Our faithful companions, besides being full-fledged family members, have this instinctive ability to defend their territory, making some of them, due to their build, their strength, their intelligence, and their barking, true property guardians, ensuring a role in security and family protection. Guard dogs, whether at home or from a professional standpoint, are capable of detecting and alerting, even pursuing and deterring potential invaders or burglars wishing to intrude upon their master, endangering the well-being of their loved ones and their property. The most common guard dog breeds are generally the strongest and most confident, with a highly developed instinct to protect family members, such as the German Shepherd, the Cane Corso, or the Doberman. Here is our list of the Top 7 most reliable guard dogs!
1. The German Shepherd
As good a companion dog as a guard dog, the German Shepherd, due to its origins as a herding dog, possesses qualities that make it an excellent versatile working dog, as well as a very good defense dog and guard dog. Robust, athletic, and dynamic, this dog, known for its great intelligence, has often demonstrated its many abilities in the service of humans. Protection, guarding, and security are part of its innate skills.
This slender dog with short and very dense fur typically has a black and tan coat. Larger than average, males, weighing from 66.1 to 88.1 lb [30-40 kg], measure 23.6 to 25.6 inches [60-65 cm] at the withers, while females can weigh from 48.5 to 70.5 lb [22-32 kg] and measure 21.6 to 23.6 inches [55-60 cm] at the withers. This canine's large powerful jaw and its big fangs represent very effective dissuasion weapons to protect your home against intruders.
2. The Doberman
Originally used primarily as a guard dog and police dog, thanks to its offensive capabilities, charismatic and firm appearance, this large and powerful dog, very loyal to its owner, is an exceptional guardian capable of ensuring the protection of your family. Naturally wary of people it doesn't know, the Doberman is nonetheless an excellent companion in everyday life. It is obedient, alert, intelligent, fearless, very affectionate, and always ready to defend its loved ones.
This beautiful dog is typically black and tan or chocolate, with short and smooth fur. It is relatively imposing due to its size, with males reaching 26 to 28.3 inches [66-72 cm] and weighing 88.2 to 99.2 lb [40-45 kg], while females measure 24 to 26.7 inches [61-68 cm] at the withers and weigh between 70.5 and 77.2 lb [32-35 kg]. The Doberman, a German dog known as the "policeman's dog," is an undeniable asset for dissuading strangers from venturing into your domain without your knowledge.
3. The American Staffordshire Terrier
The American Staffordshire Terrier, also known as Amstaff, Am Staff, or simply Staff, is a powerful guard dog and defender considering its size. Bred from crossings of dog breeds originally selected for combat, the American Staffordshire Terrier is a well-muscled molosse that remains agile and graceful. Very affectionate and loyal to its master, tenacious, friendly, and courageous, this muscular ball of energy requires early training to channel its energy in the right way.
Male individuals, averaging 18.1 to 18.9 inches [46-48 cm] in height, weigh between 55.1 and 70.5 lb [25-32 kg] on average. Females, on the other hand, can reach heights of 16.9 to 18.1 inches [43-46 cm] and weigh between 39.7 and 55.1 lb [18-25 kg]. With short, tough, and shiny fur, they are typically found in fawn and white, brown, black, or gray-blue colors. This solid and powerful animal, boasting an exceptional build, naturally dissuades ill-intentioned individuals.
4. The Rottweiler
Imported to the Rottweil region of Germany by the Romans, the Rottweiler is one of the oldest dog breeds. Historically dedicated to guarding herds and carrying out missions to defend its master, the Rottweiler is a strong dog with a muscular, harmonious, and well-proportioned body, evoking strength, while being both supple and enduring. Thanks to its morphology, this guard dog naturally exudes incredible force. Despite prejudices, this affectionate dog gets along very well with children, despite its imposing build.
With fur that can be black and tan, light brown, or mahogany, the Rottweiler's coat, tough to the touch, is smooth and short. This is a large dog, with males standing at 24 to 27.1 inches [61-69 cm] at the withers, and females at 22 to 24.8 inches [56-63 cm]. Males weigh between 110.2 and 132.3 lb [50-60 kg], while females range from 77.1 to 105.8 lb [35-48 kg]. Robust and loyal, this elegant and devoted dog will do everything to protect its owner in times of danger. Highly dissuasive, it is one of the most popular guard dogs in the world.
