7 best guard breeds for home and apartment

The best

German Shepherd

This is the best dog breed for guarding private areas.
German Shepherds are popular due to their high intelligence, obedience, good sense of smell, and quick learning. But in order to achieve the best performance from a shepherd, long and hard training is needed. German Shepherds, when well trained, are able to determine the level of threat and quickly stop the danger. Height 55-65 cm. Weight 22-40 kg. Advantages:

• Good trackers;
• Friendly;
• Loyal to the owner.

Flaws:

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• Long-term training;
• Increased attention from family members.

Bullmastiffs

Well suited for protecting territory. These dogs are muscular and tightly built. Height 60-70 cm. Weight from 41 to 69 cm. Developed instincts. The dogs are mobile and active. When a bullmastiff sees a foreign animal or person on its territory, it will attack.

Advantages:

• High intelligence;
• Fast learning;
• The sense of smell is highly developed.

Flaws:

• Active games, physical activity, long walks will be required;
• It is unacceptable to leave an animal with children.

Moscow watchdog

This breed is considered one of the best. The animals are controlled, selfless, and moderately aggressive. If the owners of the Moscow watchdog are in danger from intruders, then the dog will protect all family members to the end. Height 66-68 cm. Weight 45-55 kg. The Moscow Watchdog loves affection and playing with children.

Pros:

• No intense training required;
• Adapt to being kept in different conditions.

Minuses:

• You will have to brush the coat regularly;
• The hip joints are often affected;
• Prone to obesity;
• Predisposed to depressed mood;
• Medium degree of aggressiveness.

German Shepherd

The German Shepherd embodies the best qualities of a service dog. She is highly trainable and can work in almost any direction. He has an extraordinary mind and a good sociable character. Of course, this does not mean that she does not need training and education. Only competent, regular work will allow you to get a well-mannered and obedient dog, just like in the movies.

The once very popular German Shepherd is today greatly losing its position. There are several reasons for this. As a result of illiterate breeding, there are many dogs on the market with mental problems and a number of hereditary diseases. Not many people like the changes in appearance that they have undergone in the last few decades and of course there is a lot of competition, the opportunity to choose a more interesting and fashionable breed.

Photo: German Shepherd

Small

Airedale Terriers

This is an English breed of dog. Fearless, intelligent, courageous, non-aggressive, highly emotional. Height 56-61. Weight 18-29 kg. Airedale Terriers are able to correctly assess the level of threat. They always closely watch strangers. Mostly dogs are kind, playful, persistent, and savvy.

Advantages:

• Fast learning;
• No long walks required;
• Balanced character.

Flaws:

• Care: Your pet's curly coat will take a long time to comb.

Miniature Schnauzer

Animals are good watchdogs and wonderful companions. Miniature Schnauzers are brave, loyal to their owner, playful, and balanced. If a dog is trained correctly, he will never take food from someone else's hands. Animals are incorruptible. While guarding, miniature schnauzers closely watch passers-by on the street, but if someone starts to enter the territory, they rush at the intruder. Height 45-50 cm. Weight 14-20 kg.

Pros:

• Brave;
• Tolerates any weather conditions;
• High intelligence.

Minuses:

• Labor-intensive care for wavy coat.

Miniature Schnauzer

This breed differs from other schnauzers in its small size. Miniature Schnauzers are easy to train, brave, hardy, fast, attentive, and loyal to their owner. They will protect all family members at all costs. They do not trust strangers and watch them suspiciously. Height 30-35 cm. Weight 4-8 kg.

Advantages:

• Moderate aggressiveness;
• Medium coat care.

Flaws:

• They violently attack strangers, so when inviting guests to your home, it is worth taking this factor into account.

Jagdterrier

Dogs are not afraid of trouble. They have a balanced character and absolute calm. Jagdterriers prefer both guarding and hunting. They grow from 33 to 40 cm and weigh from 7 to 12 kg.

Pros:

• Tolerates any weather conditions;
• Can be used to drive game while hunting.

