Best Guard Dog
The best guard dog breeds are all dogs with an instinct to protect their home and family. They are also loyal and fearless, which means you can trust them to keep you safe.
Having a guardian breed of dog can help you stay safe. These dogs will bark when someone comes to the door, letting you know that there is a visitor. For that reason, they can assist you in protecting yourself in the event of an outside threat, such as a thief or someone trying to rob you. You can keep an eye on things outside your home by using one of the best outdoor wireless cameras.
And while you may think that guardian breeds are all work and no fun, this is not the truth. Some of our favorite guard dogs list the most affectionate dog breeds, proving that while they might have a fierce bark where strangers are concerned when it comes to their humans, they’re nothing but big love machines.
If you choose a dog with strong protective instincts, remember that early training and socialization are very important. These dogs need to know appropriate behavior and when it is okay to act aggressively. Luckily, some of the breeds listed below are also included in our guide to the most obedient large dog breeds. So training these dogs should be a breeze!
Best Guard Dog
1. German Shepherd
Some people think of the German Shepherd when they think of a guard dog. German Shepherds are popular with the police and are easy to train. They are very loyal and have a lot of stamina. They can also stay calm under pressure.
German Shepherds are a great choice for a home guard dog because of their size, strength, and biting power. They can also be playful pets that love to play with toys. Just make sure they are strong enough to handle being played with rough (try the Nuts for Knots Extreme 2 rope tugger toy). So they will protect your home, but they will also make a great friend.
These dogs need a lot of exercises. This rope toy is very strong and can handle being played with rough. That means your guard dog can have some fun while getting some exercise too.
2. Cane Corso
Cane Corsos are very good guard dogs because they are so muscular and powerful. They are about 65 cm tall, which may not seem very big to some people, but they are very strong. The Cane Corso is from Italy and was bred to protect Roman soldiers. Its name comes from the Latin for “bodyguard-dog.” So you can see that this breed is meant to be a great guard dog. It can also be a docile pet when it is not needed to protect someone or something.
3. Akita
The Akita is not the most powerful guard dog breed, but it is smart. Akitas were bred centuries ago to protect Japanese royalty. They are very curious and suspicious animals, so they can help you stay safe by telling you when someone strange is around. If you don’t want a big, powerful guard dog, the Akita may be perfect for you.
4. Bullmastiff
The Bullmastiff is a breed of dog known for having a lot of bite force. This is different from other guard dogs. Their bite force is around 552 pounds per square inch. That’s more than three times the average bite force for most dogs. The Bullmastiff was bred to be a guard dog, but they can be gentle and laidback if properly trained and socialized with their owners.
5. Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman Pinscher is a breed that was created in the 1800s. A German tax collector, Louis Dobermann, needed a dog to protect him. The Doberman is a smart dog and can be trained to protect effectively with little instruction. Even though it may look like a powerful dog, the Doberman’s intelligence is its strongest attribute. The naturally aggressive trait of the Doberman was bred out of it, making them very affectionate family dogs.
6. Komondor
Even though the Komondor doesn’t look like a fierce guard dog, it is very protective of its family. This Hungarian-bred dog is bred to herd sheep, but it will also protect your family from intruders. The Komondor will be happy to watch them for you if you have kids.
To warn shepherds of approaching danger, they have developed a loud bark. Although this might not be ideal if you live in an apartment, it is perfect for warning you of any danger.
7. Giant Schnauzer
A larger version of the Miniature Schnauzer is the Giant Schnauzer. Because these dogs were developed to herd cattle, they are inherently bold animals who can face up to larger animals.
They are strong and resistant to pain but also intelligent. They will learn quickly who is a friend and who is not to be trusted. They’re one of the most devoted pets you’ll ever have. With their well-known beard, they’ll be sure to draw notice.
8. American Staffordshire Terrier
The Staffy is a dog that is often misunderstood. They are loving, caring, and devoted pets. However, they can be aggressive if they are not treated well. This is because they are muscular dogs with strong jaws.
German Shepherds are known for being very protective of their owners. This can make them great guard dogs, but it is important to train them properly and be firm with them to know when it is okay to be protective and when they need to calm down.
9. Rottweiler
The Rottweiler is an aggressive dog, but they can be loyal and affectionate when raised with a family. They are naturally wary of strangers, but they will learn who to trust after getting to know them.
This intelligence, when combined with obedience, makes them ideal guard dogs. They can be trained to bite and hang on to an aggressor, but it takes a lot of practice.
10. Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a huge dog bred to hunt lions in the past. This breed is very courageous and can easily protect your home from intruders.
They are fearless and natural protectors. They can change from loving pets to being fierce guard dogs in seconds. So they need to be well trained so they will listen to commands. They usually don’t bark, which is good for owners, but it is twice as useful because when you hear your pet make a noise, you’ll know it’s for a very good reason.
11. Dogo Argentino
These dogs, which were developed to hunt large game, require training and exercise. They are one of the best guard dog breeds because they are very protective of their family and property.
These animals weigh between 70 and 100 pounds. They are capable of taking down bigger animals, like wild hogs. So they will be great at protecting your family.
12. Great Dane
Because of its size, the Great Dane is an excellent dog choice. They are very tall and were used by German nobles as bodyguard dogs. They have been around for a long time and were used for hunting.
Great Danes come from a long line of loyal, caring dogs. They are also patient and protective of families, making them ideal for households with young children. However, they can become defensive if threatened and should be trained not to react aggressively to potential dangers.
13. the Great Pyrenees
This dog was bred in the Pyrenees mountains. The shepherds living there needed a tough and loyal dog that could survive in a tough environment. This is exactly what they got with this breed of dog. These dogs were bred to look after flocks of sheep, so they may wake up during the night.
Barking at night can be annoying for dog owners and their neighbors. But it can also help to keep burglars away. Dogs that bark a lot are often brave and can be patient. They are a good choice for families with young children.
14. Dogue de Bordeaux
If you’ve seen the Tom Hanks movie Turner and Hooch, you know what a Dogue de Bordeaux looks like. They are also known as French Mastiffs. They were bred as guard dogs for centuries. They are big, wrinkly, and often drool a lot. They can be gentle giants, but they are inherently protective and loyal.
They are protective of their families and territory, but they are also unaware of how large they are. Despite this, they have a sweet disposition that would be a great fit for any home.
15. Boxer
Brave Boxers are naturally protective dogs. They can be very good guard dogs if they are well-socialized and trained. They will form strong bonds with their family members and be especially protective of any kids in the family.
The Boxer is a great guard and police dog because of their high energy and athleticism. They can protect you by barking at intruders and scaring them away. However, some people think of them as “gentle” guard dogs because they won’t usually bite people.
16. Belgian Malinois
The Belgian Malinois was designed to herd animals and is an excellent tracking dog. Today, they are used by the police and military. They are similar to the German Shepherd, but they require consistent training in order to be well-mannered and happy.
17. Tibetan Mastiff
Tibetan Mastiffs were bred as property and livestock security dogs. This is a job that they still do now. Strangers find them cautious and aloof, and they are very protective of their families. They can also be quite territorial, making them great guard dogs if they are properly trained from puppyhood.
18. Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherds are a type of herding dog. Herding dogs are bred to be watchdogs, which means they are great at keeping an eye on things and telling you if something is wrong. They usually bark more than they attack, so they make good guard dogs if you train them to be that way.
19. Boerboel
The Boerboel is a breed of dog from South Africa. They are known for their hard work in protecting remote homesteads from predators. These dogs are confident and quiet, but they can be scary. They have a cheerful disposition and a desire to learn, making them a joy to work with. They are also extremely loyal to those they care about.
This breed is not a good choice for a first-time or novice owner because they are highly intelligent and need training and socialization. However, if you can be firm and quickly establish yourself as the pack leader, this dog will be very loyal to you.
Final Thoughts
Guard dogs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They can be of different sizes and have different skills. You need to think about what you need the dog to do and what kind of space you have before choosing one.
Read more: How to Train a Dog to Guard Your Home
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Guard Dog
The Tibetan mastiff is the perfect guard dog. This dog is very large and powerful. It will intimidate anyone who tries to get past it.
According to The Intelligence of Dogs, the border collie is considered one of the smartest dog breeds, ranking among 131 dog breeds in terms of their relative intelligence.
German Shepards are used as police dogs because they are smart and protective of their loved ones. They have a rough coat that is easy to identify. They are known for being protective of their people and property.
German Shepherds are excellent guard dogs for first-time owners because of their temperament. They are bright and easy to train, but they require constant monitoring because they are protective creatures.
There is no significant difference between male and female dogs regarding protective behaviors. Protective behaviors are more pronounced in unaltered dogs than in neutered dogs, and breed also plays a role.