Dogs That Make Good Guard Dogs

Background

Man has entrusted guard dogs with the task of protecting him and his assets for a long time. It all began with humans trusting a guard dog to watch over their precious cattle. Today, this role has expanded to protection of the owner’s property and even family. Nothing can ever replace your family and if you are going to invest in a guard dog to protect yours, it should belong to the breed suited for the job. However, how do you decide which breed will make the best guard dog? The debate continues even to this day.

Guard Dogs over the Years

When distance limited man’s urge to travel, there was a lack of communication between areas of the world situated at large distances from each other. Dog trainers all over the world worked on various breeds with just one purpose in mind – to train dogs into the reliable guard dogs. Now, more than one mode of transport is available and the world seems to have shrunk. The breeds that had been hitherto endemic are now easily available worldwide. 

Another factor that has changed the world of guard dog training is that man was not the only one evolving with time. Canine breeds, too, have changed drastically. In the canine world, genes are the currency, and each different generation adds something new to the mix. Once considered ideal guard dog material, some breeds have been reduced to the life of a house pet today. The reason for this being their breed did not change fast enough or sufficiently enough to suit the demands of today’s world.

Best Breeds as Guard Dogs

A good guard needs nerves of steel, accompanied by shrewdness and strength. In this context, the breeds considered well suited to this purpose, in order, are:

• German Shepherd

• Belgian Malinois

• Dutch Shepherd

What Makes a Good Guard Dog?

Though the three breeds mentioned above make for good candidates when considering guard dogs, it would be unwise to assume that all dogs from these breeds would make good guard dogs. Just like humans, one dog is different from another. Selecting a dog that will be appropriate for the job will depend on that very specific dog. However, good genetic makeup is the first step to a well-trained guard dog. German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois dogs, and Dutch Shepherds have bloodlines that humans have tinkered with for a long time, leading to their possessing the best bloodlines for the job. To read more visit,

www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Protection Dogs and DNA Testing

Why DNA Testing?

Owners of personal protection dogs may be proud of the breed of their dog; however, in many cases they do not know exactly what breed it is. Knowing the breed of your dog is very useful in the long run. If you are not completely certain what breed your dog is, try DNA testing. It is easy and the process does not take too long.

What is DNA Testing?

As mentioned above, DNA testing is important. For a dog’s DNA test,

• A small tissue/saliva sample is taken – this will contain blood or skin cells 

• Genetic profile is run – this will determine the DNA of your dog

• Comparison with other profiles of known dog breeds – this will ascertain       which breed your dog belongs to.

It is a simple process and obtaining the sample from your dog is very easy while at home. Once you send it off to a lab, you just have to await the results. Even simpler is doing the DNA test at home, using a home kit. Many vets and breeders use them since these kits are the result of strict tests and are monitored to ensure you get a high quality product that gives you accurate results. They are a cheaper alternative to sending your dog’s samples to the vet’s office. There is also the added advantage of reducing your pet’s stress level when you do it at home.

Is DNA testing accurate?

This is the question that jumps to most people’s mind – yes, it is easy and simple, but is DNA testing even accurate? Several factors can affect the accuracy of a DNA test and subsequent results. The first and foremost is how you collect the actual sample. Before you get started, read the instructions very carefully so that you do not end up with a sample that does not contain enough DNA. 

The Final Verdict on DNA Testing

Should you get your dog’s DNA tested or not? It is really up to you. If as a dog owner, you do not care what breed your pet is, then do not have them tested. It is important to keep in mind, however, that with guard dogs, the breed of the dog really matters; same is the case with protection dogs. This is because not all breeds meet the protection dog requirements, including strong nerves, better instincts, courage, and various other factors. 

What to Do Next

If you have made up your mind to get a DNA test done on your guard dog, then on your next visit, ask the vet any questions that come to your mind regarding this matter. Your vet will provide you with some helpful hints, as well as recommend brands that give accurate results.

At CCPD, we take pride in providing our customers with purebred German Shepherd, Dutch Shepherd, and Belgian Malinois personal protection dogs. However, that is not always the case when you buy a dog from somewhere else. Your family’s personal dog might not be the breed you think it is when you bought it. A DNA test can help you solve this mystery. To read more visit, www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Pit Bull Good Protection Dogs?

