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Do you know what scares off criminals? Dogs. They bark, they’re unpredictable, and trust us, criminals don’t want to deal with a dog bite. In a world where safety matters, protection dogs offer unmatched security. Cheaper than bodyguards and more flexible than alarms, they’re the real deal!
These furry superheroes are trained to protect you like no one else can. They sniff out trouble, stop intruders, and even disarm attackers. When security systems fail, they’ve got your back.
In the news, there’s a buzz about the $150,000 protection dog craze. People are investing big for peace of mind and a loyal protector. Personal dogs are definitely worth the investment, and the good news is they don’t all come with a hefty price tag!
Ready to meet your family’s guardian angels? Let’s dive into the top ten protection dogs!
Best Family Protection Dogs
1. German Shepherd
German Shepherds are the top protectors for families! With their intellect, courage, and loyalty, they shine as the ultimate all-rounder in dog breeds, excelling in law enforcement, military, search and rescue, herding, and drug detection.
With a height of 22-26 inches and a weight of 50-90 pounds, their big size and watchful eyes make them great at scaring off intruders. With lightning speed and a powerful bite force, they’re experts at handling tough tasks and keeping threats at bay. Plus, their natural instinct to protect makes them perfect guardians for both territory and loved ones. When trained right, they’re always ready to step up and keep you safe.
These furry pals are super active, so they need lots of training and playtime. But don’t let their tough exterior fool you—they’re also big softies who’ll do anything to keep their loved ones safe.
If you’re thinking of adding one to your family, remember these lively dogs require frequent care, constant training, and attention, but they will reward you with many years of devotion and love! And if you’re getting one from a breeder, do your homework to make sure they come from a healthy home.
2. Saint Bernard
Saint Bernards are famous for their patience and affection, making them perfect for families, especially with kids. Saint Bernards are a top choice for many households; however, their size means supervision is crucial around smaller kids and unfamiliar adults—they might accidentally knock them over in their excitement.
It’s essential to teach children to approach and play with dogs gently and kindly, no matter the breed. Because they’re big and strong, early positive training is key to teaching them leash manners and proper behavior.
With their impressive size and booming bark, Saint Bernards make excellent watchdogs, ever ready to protect their loved ones. Their strong loyalty and eagerness to please make them easy to train and ideal for keeping your home safe and secure.
Keeping your Saint Bernard happy and healthy means ensuring they get at least an hour of exercise daily. With their knack for escaping, a sturdy fence is a must to keep them safe in the yard. While they shed a lot, regular brushing helps manage their coat. Professional grooming every few months is also an option. And get ready for drool—lots of it! It’s just part of the Saint Bernard charm.
3. Doberman Pinscher
Dobermans are top-notch protection dogs, thanks to their smarts and easy training. Medium-large in size, they weigh 60 to 100 pounds with a muscular build. But don’t let their tough appearance fool you—they form strong bonds with families and offer fierce loyalty and exceptional guarding skills. Energetic as pups, they’re great playmates for kids when introduced early.
Originally bred as sleek guard dogs in Germany, Dobermans are more than just tough cookies—they’re loving companions. While they excel at guarding, they only attack when defending their family.
Dobermans are all about companionship and forming strong bonds with their owners. They can get clingy and experience separation anxiety if left alone for too long.
These energetic pups need lots of exercise to stay happy and healthy, but they can adapt to apartment life with daily workouts. Watch out for their strong prey drive—they might chase small animals if given a chance, so caution is needed around wildlife and livestock.
4. Bullmastiff
Bullmastiffs are strong, intelligent, and eager to please, making them perfect family companions and protectors. Despite their size, they’re agile and active, excelling in various activities like conformation, obedience, agility, and tracking.
With their strong pack mentality, Bullmastiffs quickly recognize their owners as family and will go to great lengths to protect them. Their intimidating presence and heightened awareness make them excellent guard dogs without posing a risk to children.
They’re fiercely protective of their family and pets, but proper socialization from an early age is crucial. Bullmastiffs will only accept strangers introduced by a trusted individual, swiftly stopping others in their tracks.
The Bullmastiff is wonderfully low maintenance, needing minimal exercise and grooming. Whether in a spacious backyard or a cozy apartment, they’re content. With their short, dense coat, a simple weekly brush keeps them looking sharp and feeling great.
5. Great Dane
One standout feature of Great Danes is their massive size. They’ve held the record for World’s Tallest Dog for many years, setting them apart from other breeds.
Great Danes are known for their calm and composed demeanor, making them excellent family companions who get along well with children. While their size, strength, and booming bark can intimidate intruders, their gentle nature means they’re not naturally aggressive!
