Can a pure labrador retriever watch the house?

Question

I want a dog that can watch the house and bark if strangers approach or try to invade. Will a labrador do the job as a family pet and watch dog?

I heard some dogs will lick every strangers, even intruders and burglars...

Yes, I want a dog that barks to alarm me, but not bite! No biting, I don't want any crazy liablities!

Answer 1

Of course he will, they are great dogs. You can train any dog to do that, but the lab is a great choice for a family dog.

Answer 2

Depends on the dog, even within breeds they are all different. There is a difference between a watch dog and a personal protection dog. Some Labs make great watch dogs b/c they will bark as people approach the house. I had a Lab mix years ago who barked like crazy when anyone came in our yard or up to the house. But she would never in a million years have attacked anyone or defended us. So she was a great watch dog but not a personal protection dog, which I wouldn't want anyway.

All dogs are different. I now have a Golden who barely makes a peep ever. Occassionally a low growl if she sees a dog she doesn't know out the window.... but she does not bark very much at all. However a neighbor has a Lab who barks at everyone.

Answer 3

I have a golden retriever... she is the most loveable dog as a family pet, but has a scary bark to someone who wouldn't know her, and I don't want to see the person that tries to break into this house. Retrievers are very protective of their family. I do believe Labrador retrievers are the same.

Answer 4

You want a dog who will bark to alarm you when strangers come to your home but not attack them? Is that right?
Addendum: In that case, a lab might be just the right dog for you. They are playful, friendly, loyal, great with kids, need a lot of exercise, are pretty energetic as puppies so require a lot of time to provide play, exercise and training.
When you say purebred, just research the breeder, spend some time learning what a good breeder does and does not do. All breeders of purebred dogs are not created equal.
Does anyone in your family bird hunt? They are great at duck retrieval.

Answer 5

Any dog can be a barker when home alone and protect the home front...but you won't know till the dog is older, out of puppy stage if it is or not. Obviously a lab is a friendly people dog so the odds of it being a good watchdog are slim, they are like others said likely to play with the would be intruders. We have a rottie, apparently they are fierce protectors of their home and family, nope she loves anyone and everyone unless your a small dog or a cat then look out. I have never had a chance to see if she would protect her "human family" though so I couldn't say. We grew up with a german shepherd who barked his head off at anyone who came to the yard or driveway, was very protective of me and my siblings as well...yet he was the sweetest dog never did a bad thing in regards to aggression towards his family. It's all up to the dog, and you won't know till you get it and it grows up and is acclimates itself to it's new surroundings and family.

Answer 6

I think it's a bad idea to buy a dog mainly because you want someone to watch the house. But generally no matter what dog you get, people are less likely to enter your house if you have one.

There are breeds that are more LIKELY to be gaurd dogs, but it doesn't guarantee 100% they will do the job. What will you do with the dog if it doesn't bark at strangers.

Anyone can come into my house, my dog will just lick them and play.

Answer 7

Each dog is different they are like people. Like people, Personality is not based on the color of the fur or breed. If you get one with loud personality it will bark at anything.

You may be able to train any dog you get though.

Answer 8

Yes, they are good watch dogs...but, if someone broke in the house, they would probably play with them. They do sound tough when barking, though.

Answer 9

they have a deeper bark, they will alert you if someone is there. they are not the greatest guard dogs,maybe consider a doberman pincher. they are great with kids and other animals, perfectly suited to guarding a home and family

Answer 10

Dogs are not security systems.
They should be friendly and even tempered at all times.
they will know when something is not right and should bark when anyone knocks at the door. If you need home security call ADT and have a home alarm installed. If you looking for love and a friend get the dog.