Do you often get hunger pangs right in the middle of the night, so intense that only a tasty pot of instant noodles can make you feel normal? Well, if you have an alert dog at home, don’t even think about it! The moment you set your foot on the kitchen floor, your dog’s in-built, personal sensor will be turned on automatically.
You can sneak expertly into the kitchen and open drawers like a whisper; your dog will still know it. And the moment you open the pack of your favourite ramen, the crackle will make your dog bark like a robber has entered the house to steal the hidden gold from the locker (which is impossible to possess in this economy).
Next thing you know, all the lights in the house are turned on, your entire fam jam is awake, and now you need to make ramen for EVERYONE! Yeah, that’s what alert dogs do.
Let’s talk about the 7 most alert and watchful dog breeds out there that won’t let you satisfy your midnight hunger pangs in peace but will protect you and your home like the perfect guardian!
Most Alert & Watchful Dog Breeds
1. German Shepherd
Yeah, the German Shepherds are adorable. But, they are like a nosy neighbour who wants to know everything that’s happening in your house at all times.
German Shepherds are some of the most widely loved dogs across the globe. Their performance as guard dogs is appreciated everywhere, and that’s solely because they’re always alert and watchful. There is an instinct in them to protect their loved ones. And for that, they’ll go to ANY limits.
Training can polish their instinct to protect, and they can detect and react to potential threats efficiently. So much so that they would expertly inform their owners about a potential medical emergency as well!
This is what they are considered to be candidates for service dogs as well. For senior living alone with no human help, Germans help in detecting possible seizures and low blood sugar.
Their protective nature is so extreme that they even forewarn their owners about the presence of smoke or the necessity to evacuate due to severe weather. Germans are excellent family dogs! They’ll play with your kids and will also guard them with all their heart and soul.
2. Doberman Pinscher
This dog doesn’t take a nap—it keeps monitoring the house at all times. Wind? Bark. The sound of an alarm clock in the morning? Bark. Your shadow at 3 a.m., while you were trying to sneak into the kitchen to eat? Bark. They’ll bark at anything and everything.
Doberman Pinscher is known for its protective nature and an instinct to keep its folks safe from all kinds of dangers. Don’t take them merely as canines who are good at finding the crumbles of chips that you pushed under he carpet; they are much more than that.
Being supremely intelligent, DPCD says they can easily be prepared to detect narcotics and explosives. At airports, they’ll always be watchful, checking every possible criminal and pointing them out. Similarly, they help and perform tasks for individuals with disabilities as well.
3. Akita
Even in their supposedly deep sleep, they’re somehow observing the front door, and the instant someone approaches it, they spring into action and start barking.
That’s how alert they are!
No matter where they are, the whole surrounding area is under their radar. They keep a good look at everything, which makes them competent guard dogs. For their owners, they are fiercely loyal, and it shows in their protectiveness towards their family and home.
They are also phenomenal medical alert dogs. They will alert their owners whenever an upcoming seizure is imminent and may even fetch the medicine when needed.
However, remember that they come with an independent streak and may be a bit stubborn when it comes to training. This is why firm and consistent training is required to turn them into good guard dogs.
4. Giant Schnauzer
This giant dog is naturally watchful and territorial. Their constant need to guard their properties and people stems from their instinct of protection. If you get this dog as a pet, you no longer have to worry about leaving your home unlocked, knowing this dog will protect it.
They are both alert and vocal. Even at a minor change in the situation, they’ll bark to alert the owners and make sure everyone around them is aware of the change.
The Giant Schnauzer is also naturally wary of strangers. If you have an Amazon parcel being delivered to your home, make sure your dog doesn’t chase the mailman away!
Proper socialization and early training are essential if you plan to have this dog at home. This way, these otherwise excellent watchdogs will know how to behave around guests.
5. Bullmastiff
Bullmastiffs hear everything. Also, they see each and every movement happening around them. If you are going for a quick walk to the park next to your house, this dog will survey their environment keenly. It will be super alert, and it will show!
Originally bred to assist in guarding estates and protecting them from poachers, Purina mentions these powerful dogs still retain all their qualities as phenomenal guards.
When you bring them home as pets, you need to train them to distinguish between friendly visitors and potential threats. Also, remember they are big dogs and need enough physical stimulation to remain non-destructive.
They make a strong bond with their owners that gives them a strong desire to keep them protected. For farm owners in rural areas, these are great guard dogs as they have everything it takes to subdue and hold down intruders.
6. Australian Shepherd
Bringing home an Australian Shepherd is like having a living, breathing motion detector with a lot of fur and a constantly waggling tail. Originally bred for guarding livestock, Australian Shepherd is naturally inclined to protect their owners, work, and excel in tasks that require quick thinking and observation.
If you give them a job to do, they’ll be the happiest. When there is nothing substantial to do, ensure their mental stimulation through various physical activities. They are super alert. They are highly sensitive to their handlers’ emotions as well. They make such strong bonds with them that they can read their owners’ emotions.
It is possible to train them to identify and respond to shifts in the mood or physical state of the owners. Their intelligence makes them highly trainable.
7. Tibetan Mastiff
Like Alex Jones, they act like a conspiracy theorist and think every leaf blowing by is an intruder. Yes, Tibetan Mastiffs are highly alert and always ready for protection work. AKC says they are excellent watchdogs who are well-aware of their surrounding and know what is happening around them.
Wearing a super-thick coat that gives them an imposing presence, these dogs deter intruders merely by their presence. On top of that, their protective instincts don’t let any strangers enter the house and cause any damage.
What sets them apart from other watchdogs is their loud, deep bark. A single bark is enough to wake the owner up from his deep sleep and get him to know about the potential intruder. They are a highly trainable dog breed.
Conclusion
Though all dogs are loyal and alert, some have an instinct to protect their loved ones. They are always watchful of their surroundings. Their alertness makes them great candidates for rescue dog and therapy dog positions.
These powerful dogs quickly detect changes in their environment, thanks to their keen senses. By forming strong bonds with their families, they become phenomenal pets who are also excellent watchdogs.
