While you don’t need an excuse to adopt a dog, the protection of your family or farm is the kind of job guardian dogs are best at. While most dogs have a protective instinct, finding the right one for your house depends on your individual needs and living conditions.
If you want to add a watchful canine to your family or station a vigilant furry at your farm, here are great options for you to pick from:
Guard Dog Breeds for Farm Protection
1. Caucasian Shepherd
Haven’t heard of this guy before? Caucasian Shepherds are livestock guarding dogs originally bred in the Caucasus, and are native to regions like Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.
These lesser-known dogs have a protective nature that makes them great at their job, while their imposing size scares away predators. Despite being excellent protectors, they also make great family dogs as they are loyal and get along well with humans.
The American Kennel Club mentions two of its main breed standards:
The Mountain type:
This breed is heavier with a longer coat.
The Steppe type:
This type has a shorter coat and lighter body mass.
Their thick undercoat keeps them safe from the freezing weather of their native lands, and their big boned structure adds to their stamina. When we say they’re big, think 100-170 pounds with a height ranging from 26-28 inches.
Their double-layered coat comes in varying sizes. While the long-haired Caucasian becomes our mane man, the medium-coat doggo flaunts a beautiful balance, and the short-coated dog boasts shiny hair. They are heavy shedders, and coat length helps you determine the amount of grooming they need.
2. Kuvasz
The one thing the Kuvasz can’t stand is predators, both animal and human. They’re ferocious when it comes to protecting their territory; you don’t want to antagonize these dogs. Originally a Hungarian breed, they can be traced back to the Ural Mountains in Siberia.
They started off their career as livestock guardian dogs and weren’t very fond of company. With time, they developed some bonding with humans and grew warmer towards them; this connection grew so deep that they can be called loyal to a fault.
If you want to know how protective they can be, let’s tell you a (sad) fact from history. During World War II, the Germans and Russians killed countless Kuvasz to be able to capture the families these dogs were protecting.
Despite their aggressive tendencies against perceived threats, early socialization makes them tolerant towards other animals and children. According to PetMD, they can be a challenging pet for first-time owners.
These protective herd dogs stand 26-30 inches tall, with weights ranging from 70-150 pounds. Kuvasz has a slightly tapered, black nose and ears folded near the head.
Their normally medium-length double coat can look a little lamb-like and is made of solid white thick fur, with shorter hair on the head and feet. Groom them twice a week with a pin-brush with rounded pins, or a rake brush.
3. Komondor
Komondors are a popular livestock guardian breed of Hungarian origin, and easily recognizable because of their appearance. If you saw a Komondor, you’re sure to never forget this breed. Independent thinkers but protective of their families, Koms need an experienced owner.
These livestock guardians stand around or more than 27.5 inches and weigh over 100 pounds. These big dogs have an extremely gentle and strong-willed nature. Their thick, corded, dreadlocked coat tells us they have left their marks in cold climates.
This coat saves them not only from cold weather but injuries. Combing its long and corded coat might not be so simple; regularly wash it with diluted shampoo. This will keep the cords from storing any dirt.
Adopt a Kom if you’re not a couch potato yourself, as these athletic dogs need regular exercise. Walking, jogging, and running are the kind of physical activities your Kom is sure to enjoy.
4. Tibetan Mastiff
Hailing from the rugged Himalayan mountains, the Tibetan Mastiff is one of the most unique livestock guardian dogs. They’re an ancient breed that served the people who resided in these mountains. Tibetan Mastiff’s livestock guardian history must be interesting, but it is hard to find.
These gentle giants stand up to 26 inches tall and weigh over 100 pounds. These large dogs look so grand, protecting livestock must’ve been a cake walk. Surprisingly, these mountain dogs are agile and light-footed; tackling any perceived threat is their forte.
Their woolly and thick double coat is mostly low-maintenance. Brush their hair once a week to remove any dirt that might’ve been trapped in their coat. They tend to shed heavily once a year during summer; use a de-shedding tool during this time.
According to the American Kennel Club, this breed prefers structured play and work to exercise. These highly intelligent dogs are no cake walk when it comes to obedience training.
5. Kangal
Kangals are calm and powerful livestock guardian dog breed that looks like badass superhero dogs. Majestic and muscular, this loyal dog means business when it comes to guarding its family. They’re so mighty that they’ve been known to take over wild animals like wolves and bears.
These Turkish dogs were bred to protect sheep and other livestock, and their traits match perfectly with their job description. We know they didn’t lie on the resume! Their shorter but dense coat comes in solid colors like cream, gray, and fawn.
Thank heavens for the minimal drooling; these big dogs are seasonal heavy shedders. They have a short, thick double coat with solid tan colors, like light gold, fawn sable, and dun.
Kangals are generally a healthy breed with high energy levels and can thrive with an experienced owner. Harder to train than other dogs, they need larger spaces; a fenced-in yard is even more desirable.
6. Anatolian Shepherd
The Anatolian Shepherds are another ancient breed that can be traced back to Turkey. They were originally bred as farm dogs to protect livestock like sheep, cattle, and goats. Their personalities and barks are as big as their muscular stature and can scare away potential threats.
The American Kennel Club states that these majestic dogs can be 27 to 29 inches tall and weigh around 150 pounds. Their strong protective instincts help not only with herding sheep but also extend towards their family and their pets. If you have huge flocks, these dogs are your best companions.
Their short and sometimes medium coat is weather resistant and comes in shades of white, brindle, and fawn. Grooming their coat once a week mostly suffices in keeping it clean and smooth. They tend to shed twice a year, so be ready with your doggo grooming tools during their shedding periods.
7. Great Pyrenees
Great Pyrenees are shepherd dogs with a sweet and loyal nature. Eager to protect both their families and flocks, these loyal dogs originate from France and are quite versatile. These gentle and massive mountain dogs are also used as therapy and search dogs, and are great family dogs.
These mountain dogs are 25 to 32 inches tall and 100 to 150 pounds heavy. They have a double-thick coat that gives them great endurance against harsh weather. The coat comes mostly in white, but some markings of gray, badger, tan, and reddish-brown are also seen.
The great pyrenees are sweet in nature but are territorial guardians with a barking problem. Get those earplugs if you need some quiet time with this fluffball at home. This also makes them a good intruder alarm, though their protective instinct will make them bark when they think they see a predator.
Pyrenees dogs love to work and respond amazingly to obedience training. They do need a lot of attention from their family; boredom can make them destructive.
Conclusion
This is our wrap-up on the list of the top 7 livestock guardian dog breeds. While there are many other dogs with great guarding backgrounds and instincts, choosing the right pet for your home takes some research into their individual needs and temperaments.
No matter what dog you adopt, remember that access to these fascinating creatures is actually a privilege.
