An article on best breed of guard dogs, guard dogs that are good with families and first time owners.
For as long as dog and human cohabit together, humans have depended on dog for protection.
What is a guard dog? A guard dog is used to protect properties such as home, live stock from thieves, unwanted persons or animals. A guard dog is cognitive cogent enough to differentiate owner, family and friends from outsiders or intruders. However we must note that a guard dog is different from an attack dog.
The use of dogs as watchdog is popular since ancient times. In Rome people are used to put cave canem mosaic at entrance of houses to warn visitors and intruders of dangerous dogs.
Here are the list of best breed of guard dog that is good for family and first time owners:
1. Rhodesian ridgeback
2. Komondor
3. Bullmastiff
4. American bull terrier
5. Rottweiler
6. Great Pyrenees
7. Boxer
8. Great Dane
9. Puli
10. German shepherd dog
These are the best breed of guard dog, good for families and first time owners. Chacteristics that make these dogs the best will be discussed bellow.
Rhodesian ridgeback:
This dog is not for timid dog owners, it needs training. It is smart but sometimes stubborn dog with high intensity, it needs a lot of exercise. It’s affectionate with family but not friendly with strangers.
Komondor:
The komondor also known as Hungarian sheep dog is a large dog with long cutted coat, weighing up-to 100 pounds. It has original instinct to guard live stock and other properties.
It’s intelligent, easy to train with Low intensity level. It is good for first time owners of guardian dog cause it’s easy to train. Komondor is affectionate towards the family and even children, but it doesn’t welcome stranger friendly. It is also noteworthy to know that you must be a confident leader to for you earn the respect of komondor.
Bullmastiff:
This dog is loyal and brave; it weighs between 100-130 pounds. It’s a natural guard dog; it has a big and terrifying appearance that is intimidating to intruders. It is not a high energy dog, a few walk on daily basis is good enough for it. It’s training and socialization should be started early when the puppy is still young.
American bull terrier:
It is easy to train, very intelligent. This breed is not for everyone you must invest time in it’s socialization. The American bull terrier is lovely makes perfect friend to children. It’s also a lousy dog because of its eagerness to greet the person at the door.
Rottweiler:
Although this dog has some bad reputation, however they are loving, Affectionate and confident guard dog. It weighs up-to 95-190 pounds.
Inside the home expect playfulness and downright silliness. This dog needs a confident and strong leader or else it will take the role for you. A well breed Rottweiler should not be aggressive without a reason.
Great Pyrenees:
it is a large, powerful protector, they can guard livestock and other properties from wolves and other predators. However the Great Pyrenees can jump at action if it perceives a threat. It is affectionate towards family and good with kids; this dog is not for timid owner. It is intelligence, size and energy can cause trouble for timid owner. It is not a easy dog to train it weighs up-to 160 pounds.
Boxer:
Boxer is a lively, playful and active; it may not be that big weighing between 65-80 pounds. The average size of boxer is not a weakness, boxer is among one of the best guard dog for years. It’s patient, protective in nature, they are great with children, they take the job of watchdog and family guardian serious. Boxer is both intelligent and malleable; it’s a easier breed to train.
Great Dane:
The Great dane is a large dog, when standing on its high leg it’s taller than most people. It is friendly and adores children. They are one of the most well mannered dogs around. its size and ferociousness can wade off an intruder.
It is noteworthy to know that it a affectionate dog regardless of his size.
Puli
It is not a big dog, only weighs between 22 to 33 pounds despite it’s small size puli is a roughed dog. They are confident and intelligent. It is friendly with family but not with strangers. Puli is highly sensitive to the need of the elderly. This breed is extremely smart and independent.
Germany shepherd dog:
it’s not for nervous dog owner. It is agile, muscular and of noble character. This dog are highly adore and have found there ways into various home in the world due to their character such as: intelligence, courage, confidence, willingness to put their life on the line for their loved ones and ability to learn command for any task. Germany shepherd dog are gentle family pet and steadfast guardian, they need intensive exercise and training.
