How’d you feel if you had a fiercely loyal companion whose ancestors marched into battlefields and patrolled warzones? These extraordinary dogs are personal protection dogs with genuine armed forces roots.
These dogs have served alongside soldiers in critical roles for centuries. They have served as scouts, messengers, sentries, and even bomb detectors. The tradition is still relevant. Certain breeds have earned their stripes through decades of military duty and disciplined training.
In this blog, we explore seven elite guard dog breeds that have been honed by military training. They are well adapted to protect your home and family members. These modern guard dogs combine unmatched intelligence and courage!
Guard Dog Breeds With Military Backgrounds
1. Doberman Pinscher
Did you know that, Doberman Pinscher holds the world record for tracking? Guinness World Records mentions that a South African police dog, Sauer, tracked a cattle rustler over 100 miles across the Great Karroo, South Africa, on foot by scent alone. Dobermans are smart, agile, and powerful.
They are widely used as Guard dogs for houses and other places. Doberman Pinschers have impulsive responses and are exceptionally alert.
They are very easy to train with their high intellect and can be the best police dogs. These dogs have a great history of military service. Dobermans served as search and rescue dogs, and even as tracking and attack dogs.
These brave dogs had an intimidating appearance in both World Wars. Doberman Pinschers also helped the best military forces, like the USA and Germany, in protection tasks and carrying messages.
2. Boxer
In 1946, two boxer dogs, Punch and Judy, alerted their owners about an attack on Jerusalem. This earned them the PDSA Dickin’s medal for heroism, as mentioned by Historic UK. Their muscular strength, active and alert nature, and unwavering loyalty make them popular among dog owners.
These dogs have a formidable military background. They were used as military working dogs in many wars, especially World War II. They are also one of the many dogs that have been involved in police work!
They served as guard dogs, messengers, hunters, and fighting dogs. Their athletic and energetic nature, together with their eagerness, made them stand out in military units.
The Boxers might not be the easiest to train. They get bored by consistent training with the same stimulation and demand creativity in training. Though when trained properly, Boxers are the best dogs to guard your house and ensure safety.
3. Rottweiler
Rottweilers are excellent military dogs, owing to their formidable presence, muscular build, and great work ethic. They are a German breed with Roman origins, and are considered an ancient dog breed, as mentioned by Hill’s Pet.
They have worked as hunting dogs, protection dogs, and even cattle herders over the centuries. They were used by military forces in both World War I and World War II.
They worked in many roles, such as protection, security, and attack. These dogs also served in the police and law enforcement agencies, and are still being used.
Rottweilers are the best guard dogs with their protective instincts. They have a keen sense of loyalty and affection with their owners and are always ready to give their all for family safety.
4. Giant Schnauzer
A Giant Schnauzer named “Brock” was part of the security squadron on Donald Trump’s visit to the Hamburg G-20 summit, as mentioned by the U.S. Department of Defense. This reflects the natural protective instincts of the breed.
Their imposing size, strong build, and passionate nature make them an elite protection dog. These dogs have a great experience in military service.
Their high energy and intelligence, together with their alertness and muscular strength, made them suitable for many war tasks. They are not only great guard dogs but also exceptionally good at tracking, becoming the heart of many rescue missions.
Giant Schnauzers are loving and affectionate dogs, which makes them a valuable addition to your family. They are the perfect dogs for guard duty.
5. Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute is an old breed, still standing strong in the freezing temperatures and harsh conditions of Alaska.
Their thick coat, along with their strength and mobility, makes them highly adaptive. Their alertness and activeness make them a good protection dog. The Alaskan Malamute served as a military working dog in both World Wars.
According to Grayline Alaska, 450 Alaskan Malamutes were shipped to France to deliver food and supplies to French soldiers in mountain outposts. They were also used for search and rescue.
They do not require proper training and daily stimulation for protection work; it’s in their nature. Just bring an Alaskan Malamute to your house and experience high security as well as a lovable company.
6. German Shepherd
Imagine having an ideal working dog who can perform any task you assign. German Shepherds are a perfect blend of strength and valour. German Shepherd dogs are eager to work and capable of completing the tasks assigned to them by the Army, as mentioned by the Army Historical Foundation.
Another heroic legend in this case is Lucca, as mentioned by Khaleej Times. Employed by the US Marine Corps, it completed 400 missions in Iran and Afghanistan. And sadly, during a patrol in 2012, a 30-pound IED exploded badly injuring Lucca. She lost a limb and is referred to as the three-legged dog breed!
Their strong work ethic, passion, and vigilance earned them important roles in many wars. German Shepherds are extremely intelligent and can understand complex commands. Owing to that, they have also been employed by police forces.
German Shepherds bring with them an unmatched loyalty and are exceptionally productive in performing challenging tasks. They don’t take much effort to get trained and do not demand advanced treatment. You cannot have a better guard dog than a German Shepherd.
7. Belgian Malinois
A Belgian Malinois, Cairo, was part of the US military detachment that took down Osama bin Laden in 2011, as mentioned by the American Kennel Club. Belgian Malinois dogs were used as military dogs in World War I and World War II. They have also been great police dogs throughout their life.
Belgian Malinois were a God-sent breed for wounded soldiers in many wars. Their excellent sense of smell and alertness enabled them to serve as tracking and hunting dogs.
They were also used as attack dogs, owing to their assertive stature and muscular strength. But today, in the era of modern warfare, Belgian Malinois are being used as guard dogs.
There is also proof that these dogs were actively involved in drug and bomb detection, as per PetMD. This compelling feature makes them stand out among guard dog breeds.
Conclusion
All the breeds mentioned above share a rich military and law enforcement heritage. The trust of police forces and military personnel in these dogs worldwide says a lot about their capabilities. These dogs exemplify an ideal, balanced temperament. They are tireless when duty calls, while calm at home!
Most of them have completed training to avoid unnecessary aggression and to use force only when directed. Larger working dogs dominate elite units, while smaller dogs might have a disadvantage due to a lack of physical presence and endurance.
The real strength of these dogs doesn’t lie in how their temperament translates into everyday life. If you want a dog that quietly looks over your house and provides peace of mind, you are at the right place!
