Some dogs were born to guard. Their strong instincts, unwavering loyalty, and bold temperaments enable them to shield their humans against all sorts of dangers. While watchdogs only bark to inform their owners about the perceived threats, guard dogs dare to deter them.
Some guard dogs can scare away intruders with their intimidating appearance and imposing size. Good family guard dogs are not only steadfast bodyguards, they also make wonderful companions and loving playmates for your kids.
Breeds known for their strong protective instincts come from diverse backgrounds. Some dogs from the working group and the herding group make outclass guardians. However, such breeds need early training and extensive socialization to grow into safe canine partners.
Here are the top 10 dog breeds that work as human shields in danger.
Dog Breeds That Work as Human Shields in Danger
1. Doberman Pinscher
Doberman Pinschers are the sleek doggos that were originally bred by a German tax collector named Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann in the 1890s. He wanted a pooch with unwavering loyalty and sharp protective instincts, as noted by Britannica.
Strong Bonding with Owners
Dobermans are the super-fast and alert fellas who make excellent protection dogs. With proper training and early socialization, they tend to form strong attachments with their handlers.
Ability to Read Human Body Language
One of the many reasons why these intelligent pups serve as amazing guard dogs is their ability to read human body language. They are highly perceptive and trainable, but need a firm and dedicated trainer.
The focus of male and female Dobermans’ protective instincts is different. Males are more inclined to guard property, whereas female Dobermans are more interested in protecting their owner.
2. German Shepherd
The last thing an intruder would like to see is a German Shepherd. These versatile dogs were originally bred for herding and guarding sheep. GSDs are the quick learners who promptly respond to your commands.
Imposing Presence
German Shepherds are the howl-mighty pups, having an intimidating appearance and a loud bark. Their mere presence is enough to make most people not cross the street until the dog passes. Their unconditional love, loyalty, and strong protective instincts enable them to protect their loved ones.
Strength and Intelligence
Having a bite force of 238 PSI, they are strong enough to break bones. GSDs are highly intelligent and trainable dogs. Their eagerness to please and ability to make complex decisions when it comes to protecting their owner make them excellent guard dogs.
3. Cane Corso
Cane Corso, also known as the Italian Mastiff, was bred as a war dog. Later, people started using this powerful mutt as a livestock guardian. These fur-ocious fellows are quite devoted to their families and possess an instinct to protect.
Imposing Presence
Cane Corsos make perfect guard dogs due to their imposing appearance. Standing up to 27.5 inches tall, they have a muscular and athletic physique, square heads, and enormous jaws. They look so intimidating that no one in their right mind would mess with them.
Cane Corsos are popular for their territorial nature. Their keen sense of awareness and alertness enable them to take quick notice of any unusual activity or unfamiliar person in their surroundings.
High Trainability
These eager to learn canines are highly trainable. So, with proper training and early socialization, you can easily teach them to differentiate between a dangerous and non-threatening situation and act accordingly.
4. Bullmastiff
Gamekeepers kept these gentle giants to protect their land and game from poachers. They were created by a cross between Mastiffs and Bulldogs. The American Kennel Club calls them large and muscular guard dogs who are fearless at work and docile at home.
Balance between Gentleness and Protection
Like a good guard dog, Bullmastiffs know how to maintain the balance between being gentle and being protective. They are affectionate to their owners, but their protective instincts come into play when their humans are in danger.
Their physical attributes add to their effectiveness as guard dogs. Their imposing size makes intruders think twice about attempting any burglary.
Intelligence
Bullmastiffs are known for their intelligence and willingness to learn. They respond well to positive reinforcement methods, allowing their owners to harness their protective instincts in the best possible way.
5. Belgian Malinois
Belgian Malinois was initially bred as a herding dog, but has been serving as a military and police dog for decades now. This breed resembles a German Shepherd in appearance, but Mals are more agile and have a high drive.