Essential Information on Bullmastiff
Breed-Bullmastiff
Origin- England
Breed Group-Working dog breeds (AKC), Guard dog breeds (UKC)
Size Type-Large & big dog breeds
Life span- 8-10 years
Temperament of a bullmastiff is one that is Alert, Brave, Devoted, Docile, Firm, Calm, Reserved, Protective, Sinewy, and of course Lovable
Height of a male bullmastiff is about 26 inches (66 cm) and female is about 25 inches (64 cm)
Colors- Tabby, Grayish Brown, and Red
Information on Rottweiler
Breed-Rottweiler
Origin-Germany
Height- Male is is about 26 inches (64 cm) and Female is 23 inches (60 cm)
Breed Group- Working dog breeds (AKC)
Alternate name- Rottie and Rott – black bear Rottweilers
Breed-Rottweiler
Size- Medium Large dog breeds
Life-9 -10 years
Colors-Tan, Mahogany, and Black
Personality- Alert, Kind, Committed, Self-assured, Steady, Brave, Calm, Obedient, Valiant
Weight-Male is around 40 kg and Female is about 44 kg
Great Dane Details
Name- Great Dane
Origin- Denmark and Germany
Alternate names- Deutsche Dogge, Grand Danois
Breed Group- Working dog breeds (AKC)
Size- Large dog breeds
Life span- 6 -12 years
Personality- Friendly, Gentle, Reserved, Devoted, Loving, Confident
Height- Female is about 30 inches (76 cm) and Male is 32 inches (82 cm)
Weight-Female is 54 kg and Male is 70 kg
Colors- Fawn, Brindle, Black, Blue, Mantle, Harlequin
German shepherd Information
Breed- German Shepherd
Origin-Germany
Named as-Schäferhund, Alsatian, Deutscher Schäferhund, Berger Allemand, GSD
Size- Large dog breeds
Breed Group-Herding dog breeds (AKC)
Colors- Normally tan with black saddle
Character- Intelligent, Gentle, Placid, Outgoing, Agile
Weight-Male is 32 kg and Female is 32 kg
Height-Male is 25 inches (63 cm) and Female is 23 inches (58 cm)
Survival life span is about 9 years
Boxer Information
Breed-Boxer
Origin-Germany
Similar Names-German Boxer, Deutscher Boxer
Size of the body- Medium dog breeds
Breed Group- Working dog breeds (AKC), Guard Dogs
Survival life span is about 10 years
Personality- Intelligent, Playful, Obedient, Friendly, Loyal, Calm, Energetic, Confident, Fearless, Bright
Height-Female is 20 inches (58 cm) and Male is 24inches (60 cm)
Weight-Female is 25 kg and Male is 32 kg
Colors- Brindle, Fawn, White
Guardian dog below are other types of breed that are also good for families and first time owner
Giant Schnauzer
Giant schnauzers is a really strong, and powerful, and dominant dogs that require very strict training. This breed requires a lot of mental and physical stimulation and requires constant attention. Giant schnauzers are powerful, compact, and intimidating. Their extreme family loyalty makes them excellent guard dogs.
Kuvasz
This breed is very territorial and has a strong instinct to guard its family and home. The Kuvasz tends to be aloof with strangers but craves affection from its family.
Other Breeds known to be Natural Family Protectors:
Chow Chow
Dogue de Bordeaux
Belgian Malinois
Belgian Tervuren
Tibetan Mastiff
Belgian Sheepdog
Neapolitan Mastiff
Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)
Akita Inu
This an experience of a Nigerian with a guardian dog known as Caucasoid roscoe
It is a very good guard dog this experience will be of great importance to newbie owners of guardian dog.
He is very confident and unusually brave, he started barking at strangers at 4 weeks old, but his confidence level was weak. In fact, where I got him he was being bullied by the other dogs but I still took a chance on him.
I’m not a professional trainer but I used to get help from dog trainers of to reshape him into a very brave dog. By the time he was 2 months old, he was already a watchdog (he always barked and backed away when a stranger walked in lol), But by the time he clocked three months, he was brave enough to charge.
I still haven’t seen anything he is scared of till date (except one dryer I purposefully made him scared of), Be it bullets, weapons, fireworks or intruders, there was this time that three men entered my compound (I came with them but he didn’t see me early enough)and he came to the gate and kept on barking at us raising alarm… His legs were trembling and he peed a little but he acted confident.
When he was four months old two G.S.D (one 3 years old, one eight months old) came to my gate and he out-barked them and they left.
He was younger I could call him off but now he is getting stronger willed and he disobeys me. When he is really excited I’m starting to worry I won’t be able to control him again. Last week some children were screaming and coming back from school and I was with him outside my gate, he thought they were coming to my compound so he tried to attack them but luckily I was there to hold him back.
Right now he is 5 months old and he’s still very loving towards my family but he’s very protective of us. My only hope of controlling him now is with that dryer I spoke about earlier. I actually saw this coming and made him sacred of it, Even when I take him out, he doesn’t let anyone close to the car or if I move him to a different place, he continues his guarding immediately even if he has never been there before.
I don’t even think I can have another dog since he’s already a hand full; he also has high energy especially when the weather is cool and he’s wet he will just be running around the compound attacking and destroying anything that moves. Although he’s still basically a puppy he behaves like an adult dog sometimes I have to check his teeth to remind myself.
By 6 weeks he had already started humping my leg “ha-ha.” What I’ve observed in him is that he’s very diligent in guarding the compound no matter what; there was a moment of time when my sister wanted to travel. She wanted to travel Very early in the morning so everywhere was still dark. He took injections in his legs that hurt pretty badly so he couldn’t even walk for days to my surprise, he ran towards her barking. When he noticed she was the one; he fell back down and started crying because of the leg pains. From that day, I acknowledged his loyalty and diligence, he may not be extremely smart but he covers up with his diligence and loyalty.
I also noticed that the common things you hear about COs are not entirely true, he isn’t lazy instead he is pretty active during cool weather, he isn’t extremely smart but he knows his job is to protect and he will rather die trying which is all I need.
note : I never beat him, I rarely chained him to a particular place but he turned out aggressive and territorial.
he has never fallen sick and he has this way of scaring people before they enter my compound, his bark and growl is like that of an adult dog. We did not allow him outside until he was nearly grown so people thought he was an fully grown adult because of his bark.
Despite his hatred for strangers, he is very affectionate towards my family and people I am cool with, once he sees me smiling and talking to you he calms down and just watches you while growling.