Minuses:

• Over-education will be required;
• Outbursts of aggression towards other pets occur.

The best dog for a private home

The best dog for a private home City dwellers often get a dog as a companion based on the size of the animal and its noise production. At the same time, four-legged friends do not have any responsibilities. But speaking about choosing a dog to live in a private home, it should be noted that it is not enough to have a sweet disposition, a pretty face and a suitable price. Such dogs are assigned the duties of guarding the territory. Therefore, when choosing a pet to live in the yard of a private house, you need to pay attention to the general characteristics, as well as the goals of breeding the breed. The integrity of the property and the number of small livestock and poultry will depend on this. For example, hunting dogs are of little use as guards for the house and yard, but at the same time their instincts make them look unkindly at your bird walking peacefully nearby.

How to choose a dog to guard a private home

When choosing a puppy, pay attention to the presence of undercoat in the breed. After all, the animal will have to spend a long time outdoors in winter conditions. A frozen dog is a bad guard. Breeds bred to save people a priori cannot cause harm to humans, since they lack aggression. Therefore, it is better not to take such dogs into private homes.

Guard dogs are noticeable from afar: they walk around their property at certain intervals without reminders, are extremely wary of strangers and may not let strangers in (or let them in, but then won’t let them out without the owner’s permission). Such dogs communicate well with their own kind on neutral territory, but they will not allow guests onto their own.

Dog breeds suitable for a private home

According to most experts, dogs that live in the yard of a private house must have a number of specific characteristics. For example, the best guard dogs are distinguished by their unpretentiousness to living conditions, distrust of strangers, lack of fear, endurance, and high trainability. When choosing a dog, preference should be given to large, muscular breeds endowed with intelligence and devotion to the owner. So which dog is best for protecting private territory?

Caucasian Shepherd Dog

The breed has an optimal balance of all indicators necessary for a dog to live in a private home. Caucasian Shepherds have a stern appearance, are incredibly strong, can make independent decisions, are brave, assertive, and have pronounced intellectual abilities. Representatives of the breed are extremely loyal to their owner (and it doesn’t matter who the owner is: the owner or the mistress), so it’s better to take a puppy rather than an adult dog.

The kids take training very well and quickly learn skills. They can withstand sub-zero temperatures very well due to their thick undercoat. Has a negative attitude towards strangers; if the warning roar is ignored, it can attack the uninvited guest. The Caucasian Shepherd cannot live on a chain or in a small space; it needs a spacious enclosure in which it can run around.

Central Asian Shepherd Dog (Alabai)

The breed is large in size, which scares off ill-wishers. Alabais are quite balanced, calm, treat all family members equally, without singling out anyone. Attachment is formed not to the owner, but to the territory that they protect.

Living conditions: in cold weather they can live in a covered enclosure on litter. They are very independent, confident in their actions, always in control of the situation, and do not like other dogs. Before an attack, they warn of their intention with a loud roar.

ATTENTION! It is better to purchase an alabai at a young age and immediately establish your own rules for it. Otherwise, an overly headstrong dog will grow up uncontrollable.

Moscow watchdog

A domestic guard breed that, despite its youth, has shown itself to be excellent.

They are distinguished by their formidable appearance, high ability to learn, obedience, and strong bones. The character is friendly, sociable, balanced. There is no fear in critical situations.

The Moscow Watchdog is very attached to one family member, whom she can choose even as a puppy, and is extremely polite with the rest. They can be in difficult climatic conditions without losing their professional qualities. They specialize in protecting large areas. The content of the breed is without any peculiarities.

German Shepherd

A widespread dog breed that is quite easy to buy. She is distinguished by good reaction, endurance, balance, and the ability to work in a team, both with people and with dogs of various breeds. Excellently trainable. They often serve in structures such as the police, security companies, rescue services, where their rating is quite high.

