Can Doodle Dogs Make Good Guard Dogs?

Dogs have always been known as the protector of their owners. So, when you’re looking down at a fluffy Doodle puppy, you might wonder how on earth they will protect you.

Maybe they’ll scare away predators with their cuteness?

Since dogs were originally domesticated as humans found their protective abilities to be helpful when keeping them near their homes, it’s understandable that you want to know if Doodle dogs have what it takes.

Unfortunately, Doodle dogs are not great guard dogs as they are people pleasers and like making friends. They are excellent at alerting you when a threat nears you, but that’s where the extent of their guarding duties end.

Let’s find out more about Doodle dogs and their guarding abilities.

Are Dogs Good Protectors?

All dog breeds are considered protective of their owners, so all dogs will make good guard dogs if you were in grave danger. However, some dogs are much more mellow and shy than others, making them less effective at scaring predators away.

Dogs are social creatures with natural instincts to protect and communicate with their pack. So, you can count on any Doodle dog to have this basic instinct to protect you.

However, this doesn’t mean that every Doodle will attack a threat. It might simply bark to alert you, handing the protective role to you.

The most effective guard dogs include dogs that have been bred specifically for protective abilities, like the Great Dane and Mastiff breeds. These dogs will physically protect their home if needs be, so you can feel safe while they’re in your home with you.

But how does a Doodle dog compare?

Will A Poodle Protect You?

All Doodle dogs are part Poodle, so if a Poodle will protect you, then surely it means all Doodle dogs will be willing to deter predators from around you.

Poodles were initially bred to be retrievers for waterbird hunters. However, their fluffy coats and regal attitudes quickly saw them rise in popularity and they began being bred for companionship instead.

Poodles are highly intelligent, athletic, and easily trained. They’re also active and people-orientated, making them good watchdogs. They’re often looking for changes in their environment and will quickly tell their owners about it.

There’s a reason why Poodles always seem to be barking at the window!

Poodles are fine with strangers, although they will often remain quiet and reserved. They are gentle and work well with families. They might know what they want, but Poodles are generally not considered to be aggressive.

So, while a Poodle might bark to alert you that there is someone approaching the house, they are not the best dog to guard it physically.

What About The Other Half Of Your Doodle?

Even though we’ve established that the Poodle side of your Doodle dog won’t be the best protector, there is some good news. That is, there is another breed floating around in your Doodle, which might be more effective at physically guarding your home.

Doodle dogs were first introduced in the 1990s, starting with Labradoodles and Goldendoodles. The original purpose of breeding Doodle dogs was to create a breed that was both highly intelligent and hypoallergenic.

There are now over 30 types of Doodle dogs! Here is a list so you can figure out the two breeds that make up your Doodle dog.

Which Doodle Is A Guard Dog?

Doodle dogs are crossbreeds between a Poodle and another dog breed, like the ones we have listed above. Many are effective watchdogs thanks to their herding background, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll be good at physically guarding you.

The Sheepadoodle and Aussiedoodle, as well as other herding dogs, are constantly alert and sensitive to changes in their environment. However, they will most likely only bark when a threat comes into play.

Larger working Doodle dogs, like the Bernedoodle, Saint Berdoodle, and Pyredoodle, have a breeding history as guard dogs. For example, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a descendant of Mastiff-type breeds, which are well-known for being good guard dogs.

However, the Bernese Mountain Dog was bred down to be more effective at cart-pulling instead of guarding and protecting.

Still, the Bernadoodle might still be loud enough to deter any unwanted guests with its bark. Similarly, the Great Pyrenees was once considered a guard dog but is now bred as livestock herders.

Despite this, a working Doodle dog will be your best bet at finding one to protect your home. A Pyredoodle is one of the best options, thanks to its history of guarding. However, there is no guarantee that your working Doodle dog will be a good protector.

Why Aren’t Doodle Dogs The Best Guard Dogs?

The reason why Doodle dogs are often lacking as guard dogs is because of their Poodle ancestry. Poodles are gentle and sociable, and these family-friendly dogs would almost never resort to physical violence.

Their genes will be prevalent throughout the Doodle dogs, making them similar in their guarding abilities.

Another factor to consider is that Doodle dogs have been specifically bred to make them as appealing as possible to buyers. Not many people want a guard dog from their Doodle – most might even prefer their dog not to bark!

So, many Doodles are bred with gentle parents with easy-going personalities. Not many will have been bred with another guard dog.

