If you are looking for a dog breed that guards cargo ships, consider dogs that have an instinct to protect. Guard dogs are loyal, alert, and observant. They are intelligent, eager to please, and highly trainable.
Excellent guard dogs form close bonds with their loved ones and are leery of strangers. Some of them are even sensitive to human emotions and make wonderful therapy dogs. Thanks to their protective nature, they stand firm against potential threats to their people and property.
These fearless pups excel in obedience. Apart from being loving companions, good guard dogs are like your armor against all sorts of dangers. With proper training and socialization, guard dogs can make excellent family pets.
Here are the 7 best dog breeds that can guard cargo ships.
Best Dog Breeds for Guarding Cargo Ships
1. German Shepherd
German Shepherds are loyal, courageous, and confident protection dogs. Originally bred for guarding flocks, GSDs possess the stamina, endurance, and strength required to serve as guard dogs. That is why they are a good choice for guarding cargo ships.
Another trait that makes them suitable to serve on cargo ships is their ability to swim. GSDs are avid swimmers and can easily swim at a speed of 1 to 2 mph. Their thick double coat consists of an undercoat and a dense outer coat that can be a little wavy or straight.
The coat protects them and keeps them warm while working in cold waters. German Shepherds are extremely intelligent and agile dogs with easy trainability. So, these pooches can be trained to work as the best search and rescue pups.
2. Rottweiler
Blessed with natural protective instincts, Rottweilers are large and muscular dogs known for their versatile roles in the past. Today, Rotties have been used as guide dogs, police dogs, and guard dogs. They are also a part of many search and rescue missions.
According to the American Kennel Club, Rottweilers are calm and confident dogs known for their courageous personality. Their imposing strength and endurance make them perfect for guarding cargo ships.
Rottweilers are intelligent, adaptable, and eager to please canines who can be trained to swim. Once trained properly, Rotties love swimming. Their keen senses enable them to detect contraband or bombs on the ships.
However, having a potential for aggression means Rotties should be trained starting from an early age. Rottweilers are naturally alert and active dogs who are loyal to their owners and protective of their loved ones.
Rottweilers require at least one hour of exercise every day to stay healthy and content. These athletic pooches excel at dog sports like herding, tracking, and obedience training.
3. Doberman Pinscher
Dobermans are sleek and agile dogs who were originally bred to serve as guard dogs. The mere presence of these intimidating dogs on a property makes unwanted intruders think twice. They have a bad reputation as aggressive dogs due to their history as fierce protection dogs.
But they are quite loyal, calm, and soft at heart. Their vigilance, alert nature, and strong protective instincts make them well-suited for guarding cargo ships. Dobermans’ potential for serving as protection dogs is also reflected in their role as police and military dogs.
Dobermans excel in obedience training and are quite affectionate towards their loved ones. They form deep bonds with their humans. Dobermans qualify as emotional support dogs due to their eagerness to please and sensitivity to human moods and emotions.
4. Bullmastiff
Bullmastiffs were originally bred to guard game against poachers in England. Thanks to their history as tough protectors, Bullmastiffs can be a good choice for protecting cargo ships. Their majestic size, powerful build, and fearlessness enable them to excel in their role as guard dogs.
Nicknamed “Gamekeeper’s Night Dog,” Bullmastiffs hold criminals instead of attacking them with a bite. Their muscular build, loyalty to owners, and wariness towards strangers also justify their role as guardians.
These stealthy protectors do not require extensive exercise for physical and mental stimulation. Bullmastiffs need at least one hour of daily physical activity to stay healthy. Exercise can be ideally split into two or more walks and playtime in a fenced area.
5. Giant Schnauzer
Giant Schnauzers are the more powerful version of Standard Schnauzers. Their alert nature, intelligence, and loyalty make them stand out as guard dogs. Giant Schnauzers’ muscular build and vigilant personality are ideal for protection work.
According to PetMD, Giant Schnauzers are high-energy and eager to please dogs that can be trained easily. Whenever they notice something unusual around them, they bark to inform their handler about it. These traits, combined with their instinct to guard, make them ideal for protecting cargo ships.
Giant Schnauzers have webbed feet and can swim like a pro, which can be a plus point while working near water. Their thick double coat does not let the water reach their skin. Giant Schnauzers love their people and prefer spending time with them.
6. Cane Corso
Cane Corso is a confident and assertive dog known for its alert expression and intimidating presence. Their large size, strong build, and sharp instincts to protect make them excellent guard dogs. However, they are fiercely loyal to their humans and are called gentle giants.
Their name literally translates to “bodyguard dog” in Latin. According to Britannica, these determined and strong pooches have a long history as guardians and protectors. Cane Corso is an athletic breed with a knack for swimming. These traits make them ideal for rescue missions.
Cane Corsos’ strong work ethic and intelligence enable them to protect cargo ships. Their eagerness to please means they have high trainability. Cane Corsos can typically be trained using positive reinforcement methods and praise.
7. Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rhodesian Ridgebacks’ strong protective and territorial instincts, courage, and fierce loyalty make them suitable for protecting cargo ships. These powerful dogs were initially bred to hunt large game in South Africa. As pets, Rhodesians have loving personalities and are faithful and protective of their loved ones.
Their independent thinking ability and standoffishness towards strangers make them excellent watchdogs and ferocious guard dogs. Early socialization can help overcome their territorial and protective instincts.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not love water naturally, but some of them can swim if exposed to water from an early age. Properly trained Ridgebacks make good guardians of ships. These strong and athletic dogs need regular exercise to stay healthy.
Conclusion
Guard dogs are known for their strong protective instincts, territorial nature, and wariness towards strangers. These intelligent and eager-to-please dogs are effective guardians of their loved ones, property, and even cargo ships.
Many of them are natural swimmers or can be trained to swim, making them suitable for water-related work. Due to their agility, strength, and endurance, they can also serve as police dogs, military breeds, and search and rescue pups.
At the same time, they are immensely loyal and affectionate towards their owners and can go to any extent to defend them. Handlers of such ferocious guard dogs should consider proper training and socialization to bring the best out of their pooches.
