Tight Security: 6 of the Best Guard Dogs for Your Home
Are you looking for a security system with a little more bite to it?
Humans and dogs have been looking out for each other since before recorded history. Early-human hunters would share their scraps with wolves, who would offer a little extra protection for their new fang-free and clawless, bipedal pals in turn.
Guard dogs are the oldest security systems in the world, and one of the most effective. That said, there are many more breeds available now than there were back in the day. So, how can you choose the best guard dogs to keep your family safe?
Here is a quick guide to six of the best guard dog breeds.
How to Choose the Best Guard Dogs for You
Here’s a surprising fact: Pit Bulls don’t make the best guard dogs. Turns our this breed revered for its crushing jaw strength is just too darn sweet to protect anyone. The same goes for other family-favorite dogs, like golden retrievers and labs.
The best guard dogs are loyal and gentle with its owners, easy to train, and, above all, big. While a Chihuahua may make for an excellent watchdog, it’s not imposing enough to scare anyone away.
Working breeds tend to make the best guard dogs because they’re easy to train, intelligent, high energy, and extremely loyal. That said, before you bring a big, fluffy, herding dog into your home, you need to make sure you can take care of it.
Big dogs tend to eat more, require more exercise and more grooming, and need more space than their pocket-sized counterparts. You’ll also need to make sure you have the time to properly train and bond with your canine companion.
Remember, guard dogs aren’t tools; They’re living things that require a lot of care and attention. If you aren’t sure if you have time to take care of a big dog, you may want to consider finding a different way to keep your home safe.
1. German Shepherd Dog
German shepherd dogs are the quintessential guard dog.
This famous breed is exceedingly intelligent, fiercely loyal, and incredibly brave in the face of danger. On top of that, these big, fluffy dogs can be excellent huggers!
The biggest downside to using a German shepherd as a guard dog comes from their tendency to overprotect. If your German shepherd perceives a delivery person or a visiting friend as a threat, the only thing that can stop them from going on the attack is thorough training.
Fortunately, as we said before, this breed tends to be a quick study. So, if you put in the time, you won’t have to worry.
2. Belgian Malinois
Here’s another surprising fact, German shepherd dogs aren’t the most common working security dogs out there! That distinction belongs to their slightly smaller cousin, the Belgian Malinois.
Both K-9 units and search and rescue teams favor the whip-smart and highly energetic Belgian Malinois for their trainability and eagerness to please. However, one of this breed’s best attributes can also be its worst quality.
The Belgian Malinois is super high energy. So, if you don’t have time to exercise your dog multiple times a day, you may want to give this breed a pass.
3. Rottweiler
Are you looking for a dog that will strike fear into the heart of any potential intruder? Then you can’t go wrong with the classic rottweiler.
Rottweiler lovers will tell you that you’ll never find a sweeter or funnier dog in the world. That said, these highly loyal and affectionate dogs won’t hesitate to go on the attack when their owner is under threat — even if that threat isn’t exactly real.
These big, loveable dogs require a lot of special training and daily attention. But, if you’re willing and able to put in the time, you won’t have to worry about anyone breaking into your home with a rottweiler around.
4. Bullmastiffs
When it comes to dogs, you can’t get much bigger than mastiffs.
From war dogs to herders, the mastiff breeds have been serving and protecting humanity in dozens of ways for generations. That said, while all mastiffs look intimidating, not all of their bites live up to their barks. And that’s where the bullmastiff comes in.
Bullmastiffs are one of the smaller mastiff breeds, but that certainly doesn’t make them any less intimidating to outsiders. These giant furry friends are exceedingly affectionate and loyal to their owners, making them excellent family dogs, despite their size.
While the site of a bullmastiff alone may be enough to send a potential intruder running, these canines require a fair amount of special training to reach their full guard dog potential.
5. Presa Canario
The Presa Canario exists to protect livestock — security is literally in their genes. These big, bulky dogs have a naturally intelligent and devoted nature. While they may look wildly intimidating on the outside, Presa Canarios are extremely sweet, gentle, and affectionate toward their owners.
However, like many of the other breeds on this list, these dogs can be aggressive toward perceived threats. Thorough and proper training and socialization are essential to avoid any potential accidental attacks. Here’s a helpful guide to help you get started on training your Presa Canario, and remember, it’s never too early to start!
6. Akita
The fluffy and friendly Akita may not seem like an obvious choice for a guard dog, but just beneath their warm, cuddly exterior lies the heart of what may be the best guard dog in the world.
Unlike all of the other breeds on this list, Akitas do not need special training to be a guard dog, with some experts even advising against it. Akitas are shockingly smart and fiercely loyal to their owners and make excellent family dogs. This breed can also differentiate between a friend and a foe and will not hesitate to attack when someone threatens their home.
On top of that, Akitas are one of the quietest breeds in the world. If your Akita starts barking, that means you better pay attention.
Every Guard Dog Needs a Watchdog!
Even the best guard dogs need a little help sometimes. If you’re looking to make the most out of your security dog, you may want to consider getting them a pint-sized partner.
While smaller breeds like Chihuahuas, poodles, and Shih Tzus may not scare away intruders, these tiny terrors make for excellent alarms.
Sharp ears loud barks make these much smaller breeds excellent for alerting you and your guard dog to potential threats, even in the dead of night.
Are you looking for more advice on how to choose the right dog for you? We’ve got you covered! Check out the rest of our blog for more helpful articles today!
Trevor Anderson wrote this article on behalf of FreeUp. FreeUp is the fastest-growing freelance marketplace in the US. FreeUp only accepts the top 1% of freelance applicants. Click here to get access to the top freelancers in the world.
HTV Native Ad Solutions and Hearst partners may earn revenue when readers click affiliate links in this article.