is always the possibility of someone getting needlessly hurt with unthinkable consequences for the dog. There is always the chance of a dog misunderstanding a situation and reacting incorrectly. A trained protection dog is not ideal as a family pet, no matter how well you think you know it or control it. Personal guard dogs need intense, expert training that begins when they are puppies. They need to have an intense and thorough socialization process. They have to be taught to distinguish between a real attack and normal human behavior.
A Siberian Husky could be trained as a watchdog. A watchdog will alert you to something new or strange in its territory but won’t attack. As Siberian Huskies are fairly large and have a wolf-like appearance this alone may be enough of a deterrent for any would-be intruder.
Should You Use Any Dog To Protect You Or Your Home?
Is it fair to expect a dog to protect your home? Most people embrace their dog as a member of their family. You wouldn’t expect your child to stand up to a burglar and so you shouldn’t expect your dog to. It’s fine to train your dog to bark if someone comes near to your home but if it faces up to a serious intruder it could get injured.
If you are out with your dog should it be responsible for protecting you from an attacker or should it protect you from an assault in your home? Is this what you want from your loyal and loving family pet. In either of these situations, a dog could be seriously injured or far worse.
Better Ways to Protect Your Home Other Than Using Guard Dogs
- Invest in a decent alarm system
- Invest in security cameras
- Put up signs to say you have an alarm and CCTV
- Put up ‘Beware of The Dog’ notices on your fences – mention a ferocious breed!
- Lock your doors and windows securely
- Have security lights in and outside
Better Ways To Protect Yourself Other Than Using Guard Dogs
If you really believe you are at risk from an attack in the street or at home perhaps you should learn self-defense. Also, when out and about, be aware of your surroundings at all time. Don’t be distracted by your phone or wearing earphones and stay alert. Avoid areas where attacks could happen, especially at night. If your home is protected as mentioned above you are far less likely to come face-to-face with an intruder.
Conclusion
A Siberian Husky is not a good choice as a guard dog and trying to train it to be one could spoil the very nature that made you want one of these dogs in the first place. About the only thing it will successfully chase from your property is a cat. So, if it’s a guard dog you want then choose one of those mentioned above or another from the Guardian breeds.
If you’d like to know more about the Husky, do check out my Complete Guide.