Guard Dog - Wikipedia

Working dog

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (February 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

For the 2004 film, see Guard Dog (film). "Guardian dog" redirects here. For the statues, see Chinese guardian lion. For the dogs in the role of livestock guardians/protection, see Livestock guardian dog.

A guard dog or watchdog is a dog used to watch for and guard people or property against unwanted human or animal intruders.[1][2] A dog trained to attack intruders is known as an attack dog.

History

[edit]

Dogs have been used as guardians since ancient times. The ancient Romans placed Cave canem mosaics at the entrance of homes to warn visitors and intruders of the presence of dangerous dogs at the property.[3]

One of the first dog types used as guardians were Mastiff-type landraces of livestock guardian dogs, which protected livestock against large predators such as wolves, bears and leopards.[4] In Greek mythology, Orthrus is an example of a livestock guardian dog known for guarding Geryon's red cattle. In more urban areas, some ancient guard dogs, such as the extinct bandogges, were chained during the day and released at night[5] to protect properties, camps and villages.

Barking

[edit]

Guard dogs bark loudly to alert their owners of an intruder's presence and to scare away the intruder.[6]

Livestock guardian dogs are often large enough—100–200 pounds (45–91 kg)—and strong enough to attack and drive away livestock predators.[4] Guard dogs bark to alert their master and to warn of approaching animal or human threats prior to their interception of the trespasser.

Specifically, livestock guardian dogs such as the Kangal use loud alarm barks as a first line of defense against presumed threats; if these do not deter a perceived foe, other displays, such as bluffing and charging, are employed. For livestock guardians, proactive forms of defense such as biting are only used if all other forms of deterrence fail.

If the risk is from human intruders, a suitable dog can be trained to be aggressive towards unrecognized humans and then tethered or enclosed in an area that the owner wishes to protect when he is not around (such as at night).[7]

Breeds

[edit]

Many currently prominent guard dogs started as general purpose farm dogs, but gradually developed into guard breeds. However, dog breeds such as the Dobermann and the Dogue Brasileiro were specifically bred to guard.[8][9][unreliable source?] Guard dog breeds tend to be territorial, averse to strangers, dominant, and protective and loyal.

Legality

[edit]

The laws regarding ownership and usage of guard dogs vary from country to country.[10][11][1] In England, the main legislation relating to the use of guard dogs on commercial premises are contained within the 1975 Guard Dogs Act. The act specifies the requirements of kennels and the need to display guard dog warning signs at the entrance to sites.[12]

See also

[edit]

• Attack dog – Dogs trained to attack people
• Bandog – Type of dogPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
• Beware of the dog – Warning sign
• Dogs in warfare
• Faithful Ruslan – 1975 dissident novel by Georgi Vladimov
• Livestock guardian dog – Dog type bred for the purpose of protecting livestock from predators
• Working dog – Dog trained to perform practical tasks

References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Department of Economic Development, Jobs. "Guard dogs". agriculture.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 17 March 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
2. ^ "Definition of GUARD DOG". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
3. ^ "Pompeii guard dog mosaic back on show". 27 July 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
4. ^ a b "Livestock Guardian Dogs and Their Care in Winter". www.omafra.gov.on.ca. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
5. ^ Beilby, Ralph (1792). A General History of Quadrupeds: The Figures Engraved on Wood. S. Hodgson, R. Beilby, & T. Bewick.
6. ^ Clayden, Paul (1 May 2011). The Dog Law Handbook. Sweet & Maxwell. ISBN 9780414048188.
7. ^ Tierney, John (11 June 2011). "For the Executive With Everything, a $230,000 Dog to Protect It". The New York Times. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
8. ^ "DPCA | The Doberman | History". dpca.org. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
9. ^ "Brazilian Dogo – Facts, Pictures, Puppies, Price, Temperament, Breeders | Animals Adda". 19 April 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
10. ^ "Guard Dogs Act 1975". www.legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
11. ^ "Permits and Housing of Guard Dogs – 6.10". Town of Rangely. 30 March 2016. Archived from the original on 3 May 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
12. ^ "Guard Dogs Act 1975". www.legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 17 August 2019.

External links

[edit] Wikimedia Commons has media related to Guard dogs.

v t e Dogs
Types	African village dog Companion dog Free-ranging dog Askal Pye-dog Rez dog Street dog Guard dog Hairless dog Herding dog Collie Livestock guardian dog Sheep dog Hunting dog Cur Feist Lurcher) Gun dog Pointer Retriever Setter Spaniel Water dog Hound Scent hound Anglo-French Hound Basset Coonhound Foxhound) (Sighthound Longdog Warren hound Terrier (AmStaff Bull-type terrier Pit bull Fell terrier Fox terrier Pinscher Ratter Schnauzer Staffy Working terrier Mastiff Bulldog Spitz Husky Laika Tugou Toy dog Bichon Turnspit dog
Breeds	List of breeds List of crossbreeds Mixed-breed dog Crossbreed Extinct breeds Most popular
Roles	Assistance dog Autism dog Guide dog Hearing dog Medical response dog Seizure dog Mobility assistance dog School dog Therapy dog Psychiatric assistance dog Attack dog Bay dog Carriage dog Catch dog Cell dog Companion dog Detection dog Fighting dog Guard dog Lap dog Meat dog Mercy dog Police dog usage by country Search and rescue dog Sled dog War dog
Behavior	Communication Barking Body language Howling Intelligence Dog–cat relationship
Human–doginteraction	Animal testing Baiting Breed-specific legislation Cynanthropy Dog allergy Dog bite Dog beach Dog daycare Dog fighting Dog food dog biscuit 2007 recalls Dog grooming Dogs in religion Dogs in space Dog licence Dog meat Dog park Dog show Dog theft Dog sports Dog walking Fear of dogs Human–canine bond Origin of the domestic dog Pet dog Therapy International Dog Day
Health	Aging (List of longest-living dogs) Anatomy Allergies Breeding Coat Conformation Diseases Dog food Odor Rabies in animals Rage syndrome Reproduction Skin disorders Vaccination
Training	Clicker Crate training Housebreaking Socialization
Related	Domesticated silver fox List of individual dogs List of fictional dogs Lists of dogs
Category Portal

Authority control databases
International	GND
National	United States France BnF data Spain Israel
Other	Yale LUX