Many people living in the suburbs of larger cities lead extremely challenging lives. Even though these urban settings are filled with loads of job opportunities, they are also a hub for higher rates of crimes and victimization.
No matter if you’re living in a quiet alley or a crowded city like New York, safety concerns like local crime or unrest can be overwhelming. If your surroundings keep you on edge, you’re not alone. Luckily, we’ve rounded up some loyal guard dogs that bring both comfort and protection to your everyday life.
Whether you are on your daily jog or run, or running errands in a high-risk zone, these vigilant bodyguards will protect you and stay beside you like a comforting shadow. Let’s read about them in detail now.
Guard Dog Breeds For Apartment Life
1. Akita
Height: 24 to 28 inches
Weight: 70 to 130 pounds
Life Expectancy: 10-14 years
Bark Level: The Bark of an Akita is more about quality than quantity. The Akita prefers a silent intervention rather than a boisterous display.
Activity Level: Moderate
Looking for a loyal and trusty guardian? Don’t look further, cause what better guy than the ferociously loyal and mighty Akita? The AKC says these pooches were the hunting partners of the Japanese Warriors called the Samurai and were originally bred to hunt bears and wolves.
Although it is to be considered that these highly loyal and noble dogs have a high energy level, hence they should be exercised and trained every day appropriately to avoid boredom and frustration in them.
Akitas are a national monument in Japan, and they are gifted as charms and blessings of happiness and life to every baby born in Japan. These guard dogs do need care, attention, and dedication from their owners. Hence, don’t neglect these precious pooches and enjoy their protection.
2. Rottweiler
Height: 22-27 inches
Weight: 80-135 pounds
Life Expectancy: 9-10 Years
Bark Level: The bark of a Rottweiler has a lot of strength and depth, along with an ample amount of bass, and can echo over a large area.
Activity Level: Moderate to High
Rottweilers are the best guard dogs that can be trained to be a sweet and affectionate pup at home, but a daunting and scary dog outside. They are also wonderful therapy dogs. Their understanding, loyal, and calm demeanor helps people in need of emotional support.
They love some downtime and also stay happy being couch potatoes, and love cuddling with their loved ones. Rottweilers can also help you in the most dire situations, like on a silent road at night and in an unknown expanse of land where you feel unsafe.
PetMD states the Rottweiler is a challenging breed to train because it can get stubborn, but will transform into an incredibly loving puppy once they are socialized, trained, and exercised well.
Rottweilers can adapt to apartment living, but owners must commit to providing sufficient exercise, mental stimulation, and consistent training to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.
3. Giant Schnauzer
Height: 23.5-27.5 inches
Weight: 55-95 pounds
Life Expectancy: 10-13 years
Bark Level: Their bark is loud and booming, just like their mighty presence. But these pooches will only bark when extremely necessary and aren’t avid barkers.
Activity Level: Moderate to High
The Giant Schnauzer was originally bred in the Bavarian Alps to watch over farms, inns, and homes. These hypoallergenic pooches with shiny coats and fluffy fur are a dream to own. They love chasing small animals and pets, and only thrive in a place where they are the only pets at home.
Giant Schnauzers are deeply attached to their families and don’t do well living outdoors, making them better suited for indoor life. Their hypoallergenic coat sheds minimally, so fur isn’t a major issue.
They also need attention and consistent physical and mental stimulation every day. Or they might get frustrated and destructive. They are the best dog breeds, incredibly loyal dogs that always aim to please their owners. Hence, they are easy to train and condition.Â
Giant Schnauzers are the most watchful breed there is, and interestingly enough, have an incredibly high pain tolerance as well, which makes them hardy and resilient in the face of danger.
4. German Shepherd
Height: 22-26 inches
Weight: 50-90 pounds
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
Bark Level: They have a loud, ferocious-sounding bark that they use moderately but can be quite vocal when alerting their owner to a threat.
Activity Level: Moderate to High
This iconic guard dog is such a popular hero that it is always featured as a police dog, guard dog, or military dog in movies. The German Shepherd was even developed by a military guy named Max Von Stephanitz, who fell in love with a wolfdog that he saw in a dog show.
