Are Border Collies Good Guard Dogs? (How Protective Are BCs?)

Are Border Collies Good Guard Dogs? Photo of a Border Collie dog guarding the gate of a property.

There are many breeds of dogs that can be used as a natural alarm system for your property.

However, with all the options available, it can be difficult to pick just one breed.

If you’re looking for an intelligent and determined breed that is also easy to train, then the Border Collie may be right for you.

Border Collies are known for their intelligence and natural instinct, making them good watchdogs because they will bark when someone is approaching, warning everyone in the house. Still, if danger persists, they will also bite.

What makes a good guard dog?

The best guard dogs are those that will bark when an intruder is sighted but will also bite if they continue to be threatening.

While most breeds will typically bark with the first sign of danger, all dogs are different.

Some may be more willing to attack if they feel threatened. In contrast, others may be more likely to run away or let intruders pass by them without giving resistance.

Border Collies are strong, smart, and determined, which makes them good guard dogs when trained.

Differences between a Guard dog and a Watchdog

A watchdog bark to alert you of danger, whereas a Guard Dog attacks the intruder immediately if he tries to get inside the property.

Watchdogs are territorial by nature, which is why they bark when someone comes near the house, whereas guard dogs are trained to attack an intruder if they come closer.

A guard dog has to be naturally protective and territorial in order to ward off intruders with strength and aggression.

Guard dogs are very athletic and need exercise. Border Collies are excellent guard dogs because they have a strong sense of loyalty, which means that if you’re threatened, they’ll come to your defense.

You can teach a Border Collie what behavior is and is not allowed, making them easy to train.

Watchdogs are usually not the best guard dogs because they bark at anything that moves in your yard, while Guard Dogs would rather let people pass unmolested by barking.

A watchdog’s job is to warn you of trouble, whereas a guard dog’s job is to deal with it immediately when need be.

Do Border Collies Make Good Watch Dogs?

Yes, Border Collies do make good watchdogs if trained to do so.

If you’re looking for a loyal breed that will watch for your property, Border Collies can be excellent watchdogs.

Border Collies may not be the best guard dog in every situation, but they could make good watchdogs in certain situations.

Do Border Collies Make Good Guard Dogs?

Border Collies are naturally not aggressive dogs, but they can be trained to be guard dogs.

They are naturally territorial and will protect their property, but they would rather not attack unless trained to do so.

Border Collies make good guard dogs because they have a strong sense of loyalty to those who care for them. They will defend their owners against anyone who threatens them.

Can Border Collies Be Naturally Protective?

A Border Collie will protect you if it senses that you’re threatened; however, they do not have a natural instinct to become aggressive.

Border Collies are intelligent and fun-loving dogs that will protect you like any other dog if trained to do so. Still, they don’t naturally sense trouble like some breeds such as Pit Bulls or Rottweilers.

Can You Train a Border Collie to Be a Guard Dog?

You can train a Border Collie to be a guard dog, but they are usually not aggressive unless trained to be.

Border Collies have a natural instinct that senses trouble, but it takes training to turn them into guard dogs. They are naturally protective but do not attack unless commanded.

Should You Train a Border Collie to Be a Guard Dog?

If you should train your BC to be a guard dog is another matter. Like other herding breeds, Border Collies do not take well to strangers and will bark to protect their property.

However, it is not recommended that they be trained to attack or be guard dogs because of their soft temperament and tolerance for most people.

But, they can be trained, as mentioned before, to protect their owners and property.

How to Train a Border Collie to Be a Guard Dog?

To train a Border Collie to be a guard dog, you must first work on building a relationship with your Border Collie.

They need to know who is in charge and understand that they can’t be aggressive toward people. Once they are trained to sense trouble before it happens, you can teach them how to act when trouble arises.

You will also have to teach them what behavior is and isn’t allowed and establish yourself as the leader or “alpha” of your pack. Then you can be sure they will protect you when needed.

To train your Border Collie to be a guard dog, follow these steps:

  • Establish yourself as an alpha or leader of the pack;
  • Teach your BC boundaries of behavior and what is and isn’t allowed;
  • Train your BC to sense trouble before it happens, then teach how to act when trouble arises;
  • Teach and train your BC the attack and stop commands;
  • Be consistent with your training, and don’t let your BC get away with behavior that could get you in trouble.

This is the train layout for a guard dog. Still, you should always consult with a professional trainer before trying to train your Border Collie to attack or be a guard dog.

How Aggressive Are Border Collies?

Border Collies are not aggressive dogs by nature and can be quite happy with everyone, including strangers and children as well as other dogs. But, like many other dog breeds, Border Collies can be trained to be Aggressive.

Naturally, they are not likely to attack unless they sense danger or have been trained to do so. Border Collies respond well to training and can be friendly with most strangers if introduced properly.

In general, Border Collies will bark only when necessary. Their bark will usually sound more like a warning growl than a violent barking sound that other breeds can make.

Will a Border Collie Bite?

Yes, a Border Collie will bite if he feels threatened or trained to do so. But, in general, Border Collies are herding dogs and have no instinct to become aggressive.

If your BC feels that there is trouble or someone is a threat, your BC will bite.

Will time make my Border Collie more protective?

Time will make your Border Collie more protective as he bonds more with you, but it will take time for him to learn how to communicate with you first.

With time, you’ll begin to understand each other more, and your Border Collie will be more protective of you.

In General

Border Collies are good guard dogs if trained for it. But, Border Collies make better watchdogs because they will bark when someone is approaching, which warns everyone in the house. Still, if danger persists, they will also bite if need be.

Many dog breeds can do this if appropriately trained, but it’s essential to find the right breed for your situation.

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Andre Neves

Hi, I'm Andre and I'm the owner of Sula the Border Collie. I love writing about this amazing dog breed here. I joined the Council to be able to reach and educate more people on the joy of having a pet dog.