What Is The Best Guard Dog And Family Dog – Having a well-trained dog to help watch over your home will give you peace of mind and a loving, loyal companion to greet you when you walk in the door. Some dog breeds are natural guardians, born with the instinct to protect people. To help you decide which guard dog breed is best for you, we’ve rounded up a list of the best dogs for the job, based on recommendations from the American Kennel Club (AKC). From small breeds like the hairy, cute poodle to larger dog breeds like the bullmastiff, these dog breeds are smart, fearless, and loyal.
Keep in mind that before adopting any dog, you should have extensive training and ongoing socialization, as these are especially important for guard dog breeds that are more territorial. You’ll also want to choose a breed that fits your lifestyle. Some breeds, such as the Appenzeller Sennenhund or the Australian Shepherd, require a lot of exercise, while puppies such as the Briard require frequent grooming. Once you’ve decided on a guard dog type, be sure to research reputable, responsible breeders through the AKC website to ensure you’re adopting a healthy, happy puppy.
What Is The Best Guard Dog And Family Dog
Akitas represent happiness and long life in Japan, where the breed was developed in the 17th century and is known for its bravery and loyalty to its owners. They are independent thinkers and do not always mix well with other dogs or strangers, so consistent training and socialization from an early age is especially important.
Best Dog Breeds For Protection
Appenzeller Sennehounds are quick and agile, bred to work on farms and herd livestock. They are smart and quick learners, which makes them easy to train, and they are also very active, so they are best suited to homes with lots of space to run and play.
Australian Shepherds, popular with herders for their excellent herding instincts, also make excellent guard dogs because they are intelligent, obedient and protective of their families. Aussies are best suited to homes with plenty of space to roam as they are high energy and require lots of daily activity and exercise.
Bergamasco Sheepdogs are social creatures, affectionate with their families as well as other animals. Their signature coat is long and layered and remarkably low maintenance with only a few baths a year and zero brushing as they don’t shed.
Eager, cautious and fearless, Boxers are natural guard dogs. Their patient, protective and playful natures – and the fact that Boxers need a lot of time with people – make them ideal for families with children.
Best & Elite Protection Dogs For Sale
Sometimes called a “fur-wrapped heart,” the little ones are great with kids because of their loyal, loving nature. They also love to be active, which makes them perfect for owners who like four-legged companions when jogging or hiking. They’re also good for people who don’t mind high-maintenance, as their long coats require frequent brushing and bathing.
A cross between a mastiff and a bulldog, bullmastiffs were originally bred to ward off poachers on English estates. They are loyal family dogs and natural protectors.
With a history dating back to the Roman Empire and a name that translates from Latin as “guard dog”, the Cane Corso is a noble, intelligent and sweet-natured breed with excellent guarding instincts. In addition to early and consistent training and socialization, they also need plenty of exercise and excel at dog sports such as dock diving or tracking.
Bred to take ducks out of the cold waters of the Chesapeake Bay, these athletic pooches make great companions for outdoor enthusiasts and are loyal and intelligent as well.
How To Choose A Livestock Guard Dog
Smart, strong and quick, Doberman Pinschers make excellent guard dogs, and their sweet nature and quick learning ability make them excellent companions as well. They need a lot of exercise, so owners should plan long daily walks or hikes.
Named for the Estrella Mountains in Portugal, where it originated, this breed was originally a flock protector and can be just as protective of its family. Estrela Mountain Dogs are especially loveable pigeons and are an excellent choice for families with young children.
Loyal, loving and intelligent, German Shepherds make excellent pets and are quick to protect their family. Measuring 22 to 26 inches as adults, the German Shepherd is one of the most popular large dog breeds and is also one of the most common police dog breeds.
Originally bred to guard homes, hotels and farms in the Bavarian Alps, Giant Schnauzers remain excellent guard dogs and are affectionate with their families, intelligent and easy to train. Giants need lots of exercise as well as weekly grooming.
Best Guard Dog Breeds For Families With Children
They may be on the smaller side for guard dogs, but Pulik was impressed with their distinctive bristly hair and excellent herding instincts. They are quick, smart and loyal, and their energetic nature makes them great toys for children.
Weighing up to 135 pounds, Rottweilers certainly look impressive, but they’re mostly calm, confident, and devoted family members. They can also be playful and affectionate, just make sure to provide plenty of socialization and training as Rotties can be territorial.
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Best Dogs For Protection: Which Are Top Guard Dogs?
While some dogs may be preferred based on their size and personality, any dog can be trained to protect your home and family, says Patrick Mahan, V.M.D., a veterinarian in Los Angeles, on Women’s Day. Many potential owners looking for a guard dog turn to large dog breeds, although they are not the only ones that fight. Medium-sized dogs and herding dogs are also protective and have been known to protect people with bad intentions.
That said, you can’t just rely on breed. “Breed protection is unique to each dog,” says Dr. Mahan. “There are times when a particular breed that would otherwise be known as a guard dog does not exhibit a natural protective tendency.”
It’s worth checking with your vet or trainer about the behaviors you want to see, Dr. Mahan explains. For example, running over a fence may be a good deterrent to intruders, but it can become an obsessive habit that leads to fence chewing or excessive barking, which can lead to health problems.
Not to mention, exercise is a huge part of any dog’s performance and personality. Especially when it comes to larger dogs, Dr. Mahan recommends working with a trainer on the behaviors you hope to see, as well as obedience, which is critical when your dog is half your size and laying around.
Are Rottweilers Good Family Dogs?
Boxers can be super affectionate and they are very loyal according to the American Kennel Club. And their high level of intelligence, mixed with their loyalty, means that with some training, a Boxer can make an excellent guard dog.
Akitas are also known to be deeply loyal dogs. They are large dogs (100+ pounds) and natural born protectors.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are known for being brave and hardy, according to the AKC. They are super muscular and can really intimidate anyone who wasn’t welcome in your home.
The Chow Chow is a muscular breed with a history dating back to ancient China. Once the companions of Chinese nobility, the breed eventually gained a reputation as a guard and hunter, making them an excellent guard dog today. They tend to be reserved and antisocial except with those closest to them, so if you want a crowd pleaser, this may not be the pet for you.
The Most Protective Dog Breeds
Another dog that is affectionate with their family but not interested in strangers is the Shar-Pei. At home, they are quite calm and quiet. But if something goes wrong, you can bet the Shar-Pei will want to investigate. Because of their loyal temperament to a fault, they need careful, early training to be properly socialized and do well in non-family environments.
One of the most recognizable ranch dogs, the Australian Shepherd is good at herding sheep. These smart dogs want to spoil everything they can, including your family. This habit makes them super protective as well as highly observant, both critical qualities for a great guard dog. But their origins also mean they need a lot of mental and physical activity to keep them active.
If your “home” is more homely, you couldn’t ask for a better protector than a Border Collie. With regular activity and wide open spaces, the Border Collie has been used by sheep farmers as an excellent herding dog for many years. The Whippet’s clever intelligence makes them great dogs to train – so you can instill the behaviors you need in a guard dog, not the ones you don’t.
Part of the appeal of the Bernese Mountain Dog is just their pureness
