Are Border Collies Good Guard Dogs? (Yes Or No?)

People often ask, “Are border collies good guard dogs?” and the answer is not so simple.

Border Collies are active and intelligent dogs bred to herd livestock on farms across the world.

This breed of dog was originally bred for a specific set of tasks that they excelled at doing.

In this article, we will look at whether or not Border Collies can be good guard dogs.

I will also go over many other frequently asked questions about Border Collies to help you figure out whether or not you would like to get this dog.

Are Border Collies Good Guard Dogs?

While they are the most intelligent dogs, Border Collies are more suited to be watchdogs than being guard dogs. They are very energetic and active dogs that need a lot of room to run around every day to be happy, healthy family members.

Because Border Collies have been bred since early times on farms across Britain, they were originally breeders’ companion animals rather than working livestock themselves.

This makes it even less likely that these dogs ever would have needed guarding skills in the past.

It is, however, important to note that even good guard dogs such as the German Shepherd need training to perfectly protect their family against any threats.

Border Collies are very smart and trainable dogs with a lot of energy.

So while they may not be naturally good guard dogs, you may train this breed of dog to be one.

Are Border Collies Dangerous?

They’re not inherently dangerous, but they do need a lot of attention and care.

It is important to note that while they are not the best guard dogs, Border Collies will bark at strangers, which can be very helpful in alerting you when there is an intruder or suspicious person on your property.

Again, these dogs won’t attack you or any of your family members outright.

They simply do not have enough aggression to be very protective of their family, and so training them may help you get more out of this breed of dog as a watchdog or protector for your home.

However, Border Collies may sometimes show aggression against other dogs or animals.

This is especially true if they have not been socialized with other dogs since a young age, and you will need to take extra care when it comes to walking your Border Collie in public areas where there are likely to be other dog owners around.

Will Border Collies Attack Intruders?

As mentioned earlier, Border Collies are more likely to bark at intruders than attack them.

They have a lot of energy and will be very vocal when they sense something is wrong in their environment, which can alert you to the presence of an intruder or help scare them away. 

However, Border Collies are also very friendly dogs that get along well with almost everyone they meet, including children and other dog owners.

So while these dogs may seem like good guard dogs because of how much barking they do even without any training, this breed isn’t particularly aggressive no matter what situation it finds itself in.

You can train your Border Collie to be a protective dog, but they won’t always be in the frontline fighting for you.

They just don’t possess such drive and aggression to be very protective of their family.

Do Border Collies Have A Strong Bite?

Any dog can bite, but Border Collies have a tendency to nip at their owners, children, or livestock. They do this when bored, afraid, playing, or for attention.

Border Collies that have not been socialized with other dogs, children, or livestock are more likely to bite humans.

Many of these dog breeds also do this when they feel like their owner isn’t paying enough attention to them.

However, it is important to note that Border Collies can be trained and taught what behaviors are appropriate in different situations, so they don’t nip at family members or cause harm to others without proper training.

Is Border Collie a Good Family Dog?

A Border Collie is a perfect family dog because of their social skills and how much they love spending time with children.

As long as you can train this breed of dog to be gentle around your family, these dogs will get along perfectly well with everyone in the household.

Border Collies can also live comfortably alongside other family members, such as cats or other pets, so there is no reason you shouldn’t keep a Border Collie if you already have another animal living at home.

They can learn new commands in under five trials and follow the 95% of the time.

They have a lot of energy and will need to be given plenty of exercise, games, or other activities to keep them happy in your family home.

You won’t have any problems with this breed becoming bored around the house, which can lead to destructive behaviors such as chewing on furniture or digging up your yard for fun.

Are Border Collies Easy To Train?

Yes. As I mentioned before, this is the most intelligent breed of dogs. They can learn new commands very fast and follow them up to 95% of the time.

Do Border Collies Bark a Lot?

Yes. This is a barking breed. Collies will bark at strangers or other animals in your home.

They will also bark when they feel that you are scolding them, feeling anxious, lonely, or want the attention of any kind. They are very easily visually stimulated.

Border Collies can be trained to stop barking as long as it has a good training program from a young age and knows how to socialize with others around its environment, such as visitors and even pets that live at home with the family.

Which Is Better, Male or Female Border Collie?

Male border collies are more dominant and territorial, which can lead to vicious behavior around other dogs.

On the contrary, females tend to be a bit calmer when it comes to their attitude towards strangers or new people in the house.

They wouldn’t bark as much if they see someone unfamiliar come into your territory because of their slightly mellower personality compared to male counterparts.

Both genders are easy to train, but the males do better, perhaps because of their muscle strength when it comes to field tests.

Neither one is better than the other, but you should consider getting both genders for optimal results with training and obedience levels.

What’s Bad About Border Collies?

Border Collies may become hyperactive if you don’t stimulate them properly, both physically and mentally.

If you just let them out into your yard to play, then they will become bored and destructive.

That’s why their owners need to take the time each day to engage with them through games or training sessions so that this breed doesn’t get hyperactive without any reason.

They also need a lot of exercise, so if you are not able to take them out for a long walk each day, then this breed is not suitable as your pet.

Also, they don’t like being alone and can become depressed easily without communication or company from their owner.

If you are looking for a dog that you are going to lock inside your house for extended periods, then look elsewhere. They have a lot of energy and don’t do well in an apartment because of the lack of space compared to having a backyard to play and run around.

They can also be obsessive and sometimes destructive. Again, this happens when they have not engaged adequately in physical and mental activities.

Are Border Collies Good Dogs For Children?

Yes, Border Collies are great with kids and families in general.

They love the attention and affection they get from people especially when you take them out into your backyard or to a dog park. They also like being around other animals like cats, rabbits, or even large breeds such as Labradors or Great Danes. 

Final Thoughts– Will Border Collies Protect Their Owners?

Border Collies can be a great addition to your family home, but you should make sure that you have the time needed each day for their training sessions or exercise, so they don’t get bored at all.

If not well taken care of, then this breed is definitely going to become hyperactive, obsessive, and sometimes destructive.

Luckily though, this dog is smart and intelligent, so you can easily train them to do what you want to as long as you are patient and consistent with them. Border Collies are also not too big in size, but they can be surprisingly strong when it comes to their pulling power.

Hopefully, this article has provided you with enough information about this breed of dog to make an informed decision on whether or not getting one will be a good idea for your family.

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or want to share your own experience with this amazing breed of dogs.

Looking For Watch Dog Guides?

If you’re looking for more guard dogs resources, consider checking out our other post on guard dogs.

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