Do Aussies make good guard dogs?

Question
Dear Shelly,
I am absolutely in love with Australian Shepherds. I have a nine year old male who is my best friend. It's important for me to feel that my dog will protect me, my family, and my home. I often find myself wondering how he would react if an intruder entered our home or if someone tried to hurt me or my family. Would he attack the person and protect his "people" and "territory"? Are all dogs protective? Are all Australian Shepherds protective? He always alerts me when he hears a strange noise or sees anyone walk down the street. Also, he barks and chases people from behind our fence in the yard when they walk by. Furthermore, he barks at strangers and always seems unsure about them. He seems like a good watch dog, but do these qualities make him a good guard dog?
Please e-mail me your response when possible because I am very curious. Thank you, Kimberly

Answer
First lets ask ourselves what a good guard dog is in today's society. If a dog barks loud enough to alert you or your neighbors to the presence of strangers, then the dog has done it's job as a guard dog.

Technically, as a home owner, if your dog bites someone, you may be liable for damages. It doesn't matter if they were breaking in to your home or if it was the local meter reader. In a litigious society, a dog that bites can place you at legal risk.

Most burgulars are deterred by the presence of a dog, and will select targets that are dog free before breaking into a house with a living alarm system (ie-barking dog). If their goal is something more insiduous, a dog won't deter them.