Are you looking for a furry friend who offers security along with companionship? Along with home security cameras, dogs are major deterrents against burglars. More than 3,370 burglaries are happening in the United States every day.
Having a guard dog can protect against such incidents. Several dog breeds provide better safety to their human counterparts compared to other breeds. Their fantastic sense of smell and brilliant hearing ability enable them to sense burglars beforehand.
Many of these pooches make excellent guard dogs. Guard dog breeds are strong, agile, and fiercely loyal to their owners. They are usually intelligent and eager to please and learn new tricks quite easily. With proper training and socialization, they become the most loving family pets.
Here are some dog breeds bred to deter burglars.
Dog Breeds Bred To Deter Burglars
1. German Shepherd
German Shepherds are large and powerful dogs with an intimidating appearance. Most burglars would think twice before attempting to enter a home guarded by a guard dog breed like a German Shepherd. Their muscular build and resonant bark enable them to excel as guardians.
German Shepherds are incredibly loyal to their owners and have a protective nature. They tend to be wary of strangers and are quite territorial. Their genetics, brave temperament, and high intelligence make them the best guard dogs.
German Shepherds are highly trainable canines having an active and athletic personality. They require lots of physical and mental stimulation to stay healthy and content. GSDs excel at agility and obedience training.
These canines have keen focus and sharp instincts, due to which they have been serving as military and police dogs.
2. Rottweiler
Rottweilers have earned a reputation as aggressive dogs due to their intimidating physique and muscular appearance. Their strong bite force, powerful body, and confident demeanor make them effective guard dogs that deter would-be intruders.
Rotties have been serving as trusted companions for families, military forces, police, and law enforcement. Their strength, courage, and immense loyalty enable them to stand guard against all sorts of dangers.
One of the best guard dog breeds, Rottweilers form strong bonds with their owners but are naturally suspicious of strangers. Their endurance and instinct to protect their property and loved ones make them ideal for home security.
According to the American Kennel Club, these athletic pooches should get an opportunity to exercise daily. They enjoy swimming, walking, and trotting with their people.
3. Doberman Pinscher
Originally bred by a German tax collector, Louis Dobermann, the Doberman Pinscher is a breed known for its laser-like focus, endurance, and elegance. Their sleek bodies and strong legs give them the physical prowess to stand firm against potential dangers.
Thanks to their imposing appearance, they can deter burglars with their sheer presence. The Doberman usually gets very attached to its people and is eager to please. So, you can easily train them to serve as guardians, police dogs, and military pups.
These curious and intelligent doggos make one of the best guard dog breeds to rely on. They also make wonderful family pets, but proper training and socialization are important to make them behave well around other dogs and people.
Dobermans need minimal grooming but are loaded with energy. PDSA recommends at least two hours of daily exercise to burn off excess amounts of energy.
4. Belgian Malinois
Looking a lot like German Shepherds in appearance, the Belgian Malinois is one of the most protective and versatile dog breeds. Mals have been serving as military and police dogs for several decades. They make one of the best guard dog breeds.
Being protective of their territory and their people, Mals are suspicious of strangers and can easily deter burglars with their intimidating looks. Belgian Malinois are highly intelligent and easy-to-train canines. They have excellent search and rescue skills as well.
Mals are equipped with strong work ethics and loads of energy, so they need plenty of exercise and mental enrichment every day. Champions at agility, herding, tracking, and other dog sports, Belgian Malinois thrive best in large spaces.
Specialized training and socialization are important to keep them comfortable in unfamiliar situations. They are loving and affectionate towards their owners and make great companions.
5. Bullmastiff
Bullmastiffs are known for their calm temperament and strong protective instincts. Having lots of courage and confidence, Bullmastiffs are immensely loyal to their owners and can go to any lengths to guard their property and people.
Bullmastiffs were originally bred for guarding rich people’s properties. Their main task was to track down burglars and intruders and corner them, without tearing them apart. A Bullmastiff’s imposing presence and muscular appearance are usually enough to keep them from retaliating.
These incredibly smart pooches are easy to train and learn quickly. Bullmastiffs need regular exercise, including walks and play sessions, to stay physically and mentally stimulated. They are not well-suited for apartment living due to their size and exercise needs.
According to PetMD, you should start training your Bullmastiff from an early age, as mature dogs can become strong-willed and difficult to train.
6. Cane Corso
With its name literally translating to “bodyguard dog,” Cane Corso is one of the best guard dog breeds known for their immense loyalty, large size, and protective nature. These muscular dogs were originally bred to guard livestock and property.
Cane Corso is a highly intelligent dog breed that learns easily, but training may be a challenge due to their strength and size. Cane Corso can deter burglars with their sheer size. They need plenty of physical and mental stimulation to stay healthy and content.
Cane Cosro has strong watchdog instincts and is fairly independent. Their strength and determination make them unsuitable for households with kids and the fragile elderly, explains Britannica. They are highly territorial and take quick notice of unusual activity going on around them.
7. Great Dane
Great Danes have often been referred to as “Apollo of Dogs.” They are popular for their immense intelligence and loyalty. These gentle giants have a protective streak, due to which they are affectionate to their owners but do not like strangers.
They make effective guard dogs, known for deterring burglars.
Despite their large size, Danes are playful and friendly with their family members. These confident guard dogs are, fortunately, eager to please, gentle, and respond well to consistent training and socialization.
If you are planning to adopt a Great Dane, prepare yourself for spending lots of time exercising them. Lack of adequate exercise can lead to a snappy or irritable dog. Like other dog breeds, Great Danes can become defensive when threatened.
Conclusion
Some dog breeds protect their people and property better than others. Their strong protective instincts, incredible loyalty, and wariness towards strangers enable them to excel as guard dogs. Many of them have also been serving as police and military dogs.
These furious protectors usually have a muscular build and intimidating appearance. Having lots of strength, endurance, and stamina, they can deter burglars and intruders with their sheer presence. They are highly intelligent, eager to please, and trainable.
Their athleticism, size, and energy mean they need lots of exercise for physical and mental enrichment.
