This breed is Hack's first choice when it comes to family guard dogs. Akitas are one of the most loyal dog breeds, bred to protect royalty and nobility in feudal Japan. This courageous and alert race naturally distrusts strangers, and will watch over you and your family at all times. This breed takes its task seriously and will usually perform its guard duty with little or no training.
Obedience training is recommended, or you may consider training a guard dog to improve their skills. As with all dogs, it will require adequate socialization to help prevent unnecessary distancing or aggression. Intense and athletic, the Belgian Malinois is a favorite breed of K-9 police and military units for its agility, search and rescue capabilities and training capacity. This dog has a high level of energy and thrives when it has a job to do.
You must receive specialized training and adequate socialization to feel comfortable in new or unfamiliar situations. This dog must get a lot of exercise every day. Rangers initially developed the loyal and courageous bullmastiff to protect their game from poachers. The bullish appearance of this large breed can be intimidating to intruders.
In reality, this dog is naturally affectionate with his family, making him an excellent companion. The bullmastiff is a natural protector that needs structured training to reinforce its natural protective instincts. The cane corso (pronounced Kah-nay kor-so) is an Italian dog breed historically used as a guard dog, war dog and hunter. Its large size, heavy structure and deep-toned cortex help to ward off intruders.
The breed has an instinct for protection. Your training should focus on obedience and honing your natural abilities. Socialization will be essential to help expose this breed to different situations. Similar in appearance and temperament to the Belgian Malinois, the German Shepherd is another intense and active breed that is also used as a police or military working dog.
This breed shows a deep sense of loyalty to their family members. Like other protective dogs, training is essential to keep these dogs focused on being guard dogs. You'll need to socialize your German shepherd to avoid fear and nervousness. This dog also needs about two hours of daily exercise.
Known for its dreadlocks, the Komondor's laced white coat makes this breed look a lot like a mop. However, don't let their appearance fool you. The Komondor is a large, strong and courageous working dog that originated in Hungary to protect livestock and property. Affectionate with his family, he is reserved with strangers.
You can shape their natural desire for protection with a structured training program. Although smaller than some of the other large dogs on our list, Appenzeller Sennenhunds are still an excellent guard dog due to their agility and energy. They were originally bred to work like farm dogs, so their intelligence and obedience can do double duty if you have a little bit of land. These dogs are known for their unique patterns and spots on their fur, making them as cute as they are adorable.
If you're not sure if you can withstand that characteristic puppy energy, Catahoula Leopard dogs start acting like adults at 10 months of age. Rotties are wonderfully affectionate and attentive to their families, while being wary of strangers and people they don't know. These dogs have earned a bad reputation over the years for their aggressiveness, but this can be beneficial if you are looking for a protective dog. Just one look at your family's pet, attackers will think twice before messing with you.
Rottweilers need to be trained and managed by dog owners who know how to work with this breed, but if done well, they can be an excellent addition to a family. Bullmastiffs are known for their intense instinct for protection, physical strength and unfailing family loyalty. These dogs will love your family, other pets and young children. They enjoy playtime and are incredibly docile when enjoying time with their “herd”.
If their family is threatened by an attacker, intruder or stranger and makes them look unsafe, Bullmastiffs will defend their pack at all costs. They are not known for biting or displaying extremely aggressive behavior, but they can easily knock down an intruder or block their movements due to their ferocity and size. Giant Schnauzers have earned their name due to their size similar to that of a miniature pony. They are extremely intelligent, powerful and fiercely loyal dogs.
Schnauzers need a lot of physical exercise and mental stimulation, so they are better suited for a home with large backyards or families that love going to the dog park. These adorable dogs are friendly enough that young children can ride them on their backs, but intruders fierce enough will be noticed at first sight. They'll protect you at all costs, making them the perfect family guard dog. Not only is the Australian Shepherd an extremely beautiful breed, but it's also a great guard dog.
The breed is described as a thin, sturdy ranch dog by the AKC and is medium in size. Boxers are affectionate, loyal and intelligent. They can reach up to 25 inches tall and are often extremely protective in nature - a perfect dog choice for a family looking for both a protector and friend! Rottweilers have an impressive lineage and are descended from the mastiffs of the legions of Rome. These dogs often have a bad reputation; however, the AKC states that a well-behaved and properly raised Rottweiler will be calm and self-confident, courageous but not overly aggressive.
Like Rottweilers and Boxers, bullmastiffs have a fearsome reputation as guard dogs; however the resulting breed is - according to the AKC - a dog whose physical appearance and personality combine to present the intelligence, alertness and confidence that make the Bullmastiff a protector and family companion.
