Throughout history, certain dog breeds have been carefully developed to serve multiple roles: protecting property, herding livestock, and hunting game. These remarkable dogs are the result of generations of selective breeding aimed at creating all-in-one working companions.
Whether guarding the homestead or tracking down prey in the wild, these breeds stand out for their strength, intelligence, and versatility.
If you’re planning a hunting expedition or simply need a dependable protector at home, these dogs are built for the task. They’re capable of pointing, flushing, or holding game until the hunter arrives, and just as ready to ward off intruders or guard livestock with fierce loyalty.
Fearless, agile, and deeply bonded to their humans, these multi-talented breeds are more than just working dogs; they’re some of the most loyal and capable partners you could ask for in both the field and the home.
Best Dog Breeds That Can Hunt and Guard at the Same Time
1. Dogo Argentino
Now you might be thinking the dogo argentino isn’t a livestock guardian dog that can protect its livestock from predators by intimidating rather than fighting them. Well, the truth is, it isn’t, the dogo is something even better, a hunting dog and guard dog at the same time, that won’t back down from a fight if its loved ones or herd is threatened or violated.
PetMD says with proper training and socialization, the dogo can learn advanced skills for protection, including obedience, threat assessment, and biting techniques.
The dogo argentino’s temperament and physical attributes, including its size and strength, which is a gift from its intimidating, fiercely protective, and feisty ancestors, make it well-suited for roles that require a high level of protection and control.
2. Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rhodesian Ridgebacks were historically used for hunting large game and have a strong loyalty to their family members. These dogs are the descendants of semi-wild Khoi Khoi dogs and also have the attributes of many other dog breeds like the mastiffs, great danes, bulldogs, bloodhounds, greyhounds, and terriers.
The AKC states these loyal, intelligent, and protective dogs have a high prey drive, are athletic, fast, smart, and ever alert pooches that can sense danger from a mile away and protect their territories with fearlessness and courage.
These strong and vigilant floppy-eared pooches have the capability of confronting and holding lions and other large prey at the quarry. Hence, these pups should never be taken lightly as they can excel at hunting and guarding at the same time with structured training and socialization.
Daily exercise is crucial to keep this puppy well-adjusted because they do have a tendency to get bored without proper mental and physical stimulation. At least an hour of exercise in the form of a brisk walk. Jogging, hiking, or dog sports are a great way to keep this enthusiastic digger and escape artist contained.
3. Catahoula Leopard Dog
The Catahoula leopard dog might not be the first dog that comes to your mind when searching for a guard dog, but it is a wonderful hunting companion and herding dog nonetheless. Originating from the swamps of Louisiana, this blue-eyed beauty did not make its way to being the state dog so easily.
This big-headed, muscular pup feels much at home in a rural setting, which makes it ideal in a hunting and guarding scenario. They need a lot of exercise, and a simple walk around the neighborhood doesn’t even count as a form of exercise in this breed’s dictionary.
These spotted dogs were bred to be the best farm dogs and for hunting wild dogs; hence, they aren’t even built to live in cities or apartment blocks, they fit in the wide open free range wilderness where they can roam free beside their owners. Physical and mental stimulation is not an option but a necessity for these pooches.
They are good working dogs that need a lot of training to keep their behavioral issues at bay, as they tend to be aggressive, territorial, and protective. They don’t bode well with strangers, which is the one main thing that can be cleverly and patiently transformed into making them a good guard dog breed.
Training for livestock guardian dogs can be crucial, as they need both obedience and proper socialization. But that is also true for Catahoula leopard dogs, which are strikingly beautiful and also versatile animals.
4. Black Mouth Cur
This ultimate all-in-one solution for tracking, treeing, hunting, herding, and guarding is what every dog owner dreams of. But on top of all these different cards at play, the black mouth cur also excels in being the perfect family pet.
This athletic, adaptable, and awe-inspiring pooch is a force to be reckoned with. This working breed was bred by the Southern American settlers who wanted to create a dynamic trailblazer.
Continental Kennel Club says they combined excellent watchdogs, wonderful herding dogs, and hunting dogs to create this unmistakable pup that sports a tan colored coat with a black snout. This pup might overwhelm a sedentary owner, but equally excites an adventurous thrill seeker and hunter who loves to roam and try new things.
This breed’s defining trait is loyalty, and training such exceptional dogs is going to be a bit challenging, which is a no-brainer, but they are quite easier to manage and handle than expected.
