It’s a question many pet owners have asked themselves: if an intruder broke into your home, would your furry friend protect you or flee in fear? Inside Edition recently conducted a test to find out which dogs were willing to confront a masked burglar and which ones were more likely to run away.

In one recent case, a robber broke into a home with two dogs, but instead of teaming up to take him down, the canines bolted. This inspired Inside Edition to conduct their own experiment using a 5-year-old yellow Labrador named Perry. Perry’s owner, Michelle Kellaher, loves her dog but has always wondered if Perry would come to her rescue in an emergency.

The test involved a masked intruder breaking into Kellaher’s home while she was out, with Inside Edition capturing the entire ordeal on camera. As the intruder entered the house, Perry barked and growled but ultimately retreated to a corner of the room, seemingly too frightened to engage with the burglar.

While it’s natural to want to believe that our dogs would risk their lives to protect us, the truth is that not all dogs are capable of this. Many factors can influence a dog’s response to a perceived threat, such as their breed, temperament, training, and life experiences. Even dogs who are typically fearless and protective can freeze up or run away when faced with a real-life danger.

However, it’s important to note that not all dogs are wired to be guard dogs, and that’s okay. Dogs provide us with companionship, love, and comfort, and they don’t need to put themselves in harm’s way to prove their loyalty. At the end of the day, we should appreciate our furry friends for the joy they bring into our lives and not place unrealistic expectations on them. 

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