With the advancement of technology and strict systems that monitor every move, making it impossible for any mishap to happen, protection dogs are still needed. Isn’t this surge surprising? Well, it really is. The dog’s loyalty and instinct to protect are unmatched!
With security systems, we can remain in doubt, but with a guard dog breed, thieves or any stranger will think twice before causing you trouble. While choosing a dog breed, for your ultimate protection, there are certain aspects that you must consider: size, traits, and whether the dog just alarms you or knows when to take action.
Not all the protection dogs function in the same way. They behave on the basis of their regular training, cognitive function, and memory. But there is a slight difference; some of the guard dogs will bark or let you know in any way when they sense something unusual. Whereas the others will immediately attack. And this is where the choosing gets difficult.
Important Note: Before you bring dog from any breed, check that your home is puppy proof with the checklist provided by PetMD.
We have listed some key considerations that will help you choose the right protection dog, and the essential training tips, like spirit training, will help you get along with a dog.
Top Protective Dog Breeds: A Security Guide
1. German Shepherd
German Shepherds are known for their natural protective instincts. These courageous, confident, and fearless dogs are easy to train. But, they are best as guard dogs. Even if you want a dog for personal protection, the German Shepherd is the one!
They do not become friends with strangers and alarm the owner, but also remain ready to attack. They are typically bred to protect and serve their owners, and when it comes to protecting their family members, they will not compromise.
Apart from their impressive strength, they are also known for their loyalty towards the owner and intelligence. As the German Shepherd is famous for serving as a police and military dog, training is extremely important.
You cannot miss the training sessions because that’s what makes them act vigilantly. Also, daily exercise of 2 hours is suggested.
2. Boxer
Boxers make the best guard dogs because of their loyalty, muscular power, and high alertness. Their size ranges between 22 and 25 inches, making them a large and fearless dog. While they have a playful nature, they may enjoy being with you as a personal protection dog.
If you want a dog that plays with your children and protects them, a Boxer is the right choice. But proper training is necessary, and this could be a bit tricky with Boxers because of their stubborn nature.
Although Boxers belong to a working breed, you need to be careful with them because they have a lot of health conditions. If you choose Boxer as your security guide, get ready to spend a lot of time with them, because this breed craves human attention.
3. Akita
Akita is a loyal, protective, and courageous dog that belongs to the working group. With its great size of 24-28 inches, the Akita is born with the instinct to protect its territory and family members.
The devotion towards the owner makes it an ideal choice for protection. In the Middle Ages, they were known to guard the Japanese Emperor. Now imagine the credibility and protective instincts of an Akita.
They make strong bonds with family members, but are not recommended to be around strangers and other animals. As this can trigger aggressiveness in them. Therefore, early socialization and training is highly advised for this dog.
If you are new to pet parenting, an Akita is not for you. It can dodge you at training or even worse. Since they are smart, they can be handled by experienced owners.
4. Cane Corso
Cane Corso is an intelligent, affectionate, and muscular dog that is born with protective instincts. The Latin meaning of the Cane Corso’s name is “bodyguard dog”.
They make a good bond with their owners in less time. What differentiates a Cane Corso from other working breeds is that, if trained properly, it protects other animals as well. So, this is the reason proper training and socialization are highly important for this dog.
At 28 inches, they are massive and loyal. Also, they crave their owner’s attention, care, and time. Whatever move they take at home, they will wait for their owner’s approval just to engage and spend quality time. To keep them active and healthy, they require exercising for 2 hours daily.
5. Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman Pinscher is a loyal, highly intelligent, and energetic dog that is best known as a loyal guardian. With proper training, they can become loving family pets. Their training, socialization, and regular exercise are what make them stand out.
Physically, the Doberman is built for speed and power. Its sleek, muscular frame, deep chest, and strong legs allow it to move with agility and precision. This athletic build, combined with high intelligence and endurance, makes the breed exceptionally capable in roles such as guarding, police work, and personal protection.
