Guard Dogs
My husband and I recently had a security system installed in our home and when the technician was there he commented that while the service we were securing was critically important for protection, he also commented that the fact that we had a doggy door was an important element in deterring crime, as well. He said that statistics have shown that when burglars are casing would-be properties they definitely take note if there is a doggy door; and if so, they typically just “pass those houses by.” With that said, I should point out that the doggy door we had was for our two golden retrievers, and as anyone who knows the breed will attest, they’re more likely to lick intruders rather than keep them at bay. Still, would-be burglars don’t really know the breed that could come bounding out from the doggy door; they just know the potential for an attack (or at a minimum, a heck of a lot of noise). But if you’d like to be better armed than we are with our golden retrievers, you might consider some breeds that are more noteworthy for their guarding and protection abilities. Some of the more common ones include Dobermans, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds; but some less common breeds you might consider include the Ca de Bou, Tosa Inu, and Boerboel. In the case of any guard dog, however, the critical element is an intimidating appearance and low vocal range. But as far as a house pet, you should also make sure the breed you select has “trainability” on the top of their breed’s list of qualities since anything less could prove more problematic than it is beneficial. Also, when it comes to your specific geographic locale, check to make sure that any breed you select is not listed in local jurisdictions as a “weapon” since some breeds are and the laws governing the possession of such a breed are strictly enforced. With all of this said, however, remember that the doggy door is as critical in deterring crime as any breed selection so get that installed, too!
