Some dog breeds are definitely more cut out to be guard dogs just as some breeds wouldn’t survive as outside dogs. When looking for a guard dog you must keep in mind that the only way they will be an effective guard is with proper training. Most of these breeds were hunters and herders and you must curtail their wild instincts. You never want to hit a dog to train them. With large dogs, it’s best to work with a trainer to learn proper positive reinforcement. Loyal breeds love to work and they will serve you their whole lives. Let’s take a look at some of the best dogs to protect your loved ones from intruders and while in public.
1. Bullmastiff
This dog is known for literally knocking people over like a bull over who cross their owners. He was bred for it. He is mellow with family members and makes a great family dog if trained properly. He will drool everywhere but he won’t shed everywhere. He needs to be walked multiple times a day though because this big dog needs movement. He is one of the largest guard dogs weighing in at 100 to 130 pounds. If you can’t afford a lot of dog food, this might not be the dog for you. He is known for being sweet and extremely loyal. This breed will require training from a young age to manage their size and strength.
2. Rottweiler
These dogs were bred to protect cattle. Their average weight is 85 to 130 pounds so they certainly have an intimidating mass. People know these dogs are protective if the dog is around people are not likely to attack their owner. They will generally be about two feet tall. They were one of the first breeds used for the police and in the military. They are very smart and will be standoffish to strangers. This intelligent dog is extremely muscular and must be trained from a young age so he doesn’t become aggressive. He has been used in customs and is originally from Germany. They are sweet to the people they respect and make great pets if trained properly.
3. Doberman Pinscher
This breed is lean and protective. They can scare people off your property with their intimidating barking and ominous look. They can outrun any human and will fight for you. They usually weigh 60 to 80 pounds. This dog was bred in Germany to be a guard dog and has been used by the military and police. People associate this dog with viscous behaviors and are usually afraid of them. This dog can command a room if no one else establishes their authority. This is largely due to their alpha male personality. They require training from a young age so they do not become aggressive. They need lots of exercise and should not be left alone for long periods of time.
4. German Shepherd
The iconic police and military breed is as loyal as they come. They are extremely intelligent and can be trained easily. This is a large breed and usually weighs 75 to 95 pounds. This breed is more friendly than the Chow Chow but needs more exercise than the Chow Chow. He was originally a herding dog so will get restless if he doesn’t get a lot of exercise.
5. Akita Inu
This large dog is extremely loyal and extremely unfriendly. They are massive, weighing in at 70 to 110 pounds when fully grown. Historically this breed comes from Japan. It was used to hunt wild animals and protect the royalty. This guard dog is very intimidating because of it’s sharp features and stature. Unlike the Chow Chow, this breed is friendly to it’s owners and follows them around. It’s important that this dog be trained by it’s owner so the bond can be developed. This is a great dog to have at home when you aren’t there and if you felt unsafe walking, taking this dog with you would definitely help.
6. Chow Chow
This dog was bred to be a Chinese hunting dog and date back to the Han dynasty in Mongolia. and one of the oldest breeds. They dogs usually weigh in between 40 to 70 pounds when fully grown. They are not very friendly dogs to say the least although they are loyal and suspicious of people they don’t know. This breed was also used to protect belongings and they are very independent.
7. Belgium Malinois
This search and rescue dog has a ton of stamina. They are intelligent and need lots of exercise. They are similar to the German Shepherd but have shorter hair. They are one of the smartest breeds and are very loyal. They are usually 40 to 80 pounds and love to be a part of the family. They are actually quite sensitive creatures and are trained best with positive training reinforcement.
8. Rhodesian Ridgeback
This beautiful short hair dog was bred to hunt lions. It doesn’t get any more wild and aggressive than that. This is one of the tallest dogs, usually up to two feet at the shoulder. They weigh about 70 to 85 pounds and can jump over fences with their muscular agility. Needless to say this is not a dog for a small person as he can be hard to manage while training. This unique dog hails from Africa and has a unique ridge on it’s back that is quite intimidating.
There are other breeds that make great guard dogs and certain factors to take into account are the size of your property, if you have small children, and how much time you have to train them. Guard dogs can be dangerous if they are not properly socialized and trained consistently. If you have a small place, it’s possible that a slightly smaller dog that will bark if intruders come in could be more suitable. Before getting a large dog, it’s important to take into account their exercise needs and the complications you have as a renter or if you have to travel frequently.