For most homeowners, getting a dog is more than just acquiring a family pet that the children can play with. Dogs are also very useful to guard both the premises and the people that are in it.
Breed is an important consideration when it comes to size, intelligence, and ease of care of a guard dog. If you need a dog large enough to wrestle a man to deter a potential intruder, it is best to get a medium to large sized dog. If you do not wish to physically handle a large dog, however, small breeds make excellent alert dogs, as they usually bark at anything that moves.
The most important question that should be answered is whether the guard dog is your first dog and if you have small children. First time dog owners and those with children should not buy dogs that are highly aggressive, dominant natured, with a high prey drive, or overly energetic. Furthermore, people with small children should not get large breeds because with their sheer size and mass, they may inadvertently injure a child during play.
How does a Bull Terrier measure to these considerations?
The Bull Terrier is a strongly built, deep chested, muscular dog, which came about through the crossing of a Bulldog and a terrier. It was originally developed to fight to the death in the bloody sport of bull baiting. Today, however, they are one of the most popular dogs in Britain, and they have proven to be an impeccable guard dog, as they are intelligent and they learn reasonably quickly. This breed, however, has a tendency to be stubborn and independent, so a firm hand and a lot of patience is needed when it comes to training the Bull Terrier.
Bull Terriers require a more experienced handler as they may become dominant without the right training and socialization. And although the Bull Terrier is a very polite breed that is naturally obedient, it needs extensive training and requires a great deal of companionship.
Being fiery, energetic, and loving, Bull Terriers can be very protective of their owners and territories, giving off a fearless impression. This makes them effective guard dogs. Furthermore, as Bull Terriers are also very protective of children in their charge, they are perfect not only for guarding your house but the children as well.
Bull Terriers do not require much grooming, having a very short coat of hair. Since it needs a lot of exercise, it is best if the owner has a medium sized yard where it can work off its energy. This breed also requires long daily walks, preferably twice a day, since they may become destructive if not given enough attention or exercise.
If you had a dog before, you should have no problem keeping up with the Bull Terrier's endless energy. This breed is great not only as a guard dog but also as a family pet.
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