Best Guard Dog Breeds – Top 12 For Protection

There are lots of strong dog breeds that are used to guard our homes and families. From German Shepherds to Boxers these pups will do all they can to protect your household and children. But this does not mean they will be rude or harm your family members. They know when to fight and who they must attack or bark at. Dogs are often more intelligent then we give them credit for. And having a guard dog around is just one of the best ways to keep your family feeling safe and happy. Not only will you have a lovable dog and personal friend but a protector and overall great guard dog. Here are the best guard dog breeds.

1. German Shepherd

You probably could have guessed that this working dog is one of the best guard dog breeds in the world. Not only are German Shepherds the perfect fit to work in the police force but they make amazing family pets. They are loving but they are also loyal and know how to guard a household.

One of the first tricks police force dogs must learn is to know how to deal with an intruder or criminal. They usually pin the offender to the ground and hold onto him/her until the dog’s owner or handler arrives at the scene.

This breed is known for their loyalty and bravery and they almost never back down from a fight. This is one of the few reasons they are such reliable guard dogs.

2. Boxer

At first glance this breed is tough and possibly scary looking with their large jaws and muscular bodies. But if you get to know them they are actually quite kind and loyal dogs. They love to take care of their family which makes them such good guard dogs.

These brave pooches are great for scaring off intruders with their loud bark and intimidating set of teeth. They are very powerful animals and can easily take down criminals.

When it comes to this breed they can be very playful but only when they know the person they are with is not a threat. Furthermore, they have high-energy which makes them a great pick for chasing after bad guys. When it comes to attacking and biting, their sharp teeth are perfect for pinning down the intruders.

3. Doberman Pinscher

If you are a fan of movies, you may recognize this tough looking breed. Doberman Pinschers often play the “bad guys” role because of their frightening appearance and razor-sharp canines. But in reality these pooches are loyal and care about their owners.

Like the German Shepherd, they are often used as police work force dogs. They do well with commands and obeying orders. Also, like the German Shepherd they have (usually) a black and brown coat. These two breeds would work great together as a team.

One thing is for sure, they do not back down without a fight. Their long, lean legs and powerful muscles make them great at chasing down criminals and attacking when told to.

They have a keen sense of smell, allowing them to sniff out any unwanted visitors. And their pointed ears let them know what is going on around them. Despite Doberman’s seeming unfriendly at a first glance they are very friendly dogs when it comes to their families. They work well with children despite their reputation and will do anything to take care of the ones they love. Criminals will surely flee at the sight of this frightening dog.

4. Beauceron

Though this dog is fairly uncommon, they are a mighty breed that make wonderful guard dogs. Similar in appearance to the Doberman, they have a thin, black and brown coat and pointy ears. They also look similar to a German Shepherd with their body shape and longer tails.

This dog breed is in the herding group which means they are good at cornering livestock. But this does not always apply for just animals. Their knowledge of herding could help with cornering or even pinning down uninvited intruders.

They are easy to train due to their intelligence and are a lovable breed that care for their owners. Beauceron’s have very high-energy levels which makes them a great choice for a guard dog. They are able to run for a long period of time if needed to chase down any house invader. They also have a calm demeanor which helps in difficult, scary situations.

5. Great Dane

This giant may be gentle but this does not mean they cannot be fierce when needed. This dog’s size alone is intimidating but if you take the time to get to know them they are kind and caring. Which means they care about their family and will do whatever it takes to protect them.

This breed’s bark alone is deep and terrifying. The loud noise alone could easily be enough to scare off an trespasser. Their muscular bodies are likely enough to knock down an intruder and their teeth even more so. Their huge jaws come in handy, given their jaw power and how hard they can bite down.

6. Belgian Malinois

This is a medium sized herding dog who is plenty capable of taking care of thieves or crooks. Belgian Malinois’ are packed with muscle and are focused on their work. These two facts are one of the many reasons they would be great watch dogs.

This breed needs plenty of exercise and activity throughout the day. And giving them jobs to do such as watching over your household is a great way to quench their thirst for exercise.

They are powerful runners with their lean legs and long bodies. And they are a very athletic breed and great jumpers. According to the breedingbusiness.com they can jump up to 8 feet! This will certainly come in handy when it comes to stopping criminals.

7. Giant Schnauzer

This breed is large as its name suggests and can even weigh up to 110 pounds! Unlike it’s smaller descendants, the Giant Schnauzer is big enough to take down most intruders. Vigilant and strong, this dog is a perfect match when it comes to being a watchdog.

Not to mention their dark, black coats blend in at night so that they are very hard to see. This makes it easier for them to sneak up on criminals if needed and then take them down with ease. Though they are not aggressive towards children, they can be towards strangers.

They are watchful dogs who are most always on alert. If trained properly this obedient breed will be able to attack and hold onto the capture until help arrives, either by biting down on the person or holding them in place with their body weight/paws.

8. Bernese Mountain Dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, strong breed from the Swiss Alps. It is no surprise, given this dog’s origin, that they work well in harsher climates. Despite their friendly, happy face they can be vicious when needed.

They have a powerful body and are easy to train. They are good climbing companions which can prove helpful if you ever get lost or stuck in the mountains.

When it comes to guarding this dog is a good choice. They are affectionate and loyal dogs who were once developed to herd cattle and to pull carts. This sturdy animal knows how to listen and obey. And they are good at tracking which comes in handy when working as a watchdog.

