Border collies are known for their protective nature and you might wonder if they can make good guard dogs. This is a question that future owners want to know before they can take a Border Collie puppy home.
Border collies are not particularly effective guard dogs. Despite their protective nature, their booming bark, and their threatening snarl, they would back down in the majority of serious encounters, if given the opportunity.
Are Border Collies Good Guard Dogs?
Keeping watch and raising the alarm when something unusual occurs in their area is part of a watchdog’s responsibility, and Border Collies are quite capable of doing so. But a guard dog goes one step farther and attacks or restrains the intruder; Border Collies, on the other hand, are not known to do so. While they may make excellent watchdogs, they are not generally considered to be ideal guard dogs.
What is the difference between Border Collies and Guard Dogs?
Guard dogs such as German Shepherds, for example, are distinct from Border Collies in that they have the necessary aggression (and guts) to engage in physical conflict and attack.
When confronted by a stranger on your land, a border collie would undoubtedly appear fearsome and hostile, but if the intruder persisted, the dog would back down and leave the area.
Traditional guard dogs, on the other hand, would not hesitate to go one essential step farther and attack the intruder if the situation demanded it.
It is inevitable that some border collies will have it in them to attack, and this will be one of those instances. However, as a breed, they are not well-known for acting on their aggression when approached by another dog.
Furthermore, one quality that you should look for in a guard dog is its dependability in all conditions.
Are Border Collies Good Watchdogs?
Border Collies are intelligent, devoted, and affectionate. They are also known for their obervant character. These characters make Border collies good watchdogs. Socializing them helps to build confidence making them better in this work.
Are Border Collies Protective?
Border collies are well-known for being good herders, which is understandable given that this was their primary function for generations.
Most people are unaware, however, that many farmers also entrust their Collies with the duty of guarding the animals at night.
Collies would be in charge of fending off and battling bothersome predators such as foxes.This explains why Border collies are very protective. Collies’ protective instinct goes over into everyday life, making them extremely protective of their human family and belongings.
So how come they didn’t make it as guard dogs? This is most likely due to the fact that collies have never had to compete with people. While a collie might take on a fox, a person is far beyond their capabilities.
Can You Train a Border Collie To Be a Guard Dog
It is never a good idea to attempt to train a non-guard dog breed to be a guard dog. This usually entails fostering more hostility in them than they have naturally.
To accomplish this, the training tactics used would most certainly be punitive, which, aside from being unjust to the dog, is also focused mostly on fear. A scared Collie is neither dependable nor calm, both of which are required for an effective guard dog.
The best advice here is straightforward. If someone needs a dog to perform true guard dog tasks, they should look for a traditional guard dog breed.
Are Border Collies Good Family Dogs?
Border Collies make excellent family dogs, but they will require a house with a spacious garden where they can play regularly. They are ideal for active families who spend a lot of time outside because they have strong herding tendencies (they were bred to gather and control sheep.
5 Best Guard Dogs
- Boxers
- Rottweilers
- Doberman Pinschers
- Boerboels
- Akitas
Are Female Border Collies Protective?
Female dogs appear to be able to be less possessive than male dogs. Based on this, female border collies are less protecting than male border collies.
However, just because female dogs are more docile than male dogs does not mean they are less protective. Border collies (both male and female) are generally protective.
Grooming
Border Collies have a double coat that sheds throughout the year. It should be brushed daily to prevent the formation of Matts. The coat should be trimmed around the legs for an appealing look.
Their nails require trimming regularly and the teeth should be brushed daily using canine toothpaste.
Bathing should be done only when necessary because regular bathing can make your dog prone to skin diseases due to the stripping of natural oils on the coat.
Health
Border Collies can be termed as a healthy breed, but they can get affected by diseases such as hip dysplasia, cataracts, and epilepsies. They have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.
Conclusion
Border collies do not make good guard dogs but they are excellent watch dogs. Mevertheless, whether or not you will buy or adopt a Border Collie will rely on more factors than whether they make good guard dogs. You should remember that they need a lot of exercise, grooming, and training.
If you have a family you can count yourself lucky because they get along with children but for a guard dog, you should look for a larger breed.
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