Dogs vary a great deal in their purpose in life. Whereas some are meant to guard, others are meant for friendly companionship. The huskies represent a breed of dogs that is quite striking with an energetic stance; however, are huskies good protection dogs? In the article following, we will discuss Husky-specific traits, some reasons why they may not be great protection dogs, and positive features of having Huskies as family pets.
Are Huskies Good Protection Dogs?
Generally, the Huskies cannot function as protection dogs, since they are social, friendly, and have no guarding instinct at all. They were developed for pulling sleds and performing as a team, not to guard and protect. This is probably the reason why they often receive strangers with joyful excitement rather than suspicion. So, the simple answer to the question “are huskies good protection dogs” is no.
Why Huskies Aren’t Good Protection Dogs
Several reasons make Huskies quite ill-suited for protection duties. First, they have friendly natures. Huskies are naturally welcoming to people, they are quite familiar to strangers. That means a Husky may not even distinguish a friend from a possible threat. Another thing is that they are not dogs with highly developed territorial instincts. Unlike other dogs that would bark right away if an intruder approached, a Husky might barely notice or even run up to greet them excitedly.
Another thing is that they are high in energy and restless, always on the go. Huskies are wanderers, and they simply love running. This too makes them difficult to keep enclosed, for they usually seek chances to run away or get loose. A dog who is supposed to guard is supposed to concern itself with patrolling, but a husky would just probably dig around the fence or find many other means of running away, which defeats the purpose of having a security dog.
They are also not the easiest dogs during obedience training. While intelligent, they can often be independent-minded, making them prone to following instincts over commands. This independence makes it hard to train them for specialised roles like guarding or protecting, which would require the dog to be obedient to the owner’s instructions.
Can Huskies Be Trained as Watchdogs?
Although Huskies obviously aren’t guard dogs, they do make pretty good watchdogs at times. Watch Dogs aren’t like guard dogs because instead of attacking or doing something to the situation, they simply alert the owner that something is off. Huskies are very curious and often pick up on changes around them. They can also be pretty loud, from barking to howling and even whining. These vocalisations can be useful in alerting owners to the presence of visitors or to any strange noises around the home.
With some training, Huskies can be taught to bark or howl with command. They can be comfortably trained to alert their owners regarding the doorbell, unknown steps/footfalls, or other signals. However, their amiable nature means that after making noise, they might simply go right up to the unfamiliar person, often excited rather than cautious. This trait makes them not as suited for being watch dogs compared to the Boxer or the Bullmastiff, naturally suspicious breeds.
Huskies Compared to Other Protection Dogs
Compared to breeds such as the Doberman, Bullmastiff, and German Shepherd, Huskies do not cut it as guardians. Protection dogs tend to be loyal, protective of their territories, and well-trained, characteristics which the Huskies lack. Dobermans, for example, are a protective and athletic breed very loyal and willing to defend their family. The Bullmastiffs are large and intimidating, while the German Shepherds are watchful and trainable, making them great for protection work. Unlike Huskies, these breeds love to be companions and to be active rather than to guard a space Huskies as Family Pets: A Better Role.
While not being great watchdogs, they do very well as family dogs. Huskies attach very well with their families and are good companions. They can be very loyal but not in a defensive or guarding way. Their friendly nature means getting along with other pets is pretty smooth, though early socialisation does help.
They also possess high energy levels, making them suitable for active families who are into many outdoor activities. They love running, hiking, and being played with, so they thrive in homes that are able to provide them with lots of exercises. Due to their rather entertaining and unique vocalisations, playful howling, and expressive faces, they are the companions one might find fun and endearing, too. For a family in need of an active, loving, and social dog, a Husky will be an ideal fit.
Conclusion
This was the complete guidance on the topic “are huskies good protection dogs”. Huskies are awesomely handsome, social, and energetic canines; however, they are not for protection jobs. Precisely, their friendly nature, no territorial instincts, and independent nature tend to make them inappropriate as guard dogs. After a little training, they can at least alert owners about any unusual activities, and hence they are pretty okay as watch dogs, but they cannot protect.
FAQs
1. Can Huskies protect the owners in case of an attack or any emergency?
Ans.This is because, while the Huskies would alert their owners to strange sounds, they do not have protective instincts to act if there is an emergency or to dissuade potential intruders.
2. Are Huskies easy to train as a watchdog?
Ans.Huskies can be trained since they will alert their owners, but due to friendly natures, they are very inconsistent to be a watchdog.
3. Do Huskies look intimidating enough to scare off the intruder?
Ans.Their wolf-like appearance might deter some intruders, but they will not be very apt to act aggressive due to their friendly nature.