Some dog breeds have a natural instinct to alert, watch and protect. In general, these dogs are known as the best guard dogs, and they are valued for being attentive, brave, loyal, and intuitive. However, that doesn’t mean all Guardians are the same.
Whether you want a dog to announce the arrival of visitors, watch over and protect your property against intruders, or provide personal protection, in this article we show you the list of the best guard and protector dogs.
Which of all the guard dogs is better to watch over your house? What is the difference between a guard dog and a protection dog? Does a good guard dog have to be aggressive? What are the best guard dogs?
Keep reading on Sweet Doggo…
Table of Contents
What is a guard dog?
In essence, a guard dog is a dog of any size, whose instincts make it alert to what is happening in its environment and bark to warn its owner if necessary. These dogs do not bark constantly; they know when to bark, especially if something new appears in their range of vision and hearing.
The best guard dogs are those that stay alert and do their job consistently.
What difference between a guard dog and a protector dog?
It is important to note that “guardian” and “protector” do not mean exactly the same thing. Unlike guard dogs, protective or defense dogs are not only alert to danger, but they are also ready to act and protect their home or family if they think it is necessary. That means they start out barking in alarm but may end up attacking if they feel they need to neutralize a threat.
Main characteristics of a guard dog
- Heightened senses of sight and hearing
- Vocal behavior
- Distrust, or not, towards strangers
- Features of territoriality and vigilance
- Variable size (some guard dogs are small )
Main characteristics of a protective dog
- Territorial behavior towards strangers, which can become aggressive
- Marked traits of intelligence, bravery, and loyalty
- High receptivity to training
- Ability to solve problems independently
- Medium to large size, complemented by great physical strength
Most protection dogs also make excellent watchdogs, but not all guard dogs are good at guarding.
That a dog is protective does not necessarily mean that it should be aggressive or dangerous. Well-trained and socialized protection dogs only attack when necessary.
What are the best guard dogs?
For the purposes of this article, we have made a selection of the breeds that stand out the most for both their guard and protection abilities.
Given their brave, determined, loyal temperament, their undeniable physical power, and their sense of alertness, these are the 13 best guard dogs as par excellence:
- Rottweiler
- Doberman pinscher
- German shepherd
- Bullmastiff
- Cairn terrier
- Schipperke
- Cane Corso
- Miniature Pinscher
- Giant schnauzer
- Dachshund
- Rhodesian crested
- American Staffordshire terrier
- Puli
Let’s see why they are such good guardians and what characterizes them…
1. Rottweiler
Originally bred as a protector of livestock, the Rottweiler is a renowned defender of his pack. The breed exhibits deep loyalty to its family but is often wary of strangers. He is the type of dog that is ready to face any threat.
It is not exactly one of the largest guard and protector dogs that exist, but its physical power is obvious and undeniable.
Although Rottweilers are among the most intelligent dogs in the world and are capable of learning very quickly, be warned that they are not the most recommended guardian for novice owners. They require a calm and self-confident leader, prepared to provide structure, socialization, and proper training.
- Origin: Germany
- Temperament: alert, brave, reckless, independent, intelligent, protective, loyal
- Life expectancy: 8-11 years
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2. Doberman Pinscher
Another favorite among the guardian group is the Doberman Pinscher, a large and powerful dog that alerts its owners at the slightest suspicious activity. Also of German origin, the breed was widely used for guard, attack, and protection work.
The Doberman pinscher is the ideal guard dog to protect large properties, such as farms and country houses. It is incredibly fast and can catch up with an intruder in no time. In general, it is more recommended for houses with patios and active families.
- Origin: Germany
- Temperament: alert, energetic, courageous, intelligent, loyal, obedient
- Life expectancy: 10-12 years
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3. German Shepherd
Endowed with all the characteristics desired in a good protective and guard dog, the German Shepherd warns its owner when a stranger is approaching and is capable of acting if necessary. Not for nothing, he is still one of the breeds of choice to work as a police/military dog.
German shepherds develop a great feeling of loyalty towards their family, which is why they do not hesitate to attack to protect it. As with any other protective dog, proper training is crucial to keeping them stable and focused.
- Origin: Germany
- Temperament: intelligent, self-confident, alert, watchful, loyal, obedient, curious
- Life expectancy: 10-13 years
4. Bullmastiff
Many say that the bullmastiff is one of the best guard dogs to have at home. Renowned for his physical prowess, protective instincts, and extreme family loyalty, this dog is ready to alert and defend the perimeter.
His appearance is more than enough to ward off intruders, but should someone enter the property, he will use force to knock them down or block their path.
Despite their size and imposing appearance, bullmastiffs are often described as docile and affectionate giants. They are not only excellent at their job, but also as house pets.
- Origin: Germany
- Temperament: calm, brave, alert, devoted, docile, protective, dependable
- Life expectancy: 8-10 years
5. Cairn terrier
Looking for a small dog that is good at guarding? The cairn terrier is an exceptional watchman. With a strong and determined attitude, this little dog keeps observing the surroundings and quickly alerts its owners about any suspicious activity. It is said to have quite a powerful bark compared to its size.
Although the physique is not very imposing, nor is it the most suitable protection race, it is brave and tenacious enough to keep most intruders away.
- Origin: United Kingdom
- Temperament: Active, Brave, Assertive, Bold, Resilient, Intelligent
- Life expectancy: 12-15 years
6. Schipperke
Some probably don’t know much about the Schipperke, but it is certainly a guardian worthy of respect. This is a small breed Belgian dog naturally inclined to watch over and protect his family from him. He is smart, reckless, and very devoted. In case of a stranger approaches, he will immediately give an alert voice.
First-time owners should not be fooled by its size. The Schipperke is a small guardian dog with a big personality.
- Origin: United Kingdom
- Temperament: agile, self-confident, curious, daring, independent, intelligent
- Life expectancy: 13-15 years
Did you know…? Originally, the Schipperke was used to watch the ships that navigated the canals between Brussels and Antwerp.
