You want a dog that will protect your family, so you’re curious whether a Husky is a good guard dog. This guide will answer that question definitively.
Are Huskies good guard dogs? Huskies are not good guard dogs, but they can be suitable watchdogs. The breed doesn’t have the right traits to be a guard dog, as Huskies are independent, non-aggressive, people-loving, and stubborn.
This guide will delve deeper into the above reasons why you shouldn’t choose a Husky as your household guard dog. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll understand this unique dog breed a lot better!
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Here’s Why Huskies Don’t Make Good Guard Dogs
Guard dogs are not the same as watchdogs. Unlike a watchdog, a guard dog is always willing to physically attack or defend itself against an intruder to keep its family safe.
It takes a special kind of dog to occupy that role, and the Husky is not it. Per the intro, here are some reasons why that is.
Independence
Guard dogs should be undeniably territorial and ready to do anything to safeguard their families from harm.
It’s not that Huskies aren’t loyal dogs. They are, but it’s not always manifested in the way that most dog owners expect.
For example, if you’re interested in a dog that will be your shadow because he follows you around that much, the Husky is not that breed.
This dog is rather independent. Huskies have their own needs and objectives, and those can sometimes take precedent over someone else’s.
Thus, a Husky might not have the dedication to commit to being a guard dog, at least not around the clock.
Non-Aggressiveness
Husky dogs can weigh upwards of 80 pounds. They’re not small dogs at all, and thus can be a little intimidating to some.
While an intimidating demeanor is a critical trait of a guard dog, as you’ll recall, the dog has to be ready to back up its threatening stature as well.
That’s simply not in the Husky’s M.O.
While sure, if the dog is pushed into a corner or otherwise feels threatened, a Husky can attack, the breed is usually regarded as non-aggressive.
Further, Huskies aren’t considered dangerous dogs.
A good guard dog must be both aggressive when he needs to be and dangerous as well. That’s why you don’t see cutesy Shih-Tzus or Malteses as guard dogs. Huskies also don’t fit the bill.
Favorability Towards People
Further, there’s the fact that the Husky loves people through and through.
As I mentioned before, this breed doesn’t hang around you all day hoping you’ll pet him or scratch him. Huskies have their own thing going on, but they do love deeply and usually unconditionally.
Even outside of the family, Huskies still have a love for people. They’re not wary around strangers and will welcome them with open arms (well, as much as a dog can welcome anybody with open arms).
This doesn’t really work from a guard dog standpoint. A guard dog shouldn’t be so trusting and inviting of just anyone, which would disqualify the Husky from the role.
Stubbornness
The last quality of a Husky that doesn’t make him a suitable guard dog is his stubborn streak.
Guard dog breeds should be quite amenable to training so they can fulfill the role you’re preparing them for.
Huskies are trainable, don’t get me wrong, but that’s not without its ups and downs, that’s for sure.
Remember as well that Huskies are independent canines. Thus, even if you taught a Husky some guard dog commands, if the dog doesn’t feel like listening and obeying, then it’s not going to.
Guard dogs must be very much attuned to their owners and ready to instantly act. They can even make their own decisions depending on how bad a situation may look, but they shouldn’t be too stubborn or independent.
Can You Teach a Husky to Be a Guard Dog?
Okay, so Huskies don’t make great guard dogs, but isn’t it all about nurture over nature?
Not when it comes to dogs, not always.
All it takes is reviewing the section prior to realizing that Huskies go their own way. They don’t do what they don’t want to.
If you try to teach them to do something they don’t want, they won’t make it an enjoyable experience.
Plus, being a guard dog simply goes against a Husky’s instincts.
You have to remember, although dogs are domicile pets today, at one point, they were bred for specific purposes.
Some dogs were hunting breeds. Others would chase waterfowl. More dog breeds still would corral sheep so a farmer didn’t have to expend the energy.
Siberian Huskies pulled sleds and later participated in sled races. They were also always known for their companionship.
There’s nothing in a Husky’s lineage that prepares the dog for working as a guard dog.
If you’re looking for a canine to pull something around the house, then yes, a Husky is perfect. Guarding though? It’s just not something the Husky was bred for.
I’m sure you’re wondering, just how strong are a dog’s instincts? Well, you’re not supposed to pair hunting dogs with smaller household creatures like cats or hamsters, so that should tell you enough.
Dogs don’t forget where they came from and what they were bred to do. Your Husky might never pull a sled a day in his life and will lead a perfectly happy life, but the dog knows innately how to pull. It’s in the dog’s DNA.
Guarding and aggression are not.
Can a Husky Be a Watchdog Instead?
Okay, so you’ve given up on the dream of your Husky being a guard dog, but maybe they could be a watchdog instead.
To reiterate my point from before, watchdogs will keep a vigilant eye on what’s going on in your home (and directly outside of it).
A watchdog will bark until the cows come home, but they rarely bite and defend. It’s not entirely outside of the realm of possibility, but it’s unlikely.
So, keeping all that in mind, how suitable is a Husky for filling the role of a household watchdog?
I would say quite suitable!
Huskies are quite a vigilant breed. They’re also very intelligent, so they should be able to distinguish what could be a threatening presence and what isn’t.
As you’ll recall though, Huskies don’t always perceive strangers as a threat. Thus, right off the bat, you can’t expect the dog to be great at his new role. He’ll need some guidance and training.
Should the Husky perceive danger, you won’t have to worry about your dog alerting you. Huskies love to vocalize.
They don’t always bark, per se, but may whine, chirp, howl, and sing. That’s not to say a Husky won’t bark, but the breed tends to vocalize more in other ways.
If you’re not happy with how little your Husky barks, you can always train the dog to express itself verbally more often or with more volume.
Do keep in mind though that this can be kind of a double-edged sword.
Why? Huskies enjoy making noise, like a lot. They might begin whining or howling just for the heck of it.
Some Husky owners say the dog grows to enjoy the sound of its own voice.
Your Husky won’t verbally alert you only when someone is at the door or lingering on your property. Instead, they’ll make noise all the time.
As I’m sure you can imagine, this can result in complaints from the neighbors who just want some peace and quiet!
Plus, you won’t be able to tell if your dog is alerting you to a threat or just being noisy.
Although the Husky is notoriously challenging to train, the dog will happily learn how to vocalize more.
Reversing that training by teaching your Husky to be quiet will be quite the uphill battle, and that’s putting it mildly.
Thus, before you decide that you want your Husky to be a watchdog, keep these points in mind!