Loyal to Owners, Aloof towards Strangers
According to Omlet, Mals form tight bonds with their hoomans and are quite protective of them. They are quite reserved towards strangers and other dogs, which makes them wonderful guardians and loving companions.
Ability to Camouflage
Mals come in a wide range of colors, from deep blacks to earthly browns. So, adopting a Mal means you will have a dog that can disguise itself with the color of the environment.
6. Rottweiler
No list of guard dogs is complete without a Rottweiler. Rotties were bred for herding and pulling carts for butchers. Over time, they became the most popular guard dog breed that offers fierce loyalty and loving companionship. These strong and muscular dogs can weigh more than 100 pounds.
Black Coat
People fear large dogs with black coats more than those with light-colored fur. While this might be a stereotype, it gives Rottweilers an advantage as guard dogs.
Black dog syndrome” refers to a phenomenon where pet parents are less likely to adopt a big black dog compared to their smaller light colored counterparts.
Reputation of Being Aggressive
Rottweilers have a reputation for being aggressive dogs. It might be due to their strong bite force of 328 PSI. Yes, Rotties can do a lot of damage using their teeth. Although it does not hold for a well-trained Rottweiler, it does give the breed an advantage as a guard dog.
Due to their size, temperament, and intense training needs, they are not an ideal pet for first-time dog owners. If you are looking for a furry friend who is ideal for home security, adopt a Rottweiler.
7. Giant Schnauzer
The Giant Schnauzer was initially bred as a multi-purpose dog, capable of guarding property and herding livestock. Thanks to their intelligence and eagerness to learn, they have been serving as police and military dogs, reports PetMD.
Territorial Nature
Their instincts to guard and territorial behavior allow them to protect their owners against potential threats. They will bark loudly to alert their household to dangers.
Loyalty And Strength
Their loyalty and courage provide a sense of added security. Due to their high intelligence, you can provide them effective training in obedience and protection work. Their strength, intimidating presence, and quick reflexes make them suitable for security roles.
8. Great Dane
The Great Dane is an impressive dog measuring up to a whopping 30 inches in height. Its imposing stature and deep resonant bark can deter intruders. The famous cartoon character Scooby Doo is a Great Dane.
Alertness
Great Danes are vigilant dogs who pick up changes in their surroundings quicker than their owners. This trait makes them effective guard dogs.
Strong Bonding with Owners
These loyal dogs form deep bonds with their family, including children. Careful training can help strengthen this bond, making them even better paw-tectors. Great Danes are the gentle giants with an innate instinct to protect.
9. Akita
These mighty paws, hailing from Japan, are fiercely protective of their owners. They were bred for hunting big game and protecting nobility. These Spitz-type pooches still carry the same loyalty and devotion to guard their loved ones.
Deterring Presence
Standing between 24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing between 70 to 130 pounds, the Akita is a deterrent in itself. Their athletic build, powerful jaws, and thick double coat give these ruff-n-tuff doggos an imposing look.
Fearlessness
Akita’s confident and fearless temperament is a key factor in their suitability as a guard dog. They will stand firm against the potential threats, but are not aggressive unless provoked.
10. Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rhodesian Ridgebacks were bred in Africa to hunt lions. Now, imagine the bravery, courage, and power of a breed that stood against the king of the jungle. Rhodesian Ridgebacks can be recognized by a distinctive ridge of fur growing in the opposite direction from the rest of the coat.
Fearlessness
These mutts are known for their fearlessness and independent nature. Their alertness and high prey drive enable them to identify the real threats. These traits make them effective as guard dogs and, at the same time, difficult to train.
Loyalty
They are incredibly loyal, patient, and friendly towards their family. Love for their humans makes them quite protective. But make sure you teach these active mutts to behave with kids.
Conclusion
Protection dogs have been serving as loyal companions and human shields for centuries. Their protective and territorial nature, fearlessness, loyalty, and imposing appearance make them steadfast guardians for your family.
However, all the dogs mentioned above have strong protective and guarding instincts; they need proper guard dog training in order to polish their security skills and for the perfect security of your family and home.
