Dogs are meant to guard, and this instinct is in their blood. They perceive a new person on the front door or in the street as a potential intruder, and their alarm system is activated.
Most dog owners can tell someone is close to the house by looking at a barking dog because the pup is pretty invested in announcing its presence.
Also, dogs learn pretty quickly that barking at a stranger causes them to leave, and this feedback loop reinforces their behaviour. Today, we’ll talk about dog breeds that activate their territorial alarm when the postman is in the street or at the next house.
Dog Breeds That Bark When Postmen Are Still on Streets
1. German Shepherd
If you have a German Shepherd, the postman will know about it before he even reaches your driveway. These sharp-eyed, sharp-eared pups have a built-in security system running 24/7, and barking is their siren.
These guard dogs started working alongside humans in the late 1800s in Germany, according to Pawlicy. Their job was herding sheep and keeping them safe from predators. And to guard sheep, these dogs had to constantly patrol their surroundings and stay alert for any threat.
It’s no surprise that ‘always on duty’ became this breed’s inherent characteristic, and these pups internalized that being aware was deeply rewarded by a dog trainer. All of that is in these dogs’ DNA, and they let you know when they hear a sound or spot a mail person in the street.
After that, years of selective breeding paired the most observant, courageous, and quick-thinking dogs that had no fear or anxiety. These traits made German Shepherds the best service dogs for police and military, and the breed is still the most popular even today.
2. Rottweiler
Rottweilers are among the most popular dog breeds in the world because of their controlled aggression that can stop anyone in their tracks. These dogs bark because it’s particularly their job description.
According to the AKC, this breed has deep roots as a powerful guardian shaped by the tough history of herding cattle and guarding merchants’ money carts in Ancient Rome and later in Rottweil, Germany.
Such a sense of responsibility doesn’t fade easily, and when a Rottweiler is around, good things happen to your valuables and property. These pups stay sharp, guard valuables, and any burglar is afraid of their deep barks and attack force.
Since Rottweilers are wired to patrol, their instincts tell them to constantly scan the surroundings and not ignore signs of anything unusual. This dog stays calm and keeps tabs on who is wandering too close to the gate or around the house.
3. Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd will have its eyes on the street way before the postman rings the bell. They descend from a line of Europe’s finest herding dogs that later reached California, and that’s how the breed began, according to Purina.
Aussies were bred to herd livestock across vast landscapes. Miles of open land, unpredictable threats, sheep that needed constant monitoring, and disruptive, noisy conditions made these dogs super sharp. It wasn’t an easy life, so these dogs developed an unmatched habit of staying alert to protect and vocalize the danger if needed.
That past explains why an Australian Shepherd kicks into high-alert mode when it spots a post carrier strolling down your block. Also, these are not aggressive dogs.
They are smart and high-energy watchdogs that listen to sounds and don’t rush to show a reaction. Aussies notice the visitors and alert them with a deep stare and a bark that ‘I am here.’
4. Miniature Schnauzer
Farmers needed pint-sized patrol dogs to keep barns free from rats and alert the households to intruders. Miniature Schnauzers were first bred in the 19th century in Germany, according to WebMD.
Because of their job, these dogs faced tough conditions daily, and that earned them a reputation as small but fierce watchdogs. When this happy and positive dog spots a mail carrier still halfway down the street, its powerful guarding instincts show up.
You hear precise and alert barking that proves this breed’s razor-sharp guarding nature. These are quick-thinking dogs that can switch from a playful companion to a fearless guardian ready to bite and teach the intruder a lesson when needed.
The breed is famously opinionated and has plenty of personality for its small size. You can’t stop admiring its beauty and nature as a well-rounded package.
5. Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier might look like a pint-sized diva with a silky coat and fancy topknot, but it’s pure watchdog material. Long before Yorkies became handbag royalty, they had a gritty, blue-collar past in 19th-century England.
These dogs were bred to chase down rats and mice in factories, textile mills, and coal mines. Naturally, such dogs had to be sharp, bold, and hyper-aware because life underground was no joke.
Owing to that tough past, your Yorkie can still bring out its claws when the postman is out on the street. They pick up even the faintest footsteps, and their natural impulse to bark loudly is instantly triggered.
6. West Highland White Terrier
Westies look like charming, snow-white fluffballs, but don’t underestimate their alertness. Originating from Scotland, these dogs were bred to hunt and flush out rats, foxes, and badgers from rocky dens and tight spots.
Since their life in the Scottish Highlands required tough work, they needed courage, quick thinking, and constant vigilance. That gritty work conditioning shaped Westies to continuously scan their surroundings and be always ready to bark the second anything seems off.
These dogs have attitude with a capital ‘A’. Their confidence, impressive intelligence, and boundless curiosity make them extra observant of the territory.
7. Chihuahua
These fearless pups come from ancient Techichi dogs and were bred in Mexico as loyal companions and spirited watchdogs. Chihuahuas might be small dogs, but their barks come straight from the heart of a lion.
Survival meant being alert and never breaking down from a threat when they worked as watchdogs, and that attitude still shows. These tiny dogs don’t let anything faze them and mark their presence with a confident bark.
So even if the mailman is barely visible, your Chihuahua can spot them and launch its signature bark. Since this breed is fueled by a deep-seated instinct of protection, you can relax with a Chihuahua watching out for you because it won’t back down.
Conclusion
When a loyal and brave pet is there to have your back, you can relax about potential burglars and intruders. All these working dogs come from centuries of laborious duties, and they guard your property and family with ultimate devotion.
If you want to be informed when someone new approaches your street or is possibly trying to peek into the house, bring home any of these brave pets, and you have an extra security layer for the property.
And their watchful nature doesn’t mean these dogs aren’t good cuddle pets; they absolutely are, and you’ll love having them around.