Though this breed is kind and intelligent, you do need to be cautious when training them. Their high-energy and size can make handling difficult. They also are known to bark very loudly, which makes them such great guard dogs.

9. Bullmastiff

If there is one thing intimidating about this breed it is their massive jaw. Just by glancing at their face you can easily guess their wide range of sharp teeth. This factor makes them a great guard dog.

They would easily be able to pin down a stranger with bad intentions. They are huge dogs with tough skin and dark faces, giving them a threatening appearance. But deep down they are really kindhearted.

Gamekeepers originally developed the Bullmastiff in the 19th-century to guard estates. This is why this breed is known as the “Gamekeeper’s Night Dog.” They were bred to specifically tackle poachers that would come onto their lands until commanded to stop. This is why this independent breed is such a good choice to be a watchdog.

10. Rottweiler

This is probably the most intimidating looking canine out there. It’s muscular body, big head and powerful jaws make it a scary sight for someone on the wrong end of a fight. Reaching up to 135 pounds for males, they are considered one of the best guard dog breeds for protection.

They are extremely smart and quick learners when it comes to training. Socialization is necessary from a young age to instill confidence. Rottweilers were originally used to protect cattle and carry that trait to this day.

They are very loyal to their owners and very protective of kids. Males are better suited for guarding while females make better family pets. This dog will fearlessly defend their territory.

11. Terrier

Yes, there are many different types of Terriers. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. But a few types of Terriers that are more commonly used as watch dogs are Airedale, Bull, and Boston Terrier.

This dog may be on the smaller side compared to the other best guard dog breeds but they are surprisingly tough. Terriers have pointy, sharp teeth that easily rip through flesh. And when it comes to attacking they are great at biting and not letting go until their owner arrives and tells them to release the captive.

They also have an impressively loud bark that is sure to startle intruders and alert his/her family. They also have pretty muscular frames and are faster then they appear. Though this breed is sweet and loves to play, they can become aggressive when needed.

12. Chow Chow

Here is yet another dog breed that is not quite what they seem. Do not let this dog’s small demeanor fool you. It is true that this dog looks anything but threatening with its fluffy, huge fur and small, short legs. But if you take the time to learn about this breed they are actually quite dependable and strong.

If you look back on the history of this dog you may find that they once were given the responsibility of guarding the great palaces in Asia. But these palaces were not the only place this dog could be found. In fact, they were quite popular amongst royalty. Others, including the famous Queen Victoria, had Chow Chow’s as pets. This proves just how trustworthy they really are.

Why Should You Get a Guard Dog?

Guard dogs are a great way to protect our family and home from burglars, thieves or any other possible threats. They have good natural instincts and bark automatically at the first sign of an intruder.

They are one of the few dependable animals that are loyal and compassionate creatures. Dogs are able to sense human emotions. For example, they know when to comfort you when you are sad and when you need help if you are distressed. In simpler terms they care about the ones they love as we do our family members.

The best guard dog breeds will look out for their families and protect them at almost any costs. Sometimes a dog will even put their own life in danger if there is a chance it will save their owners. This is how much out dogs care about us and why having a guard dog around is such a good idea.

How To Train a Guard Dog?

First off, and something that goes without saying, is choose a dog breed that will be powerful enough to defend your household. Then once you have chosen a good dog begin to teach them commands.

But before you do this make sure you have built a strong relationship with your pet that is built on trust. Having a guard dog is great, but a dog will only want to protect you and your family if you are kind and loving to them.

When deciding on tricks to teach them consider the basics first. For example, learning how to bark on command is a very important skill when it comes to being a guard dog. You can do this by rewarding them with treats when they bark at your say so. This is referred to as an “alert bark.”

In the police force, canine officers often teach their work dogs how to attack by letting them tackle a man covered in protective gear. They also sometimes use a fake dummy. But the dog is only allowed to do this when their handler tells them to. The handler also decides when they may release the man they have tackled.

Are Guard Dogs Dangerous?

Any of these dogs can be dangerous if not socialized and trained the right way from a young age. However they can also make amazing family pets when raised with the adequate training. How they react to certain situations will depend on a lot of different factors.

You can sense if a dog means to do you harm based off their stature and expressions. If their ears are pinned back and they hackles are raised it means they are angry or threatened. And if they bark at you or their teeth are bared it means the same thing. If a dog does any of these things to you it is best to stay safe and back away.

Dogs are only ever truly dangerous if they feel threatened, are trying to defend themselves, or have been trained to attack strangers. Dogs act based off commands if they are well trained. Therefore, if an owner commands their pet to tackle you it is most likely reasonable.

Though is is important to note that wild, untamed dogs can attack you because they don’t trust humans and are not used to being around them. But this is a rare case and you will not likely have to deal with this.

Conclusion

Small or large, cute or intimidating, the best guard dog breeds have one thing in common. They are all kindhearted. There are many dogs out there that are perfect guard dogs and would be more then happy to keep the ones they love safe. Whether you have a small, yappy Chihuahua or a giant, gentle Great Dane you will grow to love them. Everyone has their flaws, including dogs. Some just have to take the time to realize this.

Please leave a comment below and let us know what you think!

What do you think are the best guard dog breeds? Do you own one of these courageous defenders? Let us know! We would love to hear about your story!