Dogs have been used by humans as livestock and home guardians since they first became domesticated. Some breeds are better at understanding a single owner, while others are better at understanding the entire family and will guard each individual like they were their own. Below is a list of the top ten guard dogs for families that we have researched and ranked.
As you review this list, be sure to keep researching the breed you believe most closely satisfies your family’s needs. This list is a great starting point for you, and we believe that each breed offers you and your family a tremendous amount of love and protection.
At Canine Journal, we consider guard dogs to be family members first, just like any other dog. Therefore, rather than using your guard dog as your first line of defense (which they are very effective at), you should instead use them as a deterrent. To safeguard yourself, your dog, and your possessions even when you’re not at home, we advise installing a home security system. Table Of Contents.
What You Should Remember About Getting A Guard Dog
When choosing the best guard dog breed for your family, keep in mind a few key factors even though the breeds listed are those that have been bred to be watchdogs.
As with people, every individual dog has their own temperament. Not all members of a breed, such as the Doberman pinscher, will make excellent guard dogs, despite the breed’s reputation as a good guard breed. Numerous elements affect a dog’s temperament, which in turn affects whether or not they will make a good guard dog.
The genetic makeup of a dog is one of the primary determinants of its temperament. A dog with a genetic background of unstable temperaments may experience temperament problems themselves. An adult dog with sudden aggression is an illustration of this kind of temperamental issue. If previous dogs from the same genetic line exhibit the same type of “snapping,” it is clear that the behavior is a genetic trait. Before bringing a dog home, do extensive research on the family history of the sire and dam to try to weed out specific dogs with genetic temperament issues. However, temperament issues can occasionally go unreported. Any good quality breeder will never breed a dog that has evidence of such difficulties in their lineage.
The environment in which a dog is raised is another of the key determinants of that dog’s temperament. There are a lot of different factors that can influence a dog’s behavior in the end. Sadly, there is no definite “blueprint” that can connect a certain contributing factor to a certain temperament type. But a dog used for dog fighting is a good illustration of how a dog’s environment can affect its temperament. This dog has been improperly trained to be excessively aggressive, and as long as this behavior is reinforced, the dog will keep trying to please its trainer. The issue with this, in addition to the fact that dog fighting is an abhorrent activity, is that even dogs who have been bred to have aggressive personalities are temperamental and cannot be relied upon. An excessively aggressive dog can easily turn on its owner, other pets, or even young children in the house.
Because of characteristics that were once desired in a breed, people have a tendency to label one breed as a “good guard dog,” but it’s important to keep in mind that breeds have evolved significantly over time. Since bull baiting is no longer a popular sport, dogs that were originally bred to excel at it have been genetically altered to better suit our needs as domestic dog owners. Changes in a dog’s lineage as well as personal preferences for a dog play a role in how a dog ultimately behaves. For instance, despite the fact that the German shepherd breed is known for being a good guard dog breed, a German shepherd with severe separation anxiety or a fear of loud noises would not make a good guard dog at all. These phobias can develop due to a dog’s individual neurosis or as a result of poor breeding.
When selecting a good guard dog, you should also consider their medical history. A German shepherd with hip dysplasia and poor breeding will not enjoy the life of a guard dog. A dog with a serious medical condition may also not be a good guard dog candidate because the distraction it could pose while guarding or the medications it might need to treat it could dull its senses
Bullmastiff
This breed is another great family protection dog. They are devoted to and will do anything to defend their family. Because of their intimidating size, bullmastiffs can easily subdue an adult if necessary.
To teach your Mastiff to be gentle around children, it is best to raise him from a young age. Training should be consistent and throughout his life. He needs to have a strong owner who’s in control.
Weak owners will lose control of a Mastiff. Except if they were raised alongside other animals, they don’t get along with them. They make excellent guard dogs and, if raised from infancy with a family, will be kind and loving.
Best Protection Dogs for Kids
Let’s quickly go over some of the top guard dogs for children. Not all breeds are created equal. The breeds listed below are those we believe make the best guard dogs for families.
A Doberman Pinscher makes an excellent home guard dog for families with large properties. This breed is praised for its quickness and capacity to neutralize an intruder effectively. They are praised for being attentive, fearless, and devoted friends, ranking as the fifth smartest breed of dog in the world.
Rottweilers are tenacious guardians of their pack because they were originally bred to guard cattle. Although they can learn quickly and are loyal and intelligent, this breed can be a little reserved around strangers until they are properly introduced.
Staffordshire Terriers were developed to fight bulls and bears. They are regarded as a fantastic option for getting a guard dog because of their aggressive and protective nature. To ensure you get a fantastic family pet and protector, this breed needs proper training and socialization from an early age.
FAQ
Can a protection dog be a family pet?
Nothing could be further from the truth than the assumption that a protection dog would be less devoted to its owner or less secure than an ordinary dog. A protection dog can be just as entertaining and affectionate as any other dog, while also serving to keep their family safe, so they actually make good family pets.
Which guard dog is best for family?
- German shepherd. Hack’s first preference for family guard dogs is this breed.
- Rottweiler. …
- Doberman pinscher. …
- Bullmastiff. …
- Boxer. …
- Great Dane. …
- Giant Schnauzer.
Are guard dogs safe around children?
That is why a lot of families decide to get a protection dog to protect their home. Protection dogs are completely safe around children with the right training. To that end, when it comes to your dog’s training, be sure to work with reputable experts.