5. The Cane Corso
The Cane Corso, whose true Italian name is "cane corso italiano" ("Italian courtyard dog"), is a molosser reminiscent of ancient Roman dogs and the large dogs of the Middle Ages, designed to protect strongholds in a lighter version. This energetic and affectionate dog, with large dimensions, a sturdy but elegant build, and powerful, long muscles, is often used as a guard dog for its many defensive qualities. Stable, loyal, easy to train, fearless, and attentive, it has a great need to expend energy daily.
Males, very large, can reach 24.4 to 27.5 inches [62-70 cm], weighing 99.2 to 110.2 lb [45-50 kg], while slightly smaller females measure between 22.8 and 26 inches [58-66 cm] at the withers, weighing 88.2 to 99.2 lb [40-45 kg]. With a gray, black, or light brown coat, the Cane Corso has a short and shiny coat. A perfect protector for its owner and adoptive family, it excels in areas related to security and is often used as guard dogs, for defense, police, and tracking.
6. The Belgian Malinois Shepherd
The Belgian Malinois Shepherd, a sporty, cunning, and hardworking dog, is one of the four Belgian shepherd dog breeds traditionally used as a herding dog, particularly known for its bite work. It has gradually gained an excellent reputation among customs officers thanks to its unwavering nose. Naturally protective, intelligent, and loyal, it's also a very good guardian who will defend you with strength and without hesitation in case of danger, and won't hesitate to protect your home. Moreover, this excellent life companion, affectionate and close to the family, is obedient and relatively easy to train as long as you respect its high energy and exercise needs.
This athletic, medium to large-sized dog, somewhat resembling the German Shepherd but slimmer and smaller, generally measures 23.6 to 26 inches [60-66 cm] for males and 22 to 24.4 inches [56-62 cm] for females, with males weighing between 55.1 and 66.1 lb [25-30 kg] and females weighing 44 to 55.1 lb [20-25 kg]. It is recognized by its charcoal fawn coat, short hair, and its characteristic black mask. Known for its great loyalty, the Malinois is a very good guard dog, used in law enforcement agencies.
7. The Great Dane
The Great Dane, also known as the "German Mastiff," is one of the largest dog breeds. Combining pride, strength, power, and elegance with an extraordinary size, its imposing appearance is a real asset against burglars and ill-intentioned individuals. Its massive physique coupled with its molosser bark make it a high-quality guard dog. Once again, its imposing size is not incompatible with children's proximity, towards whom it can be very affectionate and gentle, just like with its master.
Majestic, the Great Dane is a short-haired, dense, smooth, and shiny-haired dog breed, with a coat of black, blue, brindle, fawn, or harlequin. Its impressive stature can reach 29.9 to 35.4 inches [76-90 cm] in males (28 to 33 inches [71-84 cm] in females), with a weight of 119 to 198.4 lb [54-90 kg] (99.2 to 130 lb [45-59 kg] in females). Given its large size, the Great Dane is a perfect guard dog who won't hesitate to intervene, even at the risk of its life, if it senses that its home is threatened.
Guard Dogs: Loyal and Protective Companions for Your Home's Security
There are many other guard dog breeds, or even shepherd dogs that are perfectly capable of fulfilling this role, such as the Beauceron, the White Swiss Shepherd, the Bouvier des Flandres, the Dogue de Bordeaux, the Boxer, the Pitbull, and so on. Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to train these dogs for guarding and bite work since it comes naturally to them, and they will instinctively want to defend their territory against intruders. On the other hand, smaller breeds like Poodles or Chihuahuas, known for their liveliness and alertness, can also protect your family by providing surveillance and warnings that will help you anticipate danger. Lastly, even though they are powerful, masculine, and have strong characters, so-called "guard dogs" are still loyal companions dedicated to their master and their adoptive family, which often makes them excellent pets!