Representatives of the breed are very smart, energetic, and have no fear in situations where the owner and members of his family are in danger. German Shepherds are child-friendly and get along in a limited area with other animals and birds. Representatives of the breed need regular physical training, without which the dog begins to waste away. They are extremely wary of strangers and constantly watch them. They rarely attack without a command.

Tibetan mastiff

This breed was bred specifically to protect territory and people in unfavorable climatic conditions. Tibetan Mastiffs can scare away an uninvited guest with just their appearance. Moreover, the dog itself has a balanced disposition; it never attacks or barks without reason. But he does not favor strangers on his territory. It is believed that she is the best dog for guarding a private home.

Representatives of the breed are very tall, strong, muscular, the male is slightly higher at the withers than the female. But both of them have a huge head and paws. Together with a well-developed coat, they are very similar to a lion. The dog is incredibly clean. Therefore, despite the thick and long hair/undercoat, it does not emit the characteristic “dog” smell.

Other animals and birds are treated with extreme indifference, provided they live in the territory entrusted to the guard. The dog keeps the situation under constant control and warns by barking before an attack.

Rottweiler

This German breed is considered universal. Rottweilers are positioned as extremely hardy, unpretentious to living conditions, hardworking, aggressive watchmen. The appearance of the representatives of the breed is very impressive, their disposition is balanced and noble.

The dog has proven itself well as a territory guard and a natural bodyguard. They are often purchased for a cottage. The animal is distinguished by its powerful grip and the ill-wisher’s lack of chance to independently escape from the dog’s tenacious teeth. Rottweilers use attack as a last resort. First, they allow the source of danger to escape.

ATTENTION! This breed of dog can be purchased to guard street objects, since even in the Russian winter they do not freeze thanks to their high-quality undercoat.

There is a widespread myth about the inadequacy of representatives of this breed, which is not confirmed in practice. In order for a dog to be loyal, you need to train and educate it from an early age.

Black Russian Terrier

Representatives of this breed are large in size. They are positioned as dogs with increased endurance, great physical strength, strong immunity (the dog practically does not get sick), unpretentiousness to temperature conditions, and attachment to the owner.

Black Russian Terriers are friendly towards people living in the territory. The breed is suitable for living in families with children. They are very trainable. Genetically excellent watchmen, brave, observant, wary of strangers. Moreover, bad weather is not an obstacle to reducing the quality of duties performed.

Cane Corso

The breed is rare and expensive. Bred by Italian specialists to protect the territory of a private home and family residence. The dog is not large in size or weight. But she is incredibly intelligent, an excellent learner, literally understanding everything perfectly. Representatives of the breed tolerate low temperatures normally, as they have thick fur and undercoat. The dog has developed intuition, which it actively uses when determining the level and type of danger.

Canne Corsos are very patient with children and pets. They do not show aggression even towards a stranger without a reason. Able to make decisions independently. They are leaders by nature, so the owner must raise the dog from an early age, showing that he is the leader here.

ATTENTION! A Canne Corso dog should be kept in an enclosure with a warm kennel. Despite the presence of undercoat, these dogs prefer to sleep on bedding in cold weather. To maintain your pet's health at the proper level, you should take him for regular long walks.

Boerboel

The breed, bred on the African continent, is distinguished by excellent protective qualities. The spring view is very impressive:

• large body size;
• developed muscles;
• strong bones.

The dog is hardy, fast, has high reaction and agility. They competently assess the current situation and act at their own discretion. Representatives of the breed love children and allow them to play with them. They are neutral towards pets and poultry and are not prone to displaying causeless aggression. At the same time, dogs are very independent, stubborn, and natural leaders. They recognize as their owner a person who is capable of subjugating a Boerboel to themselves; this will require the endurance of the dog owner. They can be trained quite well, but it must be regular, just like physical activity.

Leonberger (leonberg)

The Leonberger is a very large and very shaggy dog, bred in southern Germany. The best breed if the goal is to instill fear in appearance.

