Owners of country houses and summer cottages have often thought about the question: which dog to choose to protect their property and family members? An ideal guard dog should be large or medium in size, have an athletic build, be well versed in the terrain, have a tough character, be fearless and hardy, distrustful of strangers, be easy to care for, and the animal must be able to adapt to any weather conditions.
First published: 09.20.2020
Photo: Pixabay.com
A guard dog must first of all warn its owners about the danger, and only then launch an attack on the enemy. At the same time, such an animal, having a set of necessary qualities for protecting a private home, needs training and physical endurance training.
You should choose a dog to guard your home carefully:
- First of all, you need to pay attention to the character of the animal and its preparation. The watchdog must be smart enough to determine that intruders have entered the house and notify the owners of the danger with a loud bark.
- It is also worth paying attention to the coat. It should be thick and warm the dog even in frosty winter.
- It is better to choose a large animal so that the watchman’s appearance alone will scare off ill-wishers.
- And finally, the dog must have good health and be unpretentious in its maintenance.
Having studied websites about dogs, reviews from dog handlers and dog lovers, our experts have compiled a rating of the best dog breeds that are ideal for guarding a private home.
Rating:
- German Shepherd
- Akita Inu
- Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Doberman
- Tibetan mastiff
- Moscow watchdog
- Giant Schnauzer
- Rottweiler
- German dog
- Russian Black Terrier
- Alabai
- Boxer
- Staffordshire Terrier
- Boerboel
Rottweiler
A universal breed of service dog bred in Germany, characterized by endurance, energy, hard work, aggressiveness and excellent guard qualities.
Rottweilers are recognized by their spectacular appearance, heroic strength, innate nobility, balanced character and incredible affection for the owner. They make attentive bodyguards and vigilant watchmen. In unusual situations, they prefer to wait a little before making a decision. They enter the fight with a swift throw, powerfully attack, knock them down and grab them with their entire mouth.
These dogs are stubborn and tend to claim leadership, so special attention should be paid to their early education. A well-developed undercoat allows them to be used to protect personal territory.
Hungarian Shepherd (Komondor)
One of the largest dogs in the world, whose calling is to be a watchman and a faithful guard. The Komondor has an unusual appearance, impressive dimensions, and good watchdog and security abilities.
This dog is very smart and cunning, characterized by thoroughness, trainability and obedience. Even when this is not required of her, the Hungarian Shepherd carefully guards her own territory, is wary and angry towards strangers, and at a critical moment is able to make her own decision.
Large guard dog breeds
The weight of large dogs is 26-50 kg. Higher values are typical for representatives of giant breeds. It is recommended to keep such guards in a spacious house or in a separate enclosure in the backyard.
Please note that all animals listed below cannot be kept on a chain. A prolonged lack of contact with the owner and other people is fraught with mental disorders.
Anatolian karabash
The Turkish Cattle Dog is popular among Europeans and Americans. Due to its size, it is suitable not only as a watchman, but also as a bodyguard.
Raising a Karabash should only be done by an experienced dog breeder who is able to suppress the dog’s stubbornness and prove his leadership. Owners who are too soft should choose a more obedient pet.
Dogue de Bordeaux
The terrifying appearance and excellent guard qualities of this dog seem to be created for security work. In the family circle, the Dogue de Bordeaux is soft and gentle. He is completely devoted to his owners, so loneliness is destructive for him.
When training a Dogue de Bordeaux, it is important to avoid too long sessions and frequent punishment. If an exercise stubbornly fails several times in a row, put it off until later, ask your pet to perform a simpler command and be sure to praise it if it is successful.
American Bulldog (ambul)
The appearance of a menacing and muscular American Bulldog alone can scare away an intruder. This pet will protect its owners to the last drop of blood without hesitation.
Due to their innate aggression, ambulies are not suitable for novice dog breeders. Too gentle upbringing or constant punishments are fraught with the formation of inappropriate behavior.
Black Russian Terrier
Modern blackies are softer than their predecessors. Despite their low level of aggression, they can be trained to guard a home. In this case, any tricks of the burglars will fail.
You should not trust raising a terrier to children or pensioners. Only an experienced dog breeder can cope with a dog’s leadership habits.
