7. Highly Recommended Dog Breeds for Personal Protection and Security

Top Guard Dog Breeds

Most dog owners will tell you that their pet has a sense of possessiveness toward their home and the inhabitants therein.

All dogs seem to have a way of protecting their loved ones, even if they are not particularly aggressive.

However, there are certain breeds that, due to their high level of intelligence and their fitting personalities, have a bit of an edge against all others.

Some of the most highly recommended breeds for guard dog training include the following:

• German Shepherd
• Rottweiler
• Bullmastiff 
• Doberman Pinscher

These breeds have been traditionally used for work and protection purposed. In addition to their intelligence and strength, they can also make excellent family pets. With the proper training, these breeds are the most likely to turn into strong, alert, and highly controlled guard dogs.

The German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is thought by many as the most highly recommended breed for professional guard dog training. They are loving, gentle, and great for families with children, however they are also a bit more aggressive than most companion dog breeds. Although socialization is a must right from the beginning to avoid overly aggressive behavior, German Shepherds are generally very easy to train into submission.

They have an intense desire to work and to use their natural skills, making them excellent protection dogs. Also, they tend to become extremely loyal to their families, and are more adaptable and friendly than most other guard dog breeds.

The high energy levels of these pets also makes them a favorite among other working dog fields. There intelligence is unquestionably high, and their natural sharpness makes them highly trainable.

They also have an acute sense of smell, making them excellent predator and danger detectors.  Other fields of work that German Shepherds have traditionally been associated with include:

• police work
• assistance work for the disabled
• herding/agricultural work

The Rottweiler

The Rottweiler is usually the breed that comes to mind when one thinks of a guard dog. This is likely due to their highly aggressive nature, and their association with several widely distributed, guard dog-related media stories that sullied this breed’s name.

However, the reputation that these dogs have is indeed at least partly earned. They do have an extremely aggressive nature, which is what a guard dog owner desires, however they can also be quite difficult to control.

A Rottweiler is also a breed associated with extremely high intelligence, however, meaning that with professional training they can become great family pets as well as ferocious protectors of the home.

The key to turning a naturally aggressive dog such as the Rottweiler into a guard dog/family pet is to expose it to other human beings and dogs very early in life. Also, a Rottweiler is unlike other breeds in its need for exertion and stimulus. Exercise, socialization, and lots of attention are absolutely necessary when raising this volatile breed in order to avoid any problems in training later on.

The Bullmastiff

While they make wonderful family pets and very effective guard dogs, the Bullmastiff breed is not for the faint of heart. They are aggressive and intelligent dogs, but they are also a bit difficult to train.

A professional trainer may need to be brought in early for this guard dog breed to ensure proper cooperation. That being said, there are several reasons why this breed remains a top choice among guard dog owners. Some of these reasons include:

• their lack of nuisance barking
• their loyalty
• their temperament around children
• their lack or “problem” roaming

What sets these dogs apart from other guard dog breeds, aside from their incredible speed and strength, is there chase and capture method. When a predator approaches a home, the Bullmastiff is not likely to attack him and cause harm. Instead, the Bullmastiff will usually place himself between the intruder and the family or home, almost daring the trespasser to advance.

If the predator should decide to try his luck and do so, the dog will then approach him, but not to attack. Instead, the Bullmastiff will use his massive paws to topple the intruder and to lay him out onto the ground. This dominating dog will effectively pin a predator, but usually will not attack with the intention to harm unless provoked.

As dogs are forbidden to bite in most places, this is exactly what a guard dog owner may want. However, if you prefer a dog that will not only warn a predator, but who will also go through with the attack, the aforementioned breeds may be more suitable to your needs.

The Doberman Pinscher

Once a highly sought after guard dog breed, the popularity of the Doberman Pinscher as a working dog is waning. Although they are very bright and evoke a sense of alarm in predators with their aggressive nature, the Doberman Pinscher is now associated with guard dog disasters and uncontrollable attacks.

Whether this reputation is deserved or not is a matter of debate, but, as with all guard dogs, it is likely that the necessary professional training will help curb any chances of such negative occurrences. 

Another reason that the Doberman Pinscher is not as popular today with guard dog owners is their relatively small size when compared with other guard dog breeds. Most guard dog owners not only want a highly intelligent and loyal dog, but also one that is a symbol of physical strength and fitness. While usually very fit and agile, these dogs are not particularly large or muscular next to the aforementioned breeds.

That being said, the Doberman Pinscher breed does still have very loyal followers. They are highly trainable, and are well known for their constantly high levels of alertness.

They are very intuitive dogs, making them excellent for alarming their families when necessary and for deterring potential predators. Also, despite their reputations, they are usually very family oriented, and with the proper professional training they can become very effective guard dogs, as well as wonderful companions for their owners.

Other Guard Dogs Breeds

While these breeds are the best for the intense training that a guard dog requires, almost any pet can be trained for duty. If you already have a family pet, you can take him to a trainer for more specific command training. This will help you gain further control of your little terror in case an emergency is to arise.

Other breeds commonly associated with guard dog work include Labrador Retrievers, Great Danes, and American Bulldogs. These breeds also tend to show significantly high intelligence levels and are easily trained.

They only lack the highly aggressive nature that the more popular guard dog breeds have, however those with small children in the family may find this feature a benefit. Whatever dog breed you choose for protecting your home, keep the following factors in mind:

• amount of time/funds available for training
• amount of human interaction your pet will have
• age of children in your home
• amount of small children in your neighborhood