Many dog owners have big, muscular, and fierce-looking guard dogs to help protect their families, but others only have space for medium to small dogs. While powerful-looking dogs can deter intruders with their appearance, there are many small guard dog breeds that make alert companions for apartment living.
According to data presented by the AVMA, 42.6% (56.3M) households in the U.S. owned dogs as pets. Other than companionship, security concerns are one of the reasons many families add dogs to their households.
For apartment dwellers, housing and maintenance of traditional guard dogs can be a hassle. For such owners, adding a small, alert protector, along with a proper security system, can be a huge benefit.
This article reviews the best small guard dog breeds you can adopt no matter the size of your house.
Protective Small Dog Breeds You Can Rely On
1. Dachshund
As a Dachshund owner, make sure to look downwards once you’ve entered your apartment, so you don’t accidentally step on your pup. This dog is longer than it’s tall, but its small legs can do a lot of walking around.
Dachshunds were originally used as badger hunting dogs (hence the title “badger dog”). As small scent hounds, they have very active noses, and they love to be on the pursuit of an interesting smell.
Dachshunds are compact dogs but quite apt at alerting owners with their “big dog bark”, which makes them good watchdogs, according to the AKC. They’re not runners or jumpers, but have a tenacious nature and are braver than they’re supposed to be as small doggos.
As these dogs have worked as independent hunters, they can be headstrong at times. But they’re also quite smart and, with positive reinforcement training, can learn to be more obedient. They have a keen sense of pursuing small prey and might try to chase rodents and squirrels. Give them some mental and physical stimulation, and they’ll stay content indoors.
2. Miniature Pinscher
Miniature Pinscher is a breed distinct from the Doberman Pinscher and has been called the “King of Toys.” These terriers are a good fit for experienced owners who can handle a high-energy pooch with a determined nature.
A smaller size has done nothing to suppress this breed’s fearless and tenacious nature. They were also originally employed as rat hunting dogs and are no strangers to working independently. No wonder a well-socialized and properly trained Min Pin can become an exceptional small watchdog.
These pups tend to be territorial and have natural protective instincts, and they can be quite loving towards their human family members. These athletic pooches need regular exercise, like daily walks and games like playing fetch, in order to maintain their health and spirits. This does not mean that they won’t spend some cozy and chill time indoors with their pet parents.
3. Miniature Schnauzer
Miniature Schnauzer is a well-loved breed recognizable for its facial hair and comical facial expressions. These terriers are among the most alert dog breeds you can count on for letting you know of anything strange or possible threats.
Goofy and affectionate in nature, Miniature Schnauzers have strong loyalty towards their loved ones and get along well with everyone at home, including children. They’re considered one of the smartest dog breeds with impeccable learning abilities, according to Orvis. They’re quite feisty and need a lot of mental stimulation to stay boredom-free, as well as enough daily exercise to stay healthy.
Schnauzers originated in Germany as farm dogs and were also used to hunt rats. The later varieties like Mini Schnauzers have also retained the Standard Schnauzer’s fabulous traits. These little pooches never fail to notice when something’s strange and make excellent watchdogs for their owners. Their powerful ears capture even the slightest noise, and they tend to bark at passing traffic as well as strangers.
4. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier is an enchanting, long-haired dog breed with an adorable face and perky ears. Despite their size, Yorkies are active dogs and quite spunky. Their origin as rat catchers for Scottish weavers in English mills explains their sharp sense and high prey drive.
These pooches make great apartment pets due to their compact size, but they can live with their pet owners anywhere. Their long, lush coats need regular upkeep, like brushing and occasional trimming to stay in good shape. Their exercise needs can be satisfied indoors or in a small fenced yard, but they won’t mind accompanying you on short walks outdoors.
Other than Yorkies being hypoallergenic dogs, their alertness also makes them desirable little dogs. With proper training, these pooches can become good at detecting potential dangers and will alert you of any unfamiliar presence. They’re not big enough to directly confront intruders and also need to be supervised when playing with children so they don’t accidentally get hurt.
5. Lhasa Apso
Lhasa Apso is an ancient breed, developed for the very purpose of being small watchdog companions for monks in Tibetan monasteries. They make great pets for solo owners or families seeking apartment-friendly small dogs with a gentle yet protective nature.
Lhasa’s name loosely translates to “bearded lion dog,” and its thick, lush coat has kept it safe from the cold Himalayan weather, according to PetMD. If you live in a colder environment, this small but mighty breed will make idea companion for you.
This pooch will never fail to alert you with its watchdog bark, as this is the purpose this breed was originally built for. Other than being an invaluable early warning system, the Lhasa Apso makes a loyal and loving family dog with early obedience and socialization training.
Lhasas are silky-haired pooches and stand out from other long-coated tiny dogs due to their larger heads and wide nostrils. Also, their thick coats need regular brushing; giving them a puppy cut is a good way of saving time.
6. Scottish Terrier
Scottish Terrier is a bearded, short-legged dog with a dense, wiry coat that needs hand stripping or clipping every 2-3 months. They have sturdy little bodies and need regular physical activity with their pet parents to stay happy. These pups originated as vermin hunting dogs in Scotland and still tend to have a strong prey drive.
These dogs are quite loyal towards their humans and love to spend time with them. They’re not as warm towards strangers; this aloofness makes them great watchdogs, as they’ll surely alert to the presence of someone unfamiliar.
Scotties have an independent temperament and can spend some alone time with ease. If you intend on leaving them on their own for long periods of time, they should be given training for it to avoid separation anxiety.
These pups are quite smart but require reward-based, consistent training. They’ll enjoy different activities with their pet parents, like agility, obedience, scent work, hiking, and playing fetch.
7. Cairn Terrier
Remember “Toto” from “The Wizard of Oz” movie (1939 version)? Dorothy’s canine bestie in that movie was a Cairn Terrier named “Terry” that had also worked in some other movies.
This adorable terrier is undoubtedly one of the greatest small watchdogs, as alerting owners has been this breed’s original job. In the Scottish countryside, these pooches would find fox dens as well as lairs of animals like otters and rats. They would let out their powerful bark to alert their humans of the presence of those dens and root out small game from their lairs, according to Purina.
For the city dwellers, Cairn Terriers not only make a wonderful lap dog, but also an effective security tool for their apartments. These pooches enjoy spending time close to their humans but will exhibit an independent temperament at times. Their chasing and digging habits should be controlled through early obedience training.
Conclusion
If you want the warmth of having a loving pet with you in your apartment lifestyle, but also one that makes you feel safer, consider one of these small, protective doggos. Make sure to get in touch with a reputable breeder or your local rescue shelter to adopt your pet.