Hence, what better guard can you get than this popular guy? Dark, tall, and handsome, the perfect combination of strength and wits, and all the grit! German Shepherds are one of the most popular guard dog breeds that can help you protect your small spaces and accompany you on a walk outdoors.
German Shepherds can live in apartments if they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and consistent training to stay happy and well-behaved.
5. Doberman Pinscher
Height: 24-28 inches
Weight: 60-100 pounds
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
Bark Level: They are quite loud, almost as loud as a German Shepherd’s typical machine-gun-style barking. If they bark, you will certainly hear it through the walls, and your neighbors will hear it.
Activity Level: Extremely High (Prone to Hyperactivity)
The ultimate protection dog, the Doberman Pinscher, is a sleek and handsome pup that is often seen beside daunting personalities and intimidating mafia guys in the movies. These strong and sturdy Dobermans are vulnerable to cold temperatures because of their sleek, short coat.
But if this dog accompanies you, it will surely change your life for good, because the bad guys won’t even think about approaching you.
Living with a Doberman in an apartment can be rewarding, but it does come with challenges. These active dogs need plenty of daily exercise; regular walks, runs, or trips to the dog park are essential to keep them happy and healthy.
However, Dobermans can be prone to barking, especially at outside noises. Early socialization and consistent training are crucial to manage this behavior, and it’s important to consider how neighbors might react to occasional barking.
6. Boxer
Height: 21.5 to 25 inches
Weight: 65 – 80 pounds
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
Bark Level: Boxers are extremely vocal and boisterous, especially when they sense something fishy or feel threatened.
Activity Level: Moderate to High
This goofy fella is a great sparring partner and fearless bodyguard who will do anything, and by that we mean anything in their power to keep you away from harm. These always high on alert and protective pooches do not tolerate anyone approaching you with a bad intention.
Boxers can thrive in apartment living as long as they get plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy.
Hence, it’s important to train these extremely attached and protective pooches so they can distinguish between friends and foes. Moreover, early socialization and exposure will also enhance these boxers’ behavior and make them more comfortable with new people and other dogs, and keep them well-behaved in front of your honorable guests.
Did you know? White boxers are most susceptible to deafness, hence aren’t used by ethical breeders in their breeding stock. These unique dogs stand on their hind legs and use their front paws to box when defending themselves.
7. Anatolian Shepherd
Height: 27-29 inches
Weight: 80-150 pounds
Life Expectancy: 11-13 years
Bark Level: They have a loud bark that they use a lot at night to keep intruders and predators away. Hence, it’s something to consider if you have tough neighbours.
Activity Level: Extremely High (Can rip through drywalls and dig holes if not physically or mentally stimulated)
These strong and mighty dogs originated in Anatolia and are known as the national dog of Türkiye. These strong-willed working dogs were born to protect and are quite smart. Orvis says Anatolian Shepherds require proper training and socialization from a young age.
They make wonderful watchdogs and will be ideal for your tiny apartment. Just make sure to take them out every once in a while and introduce different physical activities in their routine, like running, jogging, and hiking.
These Shepherds are incredibly strong and can take down large predators like wolves, wild boars, mountain lions, coyotes, and bears easily. Hence, they are the right fit for taking down goons, burglars, and can even protect you against leering creeps and weirdos on the streets and dark alleys.
They are surprisingly low maintenance and low energy when staying indoors. Anatolian Shepherds are used for cheetah conservation in Africa. They need proper fencing, or they will roam and be a wanderer.
Conclusion
Just make sure that as a dog owner, you are choosing the right guard dog according to living arrangements and behavioral compatibility to cherish and own. The way these fun-loving puppies only require a bit of physical and mental stimulation, time, and regular exercise to stay healthy and happy.
Along with basic obedience training and consistent training for security and protection to be the best guard dog is an astounding feat.
P.S. Positive reinforcement and food motivation can make even the most stubborn and strong-willed pups highly trainable.
Hence, train these intimidating puppies smartly and effectively make them your excellent guard dogs.
