Dogs perform a wide variety of services for their humans.
Some perform amazing feats of agility to entertain us, while others assist handicapped people, help those who struggle with anxiety and depression, or offer support to children with special needs. Others use their incredible sense of smell to find hidden items or monitor blood sugar levels.
But the ones that we’re talking about today hold a special place in my heart – today, we are going to talk about guard dogs.
These dogs have an unrivaled love for their humans, and they are willing to do just about anything to keep their people and home safe.
Do You Really Need a Guard Dog?
Protection occurs on a number of different levels, so breeders and trainers use a variety of different terms to describe the varying levels of protection a given dog is expected and willing to provide.
For example, most dogs – whether 5-pound Chihuahua or 150-pound mastiff – will bark when a stranger knocks on the door. And while this may frighten off opportunistic criminals or teenagers who are up to no good, your Chihuahua isn’t going to deter a determined criminal with malicious intent.
Guard Dog vs. Watch Dog: What’s the Difference?
Just for quick reference, here are some of the leading terms used to describe dogs involved in different types of guarding or protection work.
Note that the breed is not what distinguishes the label applied to the dog – the training regimen provided to the dog is the important thing.
- Watch dogs keep an eye out and bark when strangers approach or anything unusual happens – it’ll be your job to deal with the problem. Many dogs naturally behave this way, so advanced training is rarely necessary for these pups. And because they aren’t expected to get physical with a perceived threat, they needn’t be large. Chihuahuas, for example, often make great watchdogs.
- Guard dogs also keep an eye out for danger, but they’re ready to get physical and defend their home or family from threats. Typically, this means they’ll start by barking at the perceived threat, but they will bite if necessary. Guard dogs must, therefore, receive specific training to excel in such roles. Guard dogs are typically expected to guard a confined area, such as your home.
- Sentry dogs are akin to guard dogs, except that they’re also trained to patrol a given area, such as a large yard or property. Because they’ll be required to work with less human direction, such dogs must be very confident, self-reliant and intelligent.
- Personal protection dogs are like guard dogs who are tasked with protecting a moving target – typically a person or family. These dogs must receive a ton of specialized training, as they’ll need to learn to distinguish between friends and foes and work safely in crowded situations. Most dogs that excel in this role bond very strongly with their people.
- Attack dogs are typically only used by police or military outfits. They are not only trained to perform all of the skills the previously mentioned dogs are, they receive additional training to unleash their potential as an offensive weapon too. Such dogs can be extremely dangerous in improper hands.
While most dogs can provide watchdog-like protective services that involve alerting you to intruders, only a handful are reliably willing to provide more advanced levels of protection that involve biting or attacking a stranger.
It is always important to deliberately consider the implications of adding any dog to your life, but would-be owners that have families must consider these issues even more carefully. This is especially true of those seeking large breeds, such as those often used as guard dogs.
Large dogs of any type can easily injure small children — even perfectly playful pups can inadvertently hurt kids while goofing around. Dogs that are deliberately bred to be as robust, as most good guarding breeds are, can be even more capable of inadvertently hurting your youngin’s.
However, while it is important that you ensure any dog you introduce to your family is provided with plenty of love, affection, proper training and socialization, most guard dog breeds are naturally loyal and loving with their families.
Despite assigning your guard dog the job of protecting your home, balanced dogs from properly selected bloodlines are likely to become beloved family members, who treat your children with kid gloves.
Just be sure that you teach your children the proper ways of interacting with the dog (no teasing, no rough-housing), and that you supervise all interactions until you are convinced that all of the kids – both two-legged and four – know the rules for playing nicely.
Qualities to Look for in a Good Guard Dog
We’ll get to some of the breeds that make the best guard dogs in a minute, but first, it is important to understand that these various breeds typically make good guard dogs because they exhibit the traits you’d expect from a dog tasked with watching over their humans.
Some of the most important qualities a good guard dog can possess include:
- Intelligence – Good guard dogs must be obedient and respond to at least the most basic of commands, such as sit, lay down, stay and heel. Additionally, canine intelligence helps your dog distinguish between threatening and merely unusual stimuli.
- Loyalty – To ensure that your guard dog won’t turn into a welcome committee, you’ll need him to be exceptionally loyal. His allegiance to your family must be clear.
- Courage – Your dog must be brave enough to face any danger that presents itself. Consider that your garden variety criminal is probably about twice the size of even a 100-pound Doberman or shepherd – only a brave dog will be willing to stand up to such threats.
- Territorial Instincts – Dogs that strongly identify with their home and are willing to guard it from intruders are obviously better suited for guard work than those who do not mind trespassers.
