attack dog

American  

noun

1. a dog trained to attack on command, as for protection or to aid in the apprehension of criminals.

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Etymology

Origin of attack dog

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Previous officeholders had gone on diplomatic missions, run task forces or even served as the president’s attack dog.

From The Wall Street Journal

Their partnership and an Ashes battle may be what is needed to relight the fire inside England's Bazball attack dog in chief.

From BBC

Instead, he focuses on being “an attack dog.”

From Los Angeles Times

From the opening arguments, both sides have acknowledged Cohen’s central role in the charges against his former boss, for whom he was an uber-loyal fixer and attack dog.

From Los Angeles Times

Another “Fall Guy” co-star — an attack dog that responds only to commands in French — had particular poignance for Gosling.

From Seattle Times