Guard dog

File:Lilibeo. Cave canem.jpg and docked tail) at the Archaeological Park of Lilybaeum, Marsala, Sicily]]

File:A raggedly dressed man being bitten by a guard dog Wellcome L0049795.jpg, ca. 1826.]]

Dogs have been used as guardians since ancient times. The ancient Romans placed Cave canem mosaics at the entrance of homes to warn visitors and intruders of the presence of dangerous dogs at the property.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33677957|title=Pompeii guard dog mosaic back on show|date=27 July 2015|access-date=17 July 2019|language=en-GB}}

One of the first dog types used as guardians were Mastiff-type landraces of livestock guardian dogs, which protected livestock against large predators such as wolves, bears and leopards.{{cite web|url=http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/sheep/facts/10-033.htm|title=Livestock Guardian Dogs and Their Care in Winter|website=www.omafra.gov.on.ca|access-date=3 May 2019}} In Greek mythology, Orthrus is an example of a livestock guardian dog known for guarding Geryon's red cattle. In more urban areas, some ancient guard dogs, such as the extinct bandogges, were chained during the day and released at night{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/generalhistory00bewi|title=A General History of Quadrupeds: The Figures Engraved on Wood|last=Beilby|first=Ralph|date=1792|publisher=S. Hodgson, R. Beilby, & T. Bewick|language=en}} to protect properties, camps and villages.

File:Beware of the poseur - geograph.org.uk - 1183105.jpg dog guarding property]]

Guard dogs bark loudly to alert their owners of an intruder's presence and to scare away the intruder.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TvOWH7U3y80C&q=guard+dog+definition&pg=PA47|title=The Dog Law Handbook|first=Paul|last=Clayden|date=1 May 2011|publisher=Sweet & Maxwell|isbn=9780414048188}}

Livestock guardian dogs are often large enough—{{convert|100-200|lbs|kg}}—and strong enough to attack and drive away livestock predators. Guard dogs bark to alert their master and to warn of approaching animal or human threats prior to their interception of the trespasser.

Specifically, livestock guardian dogs such as the Kangal use loud alarm barks as a first line of defense against presumed threats; if these do not deter a perceived foe, other displays, such as bluffing and charging, are employed. For livestock guardians, proactive forms of defense such as biting are only used if all other forms of deterrence fail.

If the risk is from human intruders, a suitable dog can be trained to be aggressive towards unrecognized humans and then tethered or enclosed in an area that the owner wishes to protect when he is not around (such as at night).{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/12/us/12dogs.html|title=For the Executive With Everything, a $230,000 Dog to Protect It|first=John|last=Tierney|newspaper=The New York Times |date=11 June 2011|access-date=3 May 2019}}

Many currently prominent guard dogs started as general purpose farm dogs, but gradually developed into guard breeds. However, dog breeds such as the Dobermann and the Dogue Brasileiro were specifically bred to guard.{{Cite web|url=http://dpca.org/breed/breed_history.php|title=DPCA {{!}} The Doberman {{!}} History|website=dpca.org|access-date=17 July 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://animalsadda.com/brazilian-dogo-facts-pictures-puppies-temperament/|title=Brazilian Dogo – Facts, Pictures, Puppies, Price, Temperament, Breeders {{!}} Animals Adda|date=19 April 2018 |language=en-US|access-date=17 July 2019}}{{rs|date=March 2022}} Guard dog breeds tend to be territorial, averse to strangers, dominant, and protective and loyal.

The laws regarding ownership and usage of guard dogs vary from country to country.{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1975/50/data.htm|title=Guard Dogs Act 1975|website=www.legislation.gov.uk|access-date=3 May 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/townofrangely/permits-and-housing-guard-dogs-610|title=Permits and Housing of Guard Dogs – 6.10|date=30 March 2016|website=Town of Rangely|access-date=3 May 2019}} In England, the main legislation relating to the use of guard dogs on commercial premises are contained within the 1975 Guard Dogs Act. The act specifies the requirements of kennels and the need to display guard dog warning signs at the entrance to sites.{{Cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1975/50/contents/data.htm|title=Guard Dogs Act 1975|website=www.legislation.gov.uk|access-date=17 August 2019}}

• {{annotated link|Attack dog}}
• {{annotated link|Bandog}}
• {{annotated link|Beware of the dog}}
• {{annotated link|Dogs in warfare}}
• Faithful Ruslan
• {{annotated link|Livestock guardian dog}}
• {{annotated link|Working dog}}

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Category:Working dogs

Category:Dogs in warfare