Whenever we think of watchdogs, large dog breeds come to mind instantly. But in reality, small dogs are also quite alert and proactive when it comes to guarding. They are very effective protectors, and their sharp senses and quick reactions make them excellent watchdogs.
Small dogs are well known for their protective instincts. Due to their high vocals, they inform the owners immediately regarding any strange sounds and movements. Moreover, their early warning ability provides good security at home. Despite their size, they are brave, intelligent, and confident enough to deal with the situation.
Guard dog breeds remain loyal to their owners and remain affectionate towards them. When they are properly trained, they are perfect for protection. Last but not least, their manageable size makes them adjust to anywhere, be it a home or an apartment. In this article, we will explore small dogs that are the best guard dog breeds.
Best Small Dog Breeds for Watchdog and Guarding Tasks
There are several small dog breeds that are good at protecting and guarding. Let’s dive into each breed to know about their traits regarding guarding:
1. Australian Terrier
Aussie is a small, athletic dog with a silky, long-haired coat that resembles a Yorkie. It was originally bred in Australia to protect homes from snakes and pests. The fun part is that due to its confident and bold attitude, it forgets about its small size. Moreover, it forms a strong bond with the owners and enjoys a great family life.
Being a highly intelligent and incredibly alert dog, it is well aware of its surroundings. It always barks on purpose, and its loud bark is enough to tell the owner about something strange. It observes the situation keenly and reacts after analysing it properly. It is stated by PetMD that since it was bred to hunt, it does not feel contented lounging on the sofa all day.
But it can be stubborn at times, so timely trainings are necessary. It also needs early socialization as it is extremely protective and sometimes deals with the other animals suspiciously.
2. Cairn Terrier
Cairn Terrier is a small, hardy, double-coated dog with a muscular build and intelligent eyes. It originated in Scotland, where it used to accompany its owner on fox hunts. It is incredibly loyal to its family members and always finds its place in the lap. According to the American Kennel Club, it is known as the “best little pal in the world”.
It is incredibly protective owing to its curious and intelligent nature. It always remains fearless and confident enough to deter intruders because of its keen senses to detect danger. It always takes its guarding role seriously and remains a reliable protector of the house and estate.
Cairn demands regular exercise for mental stimulation. And sometimes barks excessively when ignored, bored, and not properly engaged in different activities.
3. Miniature Schnauzer
It is a little, strong, energetic, and low-shedding guard dog. It was developed in Germany, more precisely, to be a farm dog. Despite being a miniature version of a giant schnauzer, it is more vocal and spirited and has great guarding instincts. Additionally, it forms an exemplary attachment with the owner.
It is distinctive because of its beard and eyebrows. According to Britannica, the word Schnauzer means muzzle in German, referring to its beard and Mustache. It is also known as one of the smartest and most fearless protectors, as it quickly senses danger.
It remains quite vigilant due to its high level of intelligence. Sometimes, its confident bark gives an impression of a large dog and makes the intruders stay away.
But it requires mentally stimulating activities to prevent it from becoming destructive due to boredom. Besides, also needs grooming because of the wiry coat.
4. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkie is a compact, toy-sized, elegant terrier with a beautiful, long-length haircoat. It was originally bred in England to control vermin in textile mills, homes, and mines. It is one of the gentle companions and forms a deep bond with the owners owing to its affectionate nature.
It is not only a watchdog, but also a cheerful and interesting part is when it hangs its tongue out, it seems like it is smiling for the camera.
Yorkie likes to explore the surroundings as it is bestowed with an inquisitive personality. It is quite intelligent and has good guarding instincts. Due to its assertive, fearless, and protective nature, it knows how to prevent the infiltrators from entering its territory. It remains alert all the time and extremely vocal to act as an early warning system.
It needs proper training to correct its unwanted braking behaviour. Consistent training is required to end its stubbornness and to prevent it from fighting with other dogs, particularly the large ones.
5. Chihuahua
Chihuahua is a small, guard dog with a big personality. Its “apple-like head” is the hallmark of this breed. It has big ears, due to which it feels like it is just about all ears. It originated in Mexico as a companion dog but was later on used as a highly effective guardian. It is a great family pet and thrives on deep human companionship.
Chihuahua is a confident and bold dog that does not care about its size. Since it is an intelligent and high-energy dog, it is quick to sense unfamiliar sounds and activities. Interestingly, it has strong territorial instincts, due to which it provides protection to the home.
Despite being a great family pet and a loving companion, it shows aggressive temperament towards strangers, so consistent training and proper socialization are imperative.
6. Scottish Terrier
It is a little, powerful, bearded dog with a confident demeanor. It is a Scottish breed and was bred to hunt vermin. It forms a strong bond with the family members and is quite aloof towards strangers when it comes to protecting its owner.
It is a highly alert dog with an independent nature and strong-willed as well. It is not that vocal but barks excessively when something unusual occurs. Its fearless attitude, courage, and determination make it an excellent guard dog.
But it is challenging for the first time owners to train it due to its independent nature. Proper socialization is also required as it is quite aloof towards strangers and other dogs.
7. Lhasa Apso
Lhasa Apso is a small, hardy dog with an elegant, long coat that falls on the floor. It originated in Tibet and was used by monks as a companion and to protect monasteries and palaces. As it is quite courageous, its name stems from a Chinese word meaning “lion”. Though affectionate and calm with the family but quite cautious of the surroundings.
It is a highly observant and intelligent guard dog with great vigilance. Bring a fearless guardian; it has strong territorial instincts and barks out loud to deter the entry of strangers. Despite its size, it has a commanding appearance and does not hesitate to inform the owners about unusual activity.
However, its long hair coat demands regular grooming and care. If it becomes stubborn at times, then without frequent training, it is not possible to make it well-behaved.
Conclusion
On the whole, the size of the dog does not matter when it comes to providing protection and becoming the right guard dog. Small dog breeds have strong protective instincts and are deeply loyal to the family. They are quite aware of their surroundings and detect any abnormal situation instantly.
In addition to this, they are highly alert and intelligent enough to sense danger. Despite their size, they act as an efficient security system and inform the owners about the danger. Their loud bark is enough to thwart the entry of an intruder into their territory.
Moreover, their natural instinct of guarding is deeply intertwined with loyalty and companionship with the family. They are the big personalities in a small package. Since we have discussed each breed in detail, it is easy for the owners to opt for any of them as a watchdog.