Pit Bulls are of the most ferocious and toughest dog breeds in the world, so many people wonder why they aren’t used as elite protection dogs. Especially since they are so strong, agile, and aggressive. While its true that pit bulls are athletic dogs that can both inflict and withstand a lot of pain, they are simply too unpredictable to be trained as elite protection dogs. There are many pit bulls that make great family pets and guard dogs . These dogs are lucky enough to have very caring owners who take the time to train and socialize them properly. However, more often than not, pit bulls are not trained and the animal reverts to its instinctive aggressive nature. Sometimes these untrained dogs attack neighbors, other animals, or even newborn infants. Pit bulls were bred for centuries to be used in dog fighting and bull baiting, and only with extensive, proper training, can this tendency for violence be controlled. Unfortunately, many pit bull owners don’t bother with training, or even worse, they encourage the aggressive behavior. Pit bulls are found in animal       shelters across the country because of lazy or uninformed owners. Pit bulls do make excellent guard dogs, and can be used for basic protection of your home and property. Many pit bulls will instinctively attack an intruder, and the mere sight of a pit bull is often enough to scare away criminals. Some pit bulls can be even trained to attack on command, but the consistency of attack and release can be sketchy. Put simply, they are highly trainable, yet have been known to

sometimes rebel. German Shepherd puppies and Belgian Malinois, on the other hand, are consistent, predictable, and make perfect elite protection dogs.To learn more visit  www.ccprotectiondogs.com

  

How Can You Tell If Your Dog Is Overweight?

It’s a fact that dogs love to eat. Therefore, left unchecked and unregulated, your canine companion may put on weight very quickly, especially if it does not get an appropriate level of physical activity everyday. As a matter of fact, it is estimated that about 40% of pets in America are overweight. This is not a good, especially in dogs because gaining as few as 5 extra pounds may make an animal appear physically cuter, happier and more cuddly but on the inside, effects of the extra weight slowly lead to things such as difficulty to move around, diabetes, respiratory, heart and digestive diseases, osteoarthritis and joint problems, poorer resistance to bacterial and viral infections, high blood pressure and a shorter life span among other things.

 

But how can you tell if your pet is overweight? After all, a lot of bulk can go unnoticed on a dog when spread out over a big-bodied or exceptionally hairy animal. The key is to assess whether or not the ribs are plainly visible or submerged under a thick layer of fatty tissue. Here is what you do:

 

1. Feel your dog’s ribs 
2. Try pressing lightly on the skin
3. Can you feel the ribs without much effort? 

 

- If you have to press hard to feel the bones, you have a problem.

 

The other indicator that your pet may be overweight is its general body shape. If you can’t discern a waistline between the ribs and hindquarters or as we like to call it “an hour-glass figure”, it’s a cause for concern. 

 

Alternatively, you can turn to science. Using a series of measurements, a vet will be able to tell you what the ideal weight of your pet should be based on its body fat index. 

 

So your dog is overweight! What next?

 

If a dog is overweight, it’s probably due to a lack of exercise, overfeeding or a combination of both mirroring obesity in humans. It can also be due to a metabolic condition called hypothyroidism common in dogs and some other pets. To help your overweight pet:

 

 

1. Assess the animal’s food intake

 

If your dog has a weight problem, the first thing to consider is its diet. Take an objective look at how you are feeding your pet. For instance, measure the amount of food you place in the feeding bowl. You also need to avoid snacks from the dinner table and mind the treats because small bites add up. But don’t compromise on quality; your pet’s food needs to be complete and balanced. 

 

 

2. Protein & water

 

Every dog needs a good source of protein where meat is the primary ingredient and not by-products of corn and other similar raw materials.   If your pet needs to lose a lot of weight, consider an appropriate low fat diet. Water should be plentiful at all times and more importantly fresh and clean water.

 

 

3. Exercise

 

Last but not least, like in humans, weight loss in dogs will not happen without an appropriate level of regular physical activity be it leisure walks for 30 minutes or more everyday . To ease your pet into a more active lifestyle, start with a reasonable level of exercise and gradually increase it.  Remember that exercising your pet is not unpleasant for the animal. In fact, an inactive pet is more likely to become depressed and/or anxious due to altered levels of 3 brain chemicals namely norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. So be a responsible pet owner and keep your best pal fit, trim and healthy. To learn more visit, www.ccprotectiondogs.com

The Bullmastiff as a Guard Dog

The Bullmastiff is a large and powerful breed with a muscular build. It is a molosser type breed, and came about as a cross between the English Mastiff and the Old English Bulldog. The head and muzzle are broad and relatively square. The ears naturally fold downwards, and are usually left as-is. Cropping of the ears occurs rarely, if at all. The coat is short and fine, with fawn, red and brindle being the most common color variations. White markings are sometimes seen on the chest.

