9 Best Guard Dogs: Perfect For Protecting Your Family
There may a ton of reason why you may want a guard dog. Maybe you want to feel safer in your own home, or you need it to protect your property and livestock. Guard dogs often have the bad reputation of being mean, scary, and dangerous. However, that isn’t really true. Actually the traits that make these breeds great at protecting, also make them great family pets. The best guard dogs have some overlapping qualities. They are loyal and devoted to their families, and they know when to fight off a potentially dangerous intruder. However, that doesn’t make them vicious. It makes them smart.
Guard dogs often have the bad reputation of being mean, scary, and dangerous
The Best Guard Dogs
Every family picks out their dog based on their needs. Some families are searching for a friendly dog, that’s great with kids, while other families may want a strong, big dog that can protect their land. If you’re the latter kind, we are here to help. We’ve collected the 10 best guard dogs that will keep your family safe no matter what. You’ll definitely be getting a good night’s sleep knowing these breeds are in your home.
Every family picks out their dog based on their needs
#German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is one of the best guard dogs. They are kings when it comes to canine protection. After all, there is a reason why they are popular in the army and police. These dogs are super smart, alert, fast and strong. This makes them great guard dogs. However, they are also very loving, loyal and family friendly. You can train this dog to do pretty much anything.
These dogs are super smart, alert, fast and strong
#Akita
Akita’s are Japan’s most loved family protectors. They are very playful and love spending time with their humans. They are also very smart. This means that if you socialize them well with your friends and family since they were a puppy, they will easily make the difference between a loved one and a potentially dangerous stranger. The Akita is extremely vigilant and has a distrust for strangers. This makes this big dog a great guard dog.
Akita’s are Japan’s most loved family protectors
#Cane Corso
The big Cane Corso is one of the best guard dogs out there. The breed’s name even translates from Latin to “bodyguard dog”. These dogs are super smart and are quite assertive. The Cane Corso is said to be impervious to pain, with electrical fences not even being able to get in its way. These dogs dislike strangers, however are super affectionate when it comes to their families. This dog isn’t recommended for first time dog owners, as it needs proper training to prevent the dog from “owning” the family and being too overprotective.
The breed’s name even translates from Latin to “bodyguard dog”
#Rottweiler
These cuties often have a bad reputation for being vicious. And while that can be true, they are gentle giants around the people they love. However, when it comes to strangers, this dog’s standoffishness behavior can be quite intimidating. The Rottweiler requires quite some training and socializing from an early age to make sure they only show aggressive nature when there is a threat.
The Rottweiler requires quite some training and socializing from an early age
#Appenzeller Sennenhund
This is one of the smaller dogs on the list, however don’t let it’s size fool you. Their energy and agility makes them great for guarding. The Appenzeller Sennenhund were originally bred to work as farm dogs. This makes them perfect if you have some land for protecting to use their obedience and intelligence to the max.
The Appenzeller Sennenhund were originally bred to work as farm dogs
#Tibetan Mastiff
These dogs were bred in the Himalayas mountain to help protect livestock. The Tibetan Mastiff is watchful, sharp, strong-willed and quite territorial. This breed is a great guard dog, however it can sometimes be too good at guarding. The Tibetan Mastiff doesn’t like unknown visitors, so make sure to keep strangers away. However, when it comes to their family, this dog is sweet, mellow, and loving.
The Tibetan Mastiff is watchful, sharp, strong-willed and quite territorial
#Estrela Mountain Dogs
The Estrela Mountain Dog is super smart and loving. While it’s a good family dog, it can often choose just one person as its adored person. This dog won’t hesitate to defend it’s home, or it’s family if needed. While this breed is quite calm, they do need their daily walks and space. They don’t do well in tighter spaces.
While it’s a good family dog, it can often choose just one person as its adored person
#Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman has a reputation for being an amazing guard dog. And there is a reason for that. This beautiful dog is fearless, very smart and superfast. These dogs are very loyal and always alert. While they can be big goofballs when they are off duty and super playful, when they need to they take their job very seriously. You’ll definitely feel safe with this dog.
The Doberman has a reputation for being an amazing guard dog
#Staffordshire Bull Terrier
The “staffie” is another smaller breed of this list, however they descended from English fighting dogs. They have still kept this fighting spirit to this day. If you want a loving, loyal, yet protective dog, then the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is the choice for you.
They have still kept this fighting spirit to this day
These were our top picks for the best guard dogs. We hope you found this article helpful. Now that you’ve had a detailed look, you can confidently choose which breed is the best for you. We hope you find the best dog for you that will love and protect you always.
You can confidently choose which breed is the best for you
Sources:
- The Scotsman ©
- Good Housekeeping ©
- Reader’s Digest ©
- The Pioneer Woman ©
- Country Living ©
