Common wisdom indicates burglars avoid houses with dogs for a lot of reasons. Intruders are supposed to be put off by dogs of any kind, especially larger dogs or breeds traditionally used as guard dogs such as German Shepherds
German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is a breed of medium to big-sized working dog that originated in Germany. In the English language, the breed's officially recognized name is German Shepherd Dog. The breed was officially known as the Alsatian in Britain from after the First World War until 1977 …
Rottweiler
The Rottweiler is a breed of domestic dog, regarded as medium-to-large or large. The dogs were known in German as Rottweiler Metzgerhund, meaning Rottweil butchers' dogs, because their main use was to herd livestock and pull carts laden with butchered meat to market. This contin…
Do burglaries prefer houses with dogs?
Burglars also avoid houses with smaller dogs though, not because they’re afraid of them, but because the animal is more likely to draw attention. In short, a home with a dog will act as a deterrent against burglaries because most people wishing to enter into your home will look for an easier target, before they risk an encounter with a dog.
Can dogs stop burglary?
As anyone with dogs knows, over-stimulated canines tend to stop you doing most things in five-minutes, let alone making off with the family silverware! Dogs alone are not going to 100% stop a burglary, but of all the burglar deterrents available it is they, along with CCTV that will be the most influential in deterring a burglar.
What do burglars want homeowners to do to protect themselves?
Burglars suggest homeowners make their property visible with good lighting and trimmed bushes and trees. You should get to know you neighbors and alert police if you see anything suspicious. “In my opinion, I think homeowners should always leave a TV or radio on,” said one inmate. “Get a camera and make it visible!” wrote another.
What is the best burglar deterrent?
Burglar alarms, CCTV, home spy cams even remote controlled doorbells that allow you to see people outside your house even when you’re not there. But there is one burglar deterrent in particular that beats them all according to ex-burglars. Dogs. Man’s best friend has been guarding man’s most important stuff for many thousands of years.

Are houses with dogs less likely to get robbed?
Dogs Deter (Some) Burglars Burglars like to target homes that are easy to access, and a dog can be the first line of defense to deterring theft. An Idaho news station asked 86 burglars how they break in to homes and learned that most would avoid houses with loud, large dogs.
Do dogs scare away burglars?
A burglar will likely be deterred by a barking dog. This is why some of the best watch dogs (dogs who alert their owners to potential trouble) have a loud, full bark, even if the stature of the dog itself isn't terribly imposing.
What dogs are burglars most afraid of?
5 of the best guard dogs to protect your home from burglarsAkita.Bullmastiff.Doberman Pinscher.German Shepherd.Great Dane.
Do dog signs deter burglars?
Putting Up A 'Beware Of Dog' Sign This was commonly used in the past to try to trick burglars into thinking you have a big dog. While it's true a real large dog will deter a burglar in the moment, many of them know a sign may be a decoy.
What makes a house attractive to burglars?
Burglars love looking in your windows. They're looking for signs that you're home or gaming systems they'd like. Burglars will drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick their targets.
Do dogs make homes safer?
Even small dogs may make enough noise to scare away intruders, though. "Research shows that 'occupancy cues' like dogs are major deterrents in attempts to burglarize homes," says K. Campbell, a certified protection professional. "In fact, the research reveals that dogs of any size are effective.
What do burglars fear most?
With that in mind, let's take a look at the top ten burglar deterrents to use in 2021:Smart Video Doorbell Cameras. ... Dogs. ... Security Gates. ... Keeping Open Spaces Around Your Home. ... An Alarm System. ... Get Friendly With Your Neighbors. ... Smart Locks. ... Secure Your Garage.More items...
Do dogs deter attackers?
If you don't already have a dog, security experts recommend that you give serious thought to owning one. The most hardened criminals, such as convicted burglars, rapists and murders, suggest that a dog is one of the most effective deterrents against crime. Dogs can hear and smell much better than us.
Which houses do burglars avoid?
7 & 8) Two Story Homes & Apartments on High Floors They usually stick to jewelry and cash, items that they can easily carry. For this reason, burglars usually avoid two story homes, since these items will more than likely be upstairs in the master bedroom and burglars like to minimize the time they stay in a home.
Where do burglars not look?
Freezer. If you've thought of the freezer as a sneaky hiding spot, chances are a robber has, too. A burglar won't rummage through your entire stack of frozen peas and fish sticks, but if you leave your treasures in something out-of-place, such as a sock, the thief will be onto you.
Does leaving a light on at night deter burglars?
Do security lights deter burglars? Yes, they can. Light makes it hard for them to conceal their identity, so they are more likely to find a darker home.
