Some dogs are natural guardians who can put themselves in danger to protect their territory and humans. Loyalty, fearlessness, and watchfulness are the distinguishing traits of these breeds. Most of such breeds serve as excellent guard dogs.
Guard dogs not only bark to alert you when visitors arrive, but they are also always ready to keep you safe against potential dangers. Due to their intelligence and high trainability, they make wonderful family pets.
With proper training and socialization, these canines can learn to differentiate between friends and foes. From blocking the door when someone knocks to keeping a watchful eye on you from far off, overprotective dog breeds protect you like their most prized possession.
Here are the top 7 overprotective family dog breeds.
Overprotective Family Dog Breeds
1. German Shepherd
Breed Profile:
Height: 22 to 26 inches
Weight: 50 to 90 pounds
Life Expectancy: 7 to 10 years
German Shepherds are working dogs, popular because of their intelligence and loyalty. Their protective and fearless nature makes them excellent guard dogs who are always ready to defend their owner.
They have a strong territorial instinct, due to which they are naturally inclined to maintain boundaries on your property. They will bark to alert you whenever they notice an unusual activity or presence near their territory.
These confident dogs excel at police and military work. As pets, they are devoted to their family and form strong bonds with their owners. They behave well with children and other pets. German Shepherds communicate with their humans through hand signals and cues.
2. Doberman Pinscher
Breed Profile:
Height: 24 to 28 inches
Weight: 60 to 100 pounds
Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years
Doberman Pinscher is one of the highly valued protective breeds on Earth, but they also make wonderful family dogs. They are able to learn a new command in less than five repetitions, which means they are highly intelligent. They also possess the athleticism and devotion needed to work as guardians.
Doberman Pinschers are strong, powerful, and muscular dogs. They form strong bonds with their family and have a natural instinct to protect you. Dobermans are so courageous that they are willing to enter dangerous situations to obey and protect you.
Female Dobermans are more agile and form stronger bonds. This highly energetic dog breed needs plenty of exercise for physical and mental stimulation. These playful pups often love spending time with children.
3. Rottweiler
Breed Profile:
Height: 22 to 27 inches
Weight: 80 to 135 pounds
Life Expectancy: 9 to 10 years
One of the best nanny dogs, Rottweilers are vigilant and highly protective around children. They are loving and gentle towards their family members, but are a bit aggressive towards strangers. Training and early socialization can help them differentiate between a friend and a foe.
Just like other breeds on our list, Rotties are also one of the best guard dogs. Rottweilers are confident and brave—if they find anything that can cause trouble to them or their humans, they will react instantly and fearlessly.
Despite their loving and loyal nature, Rotties have a bad reputation for being aggressive. However, this is not true if they are properly socialized. According to PDSA, Rottweilers are active dogs who need at least two hours of exercise every day.
4. Bullmastiff
Breed Profile:
Height: 24 to 26 inches
Weight: 100 to 130 pounds
Life Expectancy: 7 to 9 years
Bullmastiffs are powerful and agile dogs nicknamed “the Gamekeeper’s night dog.” They are known for their love and loyalty to their owners. Bullmastiffs are great family dogs who do well in households with older children.
It is a large dog breed with strong protective instincts. Their smartness, combined with independence and strength, contributes to their role as guard dogs. They might not be as active as some other dogs, but they can quickly recognize who is a visitor and who is not.
However, Bullmastiffs have a stubborn streak, so they are well suited for firm and experienced owners. They have moderate energy levels and need regular exercise to stay healthy. The exercise should include daily walks and one hour of physical activity.
5. Cane Corso
Breed Profile:
Height: 24 to 26 inches
Weight: 88 to 110 pounds
Life Expectancy: 9 to 12 years
The name of these dogs is derived from Latin and roughly translates to “guardian dog.” These large working dogs are highly sought for their immense loyalty, loving personality, and high intelligence. In the past, they were used for hunting wild boar and other large game.
Cane Corsos are large-breed dogs with strong protective instincts. This dog should be properly socialized to get along well with strangers. Their territorial nature and intimidating appearance make them ideal candidates for guarding you and your property.
According to the American Kennel Club, they are high-energy dogs who are happiest when they have a job to do. Cane Corsi need regular exercise to stay healthy and prevent weight gain. They are well-suited for family environments and tend to form strong bonds with their handler.
6. Belgian Malinois
Breed Profile:
Height: 22 to 26 inches
Weight: 40 to 80 pounds
Life Expectancy: 14 to 16 years
One of the four Belgian herding dogs, the Belgian Malinois, is the natural protector. They are known for their courage, dedication, and obedience. These highly obedient dogs have a confident and focused attitude.
A properly trained and well-socialized Belgian Malinois makes an excellent family dog, says PetMD. These high-energy dogs thrive in active households. They love to roam and excel in protective roles and police work. They are vigilant and reliable companions.
Do you know? Actress Eva Mendes owned a Belgian Malinois named Hugo as a guard dog. Hugo made her feel safe and secure from stalkers.
Belgian Malinois have a high prey drive, due to which they are highly interested in moving objects. They need a regular daily exercise of more than 40 minutes. Fun activities for Belgian Malinois can include agility, tracking, obedience, and scent walks.
7. Boxer
Breed Profile:
Height: 21.5 to 25 inches
Weight: 50 to 80 pounds
Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years
This iconic breed is known for its protective nature, playful antics, and great loyalty. Boxers are affectionate dogs who constantly need human attention. They serve as companions as well as guard dogs.
Their athletic and muscular appearance sometimes makes them intimidating to intruders. They get along with children very well and are often referred to as “babysitters” due to their natural vigilance and the patience they show around kids.
When it comes to training, Boxers can be a bit stubborn due to their independent nature. Some owners also label them as dominant or possessive. They are generally healthy, but are predisposed to certain hereditary diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.
Conclusion
Overprotective family guard dog breeds tend to be loyal, affectionate, and protective towards their owners. They are highly intelligent but sometimes tend to have an independent personality, making them hard to train.
Are you planning to adopt a loving yet defensive pet? One of the dog breeds mentioned in the article can be a right fit for you. Consider training and socializing your canine guardian before bringing them home.
