Do Standard Poodles Make Good Guard Dogs?

If you had to narrow down all the dog qualities that exist, what would you want in a dog? While you might fall into the categories of affection, loyalty, and playfulness, some people specifically look for guard dog tendencies in a dog. In addition to having lots of love displayed by a dog, some people want to feel protected against any potential strangers, burglars, and animals.

Even though Poodles used to be waterfowl dogs, they don’t have any guard dog traits. Due to their domestication over the decades, they’re better served as family dogs. Their intelligent nature makes them want to please family members and makes it difficult for them to show any aggression. 

They also have a pleasing personality which means no matter who you are, they will want to please you, which can be difficult if you want a dog that’s stubborn towards strangers. However, just because they’re naturally not great guard dogs does not mean you can’t train them. If you have a Poodle and want to train them as a guard dog, continue reading down below, as we will provide steps to do so. 

Is a Poodle a good guard, though? Keep on reading as today in this article I will cover this in further detail.

are poodles good watch dogs

While the smaller Poodle breeds aren’t the best guard dogs, they can be deemed a good watch dog. The main difference between the two is that watchdogs are not aggressive and more attentive. They also help notify you when danger is approaching and still serve as appropriate dogs with children in the home. Plus, they aren’t as destructive and generally are safer animals in the home.

Are poodles protective of their owners?

Poodles are protective of their owners and will bark if they feel threatened. So much that if left on their own for long periods, they can develop a bad habit and separation anxiety. Similarly, smaller Poodle breeds like Toy and Miniature tend to have more aggressive tendencies towards strangers and other dogs. They are also loyal and will follow their owner’s commands.

are poodles good guard dogs?

For a Poodle to make a great guard dog, they need to have the following qualities: 

Loyalty

For a Poodle to be a great guard dog, it must be loyal to its owner. It’s important that they understand the hierarchy and put you before other people or animals. If they know you’re at the top, they will go out of their way to protect and not disobey you.

Strength

Physical strength is essential for any guard dog, as you will want a dog to defend you from any attack or perceived threat. After all, guard Dogs are not supposed to be kind. They’re supposed to be able to rise to the challenge when you’re in danger. Plus, their strength stops them from getting hurt in a fight. 

Confidence

You can’t own a guard dog that lacks confidence as it wouldn’t be able to face a potential threat. This is one of the main reasons why a Poodle is not a good guard dog, as they’re quite clingy towards their owners and quite shy. In addition to this, their loyalty makes them a dog that’s likely going to stay by your side. 

Energetic nature

Guard Dogs must be energetic and ready to jump in to defend at any time and have the stamina to stay upright in a fight. It’s important that a dog is athletic and have a good reaction rate to respond to any threats. 

Aggressive

Aggressiveness is one of the main defining qualities in any guard dog. Some of the aggressiveness can be trained or be part of their temperament. However, when it comes to a Poodle, they can’t be trained into becoming an aggressive breed. It’s more than likely Poodles will flinch or be startled through training. Plus, it can be difficult to show them to use their size and strength to intimidate others. 

How to start guard dog training?

Out of many different breeds, Poodles are quite easy to train; they pick up commands quickly. But, you don’t want to just put your Poodle through any type of training; it’s important the training you conduct provides them with the courage to protect you and others in your home. You must start guard dog training while they’re still a puppy to become familiar with the commands or take them to a dog trainer to do so. 

Socialize them

For a Poodle to become a guard dog, it’s crucial you socialize them from a young age to feel comfortable and familiar in the presence of other animals and humans. Doing this will allow a Poodle to feel more relaxed and less fearful of new people. However, it will still allow them to healthily develop some suspicious nature about their new surroundings. When socializing with them, you should do it before 12 weeks of age and use positive reinforcement to help them become familiar with new environments.

Teach them basic commands

When you’re training a Poodle, it’s essential that they know and can follow basic commands such as stay, sit, and down. Once a Poodle has a baseline understanding of these obedience skills, they can easily learn defensive techniques to help make them better. If you struggle to teach these commands, you might want to take them to an obedience class. 

Alert bark 

You must teach a Poodle how to bark when a stranger comes to your door or property. One of the best ways to do this is by using a trigger word to help them become familiar with the command. You might want to practice this also by ringing your doorbell and knocking at your door. This sets them up for a real-time situation when an intruder may come. Once a Poodle starts barking, give them a treat or a reward to associate it as good behavior.

Leave it

Another important part of training a Poodle to be a guard dog is teaching them to leave another person or dog. You must do this so your dog does not become too viscous, and it also helps you remain in control of your dog. It can also save the person or animal’s life by preventing your dog from becoming overaggressive when attacking. 

What Size of Poodle Should You Get

Are giant poodles good guard dogs?

Giant poodles are excellent guard dogs. They are very protective of their family and home and will bark at strangers or anything that seems out of place. They are also very intelligent and easily trained, so they can be taught to perform specific tasks such as guarding the property.

Can a standard poodle be a guard dog?

Yes, a standard poodle can be a guard dog. They are very intelligent and trainable, and their size can be intimidating to strangers. Standard poodles are also loyal and protective of their family, so they make good guard dogs.

Are miniature poodles good guard dogs?

Yes, miniature poodles make good guard dogs. They are very alert and will bark at anything that seems out of place. They are also small enough to be easily hidden, making them ideal for keeping an eye on your home.

Can toy poodles serve as effective guard dogs?

Toy poodles dont make good guard dogs because of their small size. Therefore, they are not particularly well-suited for the job. Toy poodles are not very aggressive, and they are more likely to bark at strangers than to attack them.

Can poodles become police dogs?

Poodles are often used as police dogs because they are intelligent and trainable. They are also good at following commands and working with their handlers. Poodles have a good sense of smell and can be trained to track down criminals or missing persons.

Other common guard dog breeds

There are many different guard dog breeds, but some of the most common include German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Doberman Pinschers. These dogs are often chosen for their size, strength, and protective instincts. They must be properly trained in order to be an effective guard dog, as they can be aggressive if not properly socialized.

Final thoughts

Overall, Poodles are highly intelligent dogs with easy to please personalities. Unlike other breeds, they’re not the best to serve as a guard dog. For a Poodle to be a good guard dog, it should have strength, confidence, energetic nature, and be aggressive. While you can train a Poodle to be a guard dog, it’s more than likely they’re better suited to be a watchdog instead of a dog breed developed for protection.

What are your thoughts on a Poodle being a guard dog? Comment down below.