Giant Schnauzer
From birth, Giant Schnauzers do not trust strangers and remember faces very well. With their help, you can easily identify a person, which is very important when searching for missing persons and offenders.
Developed intelligence helps Giant Schnauzers easily master any discipline. Only their stubbornness and pronounced dominance can slow down the learning process.
Tibetan mastiff
This owner of a luxurious mane is one of the most loyal and friendly pets. The mastiff treats strangers with restraint, but only until they encroach on the territory entrusted to him.
Self-training a dog can take up to 2 years, so quite often owners resort to the help of dog handlers. Accelerating the development of skills is possible only with the unquestioning trust of the mastiff. The dog shows its affection for a person by periodically chewing laces and other items of clothing.
Leonberger
Thanks to its developed territorial instinct, the Leonberger warns of a stranger's invasion even while dozing. Despite this, the animal is tolerant of strangers and never tries to dominate.
Training a Leonberger is not a hassle. The dog grasps everything on the fly and is rarely distracted. The only caveat is the urgent need to think before executing the command.
Akita Inu
An original Japanese large breed from the Spitz group, bred in mountainous areas to perform security functions and hunt large game. These hereditary guards have impressive size, power, endurance, hard work and strong immunity.
They are unpretentious, obedient and loyal to their owner, aggressive and suspicious of strangers, capable of adequately assessing threats and making independent decisions. Akita is suitable for keeping in a high-quality enclosure with a warm kennel and the possibility of entering the home.
Minuses
- The general disadvantages of guard dogs include a high degree of activity, which is why the animal constantly requires attention and needs long walks.
- Breeds that are too large are not suitable for living in small apartments.
- Proper upbringing requires professional training; you can’t do it yourself at home.
Fifth place – Cane Corso
The Cane Corso is a very expensive and rare breed of dog. Animals of this breed are very kind, well-mannered and patient. But when it comes to the life and health of the owner, Cane Corsos turn into a ferocious beast that is capable of tearing anyone apart. That is why this breed of dog is suitable for guarding apartments and private houses.
Read more about the Cane Corso breed
Breeds of bodyguard dogs: for adults and children
It is important to note that not all protective dogs have a strong territorial instinct. Some pets are loyal to strangers and other animals, but will defend their owner and family members to the last when directly attacked.
American Pit Bull Terrier (Pitbull)
Contrary to popular belief, this breed is not at all prone to aggression towards humans. Their weight (14-27 kg) is not capable of knocking down an adult attacker, but in case of danger they will definitely try to protect their owner. Despite their good nature, pit bulls are brave and have a high pain threshold. These qualities were inherited from their ancestors - fighting dogs.
Pit bull terriers need timely socialization. The first acquaintance with other people and animals is recommended up to 4 months. The most effective form of training is play.
American Staffordshire Terrier (Amstaff)
The character of Amstaffs is close to pit bulls. Rumors about their aggression are also not justified, since after the ban on dog fighting the main emphasis was placed on obedience. When properly raised, they are completely safe for others.
Amstaffs are sensitive to the emotional background of the owner. Keep this in mind on walks and be patient with people with preconceived notions about your pet. Be strict but fair. Avoid permissiveness and be sure to stop any unwanted actions on the part of the four-legged animal.
Bull Terrier
Only one type of this dog can scare away enemies. But, as in the case of the pit bull and amstaff, the threatening appearance is just a mask. Extraordinarily playful bull terriers adore children and cannot stand being alone.
Representatives of this breed are very absent-minded. They quickly lose interest in boring activities, so avoid monotonous or too long training.
Saint Bernard
Peace-loving St. Bernards sincerely love children and respect discipline. Despite their phlegmatic nature, they love to play pranks and never let their household members be offended.
Consider the slowness of the animal when training. Don't rush him and let him master the commands at his usual snail's pace.
German dog
Modern Great Danes are typical companion dogs with a gentle character. If desired, they can be trained for protection, but a formidable appearance is often quite enough.
The breed is distinguished by high intelligence and good memory. Great Danes quickly remember new information and do not need lengthy repetitions.