- Affectionate Nature – All good guard dogs are fearless in the face of danger, but the best guard dogs melt into a wiggly pile of face-licking love when they are with their humans or trusted friends. You want a dog that loves when it is time to love, and protects when it’s time to protect.
7 Best Guard Dog Breeds: Top Dogs For Protection
Even dogs of unknown ancestry may perform admirably in a protective context, but if you want a dog that will instinctually protect your family, you should consider the following breeds at the outset. They’ve proven over time that they’re willing and able to guard that which you hold dear.
It’s worth pointing out that the first three breeds on our list – German shepherds, Rottweilers and Doberman pinchers — probably combine to represent the bulk of the guard dog niche.
This is not exactly surprising; after all, these breeds are the 2nd, 9th and 14th most popular in US homes. Additionally, they all three exhibit the traits you’d want in a good guard dog.
There is no guarantee that any dog will act in a protective manner unless he or she has been explicitly and professionally trained to do so. While the following breeds typically exhibit the traits that are important for a good guard dog, wise owners will obtain professional evaluation and counsel before relying on their dog for protection of any sort.
1. Rottweiler
Originally developed to herd cattle and accompany soldiers into battle, Rottweilers check off every box on the guard dog checklist: They are one of the most intelligent breeds in the world, they love their families in a way that is truly difficult to convey and they are ready to face down any threat – be it a bear, nefarious human or vacuum cleaner – without a moment’s hesitation. And most are ready to back up their bluster if need be.
Rotties are not ideal for inexperienced dog owners, as they require a calm, confident “alpha.” While intellectually independent, they’re emotionally dependent and quite sensitive to their owner’s emotions. Rotties require very high levels of both attention and exercise, so they are not well suited for spending lots of time alone.
Rottweilers are on the shorter side by guard dog standards, but their physical power is both impressive and immediately obvious.
2. German Shepherd
German shepherds have been used by military and police organizations for decades. They exemplify most of the traits found in good guard dogs, as they’re intelligent, loving and brave.
Shepherds are also physically imposing, despite their modest body weight (relatively few shepherds exceed 100 pounds).
In part, this is due to their long, fluffy coat, which exaggerates their size, but they also have very broad, deep chests and a set of ears large enough to pick up basic cable.
German shepherds, like most other affectionate, sensitive breeds, require plenty of time with and attention from their people, otherwise they can develop behavioral problems. You’ll also have to spend a lot of time grooming your shepherd and cleaning up the ridiculous amounts of hair they shed.
3. Doberman Pinscher
Originally bred to accompany tax collectors, Dobermans excel in most protection-oriented applications. Dobermans are very loving, sensitive dogs, who also possess the bravery, size and imposing appearance to make them one of the very best guard dogs available.
Dobermans are in the same size class with Rotties and shepherds, but they make the most of their size with their tall build and pointed ears. Dobermans are a bit lighter on their feet than these other breeds, and they probably require a little more space and exercise too.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Dobermans – like shepherds and Rotties – are sensitive, loving, loyal, intelligent and brave dogs who are instinctively compelled to protect their homes and families.
4. Bull Mastiffs
Originally conceived to deter poachers, bull mastiffs have provided protective services to their humans since their inception.
Bull mastiffs exhibit most of the same traits the “big 3” do: They’re loving, affectionate and unquestionably protective. However, they aren’t as clingy as these other breeds often are, and they require less exercise too.
Bull mastiffs are very large, powerful dogs, who often exceed 110 pounds in weight. Given the combination of their size and independent nature, they are a poor choice for first-time owners. Additionally, while these are perfectly lovable, handsome dogs, they tend to drool a lot and produce copious quantities of gas, which slightly offsets their otherwise-significant appeal.
5. Giant Schnauzer
Giant schnauzers are sensitive, but lack the intensity of some of the other good guarding breeds. These dogs are affectionate and loving with their families, needing plenty of attention from their humans to remain happy.
Giant Schnauzers are proud, territorial dogs, whose size helps make up for their refined appearance. They are actually quite powerful dogs, capable of effectively defending their family.
Schnauzers are somewhat mischievous and very intelligent, so while they can be a joy for experienced dog owners, they are not ideal for beginners.
6. Great Pyrenees
While they are not a prototypical breed for personal or family protection, Great Pyrenees are well-suited for a number of protective contexts. They were developed to protect livestock from coyotes and wolves, and nearly everything about their personality and appearance points to this history.
Great Pyrenees are independent, loyal and brave dogs, with an apparent size that will intimidate just about anything short of a polar bear. They’re loving and gentle with their flock (be it comprised of humans or sheep), but their aloof nature can make them challenging for first-time dog owners.
Great Pyrenees may not have the sensitivity and need for human interaction that some other dogs do, but they are generally sweet and loving, if somewhat aloof.
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