The Best Guardian Dogs

One of the oldest roles of the domesticated dog is that of guardian to its family. Most breeds of dog will bark or bring attention to someone strange close to the family home. Certain breeds are more protective and have, in fact, been bred to serve as an active guard against attack or intruders.

  1. German Shepherd

    • The German shepherd is used commonly in the police force.

      German Shepherds are medium-sized dogs with light to dark brown coats. They are a loyal and brave breed making them ideal for jobs in the military and in police forces. Alert and energetic, the German shepherd is naturally protective of its owners and will often fearlessly defend property or family members. They are an intelligent breed, making them easy to train, and they bond well with children. The breed will often bond most with just one family member and is suspicious of strangers.

    Doberman Pinscher

    • The Doberman pinscher is a breed designed to protect.

      The Doberman pinscher is a breed bred to be a protector. Often black, with brown coloring in areas, they have a slender, powerful build and a fierce reputation as guard dogs. They are intelligent and loyal, making strong bonds with their owners or handlers. With a fearless temperament, they will defend property and family members with their lives. They should be well-socialized to prevent overly aggressive behavior. In a loving home, the Doberman can become a loving member of the family.

    Akita Inu

    • Akita inus can be very willful and hard to train.

      Highly prized in Japan as a guard dog, the akita inu is a brave, willful breed that is very protective of its owners. They can be hard to train, requiring a firm hand; they must be taught their role in the household. The inu can become aggressive if it feels it is the top dog. This medium-sized dog has thick fur which can vary in color; the breed has a distinctive curling of the tail.

    Bullmastiff

    • The bullmastiff is imposing, but can very gentle with children.

      The bullmastiff is a very large breed and is physically imposing to look at. They are heavily-built dogs with powerful jaws that tend to slobber. They are very loyal and affectionate to owners or handlers and make good guard dogs thanks to sheer imposing size and fierce protective instinct. They are not the most intelligent breed, so they can be slow to train. Good with children, they only bark when they sense the need to.