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PixabayIf you are a dog lover or are just curious to know more about dogs, you are very likely to have come across the terms โGuard Dogโ and โAttack Dogโ. Now, hereโs the thing, contrary to what you might have been told, they are not the same.Guard dogs and attack dogs are quite different and we aim to establish that fact in this write up. Letโs start off with the guard dogs.
What are guard dogs?As the name suggests, guard dogs are primarily trained to guard you. They are not trained to attack. A guard dog will alert you (if you are the owner) about an impending threat or risk. For instance, if a stranger makes his/her way into your house, a guard dog will bark or growl to let you know.Another thing to ignore is that guard dogs can be good attack dogs as well. This is very untrue. In fact, most guard dogs are smaller breeds such as pugs, chow chows, Chihuahuas, and sharpeis.
What are attack dogs?Again, the answer lies in the name itself. Attack dogs are trained to attack. You are likely to find attack dogs involved in police work. The concept of attack dogs isnโt really new. In fact, attack dogs played a significant role in human history and also, canine-human relationships.Attack dogs were used by the Roman Empire as a tactic to break the first line of defense in enemy battalions. These dogs were known to be extremely ferocious and were feared. As time passed, the role of attack dogs evolved. However, they were still being used for similar purposes. For instance, modern armies train attack dogs to function as sentry guards. Their objective is to protect soldiers from an attack. These dogs also serve as silent scouts, alerting the soldiers to the presence of enemy troops.Many soldiers have survived wars thanks to help from their canine comrades.In fact, during the Second World War, the U.S, Military requested citizens to donate their pet dogs for military service. Around 30 breeds were known to have been selected, which came down to just a handful after training and assessment. The breeds that made it in were Belgian Sheepdogs, German Shepherds, Farm Collies, and Doberman Pinschers.An attack dog that has been trained well is likely to be extremely obedient, loyal, and sociable as well. They will not attack unless told to do so or if their owners are under threat. Certain breeds do exceptionally well as attack dogs as they are likely to be more loyal, intelligent, calm, and stronger than the average breed.When choosing an attack dog for your home and family, it is advisable to carry out a thorough research on the topic or
talk to an expert. Generally, breeds such as Collies, Belgian Sheepdogs, and German Shepherds are preferred because of their ability to adjust to children.