The Best Guard Dog Breeds

There are many different dog breeds that serve well as guard dogs. Not all guard dogs are the same, though. Some will bark when someone comes onto the property. Others will try to do something about it. Some are good with families, and others are not. This list describes the top guard dog breeds, and the traits that make them good at guarding, so you can select the one that is right for you.

Rottweilers

Rottweilers are very loyal fogs who are protective of their families. They are known for being always alert as well as very brave. They are very social creatures, and if you cannot spend a lot of time with them, they can start misbehaving. A rottweiler who has been left alone too long can cause more damage to the house than a vandal.

Mastiffs

Mastiffs are strong but gentle giants. They are very patient animals with good-natured dispositions. They are well-behaved with children, but don’t like to play much. They were bred to be guard dogs and they are very good at it, fighting to protect their loved ones from intruders.

German Shepherds

German shepherds are intelligent and easy to train. Very loyal creatures, they are very protective of their homes, barking at strangers and anyone who comes onto the property. They do not always do well with other animals, so they should only be adopted into homes where they will be the only pet. They are usually good with children.

Akitas

Akitas are exceptionally brave, fierce dogs. They were bred in Japan for fighting, and can be aggressive with other pets and sometimes even people. They are not suitable to have as family pets, but they make good solitary companions. They are extremely loyalty and devoted to their special people. A famous Akita in Japan named Hachiko came to the train station his master used every day for nine years after he died.

Chow Chows

Chow Chows were bred to guard royal palaces in Asia, and they make great guard dogs. They are very protective of their homes. However, they are temperamental, and do not make good family pets. They do best with experienced dog handlers.

Shar-Peis

These wrinkle dogs, as they are sometimes known, look cute and even funny. However, the Shar-Pei is an excellent guard dog. They are very protective of their families, and will run along the perimeter of their properties to look for danger. They can be aggressive with strangers who enter their homes.