Have you ever seen a mountain lion near your home or in some open expanse of a farm nearby? These elusive and mysterious big cats are so swift and silent that they attack and kill within seconds. Many U.S states have confirmed mountain lion populations, with the largest number found in Western states of New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, California, and Arizona.
These cougars or pumas are responsible for 20% of total livestock predation losses in western states annually. They can injure and kill precious pets, posing a danger to homeowners, and even cause economic hardship and financial damage to agricultural areas where the livelihood of people depends on livestock production.
Hence, if you live in a mountain lion country, or are looking for the right place for a hike and have stumbled upon the perfect rocky terrain, but are concerned about the recent rise in mountain lion sightings in the area, and want to take precautions. Do not worry, these fearless big dogs will protect you from many dangers in the wilderness.
Dog Breeds That Face Mountain Lions Protecting Owners
It is important to consider that these apex predators can never be completely subdued by any dog, regardless of breed. Because they have a bite force of approximately 400 PSI, which is slightly lower than the bite force of an African lion, which stands at a massive 650 PSI.
But because of their heavy bodies and massive strength, they take down several strong animals like elk, mule deer, coyote, horse, cow, sheep, cat, and dog. According to USA Today, these vicious predators are also extremely dangerous for unsuspecting humans on hiking trails and can easily kill toddlers as well. Hence, it is important to take precautions to divert the danger.
1. Rottweiler
Height: 22-27 inches | Weight: 80-135 lbs.
Life Span: 9-10years | Energy Level: High
Speed: 18-27 mph | Bite Force: 328 PSI
Coat: Short, flat, glistening coat
Temperament: Loyal, loving, confident guardian, gentle, self-assured, calm, courageous, aloof yet playful and silly.
These large dogs come in handy at some point with their livestock guarding and predator deterrence qualities. Because these black and tan pooches are quite fearless and sturdy, with a loud booming bark. They can deflect cougars hiding in the woods away from your property.
Does a stocky and muscular Rottweiler have enough potential to stand against a mountain lion?
Rottweilers are perceived as one of the most dangerous dog breeds in the world and are known for being aggressive and ferocious against strangers who provoke them. Hence, their territorial nature can become a massive deterrent when they encounter a predator on their land.
Purina says these dogs are a pack of all muscle and strength, hence even if they don’t defeat a mountain lion completely, they will cause a hell of a damage to these opportunistic attackers.
Cougars will leave a space where a snarling and barking dog is present. They don’t like to expose themselves to danger and avoid humans at all costs.
2. Belgian Malinois
Height: 22-26 inches | Weight: 40-80 lbs.
Life Span: 14-16 years | Energy Level: Very Energetic
Speed: 30-35 mph | Bite Force: 195-358 PSI
Coat: Short, Straight, and flat double coat
Temperament: Confident, smart, hardworking, versatile, proud, alert, strong, eager, and people–oriented.
The most versatile police dog and Navy SEALs assistant, the Belgian Malinois is an exceptional protection dog and guardian with natural instincts to safeguard its family and owners.
It is a sleek and fast dog with questioning eyes, the color of dark Belgian chocolate, and an incredibly intelligent mind. But you must be thinking.
Can a Belgian Malinois guard you in front of a mountain lion?
Well, the outcome of a one-to-one encounter between the Mal and the cougar is going to be devastating. But rest assured, you won’t have to face any harm if a vigilant Belgian Malinois is beside you.
VCA Animal Hospitals suggests that if you are on a trail that happens to be in cougar country. You absolutely need to bring your Belgian Malinois along. Because these pooches are great at detecting, tracking, and deterrence.
The Belgian Malinois is a swift and fast pooch that can not confront but chase away these cougars easily. They are known to launch into action at full speed and attack from the front or side with precision.
These cougars are creatures of habit and hunt after dusk and at night. Hence, a watchdog like a Belgian Malinois can be the right choice for an alarm system when a puma enters your backyard in the darkness.
