Dogs are not just what we see on TV shows and movies: cute, cuddly, and full of love and action. Rather, there are so many breeds out there that exude power, strength, and dominance. They are so sturdy that one can only think about them as alpha dogs. They are phenomenal when it comes to guarding and protecting humans. As working dogs, they showcase their strength in the most productive manner possible.
Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean they are overly aggressive at all times. Rather, their dominance comes from their confidence, assertive disposition, mixed with high intelligence, liberty, and a strong-willed personality.
In this article, we shall talk about some of the most dominant dog breeds in the dog world and discuss their major characteristics.
Most Dominant Dog Breeds
1. Rottweiler
One of the strongest dog breeds out there, the Rottweiler is surely quite a dominant dog known for its intelligence, protective nature, and confidence.
Added to them are its wonderful physical characteristics, including a massive size and strong build, making it appear sharp and formidable. Their muscular build makes the onlooker feel dominated by them.
These dogs were originally bred as herding dogs, who also had the best possible qualities to be guard dogs. Today, they perform their guarding duties with utmost efficiency and resistance.
Yes, they have the tendency to be aggressive. Hence, there is a need to properly socialize them with other canines and individuals to control aggression.
They are not good for first-time dog owners. Hills Pet suggests getting them only if you are an experienced pet parent and can handle this dog easily.
2. Doberman Pinscher
Though the Doberman Pinscher is a fun companion, there is no denying the fact that it is also a dominant dog.
Proper training and socialization work great with these dogs. They are strong dogs that have the capability to become brash, destructive, and unable to manage. This is why it is crucial to raise them properly.
Obedience training, however, works well when the trainer is a professional one. He would be able to manage the independent and stubborn attitude of this intelligent dog breed properly.
Once properly trained and socialized, Purina claims they make good family pets.
With their athletic physique, firm body, and high energy levels, they make phenomenal working dogs.
3. Akita
Akita has the ability to dominate not only other breeds but also humans.
With their independent nature and a strong will, they have the capability to dominate others.
A super-strong bite force of between 350 and 400 PSI, a weight of about 100-130 pounds, and a height of 26-28 inches, these are the epitome of strength and power.
As far as training these dogs, it is always recommended that a professional dog trainer do that. This is because he would be able to establish clear boundaries and teach commands to the trainee while knowing how to handle it.
PetMD says they are also extremely territorial. This is why they are a good choice to keep at home as watchdogs. Once trained well, they make wonderful pets and phenomenal watchdogs for the home.
At home, they need sufficient daily exercise to utilize their excessive energy and calm them down.
4. Chow Chow
Chow Chows are super wary of strangers and are big dogs with lots of strength and resiliency.
Purina calls them big, bear-like dogs!
As these dogs are strong-willed, it is a bit challenging to train them.
After extensive socialization and training, they may get along with other pets in the house. However, if given a choice, they would prefer staying in a home with no other animal.
Chows can be quite headstrong and stubborn. Only consistent training with lots of patience works with them.
At home, they have a calm demeanor and don’t showcase too much energy.
They make good guard dogs owing to their strong protective instinct. Once trained, they are playful and showcase a tolerant temperament at home.
5. Bullmastiff
Bullmastiff is a sturdy dog with a super-powerful build. On top of that, AKC mentions it has a natural instinct to protect family members, making it a good choice for guarding homes and farmhouses.
Back in the day, they were bred as working dogs with the main task of containing poachers. They were trained to be efficient but not necessarily dominant.
Bullmastiff is alert and watchful. They may be calm in disposition at home, but they’ll always be alert and know what is going on around them. Hence, whenever something strange happens, they’ll be swift to take action.
Their typical territorial behavior towards strangers and natural vigilance make them efficient guardians.
Today, they are one of the most beloved family pets who make lovely memories with the family members while protecting them.
6. German Shepherd
Bred as herding dogs, the German Shepherd is one of the most dominant dog breeds out there.
These dogs showcase incredible intelligence, strength, and loyalty in whatever they do.
With their physical strength and mental capabilities, they perform exceptionally well as guard dogs, police dogs, service dogs, or guide dogs.
They are also loving family pets, which is why they are some of the most popular pet dogs across the globe.
As they have a dominant personality, they have to be taught how to walk calmly with or without a leash by their parents’ side without leading, stretching, or thrusting.
With these dogs, you need proper training and bonding. For exceptional results, you need to start introducing your puppy to basic commands like sit and stay. Alongside this, loose-leash walking should also be initiated from an early age.
7. Cane Corso
Cane Corso showcases dominant tendencies. It is a massive dog with a strong build and powerful personality.
They are also intelligent and independent in nature. Their overall personality, however, is shaped by several factors that include genetics, upbringing, socialization, and training.
With these dogs, you need to establish a clear hierarchy and order to avert authority issues. Once you, as a pet owner, establish control over the dog, you’ll be able to handle it appropriately.
Various methods can help you in this regard, including calm assertiveness, positive reinforcement, and enforcing clear boundaries. Toys and treats help exceptionally well when training these dogs.
Conclusion
Dominant dog breeds are known for their sturdy build, strong personality, and a dominating presence. They perform all the assigned tasks pretty well, including herding the livestock in a rural area, showcasing their skills in law enforcement tasks, and even guarding expansive properties. Back in the day, they would be a good protector of the royalty as well.
However, while bringing them home as pets, it is necessary to train and socialize them well and mellow down their personalities a bit!
