Hyena species are well-known for their hunting and scavenging abilities. Britannica calls them powerful trotters with excellent sense of sight, smell, and hearing. Using all senses, these nocturnal beings can hunt everything from hippos to zebras, gazelles, and fish.
Hyenas often come in contact with humans. They can steal food and livestock. Sometimes, they can kill humans too. Hyena attacks on man are rare, but can still happen. Most attacks occur in Middle East and Africa, where humans live close to Hyena habitats.
Dogs are man’s best friend. Various dog breeds can protect humans and other animals against these predators. Certain dog breeds naturally possess guarding instincts, whereas others can be trained to protect.
Have a look at the top dog breeds that can guard against hyena attacks.
Dog Breeds to Protect Against Hyenas
1. Akita
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Breed group: Working
Temperament: Aloof
Energy Level: Calm
Prey Drive: High
Originally bred in Japan, Akitas served to protect royal families and hunt bears. It is a large, powerful, and exceptionally smart dog. Akitas are strong-willed dogs with a high prey drive. Due to these personality traits, they top our list of dogs that can kill hyenas.
Akitas are heavy boned spitz-type dogs with a massive head and curled-over tail. Their alertness, imposing nature, and independent thinking abilities make them ideal for hunting hyenas. Akitas are the territorial dogs that cannot tolerate strangers and other dogs.
Akitas as Pets
As a pet, Akitas are quiet, friendly, and affectionate. They gladly share their aloof side with friends and family. This highly active dog breed requires a lot of exercise to stay healthy. Proper training from early age can help them socialize with kids and other dogs.
Pro Tip: Akitas are aggressive hyena predators, but you have to be careful about their coat. Make sure their dense coat does not overheat during a hike.
2. Belgian Malinois
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Breed group: Herding
Temperament: Loyal
Energy Level: High
Prey Drive: High
Similar in appearance to a German Shepherd, the Belgian Malinois is widely used as a police dog or drug dog. They also protect livestock against predators. Their sturdy and athletic build makes them ideal for hunting hyenas.
This loyal dog breed possesses extreme intelligence and makes an excellent guard dog. However, Mals can be jealous and territorial, so they need some extra training to socialize well. Consistent training and positive reinforcement can help you control your pup. Otherwise they can become destructive.
Do you know? A Belgian Malinois named Conan was honored in 2019 after getting injured during a raid on an ISIS leader in Iraq.
Belgian Malinois as Pets
Belgian Malinois are highly energetic dogs. They are a perfect fit for active households where they get enough exercise. They love their humans and do not have any trouble keeping up with you on a trail.
3. German Shepherd
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Breed group: Herding
Temperament: Calm, gentle, and aloof
Energy Level: High
Prey Drive: High
One of the most courageous and fearless dog breeds, German Shepherds are large in size. A German Shepherd can risk its own life to save their loved ones from the predators like wolves, lion, leopards, or hyenas. Most people love them for their loyalty and intelligence.
With an imposing build and loud bark, a German Shepherd is a natural learner. It is considered as one of the smartest dog breed. Due to its obedience and versatility, police and military use this dog for police duty, search, and resue.
German Shepherds as Pets
German Shepherds make great family dogs. People prefer them due to their trainability. However, this high-energy breed requires proper training and early socialization to behave well. The American Kennel Club reports that German Shepherds have a lifespan of 9 to 13 years, but some can live up to 20 years.
4. Rhodesian Ridgeback
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Breed group: Hound group
Temperament: Loyal and friendly
Energy Level: High
Prey Drive: High
Rhodesian ridgebacks are the agile dogs that was originally bred for tracking and hunting lions, but can also prey hyenas. They are great athletes with strength, stamina and endurance. Their powerful build and loyal nature make them a perfect companion for a long hike.
Having a weight of around 70 to 100 pounds, ridgebacks are known for having a distinctive ridge of fur that runs in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat. Ridgebacks are known for their strong-willed and independent personalities.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks as Pets
People love Rhodesian Ridgebacks for their patient, friendly, and affectionate demeanor. Obedience training with positive reinforcement can turn them into well-behaved pets. According to PetMD, they love getting engaged in fun activities like swimming, jogging, field trials, and lure coursing.
5. Rottweiler
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Breed group: Working
Temperament: Gentle, aloof, and affectionate
Energy Level: Low
Prey Drive: High
Rottweilers have an intimidating, large, and muscular build. It is a confident and versatile dog that was bred for watching and herding livestock. They served the farmers on farms. They would protect the cattle from predators like hyenas, tigers, and lions. Today, they are used as police dogs.
Rottweilers are sweet and playful with their families. They are fiercely loyal and unlike some portrayals, they are not dangerous. It is a docile and laid back pup, but just like all other breeds they can become aggressive sometimes. During a fight, Rottweilers tend to overpower their opponents.
Rottweilers as Pets
As a pet, Rottweilers are affectionate, gentle, and aloof. However, they bark a lot. Early socialization and proper training allows them to learn when should they bark. Otherwise their barking can become a nuisance.
6. Cane Corso
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Breed group: Working
Temperament: Affectionate and loyal
Energy Level: High
Prey Drive: High
Cane Corso is a Latin word that means “bodyguard dog.” Yet another breed on our list, Cane Corso is a big dog with strong and muscular build and is powerful enough to kill a hyena. The ancient Romans used Can Corso for hunting, fighting, guiding, and as a war dog.
Often having a weight of more than 100 pounds, they have an imposing appearance. Choose these “gentle giants” only if you are an experienced dog owner. Cane Corsos can be aggressive towards strangers. They have a lifespan of 10 to 11 years.
Cane Corso as Pets
They are affectionate dogs that love their families. Due to their strong build and high energy levels, cane corsos are not ideal for inexperienced pet parents. They have a stubborn streak due to which they are difficult to train. However, training plays an important role in overcoming aggression.
7. Bullmastiff
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Breed group: Working
Temperament: Gentle and aloof
Energy Level: Calm
Prey Drive: High
Bullmastiff is relatively bigger that other breeds of the dog world. Due to their strength and size, humans and other animals might find them intimidating. The Bullmastiffs were developed by English gamekeepers in the 19th century.
These quiet and fearless dogs usually hold down hyena instead of biting them. Males of this breed weigh around 110 and 130 pounds whereas females have a weight of 100 to 120 pounds. They have an average lifespan of 10 years.
Bullmastiffs as Pets
Bullmastiffs are affectionate towards their family and make great companions. They are all muscle but do not require extensive exercise. However, regular walks are required for mental stimulation. They are full of energy and provide protection to their owners.
Conclusion
Some dog breeds other than those mentioned in the article have the potential to kill the hyena species. Boerboels and Kangals are some examples. If you are planning to adopt a dog breed that can fight hyenas, consider training them properly.
