When someone says family watch dog, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? It’s likely the thought of a Doberman or a Rottweiler is what initially comes to your mind. Basically a large dog which you feel is easily able to deter an intruder; a junkyard dog, but without all of the froth.

What is incomplete or maybe wrong about that picture? Well there is a difference between watch dogs and guard dogs, although there may be a little overlap, if you would like your family to be happy and secure, then it’s in your best interest to know the difference between the two. There are tons of dogs out there suitable for either role, but these roles are different.

If you are thinking of powerful and large dogs, probably something tanned or black in colour, then it’s a guard dog that you have in mind, such as a German Sheppard, Rottweiler, and Doberman etc. The purpose of a guard dog is to be able to incapacitate and intimidate intruders, and other guests who are unwanted. As a requirement they have to be smart, powerful and properly trained.

The purpose of the watchdog is basically to create awareness, to ensure that you know exactly what is going on around you. Their purpose is not to attack unwanted guests, but to alarm you if such an incident was to occur. If you are interested in buying a watchdog, then that dog must be alert and intelligent. They won’t have to be scary or large, because they will not be attacking anybody.

If you already own a dog, then it’s likely he or she is already functioning as a watchdog. Dogs are naturally pack oriented and territorial, which means if the dog was to see someone he or she was unfamiliar with, the dog, would begin barking.

The reality is that the vast majority of dogs rarely ever have the tendency to be a watchdog bred out of them. This tendency for them to bark at things that they find out of the ordinary also extends to mailmen, cats, squirrels, and sometimes nothing, that’s when people train their dogs not to make any noise.

The key to acquiring the best family watch dog lies in the way that the dog is trained. The objective is to train a dog to bark at things that are not part of the ordinary. If your dog was to bark at literally everything, including little leaves on the floor, then it’s likely that you would start to ignore your dog. On the flip side, if your dog didn’t bark at anything, then you can say that he or she is not a watch dog, even if you love your dog. Hope this dog buying guide has help you woof! woof!