The Bullmastiff temperament is usually described as independent, calm, and docile. They are not generally aggressive, and are mostly friendly towards humans and other dogs. In comparison with other breeds, they do not bark often, but may bark on alarm. Several health problems are common among the breed, with hip dysplasia being the most common due to the dog's size. Hip dysplasia occurs in approximately one quarter of all Bullmastiffs.

The Bullmastiff was originally bred in England during the late 1700's to early 1800's. Their original purpose was to help guard the estates of gamekeepers. They were trained to tackle and hold down intruding poachers, but were not trained to bite them. Both their large size and gentle temperament reflect this. Today, their large and lovable nature lends itself well to life as a family pet. Despite originally being bred as a guard dog, they are not usually used for that purpose today. Though their large size is intimidating, they do not have the nerves or temperament required of  protection dogs today. More common working breeds such as the German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois or Dutch Shepherd are better suited to guard work, while the Bullmastiff is best left as a pet or companion dog. To learn more vist, www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Guard Dogs Explained

One of our recent clients is the owner of a small computer shop in a very nice part of California. She called me after having her shop broken into after hours, resulting in the loss of thousands of dollars of equipment as well as a broken back door. Her alarm system did not deter the person or persons who broke in. We were happy to help and after determining her needs and evaluating her situation we delivered a balanced, strong nerved guard dog.

A few weeks ago I posted a blog called “Guard Dogs: Defined”. The flood of calls and emails I received surprised me! Obviously, there is a void in the amount of information available on this topic. I’m happy about such a positive response and would like to address some of thequestions in case anyone else is wondering about the same thing. Businesses, especially businesses with valuable inventory, use guard dogs as an alarm system.

 It would take a very stupid burglar to break into your business after hearing the serious bark of a guard dog on the other side of the door. Their most likely response is to skip your business all together and move on to a locality that presents less obstacles (such as a huge, snarling, barking and possibly hungry German shepherd who has been awoken from a sound sleep). They are also used to protect outdoor assets, such as in a fenced construction site. AsI have said before, beyond training and genetics, balance is part of what sets a guard dog apart from an elite personal protection dog. Guard dogs lack the social

skills and perfect manners that a protection dog is genetically equipped and trained to have. They are highly territorial and trained to protect their (really your) space. Protection dogs specifically protect YOU and your family though part of this includes eliminating threats in your environment. For instance, if someone were to break into your house as you slept, the dog would prevent the opportunity to harm you. My client who owned the computer shop was under the impression that a personal protection dog was the best choice for her. However, she didn’t personally feel threatened, it was her business she was worried about. There is a large price difference between a guard and personal protection dog. While Protection Dogs run between $35K to $85K and above, a guard dog only costs about $3,500-$8,500. I did not want my client to incur the extra expensive so after explaining the difference she happily took delivery of a Guard dog. In fact, she said her dog cost less than the security alarm system she had installed! It is possible to rent a guard dog though for most home and business owners this is a much costlier way to go. It does provide a good solution if you have a short-term situation but if you want to protect your business for an extended length of time,buying is definitely the way to go. Most businesses have worked the numbers and are increasingly purchasing dogs rather then subcontracting with a security company. Additionally, rented guard dogs always come with a patrol officer. This really drives up the cost. Whenever I’m consulting with a client I’m always upfront about the rental alternative. We do not rent dogs, they are only available for purchase at CC Protection Dogs, but I want our clients to know every option. Another consideration is the environment that the dog will be guarding. It is important that much thought is put into potential dangers for the dog itself. Automotive shops, for example, need to ensure that anti-freeze or other chemicals aren’t lying in the open. If the dog will live outdoors, a doghouse needs to be stationed to protect and keep the dog warm. Guard dogs are known for their toughness but have needs like any other dog.  We specialize in training elite personal protection dogs. However, given the state of the economy and rising crime, we are increasingly asked to provide guard dogs. We put a lot of effort into training or locating Guard Dogs that have balance. After all, our clients are paying for dogs that are obedient and present less liability. Otherwise, they would just pick up an aggressive dog from the local pound. So know the difference and assess your needs. We ask A LOT of questions in order to determine what is the best fit for you and your Family. To read more go to, www.ccprotectiondogs.com