Beagle as Good Watch Dog or Guard Dog?

Beagle owners must be wondering if Beagle as Good Watch Dog or Guard Dog? Well don’t worry! Before we answer that, lets read about Beagle first. It’s easy to understand why Beagles are some of the most popular dogs to have as pets. Ranked as the 6th most popular breed, the Beagles are classified into small scent hound dogs. They are widely known for how friendly and open they are. They are fun to have around kids and other animals. When it comes to being a friend, they are the best. In addition, they stick to their owners through good and bad times. 

With its beseeching look, the Beagle is not only an exceptional hunting dog and devoted friend but one of the funniest dogs in the world. Because they grow to hunt in groups, these breeds love being around other people and have a laid-back disposition. There are two types of Beagles: those under 13 inches tall and those standing between 13 -15 inches tall at the shoulder. As dog people say, both breeds are robust, solid, and “large for their inches.” Tri-color, black and white, lemon, red & white, and multicoloured are just a few eye-catching hues of this breed. Big brown or hazel eyes and long, hound-like ears placed low on a wide head are the Beagle’s calling cards.

Beagles are known by their admirers as a “merry” breed because of their affection, happiness, and companionship, all of which make them wonderful family pets. These hounds have a lot of energy, are intelligent, and demand a lot of fun. Their unique feature of broad, wrinkle free-head combined with long droopy ears gives them an adorable look. They also have a characteristic white-tipped tail which made them easy to spot between long grasses in the past. We all know Beagles from the famous cartoon show Courage the cowardly dog where he bravely protects and guards his family against unwanted intruders and mishaps.

General Temperament of Beagles  

Beagles are a versatile breed able to adapt to most climatic conditions or places which makes them a perfect fit for all kinds of families. They are a highly energetic breed and are always eager to play and amuse you. They are always driven by their curiosity to search for a scent and track it down. Beagles are affectionate, amusing, and kind. They’ll make you giggle when they’re not making you weep with their typically wicked conduct. In order to get their dogs to obey them temporarily, Beagle owners spend a lot of time attempting to out-think their dogs. 

For the sake of their own well-being and the well-being of their puppies, Beagles must be socialized from an early age. Your Beagle puppy’s socialization is crucial to developing into a well-rounded adult dog. In the eyes of their owners, Beagles are, ‘full of life and love and kind yet obstinate and selective listeners.’ Additionally, Beagles have selective hearing, which makes them clever dogs. It’s because of this that they’ll never compromise. But if you locate a “point of incentive,” you may get them to perform your job for you.

Beagles were designed to work for long periods of time because of their sociable nature. Because of this, they are ideal for long-distance running. 

Beagles are not only good companions of humans, but they share a great relationship with other animals too. Even on the streets, they will get eager to introduce themselves if they find another animal. They’re a happy bunch of dogs that like being pampered. However, if left alone, they may wail and cause damage. According to a consumer’s guide on dogs, beagles are also among the most vocal and most challenging to teach. 

Difference Between a Guard Dog and Watchdog?

Many people are unaware of the differences between a guard dog & a watchdog since the titles are sometimes used interchangeably.

When it comes to securing your property, neither watchdogs nor guard dogs are better than the other. Both have their own strengths and weaknesses. Your receptionist in your doorkeeper is really your security guard if you use the names interchangeably.

To make things clear, watchdogs are not fierce by nature. Its only purpose is to notify its owner if an unexpected danger is discovered and has to be addressed. Dogs with a high level of arousal are not ideal watchdogs but are better suited for guard or assault roles. The ideal watchdog should be able to identify the difference between a genuine and a phony danger. It should not damage the innocent but rather serve to warn the public of the potential dangers that lie ahead. Also, watchdogs generally keep an eye out for any possible risks.

On the other hand, a guard dog may bark to notify its owner, but it can also fight and restrain an intruder from breaking into the home as well. At first, they merely bark and scare the intruders away from entering the home. If that fails, they switch to Plan B, which at times involves assault.

When they notice something is wrong, they should sound the alarm. Above all, guard dogs are trained to keep out invaders of all kinds, including people and animals. In addition to barking, they are also capable of biting intruders.

Training for watchdogs isn’t a mandatory prerequisite as they normally do not bite. However it is mandatory to train guard dogs, as they have highly developed senses and need correct training in order to distinguish between friends and foes. If not, the consequences might be severe.

Why do Beagles make a better watch dog than guard dogs?

Yes, Beagles do make better watchdogs than they are guard dogs. Indeed, they do not possess any characteristics similar to guard dogs like Rottweiler or German Shepherd or Doberman. Hence not guard dogs at all.

