Defend and Deter: Your Guide to All Types of Guard Dogs

Picking a new dog is a huge decision. It will be in your life for years, so you should take your time to select the right breed for you. 

To help you make a thoughtful decision, we came up with a list, pointing out the characteristics of different types of guard dogs. They are some of the best dogs for protection and will keep you and your home safe. Continue to read to find out more. 

German Shepherd

German Shepherds are great as detection dogs or guard dogs. They're highly intelligent, easy to train, incredibly loyal, have great stamina, and are super obedient. 

Their biting power and size are surely great features for warding off potential home intruders. Plus, they make wonderful pets: they love playing with toys and, when properly socialized, they can be great with kids. 

Cane Corso

Let's be honest: once you look at a Cane Corso, you understand right away why they're guard dogs. They might not be the biggest dog vertically, but they are quite muscular and have a very powerful presence. 

Cane Corsos are incredibly intimidating, alert, intelligent, and courageous. Plus, they have one of the strongest bites of all canines. These traits indeed make them one of the best guard dogs a person can have. 

These dogs are suitable for more experienced owners, willing to ensure the dog has an active lifestyle. This breed requires vigorous exercise, so it might not be ideal for you if you don't have the availability to offer them that. 

Doberman Pinscher

Doberman Pinschers are certainly one of the best dogs for protection. This German breed, created in the 1800s, has all the features a homeowner would want in a guard dog: intelligence, agility, alertness, and power.

Dobermans are affectionate and sensitive dogs, but they're also brave and instinctively protective when it comes to their home and owners. 

Fortunately, it doesn't take much training for this breed to protect effectively. Just make sure you do it while the dog is still young. 

Keep in mind that Dobermans are pretty energetic, so if you want to get one, set some time aside to give him the mental and physical exercise he needs. It will keep him healthy and happy.  

Akita

Appearance-wise, Akitas are not the most intimidating breed, but their protective instinct is on their DNA.

Originally used to keep Japenese royalty safe from enemies, this highly territorial breed can be an excellent addition for a family looking for an alert, independent, courageous, and loyal dog. 

While you don't have to train Akitas to protect your home, they'll likely require some obedience training (considering that they can be pretty stubborn). 

Rottweiler

Do you want to intimidate intruders? Get a Rottweiler. Sure, they're slightly shorter than typical guard dogs, but even from a distance, they look quite threatening. 

Rottweilers are some of the smartest canines, and they form a strong bond with their families, even more than most dogs. 

This breed is not recommended for inexperienced pet owners. They require a confident alpha figure who can calmy keep them in check. 

You'll have to make sure they get plenty of exercises and that you spend some quality time interacting with your rottie. It will help avoid potential behavioral problems.

Great Dane

Great Danes' size already makes them stand out among other breeds, but there's more to them than their stature. They're patient, loyal, caring, and can keep your home safe as they have an appearance that can look quite threatening to strangers.

They are extremely territorial dogs and are super protective when they need to be. Keep in mind that they can become defensive when threatened, but this is less likely to happen if they're trained properly. 

Ultimately, they are easy to train (due to their desire to please the owners) and can be great companions to other dogs.

Staffordshire Terrier

Staffordshire Terriers already have the instinct for protection, considering they were originally bred for bear-baiting and bullfighting. 

Physically, they look broadly similar to American Pit Bull Terriers. Undoubtedly, their muscular bodies and strong jaws can be pretty intimidating to strangers.  

Friendly, caring, attentive, and adorable, they can be wonderful pets. Yet, they require a firm hand and good training to keep them in check when they feel the need to protect you. 

Ultimately, they're only likely to be aggressive when protecting family members. Still, ensure your staffie goes through a socialization program. 

Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois might have a reputation for being great drug sniffing dogs, but they also make great guard dogs. 

Similar to a German Shepherd, this breed is very alert, protective, and loyal. They're not the most "convenient" dogs since they require frequent training to be well-behaved and happy, but they can be great companions and fantastic guard dogs with the right owners. 

Searching Through Different Types of Guard Dogs

When you search through different types of guard dogs, you'll see pups with different skills, strengths, and sizes, from big threatening-looking brutes to watchful cute-looking guardians, ready to alert once they notice any potential threat. 

Do you still don't know how to choose a guardian dog? Take a step back and look at what you can offer. You need to find a pet suitable for the space you have.

Plus, consider whether you can handle it (some breeds are too challenging for inexperient owners) and think of the kind of protection you require. Hopefully, this will put you on the right path to find the best dog for you. 

Do you need protection dogs to feel safe and secure? Contact us now.