«Does he bite?» – “No, he will beat you up!” and the gaze lingers on Hades, the Boerboel.
Guard dog breeds were specially bred to guard their territory, a herd of cattle or (of which then usually not so wanted) their family.
Guarding means reporting strange approaches, not biting or hitting them! Does Hades know?
Would you also like to hire a bodyguard in a fur suit?
We introduce you to 25 completely different guard dog breeds.
1. Boerboel
The Boerboel is an impressive sight, weighing up to 79 kilograms and 64 – 70 centimeters tall.
The very image of a serious watchdog.
Exactly this destiny the Boerboel still loves and lives today.
This South African dog breed is definitely not a beginner dog.
2. Giant Schnauzer
The Giant Schnauzer is a common and popular guard dog breed. He is proud and confident, courageous and loyal.
The Giant Schnauzer has become an even-tempered and pleasant companion dog, but guarding still clearly runs in its genes.
3. German Spitz
It’s hard to believe, but the German Spitz is also a born guard dog.
True to the motto «A real bodyguard works with his head and not with his muscles!», the spitz reliably reports everything that strikes him as funny.
The tough mini dog is a guard dog that is also suitable for novice dog owners.
4. Boxers
He’ll beat you up for sure.
No nonsense, at heart the boxer is a bright clown, a friendly slob and a lovable friend. But he will still guard you and your home!
If you bring a boxer into your home, you can look forward to an intelligent and active sparring partner.
5. Great Dane
The Great Dane is an intermediate level protector dog.
Her character is confident, gentle and friendly but also quite sensitive. Here you need to strike a good balance between training alert guard dogs and squeamish students.
Unfortunately, the (overbred) Great Dane is very susceptible to a number of diseases such as: hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), hip dysplasia, stomach torsion and heart disease.
6. Akita
The Japanese Akita is also a dog with a strong protective instinct.
He is known for his great courage, his strength, and his distinctive hunting and protective behavior. They have a lot of self-confidence and are very independent.
The Akita does not need any conspecifics in its environment.
7. Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog is said to be a pleasant house and yard dog. His watchman qualities should by no means be underestimated.
While the Bernese Mountain Dog is lazily lying around in the yard, it calmly and calmly guards its territory. If something illegal happens, the Bernese will reliably let you know. He’s never aggressive.
8. Rottweilers
The Rottweiler is a very popular guard dog. Not only because of its muscular and strong physique, but also because many people know about the enormous biting power of the Rottweiler.
Note:
A watchdog’s job should never be to bite off strangers who approach him. He is only supposed to report to his caregivers that something strange is going on.
The Rottweiler can weigh up to 60 kilograms. He is considered fearless and energetic, very loyal and closely attached to his caregiver.
9. Doberman
The confident Doberman is one of the most well-known guard dog breeds.
The alert bodyguard is always focused, intelligent at work, very energetic, obedient and loyal. He is considered to be almost fearless, with exceptions confirming the rule here as well.
You will find the Doberman as a service dog for the police, as a rescue dog, therapy dog and guide dog for the blind, as well as in many dog sports.
Unfortunately, the Doberman Pinscher often suffers from the so-called Wobbler Syndrome, a serious hereditary disease.
10. German Pinscher
The Doberman in mini format? In fact, both dogs of the same group and section are classified by the FCI.
Today, the German Pinscher is more of an adaptable family and companion dog, but it does have watchdog qualities.
The German Pinscher is considered alert and has been known to bark when a stranger trespasses on their territory!
11. Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback reaches a height of up to 69 centimeters and a weight of up to 36 kilograms.
His stature is as sporty and elegant as it is muscular and stable. He is considered dignified, intelligent and sensitive.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a hunting dog as well as a family and guard dog.
Unfortunately, the chic «Ridge» on the back of a dog is not always harmless. It is a genetic defect called dermoid sinus, or DS for short.
12. Mudi
Although the Mudi is a Hungarian dog breed officially recognized by the FCI, fewer people know it. Now that you’ve seen it, you probably won’t forget it in a hurry.
The Mudi has an extraordinary and funny coat. A herding dog is hiding behind the fur, which feels responsible for herding cattle and for guarding and guarding the house and yard.
