I think it also comes down to how the guard dog is used, I have come across dogs that have been left to their own devices guarding scrap yards etc. that are not socialised and are not reliable companions. and then I have met other dogs that are used as guard dogs with a handler that are totally good companions, because they are taught boundaries and under control. as you can see the answers are not black and white.

Mo

Well thats not necessarily true. I was attacked in my home six years ago and Moxie hid behind the sofa. I've never so much as looked at her hard. I don't blame her, some dogs are just softies! Honestly, I'm glad she didn't have a go at the guy as I would be afraid her would kick her or hurt her or even stab her, and that would have just been awful.

I'm still on the fence about whether or not a guard dog can be a good companion. Right now, I think in most instances as long as the owner and rest of the household is dog saavy, it would work just fine. IMO, the majority of the dog owning public knows very little about owning dogs.

Fair point, i am just speaking from expeirience. I do understand your point about them being hurt if they do attack, Storm was kicked during the break in but luckily a raised leg was perfect for jake to hang on to.

My chosen breed has a strong guarding instinct, and my first 2 in particular showed this.

With Banya, my current girl, I extensively socialised her so that she isn't even bothered by people and dogs going right past her front gate if she's in the front garden!

However she is quite selective and the guarding instincts remain - so for instance if we have a leaflet delivered and the person sort of stands near the front door and shuffles about, instead of coming and going smartly, she will start to give warning barks and her hackles go up -she is aroused and ready for what might happen.

She's well trained with kind reward based training, and so is controllable but I'd think she would protect if the worst happened. To me she's a good guard dog - warns, makes her presence felt and gives confidence to her owner.

I think that's perhaps as far as things should go in this day and age...at least in the UK anyway

So to answer the question, my reply would have to be Yes, a guard dog (if I called my dog a guard dog) can make an excellent companion


Wys
x

How about a compromise of the both and we call them 'Watch Dogs' ?

I've got two retrievers and whilst retrievers havent been bred for guarding instincts, my two with both bark and bark loudly, if they see someone approaching the gate. If someone is out the front then they will stare out and one will growl, but if ignored then he'll come away and just keep watching them from his bed.

If someone was to come in I think one dog would back away but would bark loudly to raise the alarm where as the other I think would probably do something if I was harmed. He wont hesitate to bare his teeth if challenged by someone he doesnt know But with people he does know he's a complete softie and my cuddle monster. When I was on my own at home a few years ago I felt quite safe having him in the house.

These days though if someone was to break in and the dog bit them from defending your house it would be destroyed (which I think is disgusting ) I would much rather have a dog that would just bark to raise the alarm but would back away and hopefully escape. So I'd prefer to have a Watch Dog

It varies very much on the individul dog I think, as far as guarding instincts are concerned. I have had all sorts of GSDs though they were all great pets & companions. I had one bitch who had great natural instincts. If I was lying down she guarded me, If I was on my feet & alert,she saw no need too.This same bitch herded us together when we went out in a group & herded cattle with no training, sadly I was never able to try with sheep as I knew no one with them. Her son seemed to have no guarding infincts & was extremely friendly but when a man jumped out of a hedge at me one night he leapt in front of me growling.
My current dog barks to guard his territory but then welcomes people in, just what I want. My previous bitch never barked at the door welcomed anyone who let thenselves in & only defended the house from squirrels.

i have a boxer that is a extremley good guard dog,its been self taught protection,iv never discouraged her as when i go out i like to know they house is safe,but on the other hand shes realy affectionate and will sit on your lap and put her head on your neck,its just her way.dogs are like this and i think thats why they are mans best friend.

I don`t know about my current dogs(don`t think Archie would be interested in having to expend any energy protecting anything other than his ball) Callas just a looney when meeting people, but my first Bull Terrier was definately an excellent companion & guard. If he was in the car at night he would get very vociferious if anybody got to close to the car(more so if the ex wife was on her own),he`d press his face right up against the window barking & growling. He`d not take his eyes off them til they`d gone out of sight & he`d never been encouraged to do it.It never happened during the day light hours though. Every now & again he`d growl at the door when somebody called, but once they were invited in or there was no drama then he was going to be their best friend whether they liked it or not. This was a dog that had a massive affinity to children, it was so unreal. He was the most stubborn dog I`ve ever come across. An adult would say sit & he`d quiet literally take 10 seconds doing a slow motion one, but if a child said sit, come, stay, heal it was done with the precision & speed of an obedience champion.
The breeder where I got Archie from told me about a woman that he sold a Bullie to. Every Friday they`d go down to the chippie & she`d buy him & herself fish & chips.
He`d carry them all the way home before attempting to eat them. She used to drink in a pub at the side of a canal, 3 times he stowed away on holiday makers canal boats. The third time she got a call from the police saying could she come & pick him up from the police station, she got there & the people from the boat were taking photos of him & making a big fuss of him.
Apparently when she needed to go out she`d leave him in the front room with the door shut. One day she came home to find the patio doors broken open & a trail of blood leading from the front room out through the back garden & over the fence where she found a blood stained shoe.
The police were informed of the burglary & of what had probably happened & were quiet happy that the dog sorted the burgler out.
That story is as I was told it, sorry for any poor gramma but it is stupid o`clock in the morning(my excuse anyhow).

Royce is trained for man work, he will also search for bad men in buildings and the like, but put a 5 year old kid in front of him and he will look after it / guard it naturaly I find my rotts are very defensive of kids, anyones kids. There are so many definitons of guard dog, I would say yes some do make good pets, kaos has done some man work and is still the same dog he was before, I guess it depends on upbringing / trainer / breeding / breed / and on and on,
rotts are natural guards, its not something you need to encourage, if needed your dog will defend you, that said Mea my oldest bitch is good at shouting when someone is around but I would not hold my breath if I needed more, she is a sweety though,