When I cast a net across the vast resources of the web for tips and advice, invaluable information can pop up anywhere. Since it's been a few months since we covered any pet-related stories, this item from North Carolina State University looked interesting.

If you ever wondered whether a dog enhances home security, the details in this report helped validate that our four-legged friends might be even more effective than burglar alms when it comes to home security.

That report by David F. Austin quoted author Jack MacLean's survey of over 300 prison inmates who'd been convicted of burglary or other residential crimes. One question asked, would dogs scare you away?

More than two-thirds (65 percent) responded that dogs of good size and unfriendly persuasion would scare them away. But, based on a reassessment of responses, MacLean actually concluded that over 95 percent would indeed be scared away.

And when asked what would scare burglars away from a residence more than anything, after 59 percent who responded 'people in the house,' 32 percent said almost any dog.

So what kinds of dogs scare burglars the most?

• 35 percent Dobermans
• 30 percent "pit bull dogs"
• 25 percent all dogs
• 10 percent German Shepherds

The report also quotes a police officer and dog enthusiast saying, "a small, alert dog, while not intimidating to most people, is a problem to a burglar. So, you can improve your home security without adding a... [larger] dog."

So what kind of dog is a perfect guard and companion? The report cites The Intelligence of Dogs, by Stanley Coren and his survey that tagged 15 breeds with the best watchdog behavior - a range that could potentially fit and compliment any home or family lifestyle.

Those 15 breeds are: Rottweiler, German Shepard, Scottish Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Yorkshire Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Chihuahua, Airedale, Poodle (Standard or Miniature), Boston Terrier, Shih Tzu, Dachshund, Silky Terrier, and Fox Terrier.

On the other hand, Coren's survey says the breeds least likely to succeed as watchdogs were: Bloodhound, Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, Basset hound, English Bulldog, Old English Sheepdog, Clumber Spaniel, Irish Wolfhound, Scottish Deerhound, Pug, Siberian Husky, and Alaskan Malamute.