For those considering bringing home a guard dog, these imposing pups are a classic choice. Originally bred to herd sheep, they are wary of strangers and have the ability to warn off intruders through their powerful barking.
Like German Shepherds, they are highly intelligent and responsive to training, making them great for guard work. But they also need a lot of exercise and tend to be territorial. Visit for the best protection dogs.
Rottweiler
While some Rottweilers may show guarding instincts toward strangers, they make devoted companions and are extremely loyal. They also make excellent service dogs, obedience competitors, and police dogs. Rottweilers are naturally intelligent, tireless and eager to please. Originally used for herding cattle and pulling carts, they are naturally active dogs and require ample exercise.
They make excellent family dogs, but should be supervised around young children. Like many large breeds, they are suspicious of strangers and can be aggressive. Begin training and socialization early. This breed can also be territorial and will challenge other dogs. Correction of aggression should always be immediate. Otherwise, it will likely become a habit.
Chow Chow
Chow Chows are very loyal and protective of their families. They also make great guard dogs for homes and businesses. However, this breed can be aloof and independent, so early and ongoing socialization is important.
Nutritional Values
The chayote squash, commonly known as chow chow, is a gourd vegetable that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family of plants that also includes cucumbers and melons. It is a low-calorie vegetable that provides essential vitamins and minerals for various bodily functions, including energy production and cell growth.
It is a good source of fiber, which promotes digestive health and helps maintain regular bowel movements. It is also a good source of potassium, which supports healthy blood pressure levels.
Cane Corso
Bred to be guardians, Cane Corsos are rugged, muscular giants that look like they mean business. With early socialization and training, they’re affectionate toward their families and make a great pet for people of all ages.
They get along well with other dogs and can live with cats, small animals and even pigs and rabbits if raised with them from puppyhood. However, they may pursue prey and could accidentally injure smaller pets without a firm, consistent leader.
Cane Corsos can be prone to bloat, a life-threatening condition in which the stomach fills with gas and twists on itself. Regular veterinary care to prevent this is important.
Mastiff
Eternally loyal to their people, these massive lugs are natural guardians who have a wariness of strangers. Early training and socialization is essential to help manage their powerful size and natural protective instincts.
They make wonderful family pets and are generally good with children. However, kids should be taught to respect a dog’s bodily autonomy and not try to climb or ride on them.
These working breeds need plenty of exercise, including obedience training and free play in the yard or park. They are prone to a condition known as bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus), so it is critical that they receive regular preventative care and are not overexerted.
Sheepdog
While their name suggests that these dogs are purely English, they actually have Irish, Scottish and European roots. They were bred as serious working dogs called drovers, which helped herd livestock long distances and move them to market.
Smart but independent, these herders need extensive exercise and a firm hand to guide them. They can also become bored easily and dig or chew if not kept mentally stimulated.
Herding dogs are prone to herding instincts, which means that they can be wary of strangers and quick to protect family members, including children. They can get along well with young children, but early introductions are important.
Boxer
Boxers are agile and muscular dogs that excel as guardians, service, assistance, therapy, and sniffer dogs. Their enchanting temperaments and adorable looks also make them well-suited for families with children, especially when properly socialized.
The breed was first established in 1895 after Munich resident George Alt bred a local dog with a brindle female Bullenbeisser. His efforts yielded a fawn-and-white male known as Lechner’s Box, one of the modern breed’s key ancestors. Boxers are available in a range of fawn shades, including dark honey blonde, mahogany, and reddish tan. The rarer brindle variant features black stripes on a fawn background. White markings may also appear on the chest, belly, and neck.