Yes. In the UK, you can have a guard dog on your property if you follow the Guard Dogs Act 1975 and animal welfare laws. The dog must be under the control of a trained handler or securely restrained so it cannot roam freely. Clear warning signs stating “Guard Dog” must be displayed at every entrance. The dog must not harm anyone who is legally on the premises, and banned breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 cannot be used.

You must have the dog under control or restrained, and display warning signs at all entrances. Violations can lead to prosecution under the Guard Dogs Act 1975.

A guard dog is any dog trained or used to protect property or people by deterring or responding to intruders. In the UK, under the Guard Dogs Act 1975, this includes dogs used for guarding premises, vehicles, or individuals, whether in a commercial or private setting. To qualify, the dog must be under a handler’s control or securely restrained and trained for security or protection work, not just as a pet.

If a guard dog kills an intruder in the UK, the incident will be investigated by police to determine if the force used was “reasonable” under self-defence laws. The Guard Dogs Act 1975 and the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 still apply — the owner or handler may face criminal charges if the dog was dangerously out of control or the response was excessive. Even with trespassers, handlers must ensure the dog’s use of force is proportionate and that animal welfare laws are upheld.

Guard Dog: is trained to watch over property and deter or respond to intruders, often working with a handler or in a fixed location like a business or warehouse.

Protection Dog: also called a personal protection or family protection dog, it is trained to defend a specific person or household, providing security both at home and in public. Guard dogs focus on property security, while protection dogs focus on personal safety.