Imagine a protector with paws, who is a fusion of kind nature along with strong guardian instincts, with the ability to distinguish the surroundings, whether it’s a threat or love.
Nature has gifted us these canine companions who offer both love and protection; silent guardians devoted to your children’s safety. Their instincts flourish with care, affection, a healthy environment, and proper training.
A research study revealed that school-aged children with their pet dogs experience less stress than kids with no pets. This means, dogs are more than cuddling partners; they are emotional protectors as well. Let’s learn more to know about these breeds that define love as protection.
Loving Dog Breeds for Children’s Safety and Protection
1. Saint Bernard
The giant dogs, full of love and wisdom, protect the children with the same loyalty and care they once gave to the lost souls in the Alps. Saint Bernards were trained by monks in 1600 and were used for search and rescue missions to find humans under the heaps of snow. These days, they are established as one of the most affectionate dog breeds.
Saint Bernards are the best family dogs due to their calm and friendly nature around kids. Their natural instinct is to guard children of all ages and make perfect nanny dogs. These people-oriented dogs may develop separation anxiety and should not be left alone for longer periods.
These large dogs have high energy levels. Physical and mental stimulation is necessary to keep them happy and healthy. They excel in swimming, fetch, and drafting competitions.
These smart dogs should have proper obedience training so that they obey your cues, especially during their interaction with children, says PetMD.
2. Boxer
Boxer is descended from hunting dog breeds, which means they are naturally protective. These guard dogs are always ready to keep their little humans safe. Beyond their protective nature, kind and loyal Boxers are known for uplifting the mood of their owners, and shine as great family dogs.
These medium-sized dogs are suitable for active families as they are packed with high energy levels. Boxers are a family-friendly dog, and keep family members entertained for hours, thanks to their playful nature. However, they have a tendency to jump and paw during play, which makes training essential for them.
Boxer dogs’ parents should keep them on a leash due to their strong prey drive. Yet, they have a common habit of pulling the leash, which is why they should be leash-trained.
These active dogs are highly trainable as well. But consistent training and early socialization are vital since they may knock down frail individuals.
3. Newfoundland
Newfoundland dogs may not act as good watchdogs, but they always show their concern about guarding their families and children, says the AKC.
History reveals that these working dogs were originally bred for pulling in nets for fishermen and for some other heavy work. Vigilant but sweet-tempered Newfoundland dogs are also famous as nanny dogs.
This child-friendly dog breed is patient and calm around kids. These gentle giants with an amiable nature welcome everyone in the house and get along well with other dogs and cats. Newfies would only alert their humans if they sense anything unusual in the surroundings.
The pulling and jumping behavior in puppies can overpower the owners. Therefore, positive reinforcement, obedience training are crucial for a well-behaved Newfoundland. They do not bark frequently and can be a perfect addition to an apartment lifestyle.
4. Standard Poodle
Standard Poodles are adorable and good-natured family pets. This size of Poodle is the largest of all other Poodle types. These athletic dogs were bred for hunting waterfowl. Today, these fluffy dogs enjoy active households and can manage their playful nature and smartness together.
Despite their fancier look, Poodles can be trained to be more than guard dogs for families, thanks to their alertness and devoted nature. Even if this dog breed is not trained, their impressive size and loud bark may be enough to scare off intruders.
The child-friendly dog breed, the Poodle, is happy when it is engaged in fun activities; they really fit well with kids who have equal energy levels like them.
The Standard Poodle is considered one of the smartest dog breeds after the Border Collie. Their high adaptability and easy-to-train attitude make them a wonderful dog breed for first-time pet parents.
They should be supervised during interaction with small children, as they may accidentally knock over infants. Otherwise, they make great guard dogs without being aggressive canines.
5. German Shepherd
Abbreviated as GSD, one of the most loyal and popular dog breeds, the German Shepherd was developed in Germany as a protective dog.
They are known for their sharp senses, courageous and loyal nature, which is proof of their being the best guard dogs. GSDs have been serving us in different roles, such as police dogs, rescue dogs, and family dogs as well.
Regardless of their reputation as excellent guard dogs, these dogs prefer gentleness around kids. They form close bonds with their owners and protect them, risking their lives if needed. However, they are naturally wary of new members of the family or even have the ability to scare intruders.
While they are child-friendly dogs, they still need proper training and early socialization at a very young age to be well-mannered guard dogs. These high-energy dogs are perfect for adventurous families and energetic kiddos. They excel in canine sports, agility training, and obeying commands.
6. Doberman Pinscher
Powerful Dobies have an intimidating look and history as a protective dog breed. These fiercely loyal and affectionate family friends shine as excellent guard dogs for your family. A properly trained and socialized Doberman pinscher is considered one of the best child-loving dog breeds.
They have not only marked their name in great attacking qualities to protect their favourite but also ranked themselves in the list of family pets who are great with little humans.
According to Britannica, Doberman Pinschers are lively and energetic souls. They are a perfect fit for households that can meet their energy needs.
Dobies are smart enough to differentiate between potential threats and harmless interactions. Regular exercise and mental stimulation are vital for these dogs, as they may gain weight or get bored.
Since they need active play and there is a chance to accidentally knock over toddlers, one should always supervise them.
7. Australian Terrier
The jolly little Australian Terrier was bred to be the companion dog. These loving dogs thrive in constant human company and may get separation anxiety if left for a long time. The playful and energetic persona of Aussie perfectly matches the spirited nature of small children.
Since they are impressive in loyalty and protection, Australian Terriers can be trained into great watchdogs. Though they do not possess aggression towards strangers, they are alert enough to let you know about any change in the home. The small stature and gentle nature make them a good fit for households having infants.
Australian Terriers are smart dogs and excel in obedience training. However, they are a little stubborn, which means constant training with interactive sessions is a must for them. They do not have high grooming needs; the double coat is waterproof, and it needs weekly brushing.
Conclusion
This guide is proof that a wagging tail and kind-natured soul with four legs can be your kids’ guardian. These canine pals offer endless love and watchful eyes for your babies without giving them any harm. These silent protectors are the embodiment of trust and selfless affection that last forever.
Training and socialization help them to nurture this bond. The best guard dogs for families are not limited; the list expands further with golden retriever, Labrador retriever, cavalier king Charles spaniels, Bernese mountain dog, Boston terriers, and many other pets.
