A guard dog is used to watch for and guard its owners against unwanted animals and/or people. Despite the fact that some breeds are commonly used as guard dogs, opinions differ widely on which breed is the absolute best in this regard. Some people misconstrue a good guard dog with aggressiveness. WRONG!!!!
A good guard dog not only protects its owners against threats but is also manageable. They can differentiate between routine and dangerous situations and not become a liability to their families.
We have compiled a list of the top 10 guard dog breeds taking into factor their protective instinct, physical ability, trainability, assertiveness and over all temperament. This article was written for general information. Please remember that dogs are living beings and like people every dog has a unique personality. If you want a guard dog then the breed characteristics will serve only as general guidelines. How your dog turns out in the end will ultimately depend on how much effort you put into its training and the love you give it.
1) Doberman (Doberman Pinscher)
There is frequent use of Doberman as a military dog, search and rescue, police and guard everyone talks a lot about this brilliant and versatile race. Fully integrated, medium to large dog is very athletic breeds and one of the smartest dogs in the world. Doberman is ranked as the fifth-most intelligent dog in the obedience training command category. This race was created by Karl Doberman 1890 from a variety of dog breeds as a personal protection dog. These dogs were wrongly stereotyped as too aggressive and uncontrollable. They are extremely loyal to their families. As an individual protection dog are courageous and capable and sufficiently docile and limited to controlling as their own guardians. Various studies have ranked Doberman Pinschers low on sociability, high in playfulness, average in curiosity/fearlessness, low on aggressiveness and low on sociability.
Their intelligence, physical strength and stamina, fearless personality and uncompromising loyalty to their owner make them the number one guard dog on our list.
2) German Shephard (Alsatian)
German Shephards are one the most recognizable and popular dog breeds in the world. This agile, large and powerful dog is also ranked highly in intelligence and is widely used in police and military roles. German Shephards are a relatively new breed originating in the 1890’s from Germany.
This breed was developed particularly for their intelligence a trait for which they are now famous. They are considered to be the 3rd most intelligent dog breed, behind Border Collies and Poodles. German Shepherds self-assured and highly active dogs. Their protective nature, high trainability factor and physical strength make them a highly recommended guard dog.
3) Rottweiler
The Rottweiler is an ancient breed of dog originating in Germany and used originally as guardian and protection dogs. It is a medium / large breed with a compact and powerful body, a broad deep chest and a muscular neck. The Rottweilers have a fearless and autonomous nature. They usually have a good temperament if raised by a firm owner.
Credentials as a watchdog are excellent due to a natural desire to protect the family and home. It is a smart dog of extreme adaptability and robustness with a strong will to work, which makes them particularly suitable as a guardian and companion. The exceptional strength of the Rottweiler makes the look threatening for any intruder.
4) Dogo Argentino (Argentinian Mastiff)
The Dogo Argentino is of Argentinean origin and primarily bred for the purpose of big game hunting. It is a large, white and muscular dog that is renowned for its courage, strength and stamina. Dogos are a dominant breed and require a firm and experienced owner. Their highly protective nature, absolute fearlessness and physical ability makes them excellent guard dogs.
5) Boerboel (South African Mastiff)
The Boerboel is a large, powerful dog of South African origin specially created to defend the property. It is believed that the breed was created from dogs introduced to crossbreeding Africa by European settlers and native African canine species. Boerbels have a strong territorial instinct and, because of their tranquility and confidence, they choose the watchdog for many African farmers. Boerbels is a powerful and tenacious race and requires obedience training at an early age. This breed is highly recommended for dominant and dominant owners.
6) Dogue de Bordeaux (French Mastiff)
Although the origins of Dogue de Bordeaux can be traced back to the 13th century they were introduced to the world at large in the movie ‘Turner and Hooch’. They were originally bred as war dogs and herd protectors. This powerful and athletic breed has a menacing look that ought to scare of most unwanted intruders. These dogs are vigilant without aggressiveness, protective and even tempered. These characteristics allow the douge to be a good judge of situations and only react aggressively when they feel their home and family are threatened. Like all guard dogs, this breed has a naturally dominant personality and should be trained accordingly from an early age.
7) Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff)
Cane Corso is a medium large dog of Mastiff type of Italian Owners. The Corso gives the appearance of power and athleticism. This breed has an even, calm and stable temperament making them easy to obedience training. The corso have a natural willingness to please and form a close attachment with their owners. Aggression should never be encouraged in corso as they are highly suspicious of strangers. They are generally a quiet breed and bark only when they feel something is out of the ordinary. Corso come 7th on our list based on their protective nature along with a lot of attention from their owners.
