The Best Guard Dog Breeds For Protection – Dogs have been protecting their humans since at least the time of Plato and Aristotle. Our needs for security, companionship and loyalty have not changed much since then, making dogs a popular choice for protecting our loved ones and possessions.
Guard dogs will bark or otherwise alert their humans to intruders, but usually do not attack. Gua dogs have a protective instinct for their families, honed over hundreds of years, says Gina DiNao, executive secretary of the American Kennel Club (AKC), and they will bite or otherwise defend themselves against threats. The best Guayacan dog breeds display fearlessness and also look the part, intimidating in size and appearance, perhaps even belonging to one of the giant dog breeds. They can also be among the most intelligent or loyal breeds.
The Best Guard Dog Breeds For Protection
If you are looking for a protection dog, the same rules of dog ownership still apply. You will want to give this dog the love and affection you would give any pet and never keep him chained up or locked in a basement. Even the fiercest of dog breeds are still vulnerable living creatures that rely on humans for everything, including food, shelter, and reliable companionship. Here are some great examples of protective kitties that will be loving, watchful eyes and ears in your home.
Best Guard Dogs
The “King of Terriers” Airedale is friendly and energetic — sometimes it seems like he doesn’t have an “off” switch, according to VetStreet.com. However, Airedales are great with children, learn quickly and are generally considered to be hypoallergenic as well, making them one of the best guide dogs for families. The AKC notes that during World War I, the breed gained a reputation for bravery and concentration due to the dogs’ roles as guards and couriers. If they feel threatened, Airedales will bark mercilessly and use their powerful jaws if necessary, but they are ready to love anyone who takes them into the family. However, Airedals do not like to be alone and can chew and dig if they are bored. They can also be aggressive towards other animals and even too rough to play with their family unless trained otherwise. With their chins and drooping ears, Airedales have won the Westminster Dog Show four times, although the last time was in 1933.
The Tibetan Mastiff, bred in the Himalayas as a gua for people and livestock, is one of the best gua dogs. Aloof, mentally sharp, alert and a bit primitive, according to DiNao, this massive breed is also strong-willed and very territorial. Remember that if you keep a Tibetan Mastiff at home, he may not allow anyone else to visit. However, he will be gentle and sweet with family members. Tibetan Mastiffs are also one of the most expensive dog breeds.
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog has many names, including Russian Bear Dog, Caucasian Ovcharka, Caucasian Mountain Dog, and Caucasian Shepherd Dog. With a cute bear-like face, it is one of the most popular dog breeds in Russia today. Because they can be powerful and fierce, especially with strangers, Caucasian Shepherds have a long, if somewhat complicated, history as guai dogs. Originating from the Caucasus Mountains, the breed was first used centuries ago to protect livestock and property, kill wolves and hunt bears. The dogs were later used to guard prisoners in the Soviet Gulag camps and for Boer patrols at the Berlin Wall. However, with a family, the Caucasian Shepherd is said to be loyal, calm and sweet, especially when properly trained. The thick, waterproof double coat ranges from gray or white to yellow, red and combed and may require daily brushing.
This large, curly-haired Japanese Mountain Dog is revered in its native country as a symbol of good health and long life, a member of the AKC. Akitas are fiercely protective by nature, and in the Middle Ages they protected the Japanese emperor and his family. Helen Keller was given an Akita during a trip to Japan in 1937, making her the first American to own one. Akitas are very social animals and can be playful and silly. They usually only bark when there’s a really good reason, says the American Akita Rescue Society. Akitas can be aggressive with other dogs and need to be socialized early to get along well with them and people.
Best Guard Dog Breeds To Help Protect Your Family
AmStaff, which is one of several types of pit bull dogs, is affectionate, playful and energetic. These dogs love mental stimulation and have many personalities, according to the AKC. They also require a lot of exercise, but can overheat in warm weather and are not great swimmers. Fully grown AmStaffs weigh between 50 and 80 pounds, are muscular and powerful, and have a reputation for being intolerant of pain. Due to the breed’s long history as a fighting dog and natural tendency to hunt prey, AmStaffs require proper training and socialization, especially if they live with children or other pets.
This behemoth lives to protect his family and home by contributing to the AKC. WagWalking.com notes that the breed has the size and strength to do well, with the added benefit of being resistant to pain. Bonus: It’s also hypoallergenic. However, Giant Schnauzers love constant attention and have a high need for both mental and physical stimulation – and can become destructive when those needs are not met. They also tend to chase smaller pets (basically all other pets) so they do best when they are the only pet in the house.
Originally from Switzerland, these medium-sized mountain dogs are cheerful, intelligent and energetic. Despite their mostly friendly demeanor, Appenzelers are naturally wary of strangers and certainly not pushy. They are truly fearless, attached to the AKC and cannot be deterred from protecting their families, even if a big juicy steak can be a distraction. Appenzellers do better in colder climates and need lots of space, so apartment living is no longer necessary. If that sounds like too much work, you’ll want to check out the best low-maintenance dogs for busy people.
You might not know it by looking at them, but Beaucerons, which look a lot like Doberman pinschers, are actually the largest French shepherds of the Beauceron Club of America. Fans of this giant dog breed claim that dogs are sensitive and intelligent. Because of their calm demeanor and confident, fearless attitude, Beaucerons can make wonderful guai dogs. However, they will need strong training to prevent them from dominating their families.
Best Guard Dog Breeds: A Complete Guide With Pictures
This dog breed, long used in police work, gained fame when in 2011 one from Cairo helped Navy SEAL Team 6 defeat Osama bin Laden. Another Belgian Malinois named Conan was honored in 2019 after the dog was injured in a raid. ISIS leader in Iraq. Similar in appearance to a German Shepherd, the Malinois is strong, intelligent and loyal, making it an excellent choice for a Guayaquil dog. But he can also be territorial and jealous, according to the Belgian Malinois Club of America. For this reason, families should be prepared to spend a lot of time teaching.
This huge dog was bred as a kind of “supeog” for the Russian army in the 1930s, according to the AKC. A team of researchers used 17 breed genes to create this friendly-looking but aloof and fiercely protective dog to patrol its packs. Weighing up to 140 pounds and with shaggy black fur covering its eyes, nose and mouth, the BRT can accidentally knock over small children. They also need strong human guidance, otherwise they can dominate some family members.
AKC DiNao claims it is the most natural protection for sporting dogs. Although sensitive and devoted to the family, the Cheshire can be stubborn and is not nearly as resistant to strangers as other retriever breeds. Bred to retrieve waterfowl, chessmen like to be active and especially hunting, so they are not suitable for sedentary families.
Magazine says this pup will also shed a lot, and his waterproof coat can get a little smelly.
Best Guard Dogs For Families (with Photos)
A medium-sized dog, the Boxer is affectionate, playful, patient and great with children. These dogs may be strong, athletic and look intimidating, but they are not actually aggressive. However, with training, the dog breed becomes an excellent watchdog. However, they have high energy levels and need frequent exercise. According to Petful.com, boxers are more prone to certain health conditions than other breeds, including mast cell tumors, ulcerative colitis and heart disease.
This name, translated from Latin, means “bodygua dog”, and he was bred to serve his family. Also known as the Italian Mastiff, the breed is huge, often weighing more than 100 pounds. Its short, stiff coat gives it an imposing appearance and indeed the dog can be aggressive with strangers. It’s said to be impervious to pain, as even electric fences won’t deter it, notes Petful.com. But with his family, the Cane Corso is affectionate. However, these are the reasons why it is one of the best Guayacan dog breeds
