Having a dog as your companion for life is the best thing you could ever ask for. Being a dog lover, you must know how these furry and friendly pets are always up for a good time with you and can turn a dull day into a happening one with just their smile.
It’s all fun and games until you come across a dangerous animal that you need protection from. While all dog breeds possess a certain percentage of protective instincts, some dogs are specifically bred to protect their loved ones. These guarding and loyal dogs do not shy away from protecting their owners from an animal attack or potential threats.
If you’re looking for a dog that makes the perfect guardian, these 10 dog breeds are well-suited for your household. Read on to learn more about these brave and strong dogs who stop at nothing when it comes to your protection.
Dog Breeds That Protect Owners Against Other Animals
1. German Shepherds
German Shepherds are medium to large dogs that were originally bred for hunting sheep. They are large, agile, muscular, highly intelligent, and loyal dogs who love being in the company of owners with an active lifestyle.
These dogs are a staple in police and other military forces, but also make great family dogs because of their strong protective instincts.
German Shepherds love being active, and show positive reinforcement while being trained, which makes them easily trainable. These dogs are fiercely loyal and do not shy away from barking or attacking when it comes to their family.
2. Doberman Pinscher
A great canine breed known for their bravery, Dobermans are medium-large-sized dogs that are active, curious, and have an active lifestyle. They need regular physical and mental stimulation to keep them at their best behavior.
Dobermans’ loyalty to their owners is unmatched as they are provided proper training in socialization from an early age. Male Dobermans are better suited for property protection, while females are more inclined towards protecting their family.
Training them requires patience and consistency to help them understand that not every stranger is a threat to them, and owners make them great family pets.
3. Cane Corso
Bred to be livestock guardians, hunting game animals, and herding cattle, Cane Corsos are brave dogs who are known for their large stature and loyal nature.
These gentle giants have a protective nature and tons of love for their pet parents. They do not shy away from barking when met with potential threats.
With proper training and exercise, these dogs can deter intruders and other animals if they feel threatened and would do anything to protect their favorite humans.
4. Rottweiler
Rottweilers are German pups whose name literally means butcher dogs, literally! These dogs are bred for hunting livestock and pulling carts filled with raw meat to the markets.
Rottweilers are known for their great attacking qualities, and their huge stature is enough to give strangers, intruders, or other animals a run for their lives. However, they do require effective training to be able to recognize specific threats and act accordingly.
These dogs are ideal for homes with a family that understands them and their needs. These dogs require regular exercise and physical stimulation to keep them obedient and calm.
5. Giant Schnauzer
Schnauzers are giant breeds that are always eager to please their family and are highly trainable. These dogs have high energy levels, which is why they require daily mental and physical stimulation to keep them at their best behavior.
These dogs make great family guardians and are loyal breeds that deter threats effectively to protect their caregivers. They are natural guard dogs and feel it is their responsibility to protect their family from danger.
These dogs have been excellent police workers, rescue animals, and are suitable for various other working groups. They are also affectionately called therapy dogs because of their gentle nature.
6. Bernese Mountain Dog
Big, powerful, and built for hard, rough work, Bernese Mountain Dogs are the best companions for dog lovers. They have relatively low energy levels as compared to other breeds on this list, but never shy away from a fun time indoors.
These Mountain Dog breeds show their loyalty by guarding their human companions and never shying away from being the best protectors of their family, especially kids.
7. Tibetan Mastiff
This ancient Himalayan breed has a massive build, serious attitude, and is territorial, which makes it a powerful and protective dog. These dogs are regarded as “Guardian Dog Supreme” by the American Kennel Club, as they are very protective of their families.
This large breed has innate guarding instincts, making them natural protectors. These dogs are especially active at night and protect from potential threats, wolves, coyotes, and other predators.
8. Rhodesian Ridgeback
These African dogs are brave, athletic, and incredibly loyal, making them great guard dogs. They can be excellent watchdogs and pets for families if raised properly with proper socialization training.
These dogs are alert and have a strong prey drive, which allows them to identify threats and protect their family.
Rhodesians do not hold back when it comes to barking to alert their human companions if there is danger nearby. These dogs are great for dog lovers who are experienced and understand these dogs well.
9. Great Dane
Great Danes are gentle giants and excellent guard dogs, but people started adopting them as pets. They have an imposing size, which makes them look large and scary, which is a great trait to scare away predators.
PDSA notes that their powerful bark is plenty for sending a trespasser on their way. Because of their intelligence and protective nature, they can sense threats from a distance and alert their owners with a loud bark.
These are the right dog breeds to be family-friendly pets and do well with children if trained well from an early age. However, their interaction with small children must be supervised so they don’t knock them over while playing.
10. Belgian Malinois
These are a breed of herding dogs that are incredibly loyal and smart. They have high energy levels and need a lot of exercise, which makes them great for small children who just won’t sit in one place.
This working dog breed is valued by the police department for its strength and stamina, which it needs to hunt down predators and intruders. These breed needs proper training and obedience drilling to be great guard dogs for their families.
They have an instinct of being protective, which is effective in deterring threats. Training them is necessary to ensure they stay as guard dogs and not become fearful, aggressive pets, which can be dangerous for both small children and big kids in the house.
Conclusion
Having a loyal dog by your side is not just about companionship; it also means that you have a brave guard dog breed around you who is always ready to stand between you and potential danger. May it be predators, other dangerous animals, or intruders.
These breeds have an instinct to guard and defend their favorite humans against other animals. When choosing the right breed with a protective nature, you must consider your lifestyle, training commitment, and the breed’s temperament.
With proper training, care, and socialization, these breeds will not stop at anything before they protect you from threats, showing unwavering love, affection, and loyalty for you.
