Top 10 Best Guard Dog Breeds for American Homes

A home’s protection is a high priority item for any homeowner. There are several types of guard dogs that can increase security levels tenfold. Some of these dogs are barkers. Sounding the alarm whenever something moves outside or rings the doorbell is their specialty. Then you have guardian dogs. These guard dog breeds not only sound the alarm when the home is approached, but they will take action and do something about it. Below is a list of the top 10 best guard dog breeds for your home.

#1 Giant Schnauzer

The Giant Schnauzer has a forceful bark and a firm bite. Due to their size, they make for an intimidating presence to any and all that receive get pack approval. These guard dogs are for the experienced dog owner only. Giant Schnauzers tend to be overprotective and make having house guests a bit difficult. However, conditioning friendly interactions are possible with proper social exposure.

#2 Akita

Akita’s are an extremely intelligent and bold breed. Known for their pack loyalty, they form incredible bonds with their owners. This in turn, however, creates a distant trust for strangers. This is a known characteristic for this guard dog breed. So, owning an Akita is for the strong-willed owner willing to put plenty of hours into social exposure.

#3 German Shepherd

Devout loyalty and protective intensity are dominant traits among German Shepherds. This guard dog is generally thought of as a herding breed. They are often raised to be tenders, meaning they maintain a property and keep livestock in check. They also have a great nose and set of eyes for spotting predators.

#4 Chow Chow

This guard dog breed has a lively history. They were once used to protect the historical monuments and palaces of Asia. Through this disciplined evolution, it’s no wonder the Chow Chow has developed a reputation of being a great guard dog. Their temperament and defensive nature make for an ideal protector.

#5 Kuvasz

Kuvasz dogs make for great family home guardians. They have a sweet and protective nature. When provoked, however, they showcase their intimidating side. These guard dogs were originally bred for protecting livestock, so they naturally excel at protecting families.

#6 Chinese Shar-Pei

The Shar-Pei is a notoriously adept family guard dog. Originally bred to be a full-stack farm dog, they excel at protecting livestock, maintaining the property, and killing disease-carrying rodents. This dog breed is known for creating loyal bonds with owners and displaying aggressive behavior towards strangers.

#7 Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman Pinscher is a notable and intimidating presence for anyone approaching their home. The good news is, they’ll never have to attack anyone since they thwart strangers and prospective dangers with a simple stare.

#8  Komondor

Another herding driven breed of guard dogs is the Komondor. They were bred to protect flocks of livestock without the assistance or presence of their owners. Since they have the ability to efficiently work alone, your home is in good hands with a Komondor guarding the property. They take their job very seriously, so new and returning house guests will need pack approval.

#9 Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois is a well-rounded guard dog that specializes in Schutzhund training. This is a popular breed in law enforcement. Through training and their natural instincts as guard dogs, this breed is a class of fine family protectors.

#10 Rottweiler

Much like the Doberman Pinscher, the Rottweiler intimidates strangers on looks alone. Rottweilers are notoriously family-oriented and well-tempered with pack play. However, anyone or anything who poses a remote threat to the family is subject to an aggressive greeting.

No matter the breed, all guard dogs are capable of being social and well-tempered with strangers. As owners of these dogs, it’s our duty to ensure these loyal companions are as familiar with human interaction as possible. If you own a home that has a good deal of foot traffic, make sure to introduce every guest in a routine fashion. Remove hats, lower standing posture, and speak one at a time when meeting guard dogs. Strangers should avoid staring into their eyes, and showcase trustworthy pack behavior by offering yummy treats appropriately.