Are Huskies good guard dogs, or are there better breeds for protection?

There is no agreed-upon consensus in the dog world as to which one, single breed is "best" at this - so I'm afraid it's not really possible to give you this kind of answer :) Much also has to do with the particular breeding lines you get your dog from, as well as the way the puppy is raised and trained. A Caucasian shepherd would be a very reasonable breed choice for a guard or protection dog, so if this breed appeals to you, go for it! Depending on your lifestyle and specific needs, you could also consider a Great Pyrenees or German Shepherd. If it's important to you that the dog be a good protection dog, I would also strongly recommend seeking training from a professional in your area to ensure that the dog understands what you want.

Great question! This is a bit of a tough question in that a number of breeds of dogs who are good guard dogs are also difficult. For example, a German Shepherd. Good guard dogs, but require a lot of training and are not for a first time dog owner. If you don't know how to handle them, they can be aggressive to humans and small animals. They are also high energy dogs. Personally, I would recommend a Golden Retriever. They are absolutely lovely dogs, extremely loyal, very easy to train, excellent with humans and small animals, and if need be, could defend the owner. I had a Golden for 12 years, and she was honestly the best dog I have ever owned. So sweet and caring, but I knew that if I was ever in trouble, she would defend me. Goldens are a large breed dog, and large breed dogs can be intimidating to strangers. My Minnie would bark if someone came to the door and knocked, but otherwise didn't bark much. Sometimes a bark is enough to scare someone off. I would look into getting a Golden Retriever for the reasons I listed above. I hope this helps!

Every dog is different. While some breeds are certainly more prone to being protective than others, no breed of dog has members that are universally going to be protective. I have seen little tiny poodles that offer better protection than some German Shepherds, and the other way around as well. Training a dog to be an effective guard dog takes just that, a considerable amount of training and the correct about of exposure. German Shepherds are certainly considered one of the most common dogs used for this purpose.

Actually neither one would be good for a first time dog owner. Both dogs are very headstrong with a high prey drive. If you do get either breed I suggest you take them to have professional training (with you) so you will be able to control the dog appropriately. If you really pressed me to pick one then I would say the Husky.

German shepherd. They are extensively used in military and police forces around the world. They can be fierce. They need careful training so that they will also be safe around family and friends, and be able to be examined by a veterinarian.

For purposes of looking after children, the first breed to come to mind is Great Pyrenees. They are flock guardian dogs, are known to be loyal and protective, and are large and robust enough to live outdoors if given proper shelter. As a thick-coated breed, they do require regular brushing and grooming to keep from getting matted. German Shepherd/Alsatians are also excellent family dogs, very loyal and protective and highly intelligent. Bernese Mountain Dogs are loyal, confident and intelligent. Rottweilers are also a good breed as they are very loyal and protective. Some people are put off by their reputation but they are a product of their environment, as is any dog. As long as the children are taught to respect and properly treat a dog, there is no need to worry.

In general, the bigger the dog, the deeper and louder the bark. For example, German Shepard Dogs, Rotties, and Mastiffs have loud, deep voices and Huskies and Pointers have loud but sharper, not as deep-pitched barks. Small dogs are very loud but have a much higher-pitched bark, and tend to bark more frequently than big dogs.