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Small guard dogs
Small guard dogs are those that weigh less than 10 kg. Such kids are unable to detain an intruder on their own, but they can easily warn of any intrusion into private territory. With enough walking, even a tiny studio apartment is suitable for their maintenance.
miniature pinscher
The miniature pinscher, although it looks cute, is capable of protecting its territory and even its owner. He does not engage in idle talk, preferring action to words.
Miniature pinschers are active and cheerful creatures; you never get bored or sad with them. The little protector loves children, but at the same time appreciates respectful treatment of himself.
Miniature Schnauzer
Despite its harmless appearance, the miniature schnauzer is endowed with excellent guard and hunting qualities. It is used for police and customs service. This dog is selflessly loyal to its owners and never trusts strangers.
Due to its innate aggression and tendency to run wild, the Miniature Schnauzer needs serious training. When training, try to keep it varied. With frequent repetition of exercises, miniatures begin to become stubborn and shirk classes.
Boston Terrier
Thanks to its developed guarding instinct, the Boston Terrier can easily be trusted to guard your apartment. An attack on property will be reported by a loud bark, which the dog uses only as a last resort.
Quick memorization of commands is not typical for the Boston Terrier. It is important for the owner to be patient to achieve the desired results.
German Jagdterrier
The main advantage of this hunting breed is its high pain threshold. Protecting the owner, the dog will fight to the last even after receiving serious injuries. Love for strangers is alien to him, so you don’t have to worry about ingratiating yourself with suspicious people.
Unlike the obedient Boston Terrier, the Jagd obeys only a real leader. The animal remembers commands quite quickly, but rarely executes them perfectly the first time.
Schipperke
The adorable Schipperke is the smallest shepherd dog in the world. Despite its size, it has the same protective qualities as its closest relatives.
Due to their innate suspiciousness, the Schipperke is difficult to train in noisy environments. Also, he will never obey a child, so it is better to immediately entrust upbringing to an adult.
Volpino Italiano
The Italian Spitz always keeps his ear to the ground. He never allows strangers into his territory and always notifies of their appearance with a loud bark.
Despite his stubbornness, Volpino Italiano remembers basic commands quite quickly. He performs best in cynological sports.
American Staffordshire Terrier
Stocky Staffords do an excellent job as vigilant watchdogs because they do not like and are not sensitive to strangers. The breed is characterized by such qualities as excellent health, strong psyche, courage, determination, fearlessness, perseverance, devotion and receptivity to training.
Amstaffs require serious training, regular exercise and walks. They can be aggressive towards other dogs. Short hair and the absence of a fat layer exclude the possibility of keeping Amstaffs in open-air cages during the cold season.
Content Features
For a dog on the street, it is imperative to build a strong booth that will protect the pet from bad weather, heat and frost. If winter lasts a long time and the temperature stays below zero, it is better to insulate the dog house. The booth should be roomy, according to the size of the dog. Ideally, the pet can stretch out, stand up, and hide in the far corner.
It is advisable that the booth opens into the enclosure. This is where the dog will eat, drink and breathe air. Enclosures are needed if the dog is trying to protect property from everyone, including invited guests. In addition, the fence will prevent escapes from the site.
A dog living on the street must be regularly treated for parasites. All required vaccinations are required. Periodically comb and wash your pet to remove dust and sand stuck in the fur.
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Boxer
A popular German breed of large, stocky, smooth-haired dogs that often serve as bodyguards and house guards. The classic boxer is a strong, hardy dog that quickly remembers commands, is distinguished by an easy-going character, perfect obedience and boundless loyalty.
The dog gets along well with households and pets, is very active, loves exercise and long walks. He is extremely distrustful and wary of strangers. At the same time, the boxer does not tolerate inclement weather and freezing temperatures, so he cannot stay outside for a long time when cold weather sets in.
Doberman
A popular German breed of service dogs, quite suitable for guarding private property. Dobermans are characterized by an elegant appearance, devotion to their owner, they have good physical characteristics, a balanced character, intelligence, a stable psyche, fearlessness, are easily trained and moderately aggressive.
When a threat arises to family members or a protected object, they instantly rush at the intruders and fight to the end, not sparing their lives. These dogs require a steady hand, training and exercise to build their stamina. Short hair and a slight layer of fat do not allow Dobermans to be kept outside when cold weather sets in.
