The Siberian husky, at a glance, may seem like a great breed for a guard dog. They are medium-sized, so are by no means small, and their wolf-like appearance can be quite intimidating for some. Huskies are also quite energetic so may seem perfect for chasing down intruders who enter your home. Unfortunately, they actually don’t make good guard dogs – and we explore three reasons why.
1. Huskies are social and friendly dogs
Huskies are generally social dogs. Their playful and friendly nature means they get along with people, children and other dogs they meet. They are born pack dogs, feeling happiest with other dogs and humans around them. They were also bred to be part of a team, pulling sleds across the snowy plains of Siberia. As such, when encountered with an intruder, they are more likely to welcome them than scare them away!
2. Huskies are not aggressive or suspicious dogs
The American Kennel Club (AKC) describes the temperament of the Siberian Husky as:
“He does not display the possessive qualities of the guard dog, nor is he overly suspicious of strangers or aggressive with other dogs.”
From the Official Standard of the Siberian Husky, AKC
For a guard dog, having a strong sense of suspicion when it comes to strangers is a benefit. Having a sense of suspicion means that a dog will not trust unfamiliar intruders entering your house. Suspicion, coupled with aggression, can help to scare intruders away. Aggressive stances and behaviors (like snarling and barking) make a good deterrent to burglars. Unfortunately, the Husky lacks these important qualities.
3. Huskies are not easy to train
While Huskies can be trained, compared to other dogs they are relatively more difficult. They are intelligent, stubborn and highly energetic – as such it may be hard to get them to sit still and listen. It is important that a guard dog is able to follow commands from its owner. If a guard dog wrongly identifies a friend for an intruder, it may become aggressive and attack that person. You, as the owner, need to be able to command the dog to stop in these situations.
Better guard dog breeds
Below is a list of breeds better suited to be your guard dog. They exhibit some or all of the qualities you would want.
- German Shepherd
- Rottweiler
- Bullmastiff
- Doberman
- Boxer
If you are looking for a watch dog instead of a guard dog, maybe consider purchasing a Chinese Shar-Pei.
Conclusion
As you now know, Huskies don’t make great guard dogs – they don’t have the right temperament that is needed. There are better breeds out there to guard your home – or alternatively, you might want to try another home security measure like home alarms or security cameras.
