Many potential owners who are looking for a guard dog turn to large canine breeds, although they are not the only ones who are willing to put up a fight. An excellent example is the Chow Chow, a medium-sized canine that deceives intruders with its innocent Teddy Bear look.
Now, how about the world’s premier canine rancher, the Border collie? Are Border collies good guard dogs? There is a saying that a Border collie greets a burglar at the door and gives him a tour of his farmhouse. Can this be true?
Read on to find out!
Are Border Collies Good Guard Dogs?
The world’s most intelligent breed loves to work above all things. If not given a task, he becomes a ticking time bomb waiting to explode! The Border collie has so much potential, adopting one only to lock him up inside the house is a waste of his talent and energy.
Border collies can be sports superstars, search-and-rescue dogs, wildlife control officers, bomb detectors, therapy dogs, and more! Unfortunately, the Border collie can be anything but a guard dog.
While the Border collie is known to nudge stubborn children and nip at the heels of livestock, these behaviors do not necessarily display aggression. These traits are traces of the genetic lineage of herding dogs. So if you are after an aggressive canine, you probably want to look elsewhere.
Border Collies are Exemplary Watchdogs
On the bright side, the Border collie can make a wonderful watchdog! Herding breeds are excitable and carefully observant. Border collies, in particular, are sharp. So don’t be surprised if your collie is suspicious among your circle of friends because sometimes our canine companions make better judgments than us.
Moreover, a dog so vocal will never fail to inform his “hoomans” that he has perceived something unusual or someone is approaching the house. Your canine buddy can discourage an intruder by growling at him, too.
Guard Dog vs. Watchdog: Know the Difference
“Watchdogs” and “guard dogs” are interchangeably used as though they mean the same thing. However, there is a definite difference between protection dogs, watchdogs, possessive dogs, and anxiety- or fear-driven dogs.
An ideal watchdog barks loudly, and he is adept at distinguishing unusual scenarios from normal occurrences. Then again, a watchdog only makes an alarm. That’s about all. But as with any dog that is cornered, he might attempt to bite as a last resort.
On the other hand, a guard dog will assault and immobilize the intruder. Some will bark loudly, while others silently attack. Size and physical appearance are also included in the criteria.
Will a Border Collie Protect You?
If canine breeds were DC characters, I would say that the Border collie is the Flash. He is a bundle of mental and physical energies, awaiting his chance to be unleashed on the world! However, he isn’t strong and brave enough to follow through with a situation involving real threats.
As others have said, you can train your Border collie to help protect your family and property, but you can’t expect him to be on the frontline engaging and fighting without fear. Border collies do not possess that type of drive, and they cannot do much damage to a full-grown male adult.
What is the Best Guard Dog?
To become an exceptional guard dog requires special breeding and training. Even so, certain breeds make outstanding protection dogs with higher success rates due to their physical strength, resistance to pain, and temperament.
According to expert dog trainers, the following breeds make the best guard dogs:
American Staffordshire Terrier
The American Staffordshire terrier was bred for bear and bullfighting, but he is only aggressive when his family is in danger.
Bullmastiff
The Bullmastiff is a laidback pooch who appears intimidating due to his appearance. Loyal and docile, he makes a good family dog with well-behaved children. But if he crosses his path with an intruder, he would use his strength to knock him over.
Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman pinscher is often featured in films as a bad dog, but in reality, he is a sensitive and emotional pooch with a great sense of humor. If you are planning to steal from this dog’s family, you better run for the hills because he runs incredibly fast, and he climbs fences to boot.
German Shepherd
A well-bred German shepherd does not need to go through intense police training to be an exceptional guard dog. This breed is naturally protective of those he considers as his family. Although he looks menacing, he is obedient and loving.
Giant Schnauzer
The Giant schnauzer is a powerful and dominant breed who is extremely loyal to his family. However, he requires constant mental and physical stimulation to remain hale and hearty. Apartment living is definitely a big no for him.
Komondor
Also known as the Hungarian sheepdog, he was bred to guard livestock and help farmers keep coyotes at bay. Nowadays, this brave pooch serves as a dutiful guard dog to his family. If he is not chasing down thieves, he hangs around with children and other pets.
Kuvasz
The Kuvasz is a bold, aggressive guard dog. He does not hesitate to fight an armed mugger. While he is suspicious around strangers, he craves affection from his family.
Puli
Pulis make excellent guard dogs since they are overly protective of their family and territory. These energetic dogs love to tag along during hiking and running. Although Pulis are smart, they can be naughty and aggressive. That is why it is important to establish dominance from the get-go.
Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback was originally bred to hunt lions. That alone should give you an idea of how strong his prey drive is! Nevertheless, he thinks he is a lapdog.
Rottweiler
The Rottweiler is known for having a “wait and see” attitude, and he will react aggressively and move to plan B if he deems it necessary.
Other Breeds Notable as Family Protectors:
• Akita Inu
• Anatolian Shepherd Dog
• Belgian Malinois
• Belgian Sheepdog
• Belgian Tervuren
• Black Russian Terrier
• Bouvier des Flandres
• Ca de Bou
• Cane Corso
• Chow Chow
• Dogo Argentino
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)
• Great Pyrenees
• Neapolitan Mastiff
• Tibetan Mastiff
• Tosa Inu
While all of these canine breeds are known to make great guard dogs to their families, they require commitment from their humans to train them well and raise them respectfully and lovingly. Likewise, owners must take into consideration the fact that these are powerful dogs capable of harming humans! First-time dog owners are discouraged from owning any of these dogs.
Do They Get Attached?
The Border collie is a loyal and faithful canine bred to work as a team with one master. As such, there is a chance that your pup will pick a favorite among the family. Because of the Border collie’s need to please, he gets competitive when it comes to making his favorite “hooman” happy.
Conclusion
Sometimes having a furry pal is synonymous with having the best security system, but are Border collies good guard dogs? Not really. Border collies are more of a lover than a fighter. He will cause a big commotion when he spots a potential problem, but little else.
But as with any dog, a Border collie raised with love, kindness, and proper training – not to mention, lots of fun games and exercises – will, of course, protect the family that he loves. While his way of protection may differ from other dogs, you can be sure of his loyalty.