Beagles are very vocal by nature and have a wide range of vocal noises to express feelings. They can make you aware of incoming danger by howling or barking. The sound a Beagle makes when it barks is unique and very expressive. This not only benefits their owners but can be intimidating to any unwanted intruder given their loud voice. Earlier, Beagles used their vocal cords to let hunters know when foxes or other animals were nearby.

A beagle can become defensive if he senses a threat to its owner but it’s rare for a Beagle to become aggressive and bite someone. Beagles are great family dogs and have evolved to be that way for generations. So, they do an excellent job of keeping an eye on things. But because they are intelligent and good at getting along with other people, they make excellent watchdogs.

They might even take care of children and can be excellent watchdogs for kids. However, these breeds with floppy ears and lots of energy have become popular family pets in the last few decades. Being a watchdog not only perceives a dog which can protect against any unwanted intrusion but also guarding or protecting from any unpleasant or unfortunate events. Lets see some real life examples:

A recent news of Beagle saving its owner’s life came from Florida where a 81 year old Harry Smith’s life was saved by a Beagle mix dog breed named Sarah Jane. Sarah, the beagle realizing its owner was in danger began to bark loudly which alerted the nearby bystanders. Smith was rescued immediately and the credit goes to the Beagle who played a crucial role in saving his life.

There’s another similar news from Washington D.C, where a Beagle named Belle saved his owner’s life by calling 911. Belle, the therapy dog, called 911, biting into the numbers of the  owner Kevin Weaver’s cell phone after his owner, a diabetic had a seizure and collapsed.

Having said this, not all Beagles are equally good as watchdogs and must be trained to become a good one. Many owners also claim their Beagles to be stubborn and like to work on their own free will. ‘They don’t listen very well’ is a common phrase that is told by several beagle owners. Hence it is important for a dog owner to start training your Beagle from an early age.

How can you train Beagles to be good watch/guard dogs?  

Training your Beagle to be a guard or watch dog may be in a number of ways, including but not limited to:

1. Begin early

This dog is a superb protector if you start teaching it early in its development. The sooner you begin, the better the outcome. Take them to lessons and make them follow the instructions. As a result of their ease of teaching, it is a wise choice to begin teaching them early on, according to various researches.

2. Allow them to interact 

In order to be an effective guard or watch dog, you need a fearless dog. Introduce your Beagles to as many people and animals as possible. Let them interact with other individuals so that they may better grasp human behaviour. That, in turn, will help them gain some self-confidence.

3. Teach Your Beagle Basic Obedience

You should train in your yard if you have access to one. The more you work with him in that region, the more he’ll want to defend his territory. Teach him basic instructions like “sit,” “down,” “stay,” and “leave it,” as well as how to bark when instructed.

4. Observing and obeying instructions

To begin, he should be taught the basics, such as when to lay down, sit, or wait for an order to come. You can communicate this to them through various hand gestures and body motions. You’ll be able to better manage their emotions with your orders and show that your dog is obedient in stressful conditions.

5. Do a dog walk around the perimeter of your home

You should be doing this at the conclusion of each day’s teachings on obedience. Your dog will get acquainted with the region he should guard after learning his territory.

6. Practicing every day is essential.

It’s a good idea to repeat what you did while the dog was barking at the stranger while inside the house: When the individual made a commotion and went away, go outside and praise and reward the dog.

7. Allow the “stranger” to offer some distractions to assist your dog in concentrating. 

Make a point of attempting every possible distraction your dog could be prone to. You might be seated quite a distance away when these distractions are presented. As soon as your dog is no longer barking and begins to explore, tell them to “leave it” by commanding him to. Your game becomes even better when he ignores the diversion and returns to protecting the home. Make sure to lavish him with praise and reward him with a unique gift.

8. Encouragement

When they act like your guardian, reward them with excellent meals and show them your appreciation verbally and in kind. Instead of punishing your dog every time they bark at someone who approaches anything you’re trying to protect, praise them anytime they do so. Once they’ve started barking at the human, try to connect them and help them learn what to do in the future. Naturally, they will learn the skills needed to be effective protectors.

Conclusion

Beagles, despite their many advantages and oddities, are excellent pets. You can’t go wrong with beagles for dog owners who want to have satisfying relationships with their pets. Yes, beagles are known for protecting their owners from dangers. Beagles are naturally protective of their group and may be excellent watchdogs for youngsters since they are naturally packed dogs.

If you’re searching for a guard dog, they’re not the greatest breed for you since they’re naturally sociable. In the event of imminent danger, the beagle is more likely to wail and bark than to become violent or bite.

Compared to other breeds, Beagles aren’t as protective of their owners or territorial as some of their contemporaries.

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