P.S. But just be careful, there are videos on the web showing cougars hunting and killing family dogs. Thus, it is normal for a puma or a cougar to see your pet dog as prey and might be out there trying to hunt your dog.
Hence, ensure that your pup is protected with a spiked or electric shock collar when they are outdoors, to protect their necks from getting bitten by the cougars, who naturally go for the throat and neck first to kill prey.
3. German Shepherd
Height: 22-26 inches | Weight: 50-90 lbs.
Life Span: 12-14 years | Energy Level: Average
Speed: 30-45 mph | Bite Force: 238-300 PSI
Coat: Medium length, thick double coat
Temperament: Agile, All-purpose worker, Highly intelligent, Loyal, Confident, Courageous, Steady, and selfless
The dog kind’s finest worker and every dog lover’s delight, the German Shepherd was born to be a livestock guardian and herder, but soon found its way in the military and police units.
Because of their exceptional learning and understanding abilities, and willingness to put their life on the line to defend their loved ones. They are the ultimate protectors and have a front rank in canine royalty. But you must be wondering.
Is a German Shepherd capable of protecting you and your small children against a mountain lion?
Well, the answer to this question is yes, it can, but only in certain circumstances and possibilities.
The German Shepherd is not afraid to face these predators, and it will do so if you encounter a puma in the wilderness or on a hiking trail. But the result of this encounter is going to be devastating, as you might lose your dog forever.
These pooches seem like easy food to a cougar, but their agility and strength will make the cougar think twice before attacking.
Pawlicy Advisor mentions that the German Shepherds are the closest in DNA to wolves and can protect you against these cougars, who prefer to live in rocky terrains.
4. Doberman
Height: 24-28 inches | Weight: 60-100 lbs.
Longevity: 10-12 years | Energy Level: Very energetic
Speed: 25-30 mph | Bite Force: 245-305 PSI
Coat: Short flat coat
Temperament: Alert, loyal, vigilant, fearless, with a keen intelligence,
Did you know a mountain lion weighs around 198 pounds and can leap up to 40 feet high? They are much larger than these sleek dogs and are equipped with powerful hind legs and a massive bite force. Hence, there is no doubt that these agile, hunting experts with endurance, speed, and pack hunting abilities will emerge victorious.
If a one-on-one duel took place between these born guardians and cougars. But Dobermans aren’t a simple breed with no intelligence. Orvis states these dogs are sleek, smart, and incredibly fast, and are considered the world’s finest protection dogs.
How can a Doberman protect livestock and your family from a mountain lion?
They will react instantly to the moment and chase away intruders like mountain lions with fierce determination.
They are best suited for open expanses and properties like farms and ranches, where mountain lions are frequent visitors.
Dobermans can prove to be quite vicious when fighting; hence, if you think one dog cannot defeat a cougar in a fight, a pack of Dobermans definitely can. Hence, don’t underestimate their protection potential.
5. Akita
Height: 24-28 inches | Weight: 70-130 lbs.
Lifespan: 10-14 years | Energy Level: Average
Speed: 20-45 mph | Bite Force: 300-400 PSI
Coat: Medium length, dense double coat
Temperament: Dignified, courageous, profoundly loyal, quiet, fastidious, silly, affectionate, people-oriented, and an independent thinker
You must be thinking that if there were a hypothetical battle between a grey wolf and a cougar. The cougar would have easily won. Then how can a milder and domesticated dog take down this ferocious predator?
The truth is they can’t, and yes, you heard that right. Because no matter how powerful these hunting dogs are, they will end up mangled and killed if attacked by a cougar. But if you are wondering.
Can an Akita protect you and your family from a full-grown mountain lion?
The answer is, yes, it can. Because this pooch is the descendant of matagi dogs, which used to hunt bears, boars, and deer. Hence, they can take down these mountain lions.
But only if they attack in the form of a pack, because it’s going to be one helluva fight.
Omlet notes that these Japanese spitz dogs are silent dogs that can surprise the mountain lions out of nowhere and kick them out with their imposing presence.
