7 Dog Breeds That Sleep Beside Doors Guarding Family

Having a guard dog gives you peace of mind that someone is always there to defend your home and your loved ones. Along with security cameras and safety locks, these pooches provide extra protection against potential threats.

Many dog breeds were bred solely for guarding. Over the years, they have retained the values and traits like loyalty, intelligence, and steadfast bravery. Their intelligence, combined with courage, enables them to make independent decisions while defending.

Different guard dog breeds have different energy levels and temperaments. You have to choose the right breed based on your personal preferences. Remember, early training and socialization help suppress the overprotective behavior of your pup.

Here are the top 7 dog breeds that sleep beside doors guarding the family.

Dog Breeds That Sleep Beside Doors Guarding Family

1. German Shepherd

One of the best guard dog breeds, German Shepherds are muscular and agile dogs. They offer unwavering loyalty and form deep bonds with their owners. Despite being strong and athletic, German Shepherds are quite adaptable and adjust well to different environments.

German Shepherds have been instinctively sleeping beside doors for hundreds of years. Sleeping by the door gives them a clear view of the entrance, enabling them to detect potential danger and keep an eye on those coming in and out of the house.

It also gives them a sense of comfort and security. GSDs thrive on structures and routines; napping near the doorways instills consistency. These pooches are fond of outdoor adventures, so sleeping by the door allows them to be the first ones to get out of the house.

2. Cane Corso

Cane Corso, literally meaning “bodyguard dogs,” is known for its assertive and fearless personality. Their strong protective instincts, confidence, and affection make them natural guard dogs. Corso are intelligent, versatile, and eager to please dogs.

Cane Corso loves sleeping by the front door. Their intimidating presence beside your door acts as the first line of defense against intruders. This Italian dog breed forms unbreakable bonds with its human family.

Cane Corso are dominant and protective, so you need to give them proper training and socialization. They are surprisingly easy to train. Despite their tough appearance, Corso are all hearts and respond to love and rewards more than harsh corrections.

They need plenty of physical and mental stimulation. Give your Cane Corso at least one to two hours of daily exercise. Take them for brisk walks, bicycle rides, or hikes, explains the AKC.

3. Great Dane

The Great Dane is a popular dog breed hailing from Germany, where it was used to hunt boars, deer, and other large game. Being one of the largest dogs in the world, Great Danes have an imposing presence. Just a sight of these dogs is enough to deter potential threats.

Danes are soft and friendly at heart. They are gentle and loving towards their family members and have a protective nature. Great Danes are leery of strangers, so socialization from a young age enables them to behave well around your new visitors.

These vigilant dogs are quite alert and have a loud bark to inform their owners when they sense any danger. Danes are faster at picking up changes in their surroundings, enabling them to excel as watchdogs.

The immense strength, size, and weight of these dogs are a real commitment that should not be taken lightly. This is the reason why Great Danes require firm handlers.

4. Belgian Sheepdog

Recognized by its beautiful, long black coat, the Belgian Sheepdog is a protective dog breed. It belongs to the Belgian Shepherd family, which also includes Belgian Malinois, Belgian Tervuren, and Belgian Laekenois.

This highly trainable herder is versatile and intelligent. PetMD explains that they excel in police work and search and rescue missions. Belgian Sheepdogs have also been serving as guide and service dogs.

These sensitive souls crave human companionship and love spending time with children. In fact, they are very protective of them, but may get too energetic for smaller kids. Their desire to sleep by the door stems from their protective and territorial instincts.

Belgian Sheepdogs’ high energy and strong work ethic mean they need plenty of exercise every day to stay happy and content.

5. Tibetan Mastiff

Adjectives like “powerful,” “muscular,” and “massive” best describe this breed. Hailing from the magnificent Himalayan mountains, Tibetan Mastiffs are sweet and loving to their people. On the other hand, they are also aggressive and intimidating towards potential threats.

Sleeping by the door is a common behavior in Tibetan Mastiffs that arises from their territorial nature and historical role as guardians of Tibetan monasteries. Their size, strength, and high intellect mean they have an independent nature.

Training a Tibetan Mastiff is not a piece of cake. These self-sufficient canines need consistent training throughout their lives and socialization from an early age. Tibetan Mastiffs bond deeply with their owners and do not like them being surrounded by other humans, dogs, or perceived threats.

6. Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman Pinscher is a popular guard dog breed across the globe. These highly intelligent and fearless canines are incredibly loyal to their people and cautious around unfamiliar faces. They prefer staying close to the entrance, so they can faithfully keep an eye on who is coming or leaving.

These athletic dogs have lots of energy to burn, so they need lots of exercise and activity. Their playful nature and love for outdoor activities make them sleep beside doors so they can be the first ones to step out for a hike.

Dobermans are sleek dogs with an elegant physique and keen senses. They can learn new commands easily and make loving companions. Early and consistent training can help unleash the best protection dog and family pet out of a Doberman.

7. Boxer

Boxers are affectionate, loyal, and brave souls who can go to great lengths to protect their loved ones. Their strength and courage contribute to their reputation as great guard dogs. Originally bred as hunting dogs, they possess an instinct to defend.

Orvis explains that these high-spirited pups are amiable and attentive with their human family and reserved towards strangers. As a pack animal, a Boxer is inclined to keep an eye on what is going on around them.

Your Boxer may often sleep beside the entrance, waiting for you to come home or watching the people passing by. Some factors, like extreme weather conditions, may affect their performance as guard dogs.

Their high intelligence may sometimes translate into stubbornness. However, if trained properly from a young age, they can become obedient to their owners. Boxers are prone to certain health conditions, like hip dysplasia and heart problems such as arrhythmia and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Conclusion

Are you planning to adopt an active guard dog? One of the breeds mentioned in this article may be the pet of your dreams. They love sleeping beside doors only to keep a watchful eye, defend their loved ones, or wait for them to come home.

Some outdoorsy dogs prefer staying close to the entrance so that they can be the first ones to step out. These guard dogs are naturally protective, intelligent, and capable of bonding closely with their owners. They outshine other members of the dogdom due to their loyalty, courage, and bravery.