Guard dog

A guard dog is a house dog that is used for surveillance. He is a working dog. Some dog breeds have been bred for guard duties.

Task

A guard dog has the task of an area (such as a house, a plot) or else (like a herd of cattle ) independently, so to guard without direct exposure to a dog handler. The expected this from the dog action is highly variable depending on the purpose: it ranges from the ads ( barking ) on deterrence to active defense, and even the attack against revier other persons or animals.

The attitude of the guard dogs varies historically and regionally also considered strong: during today watchdogs usually run free in a structurally defined ( by fences or walls ) to be guarded area in Germany, there are tethering ( on a running device or as a Chain Chomp ). The attitude in the dog kennel is common, where there the circumstances, the action of the dog on the ads ( barking ) is limited.

History

Since about 1000 BC, there are guard dogs. The Mastiff is already about 2200 BC depicted in reliefs, was probably the first, which was used by the ancient Babylonians for this purpose. He was the first specifically bred for size and militancy race and was also used as a war dog.

In the Roman Empire witness ( around 400 BC ) played dogs as guard dogs also an important role, which obtained among other mosaic inscriptions cave canem ( beware of the dog).

More recently (as an example here Bismarck with his mastiffs ) were large, sometimes aggressive animals a status symbol. During this time the new breed many of today's dog breeds that build on guard dog types falls. Very aggressive and confident dogs as guard dogs but unsuitable: They do not bark, but will attack directly, whereas the wax properties, however, are not possible without aggressive behavior. As guard dogs very independent dogs with a certain potential for aggression are most in demand. Many breeding organizations today place great emphasis on breeding dogs with no increased potential for aggression and try to exclude them by behavioral tests of the breed.

Guard dog types

As guard dogs are depending on the desired behavior of the dog breeds and also many hybrids in all sizes. Due to the genetic territorial behavior most dogs are used in this way.

In large areas such as industrial sites, major objects and exposure to a constant threat of any kind fortified large dogs be used as Rottweilers, Doberman and German Shepherd. From them also an active defense of the district is mostly demanded.

Livestock guarding dogs are guard dogs, defending the active their flock. Their use both for the protection of the herd as well as guard dog of objects is no exception, as examples mentioned at this point the big mountain dog breeds and the Kangal cited. The latter is today often used in Turkey to protect state institutions and bred specifically for this purpose also.

Contrast to Schutzhund

A guard dog should not be confused with a business conducted Schutzhund. This accompanies a dog handler and sets target other people.

Geese as an alternative to Watchdog

Rather unconventional, but nowadays to be found as guards, are geese. Both in private institutions as well as the U.S. Military, these animals are used primarily to report intruders by loud shouts and deter.

" According to tradition, there were geese and not dogs that BC warned the consul Marcus Manlius Capitolinus and his followers in the year 397 before the night's surprise attack by the Gauls on the last bastion of defense of the Romans on the Capitol. " This was a disgrace to the dogs.