Ever heard the phrase “his bark is worse than his bite”? That’s often true for Great Danes. While they’re not constant barkers, their rumbling, deep, and intimidating bark can be threatening. But don’t let it fool you—most Great Danes are gentle giants who wouldn’t hurt a fly.
As giant breeds, Great Danes need ample space to roam. Prospective owners should note their need for 30-60 minutes of daily exercise to keep them happy and healthy. Luckily, their short, sleek, and dense coat is low-maintenance, requiring grooming only once every week to 10 days.
6. Rottweiler
Rottweilers are confident and smart working dogs with a rich history. Their role as guardians and herders has sharpened their instinct to be cautious and protective around strangers.
Rottweilers are beloved family pets known to be good with children, although their playful nature can be overwhelming for younger kids due to their size. While they excel as watchdogs and protectors, they may not be as reliable around other pets.
According to the CDC, while Rottweilers rank second to pit bulls for most dog attacks on humans, these instances involve only a small fraction of the breed. However, Rottweiler owners should prioritize extensive training and socialization to prevent any potential aggression towards people or other pets.
Rottweilers, despite their size, are relatively easy to care for but may become overweight without enough exercise. Their coat requires minimal care—just a quick weekly grooming usually does the trick. Keep in mind that some Rottweilers, especially large males with loose lips, may drool a fair amount.
7. Giant Schnauzer
Giant Schnauzers are prized for their intelligence, alertness, and protective nature, making them favored by police forces. Giant Schnauzers excel as protection dogs due to their unwavering loyalty to their families and their innate herding and flock-protecting instincts. Their large yet compact size makes them ideal for both family companionship and protection roles.
Giant Schnauzers are known for their watchful and affectionate personalities. They’re bold and commanding, showing their intimidating side when provoked but transforming into playful family companions when relaxed. With high spirits and intelligence, they thrive on attention and require plenty of time and interaction.
Giant Schnauzers have moderate grooming needs, requiring weekly brushing to keep their coat in top condition. With lots of energy to burn, they need daily exercise, such as long walks, to stay happy and healthy.
8. Great Pyrenees
Great Pyrenees are large, heavily coated dogs originally bred to protect flocks from wolves and other predators. They can be excellent family dogs for households experienced with guardian breeds. They typically interact well with older children but need supervision around younger ones due to their powerful build and large size.
Great Pyrenees are known for their calm demeanor, often guarding the family by patrolling carefully. While typically laid-back, they can swiftly spring into action if they sense a threat. They are also known for conserving energy during the day and becoming more active at night, which may result in barking and late-night activity, particularly if they reside outdoors.
Great Pyrenees are protective guard dogs, especially for the children in their families. They may not comprehend rough play, and if they perceive a threat, they’ll intervene to protect their loved ones, potentially causing harm to visitors or children’s friends.
These family pets are heavy shedders and may be messy drinkers and droolers. Additionally, they’re sensitive to heat, so they may not be suitable for households in warmer climates.
9. Boxer
The Boxer is a beloved family dog with a charming trait of mirroring its owner’s mood. With an affectionate temperament, it’s widely employed as a therapy, service, and guide dog. Despite their past in the baiting ring, aggressive traits have been bred out, resulting in a docile and gentle breed.
These loving family pets are known for their patience and tolerance towards children, making them excellent family companions. They are protective of their family and will watch over your kids diligently.
Regular exercise and mental stimulation are crucial for Boxers, as they can become boisterous or high-strung without proper activity. Not suited for outdoor living away from their family, this protective guard dog breed thrives with human companionship and can get along with other household pets when introduced gradually.
10. Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog, a large Swiss working breed, now serves as a devoted and affectionate companion for adults, children, and other pets.
The great guard dog is an ideal family companion due to their affectionate nature towards everyone. However, their large size may be overwhelming for smaller children, and their lack of portability makes them unsuitable for families who are frequently on the go, as they prefer not to be left alone.
This family pet, bred to safeguard farms, excels as a watchdog. While alerting to intruders with barking, they maintain a non-aggressive demeanor. Although initially reserved with strangers, they’ll warm up with reassurance from their owner.
These mountain dogs thrive with moderate exercise, consistent training, and socialization. The grooming needs of this furry breed are manageable but expect shedding and occasional drooling.
Conclusion
When seeking the best protection family dogs, positive reinforcement obedience training is key. From a young age, these furry breeds, such as the Bernese Mountain Dog, require stern training to fulfill their role as a family protector dog.
It’s essential to meet the dog’s parents and start training them from a young age to obey commands effectively. With proper training, even clumsy dogs can become reliable guard dogs, showcasing their intelligence as one of the smartest breeds.