Do dogs deter attackers?
If you don't already have a dog, security experts recommend that you give serious thought to owning one. The most hardened criminals, such as convicted burglars, rapists and murders, suggest that a dog is one of the most effective deterrents against crime. Dogs can hear and smell much better than us.
How do you scare burglars away?
Get More TipsDon't advertise big buys. An empty computer or television carton left on the curb is a flag to crooks. ... Ask for a reference. Before hiring anyone, get personal recommendations. ... Keep your mail out of reach. ... Stay well-trimmed. ... Get a virtual pet. ... Call the police. ... Know your neighbors.
What are burglar deterrents?
Burglar deterrents are big business. Burglar alarms, CCTV, home spy cams even remote controlled doorbells that allow you to see people outside your house even when you’re not there. But there is one burglar deterrent in particular that beats them all according to ex-burglars. Dogs.
What are some deterrents for burglars?
Canines were a particular deterrent for burglars with statements such as “ get a dog ,” and “even a little dog making a noise will put you off .”
How long does it take for a dog to stop you from doing things?
As anyone with dogs knows, over-stimulated canines tend to stop you doing most things in five-minutes, let alone making off with the family silverware!
Who was the burglar who pounced on Carl Lazenby?
It was in 2001 when Spud, a five-year-old Rottweiler, pounced on 35-year-old career burglar Carl Lazenby as he was hiding in a garden. Sheffield Crown Court heard that Lazenby later complained to the Independent Police Complaints Commission after nearly losing his arm.
Do dogs bark when they bite?
Dogs, as we all know, don’t just use their mouths for biting, they bark too.
Do Dogs Prevent Burglaries?
Having a dog alone is no guarantee against home break-ins. But for a burglar planning a quick raid, if two homes are identical in every way, but one has the clear presence (and sound) of a dog, then it’s the dog-free house that becomes the more attractive target.
Why are dogs good burglars?
This natural characteristic makes dogs the best burglar deterrents. One reason why your pup’s got your back is that they are empath creatures like humans, too. A study shows that dogs will adapt their behavior to accommodate the mood you appear to be in. This behavior explains why they can immediately sense when you’re happy or sad. In the same way, they can also pick up signals if a stranger is a possible threat to you.
Why are security gates good for burglars?
Plus, security gates are excellent burglar deterrents because they prevent outsiders from seeing your home interiors.
Why do dogs bark at strangers?
Dogs have territorial instincts. Whether your dog is domesticated or a trained guard dog, they’re still both territorial in nature. Typically, they would bark at the mailman or your new yoga pal because they see them as territory intruders. Even more so, when they sense forced entry to your homes, it triggers them to bark excessively and draw attention to the situation. A study suggests that 94.9% of dogs indoors will bark at strangers. Burglars want to be out of your sight, so a blaring noise your dog creates is a roadblock to their wicked schemes.
How does a burglar alarm work?
A burglary alarm typically operates on a simple principle: you set up a code, and when someone attempts to open the door and fails to deactivate the alarm in time, they set off a large-scale alarm. On the other hand, a smart alarm like this one uses WiFi to connect, keeping pesky wires out of sight.
Why are dogs considered a man's best friend?
There are more than enough reasons why dogs are a man’s best friend, and being naturally loyal creatures is one. Whether it’s a family pet or a trained guard dog, they can be your trusty companion to keeping your homes out of harm’s way. The last thing a housebreaker wants is to alert you and your nosy neighbors , and owning dogs can do the trick (and we mean literally and figuratively) for you. Here are a few things why:
How many senses does a dog have?
Dogs are like humans with five senses, only better. Aside from their impressive sense of smell, their acute sense of hearing proves you can rely on your fuzzy pup to perceive possible home breakers. Dogs can hear sounds four times farther away than we can. They can listen to sounds of up to 50,000 vibrations per second (50,000Hz), compared to humans with 20,000 Hz. That explains why even the slightest crackle can make your doggo get up in a snap.
How do motion detectors prevent burglary?
These devices prevent burglary by recording a video when a person approaches the entrance through the tiny camera installed on the doorbell. The built-in motion detectors are more advanced than the traditional security systems because you can monitor activities from your smartphone or tablet.
Do burglars avoid houses with dogs?
Do dogs act as deterrents to break-ins? The short answer is that they do. The study concluded that if a homeowner had a loud dog, most thieves wouldn’t try to break into their house. One of the convicts said that dogs are a deal-breaker for him.
Do beware of dog signs actually work?
Some people try to point to the “Beware of Dog” sign as proof the owner knew their dog was dangerous. This tactic is not very effective since it is common for people to post a sign to deter potential criminals even if their dog is not very friendly.
