Labradors possess traits to fulfil their duties well; therefore, if trained well, they can prove to be good Guard Dogs. They might not be as excellent and protective as many other Guard Dogs, but Labs won’t either disappoint you.
However, some people believe that Chocolate Labradors are not used as Guard Dogs. But is it true?
Well, No. Labradors, regardless of their Coat Color (Black, Chocolate, and Yellow), make good guard dogs. Labradors, to a degree, are protective and territorial, and therefore people often consider them guard dogs. Bred in Newfoundland in the 1500s, one of the original purposes of Labs was to guard cattle. However, coat color was never the factor that would influence the trait of ‘Guarding’ in Labs. Coat color has nothing to do with Labrador’s personality as such. Even though when some Lab owners suggest that coat color has a slightly noticeable difference in two dogs, claiming something major is truly hard.
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Can A Chocolate Lab Be A Guard Dog?
A chocolate Labrador can be a good guard dog, similar to a Black or Yellow Labrador.
In the research world, Chocolate Labradors have a little reputation for being hyperactive and more aggressive than Black or Yellow Labradors. This trait in Chocolate Labs signifies that these canines are slightly harder to train. And that is where the entire conception of Chocolate Labradors not being good guard dogs come from. To some extent, the estimation isn’t wrong as well.
Recollect what makes Labrador good guard dogs besides their obvious breed traits. Training right? Well, if Chocolate Labs are considered harder to train, then with that, they will not prove as good guard dogs as other color Labradors. And with that said, it is quite obvious when given a choice, people will definitely pick Black or Yellow Labradors over Chocolate Labradors.
However, that’s still not enough about this discussion.
Chocolate Labradors aren’t good guard dogs is an unconscious bias, and there is no direct evidence that supports the same.
Several animal and medical organizations have performed multiple researchers in order to find differences between different colored Labs. BMC, a part of Springer Nature, conducted a similar study as well. According to them, color makes no significant difference between Labrador Retriever’s personalities as such. When 92 black, 99 yellow, and 34 chocolate Labradors were compared together for 21 behavioral traits, there were no very weighted differences found.
However, while separate studies between Chocolate, Yellow and Black Labs, the difference in aggression was noticeable. Yellow Labs have a higher score for familiar dog aggression than Chocolate and Black Labs. Some studies also suggest that Chocolate Labradors become more agitated when ignored by their human owners. It, as a result, makes them difficult to train at times.
However, even after concluding all of that, there is no available evidence or scientific proves Chocolate Labradors as more hyperactive or aggressive than other coat color Labs. Chocolate Labs may have a pre-assumed reputation for the same, but if you believe scientific evidence, there is no such available.
So, Can Chocolate Labradors Be Used As Guard Dogs? Well, yes, definitely. Chocolate Labradors can be good guard dogs if trained well. How a dog behaves socially has so much to do with his upbringing, training, and the environment he lives in. Rigorous obedience training is all that matters and brings desired outcomes. Training a Lab to be a Guard dog isn’t as easy as it seems, but it isn’t impossible as well.
Tips On Training A Labrador To Be A Guard Dog
- Start as early as possible. Early learning goes on longer in life, and this thought applies to both animals and humans. If you are getting a Lab as Guard Dog, you can start investing in his training from 1 or 2 years of age. However, be slow during the early stage and increase the intensity gradually.
- Always try to enhance your command control on your Labrador. This will prove beneficial in the long run.
- Consider enrolling your Labrador in group obedience classes. Such classes help Labs to socialize and learn about how to handle people/ animals around. Choosing the American Kennel Club’s online training program, too, will prove of great help.
- Every time a stranger approach your house, encourage your dog to protect. All you need to do is draw your dog’s attention. Soon enough, the dog will start defending you or your house from strangers.
Are Labradors Protective Of Their Owners?
Labradors are protective of their owners but not as typically as other Guard dogs. They may have concerns for their territory or human g
guardians, but that doesn’t mean Labs will jump to tackle any threat purposely. Attacking someone isn’t much into their nature, and therefore Labs make good dogs for large families. They can mingle with everyone and even are cordial when meeting other dogs or animals.
However, if you want your Labrador to be protective towards you, training them for the same is necessary.
Are Labrador Good Watch Dogs?
Labradors are excellent Watchdogs, and they play this role quite better than being Guard dogs. Labs are huge and have a very strong bark, and that all is enough to alert the guardians. What’s another best thing about keeping Labs as watchdogs is that they won’t get into unnecessary physical engagement with strangers. They are good as watchdogs but still not a threat to anyone around.
Best Guard Dog Breeds 2022
According to the American Kennel Club, these dog breeds are perfect for being Guard Dogs:
- Akita
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever
- Anatolian Shepherd Dog
- Catahoula Leopard Dog
- Appenzeller Sennenhund
- Barbado da Terceira
- German Shepherd
- Beauceron
- Giant Schnauzer
- Perro de Presa Canario
- Romanian Mioritic Shepherd
- Tibetan Mastiff
- Thai Ridgeback
- Tornjak
Wrapping up…
Labradors are excellent Watch Dogs, but for working as Guard Dogs, they require training. They are naturally able to alert their owners about the threat, but for their Guard dog aggression, some kind of training is necessary.
Besides training, being a Guard Dog also depends upon the individual dog’s temperament.
Though before we end this article, we would like to conclude whether Chocolate Labs can be guard dogs. And after researching so many studies, we believe yes they can. The color of your Labrador doesn’t define his personality. It is only the kind of environment, life, and training you give them matters.