If you are currently looking to adopt a dog with guard dog responsibilities, thanks to its wolf-like appearance, chances are high that you may have considered a husky. But are huskies good guard dogs?
Simply put, huskies don’t make good guard dogs. This is because they are not only very friendly but are also tough to train and have a non-aggressive temperament. On the flip side, they can be excellent watchdogs with some training.
In this article, we’ll break down why a husky shouldn’t be near the top of your list if you’re looking for a guard dog, and how they can make great watchdogs instead.
4 Reasons Why Huskies Aren’t Good Guard Dogs
As we’ve already mentioned, huskies aren’t great guard dogs; they have several traits that you don’t really want in a guard dog; these are:
1. They Are Very Playful And Friendly
Huskies are extremely agile and playful pups with a seemingly infinite stamina.
They enjoy the great outdoors, which makes them fantastic hiking, running, biking, and camping companions.
Also, huskies are generally good-natured toward strangers and sociable toward other dogs (albeit sounding aggressive, that’s just how they play).
Instead of warding off or attacking strangers, your husky will likely welcome the stranger and begin to play with them, not exactly what you would expect from a guard dog.
2. They Are Fairly Tough To Train
A good guard dog won’t give you a hard time when you are doing your best to bring them up to speed with protection commands and other guarding hacks.
They must be willing to pay the utmost attention to allow a smooth and hitch-free training session.
Unfortunately, huskies don’t fall into this category. This is because this breed tends to be quite stubborn and easily distracted.
They are highly curious, meaning they get distracted in the middle of a training session easily.
Winning a husky’s attention and cooperation during training can be an overwhelming task, and huskies often first need to understand what the point of a command is.
As they’re not really motivated by most treats, this is often the first trick to conquer.
3. Huskies Are Not Very Territorial
A great guard dog should also display territorial traits. They should never allow a stranger or unauthorized persons to enter the property they guard.
Huskies aren’t territorial. They are naturally pack animals that love and appreciate being around people and other animals. A husky will willingly share your territory with strangers instead of chasing them away.
It is also worth noting that huskies don’t bark as often. Instead, they tend to howl more, perhaps due to their wolf ancestry.
It’s common knowledge that barking is the major territorial signal guard dogs usually display when a stranger is on your property.
4. They Are Not Aggressive
A husky is a huge dog that can weigh up to 60 pounds. Due to their massive size, they can be a little intimidating.
Even though an intimidating demeanor is a crucial trait of a good guard dog, this should be backed up by some aggression.
Huskies are neither aggressive nor dangerous.
If cornered or threatened, a husky will attack, but under most circumstances, this dog breed will rather resort to playing.
3 Traits That Make Huskies Great Watchdogs
There is a huge contrast between a guard dog and a watchdog.
Watchdogs howl or bark alerting you of any impending danger, whereas a guard dog, besides howling and barking, also attacks the stranger/ protects the property or persons.
While huskies aren’t great guard dogs, they are not entirely useless regarding home safety.
Huskies boast a few traits that can make them effective watchdogs; these are:
1. They Are Very Vocal
Even though huskies don’t generally bark a lot, they are highly vocal.
As mentioned earlier, they often express themselves through moaning, whining, and howling.
As such, they are great communicators and will certainly alert you if something is strange.
2. They Are Very Curious
Huskies are curious dogs and not only recognize changes in their environment, but they also go and seek out what’s changed.
If they spot something peculiar, chances are that they will go and sniff it out, making them fantastic watchdogs.
3. Huge And Intimidating Appearance
A huskies coat, huge size, and sharp muzzles make them look strikingly similar to wolves.
This appearance alone is often enough to ward off would-be burglars.
5 Best Guard Dog Alternatives To Huskies
If you are looking for the best guard dog to protect you, your family, and your property, you might need a different dog breed to huskies.
The best guard dog breeds should have a strong sense of loyalty to both you and your family, while being obedient, alert, and observant.
Moreover, an ideal guard dog must be fairly large, intimidating, fearless, intelligent, and responsive to training.
Here are five dog breeds that are best suited to being guard dogs:
1. German Shepherd
The first dog breed we’re going to look at is the one that most people often think about when they imagine a guard dog; the German Shepherd.
Their size, strength, and supreme biting power make them suitable for warding off any potential intruders.
A favorite of law enforcement, German Shepherds are very trainable, boast incredible stamina, are loyal, and perform great under pressure.
Moreover, they are sociable, affectionate, and good with children. So, besides having a great guard dog, you’ll also enjoy having a new best friend at your disposal.
2. Rottweilers
They are not only large in size and stature but are very strong and loyal.
They can be aggressive and dangerous if you invade their territory.
3. Doberman Pinscher
This loyal dog breed is intelligent and responds well to commands if properly trained.
Pinschers are large, very athletic, and agile.
Their bark and growl can be scary and intimidating, and intruders must think twice before invading their territory.
4. Bullmastiff
Docile at home and fearless at work, the Bullmastiff is a large and muscular dog breed offering ultimate protection to its owner and family.
Bullmastiffs are arguably one of the best guard dog breeds you can find because of their natural protective instincts, physical strength, and unrivaled family loyalty.
5. Puli
Initially bred for herding, Pulis are very intelligent and make fantastic guard dogs. They will always remain on guard, instantly barking and alerting their owners of anything out of the ordinary.
Final Thoughts On A Husky’s Guarding Abilities
If you are looking for a good guard dog, a husky is not the right breed for you. They are friendly, difficult to train, and not aggressive or territorial.
However, they make good watchdogs because of their loud talking, curious nature, and intimidating size and appearance.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-train, low-maintenance dog that protects your home, there are better choices than a husky.
Some better options include German shepherds, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Bullmastiffs, and Pulis breeds.