Known to be a good-natured breed that loves small children. But this definition does not apply to puppies, since in games, not realizing its size, a young dog can harm the baby.

Leonbergers are considered not only excellent guards, but also family companions. Representatives of the breed cannot live on a chain or in cramped conditions. Therefore, they are recommended to be kept in an enclosure or free range, if there is a fenced area of ​​the site on which a private house stands. Dogs are phlegmatic, thoughtful, and do not make a fuss over small things.

How to raise a dog for a private home

In order to have not just a shaggy friend next to you, but a dog you can rely on at a crucial moment, you should not neglect the basic rules of raising a puppy:

1. Don't let strangers play with your young dog. This is necessary for the proper formation of responsibility and suspicion in the animal.
2. Do not allow strangers to give your dog treats.
3. To build confidence in your puppy, let him win in games. This rule applies until the dog reaches six months of age. But it is worth considering that in some breeds the leadership qualities are exaggerated and, on the contrary, they should be restrained.
4. Don't keep your puppy locked up. He should see and experience different situations and places at as early an age as possible. This is necessary for adequate socialization of the animal.
5. If you have children or you plan to keep a dog outside the enclosure, you definitely need to select and complete a training course with a specialist.

A properly trained guard dog is the best dog for a private home, which is the best option for protecting the cottage and surrounding area from unexpected visitors. At the same time, the four-legged guard will wait for you to return from work, and when you meet him, he will express genuine joy. Ill-wishers, having heard a menacing growl or seen such a watchman, are unlikely to decide to enter the yard without the invitation of the owners.

Suitable for children

Boston Terrier

A small dog with a height of 38-43 cm and a weight of 7-11 kg has a powerful muscular body, a calm disposition, and a balanced character. The Boston Terrier loves to play often and becomes very attached to its owner, so the Boston Terrier will be loyal to its owner.

Advantages:

• High intelligence;
• Fast learning;
• Friendly to children.

Flaws:

• Frequent gastrointestinal disease and blindness.

Dobermans

Watchmen are overly controlling of their domain. When attacking family members, Dobermans will be aggressive and ferocious. They constantly control the territory. During sleep, they can hear the quietest sounds and regularly walk around the perimeter of the property. Height 63-72 cm. Weight 34-45 kg.

Pros:

• Child friendly;
• Good trackers;
• Able to assess the danger of a situation;
• Hardy;
• Strong;
• Smart.

Minuses:

• The dog will take a long time to train.

Swiss Mountain Dogs

Height 60-72 cm. Weight 50-70 kg. The guards are suitable for families with children. Swiss Mountain Dogs have a strong sense of ownership, so they will defend their territory and all family members to the death.

Advantages:

• Devotees;
• Protect children;

Flaws:

• They love to play often.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks

Height 61-69 cm. Weight 29-41 kg. These are hound dogs, they love active games, they are friendly, but in a dangerous situation they show a high degree of aggressiveness. Ridgebacks are hardy, brave, and have a balanced character.

Pros:

• Smooth coat requires no maintenance;
• They love children.

Minuses:

• Ridgebacks are not suitable for keeping in harsh winter conditions.

Giant guard dog breeds

The Brazilian Fila (57–75 cm at the withers) is a short-haired dog with a very serious character. Phil needs to be respected and honored, not forgetting who is boss. Not everyone can raise a giant; it requires experience, skills and patience. The dog is an excellent, thinking and balanced guard. The breed's characteristic feature is a quiet attack, without barking, growling or pronounced aggressive facial expressions.

The Bullmastiff (50–66 cm at the withers) is a specially bred guard breed. The dogs are distinguished by their agility and speed; they try not to injure, but to “crush” the attacker with messages and hold them until the owner arrives. They attack tactfully and almost silently, and work excellently at night. They are not suitable for outdoor use due to their short fur.

The Dogue de Bordeaux (54–65 cm at the withers) is a short-haired giant with a flexible character. If a dog is purchased for protection, special training is recommended! Against the backdrop of innate protective qualities, a four-legged animal that does not need to be guarded feels great “on the couch.”

