A Family Protection Dog is a professionally trained companion that integrates into everyday family life while possessing the ability to protect its family if a genuine threat arises.

At Task Dog, we value quality over quantity.

We develop only a small number of dogs at any one time, allowing our highly experienced trainers to give each dog the time, consistency and individual attention required for their future role. This is a 24/7 process that extends far beyond formal training sessions.

Our prices reflect the expertise and many hours required to ensure every dog meets the Task Dog standard for temperament, stability, obedience and controlled protection. Each dog is then priced individually according to the client’s lifestyle and security requirements.

Our price covers far more than the dog you receive on handover day. A Task Dog can provide years of trusted companionship and bespoke security, backed by expert advice and support throughout your dog’s lifetime. Your dog is a long-term investment in reassurance, capability and continued professional support.

There is no fixed timeline for developing a Family Protection Dog or Personal Protection Dog. We work efficiently, but we will never rush the selection or development of the right dog.

From your first enquiry, a member of our team will guide you personally through our confidential consultation and vetting process. We will assess your lifestyle, family circumstances and security requirements. At this point, if we believe another security solution would be more appropriate, we will advise you honestly.

We will then determine whether a dog already in our care can be developed to meet your requirements or whether we need to source and train a suitable dog or puppy. An existing match will naturally shorten the process, while a fully bespoke puppy development programme will take longer.

You will receive hands-on support and regular communication throughout. Following the initial consultation, we will provide a realistic anticipated timeline, with handover taking place only when your dog is fully prepared and meets the Task Dog standard.

Safety is fundamental to everything we do.

Our Family Protection Dogs are selected for exceptional temperament and undergo extensive socialisation before any advanced protection training begins. No dog is placed until we are confident it is suitable for family life.

A Personal Protection Dog will remain calm and controlled around children and other pets but would not be placed in a family role as they are not trained to protect the wider family outside of the individual handler they have been developed around.

A Task Dog is a capable working breed. Respectful handling, clear boundaries and appropriate supervision remain essential.

We carefully assess every household before placement and provide guidance and support throughout the dog’s lifetime.

It’s all in the name.

The difference lies in who the dog is trained to protect and how it will be expected to live and work.

A Family Protection Dog is selected and trained to integrate naturally into family life. This dog will be calm and trustworthy around children, visitors and everyday activity, while providing controlled protection for the household when genuinely required. A Family Protection Dog is a family companion first, but one with the stability, confidence and capability to protect.

A Personal Protection Dog is developed primarily around one individual. This dog will form a particularly close working relationship with its handler and may accompany them through work, travel and higher-risk environments. Depending on the client’s circumstances, the dog may require greater environmental awareness and the confidence to operate more independently - but it will never be indiscriminately reactive.

Neither option is automatically better. Task Dog assesses each client’s lifestyle, family circumstances and security requirements before selecting and developing the right dog for them.

Purchasing a Task Dog marks the beginning of a long-term relationship. We offer ongoing advice, refresher training and continued support to help maintain the highest standards throughout your protection dog’s life.

Any additional services can be discussed throughout the dog’s training process.