8) Bullmastiff
The Bullmastiff is a large and ferocious looking dog of English origin. Their physical power combined with natural guardian instincts are great for families as these dogs can alternate between a capable protector and playful pet.
9) Ca De Bou (Majorca Mastiff)
The Ca De Bou, originating from the island of Mallorca, is a medium large dog with an independent, courageous and combative personality. The have a well balanced psychology and reserved temperament. Early socialization and strict training methods are required to groom the excellent guardian instincts in this breed.
10) Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)
The Fila Brasileiro was introduced to the new world by conquistadors primarily for hunting and guarding ranches. This is a large and squarely built dog breed with an ambling gait and a massive head. The fila is a courageous, determined and fearless dog which is deeply attached to its family. On the basis of guard dog characteristics this breed would be on the top of any list but fila’s have a natural tendency to deeply dislike any stranger. This aggressiveness towards any and all strangers makes the breed suitable for only the most experienced and firm owners.
4 comments on “Top 10 Guard Dog Breeds”
Having had many breeds in my 40 years, the Doberman has been the best guard dog for me. For the last 10 years, I have had 3 Dobermans that I have used to protect my property. Gracie died just a year ago and Sergeant retired about 3 years ago when Mick took over for him. He’s just our house pet these days.
I live outside a small city in Texas and I have an auto lot adjacent to my home property and currently Mick (a 5-year old Dobie) is my security system. Dobermans are extremely trainable, yet they are also thinkers. They are clever and can even work out solutions on their own. He’s popular with my customers and employees.
Mick seems to automatically know who belongs on the lot and shop and who doesn’t. He roams from the house to the shop and he knows that no one should be there at night. I’ve yet to have a successful break in or theft with Gracie, Sargeant, or Mick pulling guard duty. Which was not the case with the other dogs I’ve had.
Also, he’s been terrific at keeping strays or other scavengers away. We have alot of stray dogs, skunks and coyotes that prowl at night. He was chewed up pretty good by a couple of pit pulls a year ago, but even though he got the worst of it he still managed to chase them off before I could get my pistol. It didn’t seem to change his personality or his fearlessness. He still keeps the place free of unwanted animals.
So while my experience can be considered merely anecdotal, I would choose a Dobie over any other guard dog.
Fila Brasiliero is by far the best responsive to intruders. Even after three years of my neighbor going in and out of his back house, my Fila acts like a ferocious beast and starts jumping at the wooden fence wanting to get at him. He doesn’t mind because he knows when she barks (and when she barks you can hear the deep snarls and echoing thunder that is released from them) there is definetly some person either walking onto the property or on the sidewalk in front. And she only barks at people she finds suspicious. Like strangers who haven’t been around before. The ones that stroll along, walk there dogs and such, she just looks through the cracks in the fence and starts with this scary growl. She will run to the other end of the house to make sure that they keep moving on. When the doorbell rings she lets off like thunder. Food delivery guys stay in there cars because they think she’s out front when she’s barking from the back. I have never ever taught her to be like this. It’s just in her nature. When my newborn came home, she knew instinctively that my son was part of the family. While my wife was pregnant, my Fila use to really bow down to her. She was very affectionate and always was smelling my wife’s belly and she would pick her belly with such tenderness. When we introduced my newborn son, she started to get so excited. Ears back, eyes of affection and wagging her tail so hard that I thought it would fall off. She just started licking his feet and when the baby cry’s she would wimpper and scratch at the door wanting to see what was going on. So, if you want an extremely, family orientated guard dog, the Fila Brasiliero is the dog for you. As far as train ability, you just have to keep a firm time and a cowering effect over your Fila. From puppy hood, let them know you mean business. My Fila is so obedient that I don’t need to even speak. Just a loud Shhh and a snap of my finger and she’s by my side in an instant. I hope that anyone considering this dog will listen to my story and be prepared to feel the comfort and security that this dog of thunder will bring to your life. Not to big, not to small. Filas are just right.
List should of started for the top 3
# 1 Rott For protection
# 2 Germanshepherd For protection / Family
# 3 Doberman just to make noise and because they do run when they get hit.
I have all three Rott has dominated the other two and yes Doberman hides behind the shepherd and the rott.
Who ever wrote this must like big piece of crap dogs. Most of these minus the Shepherd are no more than deterrents. Not guard most of these breeds can be ran especially the Doberman they are the most nervy piece of craps.