Their energy and size do not make them an ideal choice for small houses or apartments. As the AKC states, with Dobermans on duty, only a fool can take a risk with their life.
6. Belgian Malinois
Belgian Malinois personality traits are quite similar to those of the German Shepherd. They are also recommended as the best guard dog breeds that belong to the working group. They are intelligent, loyal, and have high energy levels that are unbeatable.
They are always interested in learning that is why training them is easy and enjoyable. Apart from the training sessions, they hardly require exercise for an hour.
Training at the right time and with proper guidance helps them adjust to dogs from other breeds. The good thing about Belgian Malinois is that if intensively trained daily, it can adjust to apartments or small houses.
Moreover, having a Belgian Malinois means that apart from exercise and training, you need to take care of them as they are prone to various health conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia, etc.
7. Great Dane
The Great Dane is a tall, gentle, and fearless dog breed that serves effectively as a guard dog. Don’t confuse yourself with their huge size; they are friendly and affectionate in nature to their family members.
Like all the other breeds, training, socialization, and exercise are a part of their daily routine. This is what leads the Great Dane to structured obedience towards the owner. Feeding a Great Dane is a bit difficult task, as Britannica says, it must be fed food that slows its growth to avoid certain health issues.
They are confident and intelligent dogs that know when to take action. They also enjoy sports activities like tracking or hiking, etc. Likewise, a daily brisk walk with their owners keeps them happy and aligned. Known for following scents like many police dogs, the Great Dane also holds this habit, so you need to be careful and train it accordingly.
8. Rottweiler
If you are a first-time pet owner and want a protective dog that goes along with you smoothly, that’s a Rottweiler. They make the best guard dogs for families. They are powerful, loyal, and obedient dogs. When around children or families, they remain protective but loving and caring, equally.
For a Rottweiler, early training is mandatory and cannot be neglected if you want an oriented dog around the house and outdoors to behave in the right way. Apart from guarding, they also excel at herding. They are playful with children and never miss when there is a sense of danger.
For positive reinforcement, Rottweilers require exercises and socialization that aid in mental stimulation. As they have the habit of barking without any reason and chewing, this can be irritating at times. So, socialization is the key that makes them a perfect and well-trained loyal companion.
9. Bullmastiff
Often, people think with a calm and gentle nature, how Bullmastiff among the best guard dogs? Well, they comprise calm, impressive courage and intelligence that bring them to this list.
They have made their name in history by serving mankind in protective and working roles. Yet, have never disappointed the owner. They are serene dogs and possess a gentle and loving demeanor toward their family members.
So, you will have to train them so that they recognize the outsiders. If trained well and at the right time, they can get along with other dogs.
Dealing with a Bullmastiff can be hectic because they are smart, they can enjoy training, and trick you. They need daily exercises, walks, and play sessions with their owners. Health issues in Bullmastiffs are common, so keep an eye out when you feel a change in their behavior, eating, or usual routine.
10. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Among all the breeds that we have discussed, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is of medium size, with high energy levels that make it among the protection dogs. They were primarily bred as hunting dogs, but later they made a great family dog as well.
They get along with children, and because of their playful nature, they are famous as “nanny dogs”. The good thing about Staffordshire is that it is easy to train and socialize them. However, their familiarity with people is not solely based on the training, but rather on whom they like.
They are fiercely protective of their families and never compromise on their safety, be it indoors or outdoors. You will feel safer when around Staffordshire, while children may call them cute.
If you have other pets, before bringing a Staffordshire, ensure they are at safer side. Because they have a high prey drive that can trigger them.
Conclusion
All these protection dogs never fail to impress their owners with their duties. They remain loyal and serve with dignity. The surprising fact about these creatures is that they aren’t paid. Only fed, trained, and taken advantage of, yet they choose to be more loyal than human beings who demand a lot in return.
So, when you decide to bring a protective dog from any of these breeds, ensure you have prepared to welcome them the same way they come to serve you. Keeping yourself informed on basic issues like how much you feed the dog, etc., might help a lot in keeping them healthy.