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
According to many experts, this is one of the bright favorites among guard breeds. The animal is distinguished by its formidable appearance, incredible strength, independent character and qualities such as fearlessness, courage, determination and perseverance.
The Caucasian Shepherd is loyal to its owners, incredibly smart, easy to train, unpretentious in maintenance and ideal for protecting the local area. In critical situations, she does not show concern, makes independent decisions and attacks uninvited guests without warning. For comfortable keeping, this dog must be provided with a covered outdoor enclosure and space to run.
Belgian Shepherd
A herding breed that has four subspecies: Groenendael, Malinois, Tervuren, Laekenois. These dogs are distinguished by natural intelligence, quick wit, excellent memory, courage, good receptivity to training and devotion to the owner.
Belgian Shepherds are medium-sized, proportionally built, hardy, energetic, unpretentious, adapted for outdoor living, resistant to seasonal changes and have excellent watchdog qualities. Suitable for maintenance and security service in small suburban areas.
Black Russian Terrier
These large service and guard dogs are distinguished by excellent physical characteristics, endurance, stable psyche, devotion to the owner, unpretentiousness and strong immunity.
Black terriers love to communicate with household members, are well controlled and easy to train. Security qualities are inherent in them at the genetic level: they have observation, courage, excellent reaction, excellent speed, distrust of strangers, territorial instinct, and are able to serve in unfavorable natural and climatic conditions.
Medium breeds of guard dogs
Medium-sized dogs weigh 11-25 kg. They are easy to care for and good for keeping in an apartment.
Shar Pei
Calm and independent, Shar Peis are devoted to their family, but hate strangers. They do not allow either people or animals into their territory. Dogs perceive the former as potential intruders, and the latter as rivals.
Only an experienced owner who is ready to regularly defend his authority can raise a Shar Pei. Due to his innate tendency to dominate, the dog is constantly trying to stage a coup and take the main place in the house.
Airedale
This hunting breed gradually transformed into a service and decorative breed, which made it possible to use it as a guard. The main triggers for the Airedale Terrier are a threat to the life of the owner and an attempt on personal belongings.
This capable dog hates boredom. When training it, it is necessary to take into account the excitement of the breed, diluting the classes with physical relaxation.
Miniature Schnauzer
The four-legged bearded vulture has a keen sense of smell and an innate distrust of strangers. These qualities are used for search work and protection of objects.
Be sure to stick to the play form of classes. Otherwise, the Miniature Schnauzer will do everything possible to evade them.
Korean Jindo
Chindo combines security and hunting qualities. In Korea, it is used for police work and search and rescue operations.
Chindo is the pet of only one owner, so his selfless devotion and obedience can only be appreciated by one person. It is this lucky person who should be entrusted with raising a dog.
The best dog breeds for guarding a private home
Guard dogs for private homes are large animals with an independent disposition and a thick undercoat. The lack of strong attachment to a person eliminates the feeling of loneliness when living in an enclosure, and dense wool protects against hypothermia in inclement weather.
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
The friendliness of the Caucasian Shepherd is known only to its owners. The dog treats everyone else with distrust. He easily tolerates cold and has keen hearing, which is very important when protecting a private home.
The aggressive nature of these animals makes their upbringing very difficult. The Caucasian Shepherd's trust must be earned through its leadership qualities. Otherwise, she will not obey you.
Moscow watchdog
Unlike Caucasian Shepherds, Moscow watchdogs never enter into conflict without serious reasons. They do not divide owners according to dominance and listen to every family member.
Despite their attachment to a person, the Moscow watchmen are not alien to leadership habits. Most often they appear in the first year of life, so it is recommended to raise puppies with strictness.
Central Asian Shepherd Dog (Alabai)
Fearless Alabai always greet uninvited guests with warning barks and growls. You should not ignore these signals, as otherwise an attack will certainly follow.
When raising an Alabai, be sure to wean him from jumping on household members. After growing up, a loving dog can seriously injure you if he does not learn to control his emotions.
Bullmastiff
Bullmastiffs are not prone to unreasonable aggression and attack people only under outright provocation. They warn about the intruder's penetration with their menacing voice, which can rarely be heard in a normal situation.
The Bullmastiff matures late. Complex commands are taught no earlier than 6-7 months. Until this moment, he is accustomed to a nickname and place.
