Looking to secure your home? These are the best guard dogs to protect you!
Since the beginning of time, people adopted dogs to protect their homes and families. And it’s a common practice present in today’s world too. Some dog breeds are natural-born protective, combining intelligence, loyalty, and protective instincts to keep their families safe.
But there is a certain stereotype about how to find the best guard dogs because only the sizeable ones are the most imposing. Therefore they will be scary. Hmm…or if they bark loud enough, the burglars run away?
Additionally, even though you want a dog that will protect you and your family, you may not want a dog that’s aggressive all the time. Your dog should mingle with others and be kind and affectionate toward you and the children if you also want them as a companion. While the decision isn’t going to be an easy one, this article aims to help you determine which one is going to be your future pooch. Let’s start!
Belgian Malinois
Gentle by nature, the Belgian Malinois is one of the guard dogs that will protect you and your family no matter the cost. Despite their imposing figure, these sweethearts are going to make your heart melt with their goofiness. Often confused with the German Shepherd because of its look, this breed is in great demand worldwide due to their eagerness to please their people.
Although they enjoy time indoors, if you’re living in an apartment, it’s mandatory to go at least twice a day with the Malinois for a walk. When they are puppies, make sure they get at least one to two hours of physical activity every day, such as walks, runs, or safe playtime.
Furthermore, it’s important to stick to a routine that will prevent the pooch from getting bored; otherwise, they will start chewing on your shoes, couch, or any other item from the house. Make sure your adorable Belgian Malinois puppy gets all the vaccinations it needs! It’s especially important if your puppy will be spending time with other dogs. Keeping them healthy and safe is the best way to ensure they grow up happy!
Since it’s considered one of the best guard dogs that will protect your household, it’s important to feed it accordingly. This breed requires food rich in protein and nutrients, low fat, and fed three times a day.
Puli
Have you ever heard of a dreadlocked dog? They’re so cute and fluffy that you will want to smooch them all day long. However, despite their looks, Pulis is among the best guard dogs to protect your household.
Pulis are watchful and suspicious, and they will bark if they notice anything unusual. They were bred in Hungary to herd big herds of sheep.
Bet you’re scared of adopting a Puli because of its fur, but believe it or not, it doesn’t require a significant amount of grooming; just the basic bath, trimming the nails, and of course brushing the fur. If you don’t know how to do it on your own, don’t shy away from asking a professional.
Same as other guard dogs from the list, Pulis require a certain amount of physical activity, so again, if you’re not living in a house with a backyard in which the pooch can roam free, it’s recommended to go out with it at least twice a day for an hour.
Puli thrives when fed twice a day in measured portions. To help preserve stable blood sugar and prevent hypoglycemia, puli puppies should be fed approximately three meals a day after physical activity. In most cases, your vet will recommend the daily amount of calories (according to height and age) your Puli needs to grow healthy and happy.
One of the best things about this breed is that it’s super easy to train, but it’s good if you do it from a young age. Oh, and I almost forgot! If you leave a Pulik puppy alone for more than a few hours, it may become bored and start barking, which can be annoying for the neighbors.
Beauceron
The Beauceron is a sophisticated yet strong breed that is incredibly loyal and intelligent. They excel at both family and property guardianship because they are born guardians.
Why is the Beauceron one of the best guard dogs to protect you and your family? When strangers enter their domain, they start barking loudly. No joke! Additionally, Beaucerons are intimidating in both appearance and behavior, and they will completely put themselves in danger to protect their owners.
But despite the menacing look, these dogs are such sweethearts, and they love having kids around them. Beaucerons served as military dogs during World War I, so it’s in their nature to protect humans, but similar to other breeds mentioned in the article, they love running; that’s why it’s mandatory to let them do that for at least 1 hour every day.
This breed is prone to various illnesses, so regular vet check-ups are crucial if you want your pooch to be healthy and happy. Because they can develop stomach issues, it’s recommended to feed your Beauceron only kibble or wet food depending on the vet’s opinion but never human food.
Even though this breed is “used” mainly for guarding and protection, it’s good to let your puppy socialize with both other dogs and humans to learn that not everyone is a stranger who wants to hurt their owner.
Akita Inu
Oh, Akita Inu is so adorable and friendly-looking, but despite their teddy bear-like appearance, they’re among the best guard dogs to protect your home. Strong and courageous, mostly because they were bred to be fighting dogs and were used to hunt bears and wild boar, Akita Inu can be very fun and cuddly and love people and kids but also other pets like other dogs or small animals like parrots and rabbits, hamsters, and so on.
You will be happy to know that Akita Inu is one of those breeds that need too much grooming because their fur sheds and grows back without being necessary to trim it. Maybe once in a while, once or twice a year, but it won’t be a headache! To keep their skin and coat healthy, they should be bathed with a special shampoo once a month regardless.
It’s critical to acknowledge their tendency toward aggression and provide them with the proper training from a young age, especially if you’re living in a household with small children.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
One dog you would want on your side is the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. This muscular but agile dog was bred to fight and is bold and persistent. Staffies are a joy to the family when they are socialized and trained early. They only act aggressively to defend their humans, but, same as Beaucerons, they are known to be patient and calm with children.
Regular grooming is all that is needed for the Stafford’s short, silky coat. Although shedding does increase seasonally, this breed typically sheds at a low to moderate rate. To maintain comfortable, healthy feet, keep the nails clipped. As for any other guard dog, it is mandatory to ensure that your Staffie gets at least 1/1.5 hours of physical exercise per day.
German Shepherd
I couldn’t finish the article without talking about one of the best guard dogs to protect your house: the one and only German Shepherd. Since the 1800s, this breed has served in the military and as police officers all over the world. They are renowned for their courage and ability to know who to love and who to pursue. In addition to being a kind and gentle family companion, German Shepherds enjoy being brushed.
There is one thing about German Shepherds that drives people away besides the size: they’re pretty energetic, especially at a young age, so if they get bored or they’re left alone for more hours, they might start chewing and munching on stuff around the house. Make sure you let them socialize with other dogs from an early age to avoid raising a dog that’s suspicious of every single stranger.
Do you have a guard dog? If so, which breed is it? Tell me in the comments.
…psst! Have you finally decided on a dog breed that can protect you and your family? That’s awesome! But before heading to the adoption, make sure you also buy all the supplies your dog might need. An automatic feeder is a fantastic solution for busy pet owners! It really takes the stress out of feeding your furry friends when you can’t be home all the time. Order yours by clicking on the bolded link.
Are you looking to adopt a dog but you’re not sure which breeds don’t shed that much? We’re here to help you out! Here’s an article about this topic: 10 Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed.