These black mouth curs are extremely intelligent, protective, gentle, affectionate, and love to stay close to their loved ones and family members. They like cuddling on the couch and playing in the yard with the kids. But make sure to provide this puppy with enough mental stimulation cause they are independent thinkers. Consistent training and positive reinforcement are key to training this high-energy dog.
It can take up to two years of supervision and training for livestock guardian dogs to reliably guard sheep, but it won’t take this long for these talented guys to pick up guarding skills, as it is already on the way.
5. Airedale Terrier
Did you know the almost extinct otterhound is included in the foundation stock of this exceptional hunter and agricultural maestro? The airedale terriers are the king of terriers, but you wouldn’t imagine what these pups have been used for since the early 1900s. They have been helping in the tracking and catching of mountain lions.
Omlet states that they are also great at hunting game like bears and wild pigs, and even small mammals and rodents like rats.
Because these pooches, if adequately trained, are adept at hunting both fur and birds around a pond or deep in the woods. Their adaptability comes from their intelligence and can be used in a variety of ways, such as for hunting and guarding at the same time. Because they can grasp commands quickly and are very people-oriented, and eager to please, hence also easy to train.
6. Akita
If you have seen the film Hachiko, then you know how loyal and attached an Akita gets to its owner. This noble and dignified spitz breed is not overly aggressive and might not be great at herding, but protection is surely its forte. Because the Akita is instinctively suspicious of strangers and is also territorial, hence fits perfectly in the role to protect its family and loved ones.
Orvis mentions that the Akitas were literally bred for guarding royalty and nobility in feudal Japan. Hence, they have natural guarding instincts and hunting abilities because they are the descendants of the Matagi Inu, who are known for hunting bears, deer, and Japanese serows.
These large-sized, calm, and silent hunters protect their humans, their property, and children, and intimidate intruders with their fierce and fearless presence to cower away in the shadows. The Japanese Akitas are independent thinkers and fastidious dogs that are intolerant of other dogs and pets in the household, but make a wonderful solo family pet and companion for active owners.
Akitas are great guard dogs and hunters. They are compared to the usual livestock guardians because they don’t bark, stay back, or run away when a danger is right in front of them. They attack and that too with courage and ferocity, and that’s where they earn their keep.
7. Thai Ridgeback
The Thai Ridgebacks are not much different than their courageous cousins, the Rhodesian Ridgeback. They are pariah-type pointy-eared dogs that are very stubborn and strong-willed, which can pose challenges in training.
But they are exceptional hunters, escorts, drovers, and excellent watchdogs. But will need a job to do and a strong fence to keep them from wandering away. The Thai ridgebacks have a high prey drive and have a habit of chasing behind small animals if left alone to long in an outdoor environment.
Hence, if you get this dog, you’ll have to always be attentive and keep your eyes open, or this high-energy pup might jump the fence or run away. These pups do need a lot of exercise and training, but they are the best ever option as a hunting and guard dog.
AKC says these dogs are named due to a distinctive ridge of hair present on their backs. Now they might need a lot of training and early socialization to guard a flock because of their high prey drive or hunting instincts. But these hounds are smart and hardworking and are known for achieving whatever they put their mind to, like being a great, active guard dog.
They are loyal dogs with a gentle nature for their family and can easily beat a German Shepherd in its guarding and protection game. Just make sure the alert and generally protective Thai ridgeback gets consistent training, plenty of exercise, and mental stimulation to keep it away from being destructive indoors and aggressive towards strangers and other animals.
Structured training with positive reinforcement works best for these hunters.
Conclusion
When you think about getting a guard dog, what are the first few names that come to your mind? Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Cane Corso, a Belgian Malinois, or a Tibetan Mastiff. Not all dogs and gentle giants fit the role of guard dog. Most people even say that excellent guard dogs never have a tendency for a high prey drive.
But it should be fierce and intimidating enough to be a deterrent; you should be wary of strangers and predators and should protect with all its might and heart to keep flocks of sheep and goats away from danger. Now, Anatolian Shepherds fit such roles perfectly, but are not explicit hunters because they were developed as livestock guardians in Turkey and are still active ranch dogs today.
Even the Great Pyrenees was bred to work with shepherds to deter predators from the flock, but it doesn’t help in hunting prey. Both of these livestock guardian dogs are specifically bred to bond with and guard livestock, but not hunt. Similarly, many other pooches like the Australian shepherds and Doberman Pinschers are also known for their herding and guard dog roles. But they are never seen as part of a hunting party to take down wolves or deer.
Many working dog breeds require specialized training to excel in their roles. But these unique pups excel at their jobs for being excellent guard dogs and hunting companions. P.S. Socialization is important for working dog breeds to prevent fearfulness and aggression.