The Dogo Argentino (60–68 cm at the withers) is a very serious, smooth-haired dog that can maim an attacker in a matter of seconds. In some countries, the breed is prohibited for purchase and breeding, since raising such a serious pet must be approached very responsibly.

The Black Russian Terrier (64–72 cm at the withers) is a huge, shaggy, black giant with a balanced temperament. Excellent for protecting the yard, but needs constant contact with the owner. RCT in rage is an element that cannot be stopped physically without harming the dog! Training and socialization require experience, moral and physical endurance from the owner.

The Giant Schnauzer (58–71 cm at the withers) is large and black like the RCT, but not as fluffy. It can live outside in the warm season, but in winter it needs an insulated enclosure or free access to the home. Risen are friendly towards family members and reserved towards strangers. If necessary, they zealously protect both the owner and his property.

Living on the street

Rottweilers

Previously, this breed of dog was suitable for guarding and driving livestock. But Rottweilers are often used to guard objects. They are powerful, with a strong jaw, well-developed muscles, and self-confident. With good training they will become excellent watchdogs. Height 56-70 cm. Weight 45-50 kg.

Advantages:

• The coat is short, so no grooming is required;
• They train well.

Flaws:

• They accept only one owner, they treat others aggressively;
• They are often unrestrained.

Caucasian Shepherd Dog

This dog breed is common in the former USSR. Caucasian Shepherd Dogs easily adapt to different environmental conditions. The sizes are large. Height 80 cm. Weight 80 kg. To protect objects, these dogs use brutal attack tactics. There is no need to lose your composure. Caucasian Shepherds are vindictive. At every opportunity, they will remember the past offense. The owners of these shepherd dogs need to be careful.

Advantages:

• They guard the territories well and quickly prevent the entry of strangers into private property;
• If you raise a dog from early childhood, he will become obedient and obey all commands, but you should not delay training; after 2 years, Caucasian Shepherds are uncontrollable.

Flaws:

• A special approach to training;
• Long-term intensive training.

Description of the breed

There are a number of breeds, the breeding of which is aimed exclusively at performing security and guard service and for playing the role of bodyguards. As a rule, all representatives of this category are represented by service breeds and belong to the working subgroup “Breeds of dogs for protection”. A guard dog is a profession for representatives of several breeds with special working qualities that meet this category.

As a rule, these are dogs that are easy to control and easy to train. In addition, a valuable quality for a guard dog is the ability to independently assess the current situation and make a decision to attack.

Dogs for guard purposes begin to be trained from puppyhood. Close attention must be paid to the puppy's parents, especially their working qualities. The educational process is extremely connected with the conditions in which the future guard will be kept. Limiting all contact with outsiders is one aspect of successful parenting. Various breeds of shepherd dogs are considered the best guards, with the German Shepherd being the generally recognized leader.

The most important question remains to be considered: where will the service of the guard dog take place? This is where the principle of choosing a puppy for these purposes lies.

To protect open areas, it is preferable to use large and powerful dogs with a sufficient degree of aggression. These include Central Asian and Caucasian Shepherd Dogs. They tend to live outdoors. They are not psychologically dependent on the owner, they make their own decisions and work reliably in pairs.

A breed endowed with a menacing bark and a specific appearance is perfect for working as a watchman. Rottweilers, Briards and South Russian Shepherds are used to guard objects. Recently, preference has increasingly been given to the Tibetan mastiff, a professional guard from the times of ancient Chinese monks, for its menacing appearance and gigantic size.

The selection of dog breeds for human protection is quite scrupulous. In this matter, a number of factors and preferences from the protected object itself must be taken into account. Working-bred Dobermans, German Shepherds, Giant Schnauzers, Malinois and French Bouviers are excellent human guards.

To guard premises, large and medium-sized short-haired dogs of classic Western breeds, such as the American Bulldog or Staffordshire Terrier, are used.