Are you less likely to be robbed if you have a dog?
According to the US Department of Justice, dogs are less likely to be in a house that’s been broken into. Over the years, studies have shown a clear pattern of how dogs deter crooks regardless of their size.
Do signs deter burglars?
It is possible to deter crime by displaying warning signs on your property. They might deter crime, but not prevent it. There are warning signs that make you less likely to be targeted.
What is the best guard dog for burglars?
Small dogs that are not physically imposing can deter a burglar with the sound of their bark, but they won’t be threatening as they come trotting around the corner. The best guard dogs tend to be of larger stature and combine instinct, breeding, and training to be unusually loyal and defensive.
What does it mean when a dog barks at burglars?
Burglars interviewed in a series of reports on increasing levels of crime indicate that a loud, barking dog is the deal breaker for them—the combination of attention-grabbing sound and the unpredictability of a dog’s actions will almost always cause the burglar to move on.
Why do guard dogs bark?
Trained alert dogs, as they are called, will bark immediately to let their owner know something is wrong. True guard dogs are carefully trained, ideally through only positive reinforcement, to bark at intruders and then, if the intruder doesn’t leave, to physically stop and contain the person.
Why do dogs bark when they break in?
Together, the dog’s aggressive response and the fast support of law enforcement will provide the best protection for your home, family, and possessions.
Can a dog stop a burglar?
Of course, sometimes even the most determined, ferocious dog can’t stop a burglary. Some criminals may be unfazed by the barking dog deterrent that threatens others. If the dog isn’t formally trained, a burglar may be able to distract the dog with treats or toys, or may be able to physically repel the dog.
Can dogs prevent burglaries?
Dogs can’t always prevent a burglary —for that, you’ll want to support the dog with a good security system or alarm that summons human help—but dogs are a great deterrent and can slow down a burglary until help arrives.
Do you need to own a dog for guard duty?
In addition, dog ownership requires a lot of time, love, and money (with a lot of reward!), so unless you’re getting a trained dog specifically for guard duty, you need to make sure you’re also interested in owning the dog for companionship and are willing to invest the time.
What do burglars look for in a house?
Burglars don't want to be seen. They looked for homes with big fences and overgrown trees or bushes. “Home away from other homes, blind spots, older window frames, cheap wooden doors,” wrote a burglar. “Large trees, bushes or shrubs around the home, or very reserved and conservative neighbors,” wrote another inmate.
Where do burglars start?
Most burglars started by searching the master bedroom for valuables , then moved through the rest of the house. “Everywhere! From the stove and freezer, to the fish tank and toilet tank, book shelves and in boxes of cereal,” said an inmate.
What door did the inmates break in through?
Most inmates broke in through an unlocked door or window. Several burglars kicked the door open.
Did burglars do surveillance?
The responses were mixed. Some burglars did sur veillance before a burglary, while others did not.
Do burglars want to be seen?
Burglars don't want to be seen. They looked for homes with big fences and overgrown trees or bushes.
Do burglars know how to disable alarms?
Burglars had mixed opinions about home security signs. Some burglars said it didn't faze them. Others said they knew how to disable alarms or avoid setting them off.
Do inmates want homeowners to be victimized?
Many of those inmates who responded were remorseful. They don't want homeowners to be victimized.

Why Do Burglars Fear Dogs?
- Dogs are the biggest threat to a burglar. Burglars are aware that what they do is mainly against the law, and most of them don’t want to get caught. A dog will naturally bark upon seeing an intruder. However, while dogs can be friendly, they can also be intimidating. Dogs have powerful jaws and sharp teeth that can cause serious injuries.Burglars h...
How Dogs Save Lives?
- Dogs have an instinct to save people. Whether they are seeing a person drowning or saving them from a fire, dogs can be trained to save a life in a split second. Dogs save lives every day. They have been an integral part of the American military since World War II. Dogs have sniffed out landmines, explosives, weapons caches, and enemy combatants. They have been trained to fin…
Reasons People Own Dogs?
- People have kept dogs as pets for thousands of years.Dogs have been used to guard homes and farms, livestock guards, and hunting dogs to flush out game. Today, dogs are still used as service animals and for therapy work. Some people own dogs as pets because they are social animals who enjoy the company of humans. Others own dogs because they protect the family and their …
Conclusion
- A dog is a man’s best friend indeed. Even in the most stressful work environment, petting a dog can make you feel relaxed. Dogs have been shown to lower blood pressure and stress effectively. They are also very loyal and are very good as guard dogs. If you have a dog at home, this is your assurance that you have protection at all times. Aside from that, a dog has been found to be a g…