Bringing a protective dog to your home comes with the peace of mind that you and your family are safe from possible dangers or threats that might come your way. All dogs have this instinct to protect their loved ones, but some breeds turn out to be excellent guard dogs for you.
We have gathered 8 of the greatest guard dogs for you that are the perfect combination of strength, loyalty, and an affectionate nature. These dogs are great family pets and gentle with kids.
With proper training and socialization, these pets know how to distinguish between real threats and just everyday strangers.
While having fun playtime with children, they keep a close eye on them and ensure they stay safe. These pups are both gentle companions and fierce protectors of your family, especially kids. Read on to learn more about how devoted these dogs are to protecting their household.
Best Guard Dog Breeds For Kids
1. German Shepherd
The German Shepherd stands out as one of the best guard dog breeds for families with children.
German Shepherds are the most widely recognized breed by the American Kennel Club and are regarded as the best guard dogs in the canine world. These large dogs are agile, have a muscular build, are loyal, and highly intelligent.
German Shepherds are eager to please their owners, which is why they perform well during training sessions. With consistent training and the pup’s willingness, these dogs turn out to be the most well-behaved and well-suited gentle dogs to be in your home.
These dogs have great guarding instincts because of their roles in the police and military. They have a loud bark, which is enough to scare off intruders.
These large dogs are praised for their alertness and are great to be around kids because of their gentle demeanor. They are fun playmates for kids who are taught well how to act around dogs.
They are highly energetic dogs who need both physical exercise and mental stimulation regularly to feel satisfied. They get along well with active families and love outdoor adventures.
2. Doberman Pinscher
With their unmatched loyalty, sharp intelligence, and strong protective instincts, Dobermans are naturally devoted to keeping their loved ones safe.
According to PetMD, Doberman Pinschers were originally bred for being guard dogs by a German tax collector officer, Louis Dobermann. These dogs are noble, brave, intelligent, and loyal with their pet parents.
Dobermans have various excellent qualities that make them the perfect guard dogs for your family and children.
Dobermans have an alert and intimidating look along with a loud bark, which is enough to make intruders run for their lives. These clever and versatile guard dogs excel in agility and obedience training and competitions. They are known to be a highly curious and perceptive dog breed.
These watchdogs are strong and courageous and will protect their owners at any cost. They need plenty of regular exercise and mental stimulation to blow off energy, as they are highly energetic. These muscular giants get along well with active families and stay happy playing with them.
It is advised that only experienced owners should adopt them who understand their needs and requirements properly while providing them with what they need to ensure they remain family-friendly pets.
3. Saint Bernard
Nicknamed “nanny dogs” because of their affiliation and love for young-aged kids, Saint Bernards are the wonderful guard dogs from the Swiss Alps. These smart guardians are among the most famous and beloved dog breeds from the canine world.
They are the smartest breeds and are famously watchful and provide patient companionship.
These protective dogs are fond of children, intelligent, and friendly. These watchdogs are muscular, have an imposing presence, and a massive size, which is enough to ward off intruders. Because of their bravery and protective instincts, they are regarded as the best family pets.
These guard dogs are great for owners with a busy schedule, as they do not need a ton of exercise and mental stimulation; however, they would definitely benefit from a short walk and brief play sessions with the kids. Thus, they are low-maintenance dogs, ideal for novice owners.
Because of their size, it is recommended that their play time with children is supervised so they don’t accidentally knock them over.
4. Boxer
Boxers were recognized as the 16th most popular dog breed by the AKC in the year 2022. They are known for their playful and loyal nature, plus they are extremely friendly with kids, making them the perfect guard dog breeds for your family, especially children.
Britannica mentions that Boxers are a working dog breed, which means they have a lot of energy and stamina, which is why they require stern training sessions, so they have a healthy outlet of energy; otherwise, they may tend to show aggressive and unwanted behavior.
Boxers are excellent watchdogs, highly trainable, and extremely loyal, which makes them great family pets and a great breed to be around kids. These dogs are great with small kids, but their playtime must be supervised to avoid any problems.
5. Papillon
Papillon is a French name which means “Butterfly,” and they are named so because these small dogs have big ears with long and wispy hair that resembles butterfly wings. This small breed is a popular family dog and is the greatest companion from the canine world.
Papillons are compact, adaptable, happy, and friendly dogs who love spending time with their family members, especially kids. They excel in agility, are great therapy and service dogs as well. These smart dogs need a lot of physical and mental stimulation to blow off energy.
Papillons thrive on human attention and can adjust well with other pets in the house. They are the perfect size to be around small children.
Papillons may not be the best guard dogs, but they are definitely excellent watchdogs who stay alert around kids and bark to signal their owners about potential intruders or threats around them.
6. Newfoundland
Famous as water rescue dogs, Newfoundlands have a sweet temperament, which is their personality’s hallmark. These family dogs are loving and people-oriented. They are great with young children and affectionate with all family members.
These courageous dogs are calm, easy-going, and patient, which makes them an excellent breed to be around small kids. They are happiest when spending quality time with family and are also named “nanny dogs” because of their kind nature around kids.
They form strong bonds with their owners, making them the perfect, gentle, loyal, and natural protectors.
Their playtime must be supervised just because they are of a big size, are clumsy, and can unintentionally knock over kids. Being large and powerful working dogs, these gentle giants have a lot of energy that needs to be catered to.
Though not great guard dogs, they are still the best guardians for kids. They have strong protective instincts and can alert their owners to certain dangers around them. They are even known to push kids away from strangers to protect them.
7. Tibetan Spaniel
Tibetan Spaniels are strong-willed and alert dogs. These dogs are thousands of years old and were bred to be around Himalayan monks. These dogs used to bark to alert everyone if any strangers came close to the monastery.
These pups have a good sense of humor and a calm demeanor, which makes them great companions. Because they have moderate energy levels, these dogs do not require a lot of physical activity; rather, they require a good amount of attention from their loved ones.
These family dogs are devoted to their people and love to play and snuggle with them on the couch.
These pups are welcoming of other dogs in the family environment. They love children but are well-suited for older kids rather than small children. These dogs are protective guard dogs and are wary of strangers who get too close to their family.
They are watchful, which is why they bark and alert the whole house if someone approaches near it.
8. Miniature Schnauzer
A Miniature Schnauzer is a loving and playful creature and is ranked 18th on the list of most popular dogs by AKC, year 2022. They are the most popular and loving companions in the US, have captured the hearts of many, and are a family staple.
These pups are made for family life. They are great to be around kids, can occasionally play and cuddle with them. These loving and intelligent dogs should be socialized from an early age to allow them to build a healthy relationship with their owners.
Miniature Schnauzers are great watchdogs because of their muscular and fearless attitude; however, they do not show aggression at all. They are dominating guard dogs and can stand up to other dogs twice their size.
They can bark and can be very vocal to alert their family about potential threats around them.
Conclusion
The best guard dogs are properly trained, deeply loyal, fearless, and naturally wary of strangers. These protection dogs keep you and your family safe without showing much aggression, which not only makes them an ideal choice but is also a great option for adopting for a house with kids.
With proper socialization and some supervision, these dogs have a blast with kids of all ages. So, what are you waiting for? Bring home your loving companion today!
