What do Security Dogs Do?

Security dogs fulfil a range of functions including guarding, personal and family protection, and search and detection. There may be overlap between these roles, but they can also stand alone as discrete entities.

Technically speaking, any breed can be used to work as a guard dog. Guard dogs work independently, that is without a handler controlling them. They are often left alone in particular areas to act as a deterrent against would-be intruders and attackers. Rather than physically intervening to bite and apprehend an intruder, they are more likely to bark and attract attention to whatever is happening. This does not require specific training, and reactive dogs often do well in such roles. Perhaps surprisingly, common guard dogs include small companion breeds such as the Chihuahua and Pomeranian who are generally stereotyped as being “yappy”. Also common are mastiff-types and German Shepherd Dogs. It is often irresponsible to use a guard dog, especially without supervision. One should always be fully in control of their dog as this is a minimum level of responsibility expected of all owners.

Personal and family protection dogs are trained and generally work off of commands from their handler and family members. Individual temperament is of paramount importance; these dogs must have a strong nerve and be totally reliable. High levels of anxiety can prove dangerous and prevent a dog from acting as required in a given situation. Alert and closely bonded to its family, a personal protection dog can switch between acting as a guardian and companion at a moment’s notice. These are the kinds of dogs we specialize in training, and have been supplying to customers in North America for some time now.

Search and detection dogs are most commonly found in military or police settings, and are trained to identify the presence of people or specific substances such as narcotics or explosives. Gundogs are often used for such roles along with German, Dutch, and Belgian Shepherds. They do not need to be trained in bitework, and it is rare to find such dogs in family settings until after they have retired.