You need to consider a variety of factors while purchasing the right guard dog breed. Excellent guard dogs are naturally protective of their humans and territory. They can willingly sacrifice their lives in line of defense.
At the same time, they tend to be calm and gentle towards their people. Good guard dogs have balanced personalities. They make incredibly loyal companions and form strong bonds with their humans.
Guard dogs are fearless and bold enough to face all sorts of potential threats. Their natural instincts, keen senses, and high intelligence enable them to excel as guardians and protectors. These pooches need regular exercise to turn into well-behaved pets.
Have a look at these balanced dog breeds: calm, loyal, and excellent guard dogs.
Balanced Dog Breeds: Calm, Loyal, and Excellent Guards
1. Boerboel
One of the most powerful dog breeds in the world, Boerboels were originally bred to guard farms in South Africa. Boerboels have an imposing and muscular build, which acts as the first line of defense against potential intruders.
Having big bodies and even bigger hearts, Boerboels exhibit a calm and docile side of their personality to their loved ones. With proper training and socialization, these affectionate dogs make wonderful family pets. They are well-suited for homes with older kids.
Boerboels are a bit skeptical of strangers and have a territorial nature, due to which they make excellent guard dogs. These canines are not aggressive, but possess natural guarding instincts. Boerboels have a stable temperament and tend to be confident in unfamiliar situations.
They are capable of analyzing threats before reacting and bond closely with their families. Boerboels are not good candidates for dog parks or off-leash areas.
2. Great Dane
Also known as ‘Apollo of Dogs,’ Great Danes are one of the calmest dog breeds. These gentle giants have a calm demeanor and make wonderful family pets. However, they need plenty of space to roam, play, and exercise.
Hailing from Germany, Great Danes are the tallest dogs. Their imposing appearance alone is enough to scare away intruders. They tend to be loyal and affectionate to their people. Danes are faster at picking up things from their surroundings, due to which they make excellent watchdogs and guard dogs.
Great Danes love their families and establish inseparable bonds with them. Their loyalty towards their owners is reflected in their protective nature. Great Danes are trainable, but are not the most obedient dogs out there.
Due to their stubborn streak, Great Danes need a firm handler. They are not always aware of their strength. Therefore, you need to teach good manners to your Dane so that it does not knock down anyone.
3. Newfoundland
Newfoundland dogs, also known as Newfies, are gentle giants known for their love for water. The thick double coat of this devoted companion enables it to swim well. They were originally bred as working dogs and are incredibly loyal to their humans.
Their large size and strength make them excellent guard dogs. Newfies have an intimidating appearance that can easily deter intruders. These calm dogs do not need extensive exercise for physical and mental stimulation.
Having a sweet disposition, Newfies get on well with children, small pets, and other dogs, explains PetMD. However, all interactions with kids should be strictly monitored as they are big and may accidentally knock down little kids.
Newfoundland dogs are loving dogs and become prone to separation anxiety when left alone for extended periods.
4. Great Pyrenees
Great Pyrenees are calm dogs who guard by roaming around carefully. These low-energy canines were originally bred as livestock guardians. WebMD describes them as highly intelligent, wise, and independent dogs. Pyrs are easygoing dogs with strong instincts.
These confident and fearless dogs have an affectionate nature and love spending time with their owners. However, they are suspicious of strangers and make excellent guard dogs. Pyrs are a bit territorial and show strong protective instincts.
They save their energy during day time and are more active at night. Great Pyrenees are loyal companions, but are strong willed due to which, they may not be very easy to train. They are very perceptive and can easily understand changes in their owners’ moods and emotions.
It makes them wonderful therapy dogs. Great Pyrenees need plenty of socialization and proper training to turn into well-behaved pets.
5. Saint Bernard
Saint Bernards are powerful and imposing dogs with an extraordinarily muscular build. Originally bred in the Swiss Alps, they are true gentle giants with a friendly nature. They get on well with their human family, especially children.
These loyal and loving companions have strong protective instincts and make excellent guard dogs. Saint Bernards have a territorial nature. Despite their large size, they need only moderate exercise for physical and mental stimulation.
According to the American Kennel Club, one long walk and a half-hour play session every day will suffice for them. If you are looking for a calm guard dog to accompany you on long hikes or camping trips, you should adopt a Saint Bernard.
Obedience training helps teach them not to jump on people or knock down small children. They can develop destructive behaviors if left alone for too long.
6. Tibetan Mastiff
Tibetan Mastiff is a rare large dog breed with an aloof and attentive temperament. They are naturally protective of their humans and tend to be wary of strangers. Having strong territorial instincts, Tibetan Mastiffs make astonishing guard dogs.
Tibetan Mastiffs are incredibly loyal to their humans. They exhibit a calm demeanor during the day and tend to be lazy indoors. Tibetan Mastiffs can easily spend their day sleeping as long as they are getting adequate physical and mental stimulation.
However, they are active and alert at night. Tibetan Mastiffs are generally quiet dogs but bark to inform their owners when they sense something unusual around them. They need moderate exercise and plenty of space to roam.
7. Leonberger
Leonbergers, affectionately known as Leos, are gentle and loyal dogs. They form inseparable bonds with their families and are particularly good with children. Their calm and patient temperament makes them excellent pets.
Leos are generally friendly and sociable, but shy of strangers. Their incredible loyalty combined with their protective instincts make them excellent guard dogs. Leos are quite intelligent and have an eager to please nature.
However, they have an independent streak which means they require consistent and patient training. Early socialization is important to turn them into well behaved pets. Adult Leonbergers are calm and docile but need vigorous exercise at least once a day.
Leonbergers also make excellent companions for hiking or jogging. Leos were bred as working dogs so they enjoy activities like agility training and pulling carts.
Conclusion
Guard dog breeds are usually loyal companions who offer love and companionship along with security. These super canines are very protective of their loved ones and bond tightly with them. Due to these traits, they make excellent protectors.
Many guard dogs have a muscualr build and intimidating presence due to which they can easily scare away intruders. These canines need regular exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and content. Proper training and socialization is needed to turn them into well behaved pets.