These dogs can deflect and deter cougars with ease on a farm or ranch near the forest and will vigilantly patrol your yard, giving you a sense of peace and security.
P.S. Make sure to keep your chickens, sheep, turkeys, and fish stowed away in proper cages. So the cougars don’t get attracted to a food source at your farm.
6. Pit Bull
Height: 17-21 inches | Weight: 30-70 lbs.
Lifespan: 9-13 years | Energy Level: Average
Speed: 30 mph | Bite Force: 235 PSI
Coat: Short Flat coat
Temperament: Loving, outgoing, affectionate, people-oriented, sensitive, strong-willed, and always eager to please.
Fresh paw prints, eerie silences, and that unmistakable feeling of being followed. It is not just your imagination if you are traversing through one of these nature spots that are homes to breathtaking nature scenes, but also home to incredibly diverse wildlife like cougars.
How does a Pitbull defend you in a mountain lion’s presence?
Pitbull breeds are known for being overprotective and territorial, and will take on a fight with a cougar when they try to invade their property.
Continental Kennel Club says their strong jaws and speed help them outrun this massive predator.
Pit bulls stand as the world’s most dangerous dog breeds, and have a history of dog fighting and bull baiting; hence, they can take on a challenge like a cougar. But will most likely be mauled or severely injured if they come in contact with these American lions.
7. Anatolian Shepherd
Height: 27-29inches | Weight: 80-150 lbs.
Lifespan: 11-13 years | Energy Level: High
Speed: 45 mph | Bite Force: 500-700 PSI
Coat: Short or rough, coarse double coat
Temperament: Reserved, independent, intelligent, responsive, adaptable, patient, and profoundly loyal
The Anatolian Shepherd is the ideal breed to defend and deter against the American lion, and we say that because these dominating and demanding dogs have proven their mettle in real life by safeguarding a family in Napa Valley, wine country, in 1994 in California.
A mother found an adult cougar perched on a rock, intently eyeing her 3-year-old Joseph. The cougar was crouched, with its tail flicking, giving the mother the impression that it was about to pounce.
Hence, she instantly whisked her son to safety. Soon after researching ways to protect her toddler from the numerous cougars in the area, she ended up finding this Turkish breed of livestock guardians.
Is an Anatolian Shepherd a perfectly capable dog breed for protecting you against a mountain lion?
PetMD affirms that these formidable beasts can not only fend off lions but also grizzly bears. These dogs reach the height of six feet with they stand on their hind legs, and have a disarming personality that shifts from mellow to ferociously protective in the blink of an eye.
As per The Spokesman Review, these primitive Eurasian dogs’ mere presence is enough 99% of the time to keep carnivores away.
They provide visual deterrence and greet intruders with a mild throat-clearing sort of bark, but if that leaves them unfazed, these shepherds give a blood-curdling warning, which is not an empty threat.
Their legendary fearlessness, prodigious strength, and cat-like agility can drive off the largest predators, grizzlies included.
Conclusion
It is quite horrifying to know that these wild cats will always have the upper hand over you and your dogs. But do not lose hope just yet, because there are plenty of ways to deter and deflect a mountain lion attack. Many wildlife experts recommend using noise and lights to confuse and scare off these merciless predators. Moreover, it is also better to keep your beloved dog home to keep it safe and away from harm.
But if you encounter a full-grown mountain lion or cougar, you should never run away from it. Because there is a high chance it will attack you. Just display calm confidence, wave your hands, throw rocks at it, and try to be intimidating, to let the other party realize that you mean business and won’t back off from a challenge.
Moreover, other dogs like the Great Pyrenees, Presa Canario, Alabai, Boerboel, Dogo Argentino, Tibetan Mastiff, Ovcharka, Akbash, Kangal, and Komondor are the only breeds that can take these mountain lions down in a one-on-one fight. But these apex predators can cause severe injuries to these dogs. Hence, it is advised to tread with caution.
