Looking for the best home protection dog? You’ve come to the right place. Although all breeds have protective instincts, some are naturally inclined to be guard dogs, and with proper training, they can become even more proficient in this skill.

What makes these breeds so remarkable is not just their strength or imposing presence, but the balance they bring to the world. They are fierce when needed, yet gentle with their loved ones; watchful at night, yet playful in the day.

This unique blend of loyalty, intelligence, and protective spirit is what makes them the ultimate choice for families seeking safety during the day as well as at night.

We have gathered the 10 best bodyguard dogs for your home who would go to any length to protect their owners from strangers, intruders, or any possible threat.

They are not just known for being guard dogs but also for being intelligent dogs with an affectionate nature, which helps them form great bonds with their favorite humans. Read on to learn more about these gentle giants.

Dog Breeds That Guard Homes Even When Sleeping

1. German Shepherd

When it comes to German Shepherds, these dogs, without a doubt, are an excellent addition to your household. They are not just great guard dogs, but are also affectionate, which makes them a great choice if you have kids in the house.

German Shepherds are loyal family members and are excellent for home security. These gentle giants are courageous and will not think twice before putting themselves in danger to protect their loved ones.

German Shepherds have a history of being police dogs and performing military work, which proves how intelligent, highly trainable, and trustworthy this breed is. Even if they are sleeping, their mere presence, along with an imposing size and stature, is enough to scare off any intruder.

2. Rottweiler

Rottweilers are another excellent guard dog breed that you can bring into your home for security purposes. They are giants with a massive size and look scary. Just the image of them sleeping or sitting next to you is enough to make an intruder run for their life.

These dogs should be properly trained from an early age to control their aggressiveness and keep their behavior in control around strangers, small children, and other animals.

Rottweilers are highly intelligent, obedient, and protective dog breeds that can be fierce beasts or stay generally calm depending on the situation they face. According to the American Kennel Club, early socialization and proper training are the best options to instill reinforcements in a positive way.

3. Doberman Pinscher

Originating from Germany, Doberman Pinschers are regarded as the classic guard dog breeds ideal for home security. These giants have a fearsome image, which is a plus in protection dogs.

This Doberman has high energy and is athletic, which is why it requires a lot of physical and mental stimulation to stay satisfied.

According to PetMD, a Doberman Pinscher is one of the smartest dog breeds among other dogs. These dogs are fast and have high endurance, which makes them easily trainable. Because of their fast speed, these dogs can become the best running companions for active humans.

These dogs are affectionate and loving towards their owners, but may bark at almost anything. This can be a problem if you live in confined spaces. They are excellent family dogs; however, they are not an ideal choice if you have small children in the house.

If you bring them home as puppies, you can train them according to your lifestyle.

4. Cane Corso

Their name literally translates from Latin to bodyguard dogs. Cane Corsos are intelligent, sweet-natured dogs with excellent guarding instincts. Cane Corso has a large head, alert expressions, and an imposing size, which is more than enough to defend themselves and their owners against intruders.

These dogs must be introduced to early socialization and training to keep them at their best behavior. Cane Corsos have high energy levels, which is why they need a good amount of physical and mental stimulation to blow off steam.

Cane Corso excels in dog sports like diving or tracking, so you can easily schedule their activities around such games. To further learn about the exercise and activities these dogs require, you can refer to our dog exercise calculator below:

5. Bullmastiff

Bred to ward off intruders and poachers from estates in England, the Bullmastiff is a gentle and loving family protector. These dogs have excellent guard dog instincts and thrive in a proper family setting.

This way, they learn quickly who their pack leader is and do everything and anything to protect them and their family.

Bullmastiffs have an intimidating look that is enough to fend off intruders but sweet enough not to scare your children.

These loyal dogs must be trained as puppies on how to act around strangers, which helps them become great family pets and a natural protective dog breed. These dogs have a loud bark but an even dangerous bite, which can take down any human that comes in their way.

6. Rhodesian Ridgeback

Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a history of being used for hunting lions and other large animals because of their incredibly strong prey drive. These dogs are faithful friends and have a protective nature that allows them to keep their loved ones safe.

Rhodesians are alert, have an innate sense of loyalty towards their owners, heightened awareness, and great hearing capability, which allows them to detect possible threats from a distance. They are excellent at spotting intruders and any unusual activity in their surroundings.

Other than being the most protective dog breeds, these giants are loving and gentle around family, other pets, cats, and strangers in the house.

They have high exercise needs and enjoy a house with enough area to play in. These dogs can be a handful at times and are not the most ideal choice for first-time dog owners.

7. Giant Schnauzer

Bred to be guard dogs, Giant Schnauzers are the largest in size among their group. These are highly trainable, loyal, courageous, and functional dog breeds.

Giant Schnauzers have high energy levels, are high-spirited and intelligent, which is why they need a lot of time and attention from their owners, along with a good amount of exercise every single day.

These pets have an alert and affectionate personality and can be intimidating at times if they sense any danger or threats. They bark to alert their owners if something unusual occurs around the house. They are not great for a house with small kids, and also need an experienced owner to thrive.

8. Akita

If you’re looking for a protection dog who would die for you, the Akita is an excellent guard dog, best suited for this role. They take their task very seriously and keep a close eye on you and your family to steer clear of any threats and dangers.

They are natural-born protection dogs who would not think twice before putting themselves in front of you if a dangerous situation arises. This makes the Akita one of the most protective dog breeds among all other pets.

They are courageous and alert dogs who are suspicious of strangers and other animals. The fearless and bold Akita’s presence and their bark are more than enough to make an intruder run for their life. Even when they are sleeping, their mere presence and the risk of being woken up scare away the intruders.

They make the perfect and worthiest companion of their family and know what they have to do, however, with the help of consistent training. It is recommended that only experienced owners adopt them from a reputable breeder, as they don’t do well with novice owners.

9. Appenzeller Sennenhund

Originally bred to work on farms and drive cattle, the Appenzeller Sennenhund is a quick and agile dog breed that is intelligent and can quickly catch on to commands to perform.

This Swiss working dog has an instinct to guard. Even in sleep, its sharp senses remain alert to unusual sounds or movements around the home. The Appenzeller combines vigilance with loyalty, making it a dependable guardian who never truly lets its guard down.

They are easy to train and are highly active, which makes them thrive in households with enough space or a yard to run around and blow off some steam.

Early training and socialization are essential to make them aware of different situations and understand that not all strangers are dangerous. Their muscular appearance, protective instincts, and alertness make them the perfect protection dog for a family.

10. Puli

Don’t be fooled by their silly appearance and small size, covered with natural dreadlocks. Puli is a compact yet powerful dog breed that would do just about anything to protect their family from danger. They would not think twice and jump to save their favorite person from danger.

They are naturally alert and suspicious. Pulis bark only when they feel something out of the usual to alert their owners of possible dangers. These intelligent dogs have high energy levels and require a lot of physical stimulation to stay well.

They are a low-maintenance breed; however, their hair requires care to prevent strangles. According to Purina, they are smart dogs and a great addition to an active household with a happening lifestyle.

Conclusion

When it comes to protecting your homes, there is nothing better than a furry companion who does not think twice before standing in front of danger to protect their favorite person. These are the top ten dogs who are courageous, alert, intelligent, and can easily detect if something is not right.

Make your choice today and take a pick from these great protectors for your home according to your lifestyle.