Here Are The 5 Best Guard Dog Breeds

If you have a family and you're looking for an extra level of safety, you've probably considered getting a guard dog. With the right training, these dogs can keep watch over your premises, guarding against unwanted intruders. If you live out in the country, those intruders might be other animals who might pose a threat to you or your property. In the city, those intruders might be burglars. No matter the intruder, you're going to want to have one of the best guard dog breeds on the lookout for your home!

Here are the five best protection dogs for your home and family.

German Shepherd: One of the Best Guard Dog Breeds

Believe it or not, the German Shepherd is one of the best guard dog breeds around. These dogs are loyal, smart, and have a solid sense of their home territory.

They're also relatively easy to train and menacing in appearance. If you've ever seen an angry German Shepherd, you'll know that they look like terrifying large guard dogs. Indeed, when it comes to smaller animals, they'll have no problem scaring them off. Even bigger animals and humans will get spooked, seeing a 70-80lb+ dog growling at them. 

Honestly, it's hard to beat a German Shepherd for this task. They're one of the best protection dogs around (and they make fantastic pets!).

Rottweiler

Rottweilers make fantastic guard dogs as they are instinctually very protective of their family. They weigh even more than German Shepherds, so their presence will most definitely spook anyone or any creature that might be lurking on your property.

They're highly intelligent dogs and relatively easy to train, so turning your Rottweiler into a guard dog shouldn't present too much of a challenge. 

Rottweilers have served as herding canines for many generations. They have the drive to protect hard-wired in their brains through generations and generations of evolution. In part, that long history is what makes them one of the ideal types of guard dogs.

Giant Schnauzer

Another one of the best guard dog breeds is the Giant Schnauzer. These dogs are powerful physically and require strict training. They weigh about 95 pounds and stand up to 27.5 inches at the shoulder, so they look quite menacing to would-be intruders.

Unlike some dog breeds, Giant Schnauzers are very territorial by nature. They're unlikely to greet someone with a smile and tail wag. Instead, they'll be skeptical of pretty much everyone.

However, with enough training, you can teach your dog the difference between people who are welcome on your property (like the person that delivers your mail) and someone who is not (like a burglar).

Doberman Pinscher

Speed makes these beautiful animals one of the best types of guard dogs. They can run incredibly quickly and traverse large properties to keep out intruders. Dobermans can reach a mind-boggling 32 mph, so even if they spot an intruder far off in the distance, they'll be able to investigate it before it gets too close to you! If you have a farm, a cottage with lots of space, or a large house, then a Doberman might be the right guard dog for you.

Training your Doberman as a guard dog should be relatively straightforward, although it certainly won't be as easy as some of the other dogs on this list.

Bullmastiff: Another One of the Best Guard Dog Breeds

If you're looking for the best guard dog breeds, look no further than the Bullmastiff - an oddly-named dog whose initial breeding was to create watchdogs for guarding estates. Unlike some of the other dogs on this list that had different roles (like herding cattle or working on a farm), people bred the Bullmastiff 200 years ago intending to have these excellent dogs guard property.

Bullmastiffs are a cross between the Mastiff and Old English Bulldog. As such, they are large, muscular, and have guarding instincts. They also weigh over 100 pounds so they can take down most threats with ease.

There Are Quite a Few Best Protection Dogs

Dogs tend to be territorial by nature. As such, there are quite a few of the best guard dog breeds out there that will protect both your family and your home. The most accessible dog breed for this purpose is the German Shepherd. These dogs are loyal, smart, and easy-to-train. If you've never had a dog before and are looking for one for protection, you would be hard-pressed to find a better choice than a German Shepherd. 

However, if you're looking for the most power and a dog that has had centuries of protecting people within its lineage, then the Bullmastiff is probably the best option. These dogs are some of the best, if not the best, guard dogs that you can have. 

Of course, all these dogs make excellent pets, so you should never think of them as mere guard dogs! Instead, they'll become part of your family as they are protecting it!

What is the best dog for protection?

While everyone has a different opinion on which dog is the best suited for the task of protection, the absolute best dog for protection is likely the Bullmastiff. These dogs are large, muscular, and have a history of breeding specifically for security. It would be hard to find a better guard dog than a Bullmastiff.

What's the best guard dog for families?

Usually, German Shepherds are the best guard dog breeds for families. Although German Shepherds can protect the family with their heavyweight stature, stiff muscles, and menacing appearance, they're also some of the sweetest, most loyal, and most obedient dogs you'll ever have. They fit in with most families and have a pleasant demeanor. If you have a family, you'll likely find that the German Shepherd works best for you. Not only will it be a fierce guard dog, but it will also be the perfect house pet!

Are German Shepherds good watchdogs?

Yes, overall German Shepherds are fantastic watchdogs. They are loyal, obedient, and love to play with their owners. They're also excellent at keeping unwanted visitors out!

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