Still, if you choose a larger Doodle dog like the Pyredoodle, their size and loud bark might be enough to deter a threat away from your home.

Are Goldendoodles Good Protectors?

There are plenty of beneficial attributes to Goldendoodles, but being a good guard dog is not one of them. There are plenty of other breeds out there that are more effective as guard dogs than Goldendoodles.

Goldendoodles are placid people pleasers, meaning that they often prefer to make friends than scare others away. They might even be considered too affectionate by some people!

However, these dogs will bark when someone approaches the house. This might deter criminals or unwanted pests, which could be enough protection for some people. This makes them good alert dogs.

This is where the Goldendoodle’s guarding abilities end in most cases. They’ll let you know that someone has arrived at the house, then either leave you to sort out the threat or try and make a new friend!

Does A Labradoodle Make A Good Guard Dog?

Again, Labradoodles are similar to Goldendoodles in that they are very friendly and sociable dogs that are welcoming to almost everyone. They get excited to see new people, so they could make a good watchdog if they wanted to be alerted whenever someone was outside.

Labradoodles are slightly higher energy than Goldendoodles, and they also tend to be slightly more reserved. These attributes might make them better guard dogs than Goldendoodles, but there are still much better breeds out there for guarding.

Best Guard Dog Breeds

Now that we have accepted that Doodle dogs are just not that great at guarding, let’s talk about some breeds that excel in this skill. These breeds are excellent guard dogs and can be trained to protect you from any kind of threat.

Bullmastiffs

These dogs are known for their brute strength and protective instincts. They are incredibly loyal to their owners and will guard them in whatever way necessary. If an intruder crosses your personal space, a Bullmastiff has been known to knock them down with their immense strength.

However, when it’s just your family around your Bullmastiff, they are very docile and friendly. You can, in fact, get Mastidoodle dogs, which do make relatively good guard dogs as they are known for being protective and brave.

Doberman Pinscher

There’s a reason why Dobermans are always featured in films that need guard dogs! These dogs are excellent at protecting large plots of land. They’re super fast and outrun an intruder within seconds.

Doberman Pinschers are the fifth smartest dog breed in the world, and they’re fearless. Just remember that they need a lot of exercise, so families with big yards are best.

Again, you can get Doberdoodle dogs, but they are not the most popular of Doodle breeds. Although they are protective, they can also be incredibly stubborn and dominant.

Rottweiler

Rottweilers were originally bred to be cattle protectors, and they’re known for being incredible protectors of their pack. They are very smart and loyal, and they’re not good with strangers.

However, they can quickly warm up to strangers once properly introduced. They’re also quick learners, making them one of the best breeds for guarding.

Komondor

Komondors were originally bred to protect sheep and other livestock, giving them natural protection abilities. They’re active, loyal, courageous, and known for being incredibly strong.

These dogs need to be properly socialized from a young age, but when this is done properly Komondors will make a devoted family pet.

German Shepherd

German Shepherds are highly intelligent and easy to train, so you can teach them plenty of guarding commands to listen to. They are confident and bold, which is why they are the favorite breed to use in the police force.

Still, they’re calm when around their family but they can quickly react when needed. If they’re good enough for the police, they’re good enough for guarding your home!

Shepadoodle’s are a great mix of Poodle and German Shepperd and whilst they have some of the best qualities for being a loving, watchful family pet, it is always good to look at the benefits and drawbacks of each breed. To find out more, check out our guide on the ‘Pros and Cons to owning a Shepadoodle’

Staffordshire Terrier

Not to be confused with the Pit Bull Terrier, the Staffordshire Terrier is one of the best protection dogs around. They were originally bred for bull and bear fighting, giving them aggressive attributes.

Due to their history, it is incredibly important that you socialize your Staffordshire Terrier properly from a young age. When trained properly, these dogs make excellent pets that are only aggressive to threats.

Summary

Overall, Doodle dogs do not make the best guard dogs. They are friendly and sociable, making them more likely to try and befriend the threat rather than deter it away.

Still, Doodle dogs will most likely make good alert dogs since they are very interested in changes to their surroundings. They will tell you when someone is outside or approaching you, but that is often where the extent of their guarding ends.

The best Doodle dog to have as a guard dog is the Pyredoodle thanks to its historical roots in guarding. However, since Doodle dogs are bred to be gentle and docile, they don’t generally make effective guard dogs.

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