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Dogs have been an essential component of security throughout the whole of history; the Greeks and Chinese used dogs as protection. Some dogs are naturally aware and suspicious of strangers, which makes them ideal for security.

The general stereotype of a guard dog is either a Doberman or an German Shepherd, and with good reason. These breeds of dog are excellent companions and highly efficient at guarding, especially when properly trained, as their natural characteristics such as temperament and size mean they can hold their own against foes.

German Shepherds and other breeds of dog can be taught and trained to differentiate between those persons who are welcome within the home and those who are not. The distinction is not just between friends and enemies, but also includes "permitted" visitors as well such as the mailman or the boy who delivers the morning paper. If there is a stranger then the dog will typically begin to growl, usually as a warning to the "intruder" as well as alerting the owner as well. Should this initial warning not suffice then the dog will move up to a sharp bark, and then inflict a bite so as to incapacitate the intruder.

Guard dogs can be defeated, either killed, or knocked out cold, but to be honest, this is a big risk for the typical burglar, and certainly one he would not be willing to make lightly. Thus, having a guard dog is a fantastic way to deter potential criminals and send them off. The mere presence of a guard dog, which can run faster than a human can, is enough to scare most would-be thieves away.

Dobermans and German Shepherds are not the only breeds of dog that will be able to provide a decent security presence. Any dog can be effectively trained to become a master guard dog; a dog simply requires adequate training and conditioning from the handler.

However, a dog that is too sensitive and barks at everything is worse than useless. The master, who will become eventually so fed up and used to hushing the dog after yet another false alarm, will simply fail to respond that one time that the dog is indeed correct at the presence of an intruder. This can be remedied by appropriate training by the owner, so that the dog will bark at only the potential and the most dangerous/likely of threats.

Allowing your guard dog to "patrol" both inside and outside will mean that the entire perimeter of your home will be covered efficiently. This will also give your guard dog some much needed fresh air and exercise. If you do decide to allow your guard dog access to the outside, make sure that it can readily and freely access the outside. This can be achieved quite easily by means of a doggie door, which is large enough to allow entry of a dog, but is too small for a human intruder.

Make sure to clearly display the fact that you have a guard dog on the premises, as this will serve as a warning to the would-be burglar.