13. Chihuahua
Another proof that not every guard dog has to be big is the smallest dog in the world, the Chihuahua.
He just reaches a height of 15 – 23 centimeters and a weight of 1.8 – 2.7 kilograms.
The fact that the Chihuahua occasionally suffers from overconfidence and megalomania may be due to the fact that guarding is also in its genes and you have to be as intrepid and fearless as possible!
14. Newfoundland
Among the most reliable guard dog breeds, the good-natured Newfoundland cannot be missing.
The big bear reaches a height of up to 71 centimeters and weighs up to 80 kilograms.
Where a Newfoundland dog is lying in the yard, nobody will break in so easily. Of course, this would not go unannounced anyway.
15. Leonberger
The Leonberger is a mix of Newfoundland, St. Bernard and Great Pyrenees.
His reputation as a particularly child-loving protector dog precedes him. Family life with him is harmonious and pleasant.
But you should definitely be aware of the innate guarding instinct of this very large breed of dog!
16. Bullmastiff
The Bullmastiff is known to be extremely alert, dependable, and loyal.
He builds a close bond with his caregiver and reliably protects them as well as their relatives, house and yard.
The Bullmastiff requires good socialization and consistent training to avoid beating up on intruders.
17. Hovawart
The FCI officially designates the Hovawart as a working dog. Even so, guarding his family and territory is also enshrined in his breed standard. He should protect his people and send strangers out of place without being aggressive.
Due to its strong personality and sensitive character, the Hovawart is not suitable for novice dogs.
18. German shepherd
Of course, as a guard dog breed, the German Shepherd Dog is also among the top canine bodyguards!
The German shepherd dog is considered to have a strong personality, strong nerves, balanced, attentive and docile. Its areas of application are as a companion dog, guard dog, protection dog, service and herding dog.
Danger:
Unfortunately, the German shepherd dog is also often affected by torturous breeding. His breed standard stipulates that his hind legs are far too far back, which inevitably leads to hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis!
19. Broholmer
The Broholmer is also a serious sight due to its height of up to 75 centimeters and a weight of up to 70 kilograms!
Not only is he an excellent protector dog, but he is also one of the heaviest dog breeds in the world.
The Broholmer takes good care of its home and its people and reliably reports when strangers venture too close to its territory.
20. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is brave, fearless and fearless. No one can do anything to him so quickly and he probably looks like he’s about to hit you with a few nuts.
But he doesn’t want to. Most of the time he just wants to play or cuddle. At least if such a powerhouse didn’t fall into the wrong hands!
At heart, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is affectionate, loyal, friendly, and playful.
21. Cane Corso
The Cane Corso has become more fashionable as a guard dog breed in recent years.
He is athletic, strong, confident and balanced. The impressive dog has a fantastic nature, but should not end up with dog beginners.
This dog breed has also been kept in Italy for many years as a guard and protection dog.
22. Beauceron
At first glance, the Beauceron looks similar to the Rottweiler. However, the much narrower head makes it easy to see that it is the French herding dog Beauceron.
He reaches a height of up to 70 centimeters and thus makes a good impression on his counterpart.
He absolutely needs a job, like guarding the house and yard in combination with physical and mental exercise.
23. Belgian Shepherd Dog
The Belgian Shepherd Dog also has an enormous protective instinct.
He is very agile, lively, alert, willing to learn, intelligent and yet patient.
The Belgian Shepherd Dog is anything but a couch potato! He absolutely needs a challenging job and is not suitable for first time dog owners!
24 Briard
The Briard is considered a particularly intelligent breed of dog. He is a herding dog at heart, with a strong guard instinct.
The self-confident Briard reports reliably when something strange is approaching its territory. If strangers are brought onto the property by their master or mistress, they are usually punished with indifference.
The Briard has a strong personality with a good-natured character and can easily be kept as a family pet.
25. Saarloos Wolfhound
The Saarloos Wolfhound is a cross between a German shepherd and a true wolf. The FCI classifies him as a cattle and herding dog.
He will take care of you, definitely! It goes without saying for the Saarloos Wolfhound to let you know if anything or anyone is approaching its territory – after all, it’s not stupid and just sits there in silence!