Which breed of dog (guard dog) would you prefer?

70 Comments

I am very curious as to what type of guard dog you would prefer. If you have reason(s) why you prefer that breed, or if you have had experience with that breed, please comment. My favorite is the German Shepherd, and I want to see how much of a variety there is from the people voting on this site :)

German Shepherd 72
Rhodesian Ridgeback 1
Pitbull 13
Bullmastiff 4
American Staffordshire Terrier 1
Boxer 5
Tibetan Mastiff 5
Rottweiler 18
Mastiff 6
Doberman Pinscher 14
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Comments ( 70 )
  • dappled
    11 years ago

    I have experience with some of those breeds. Much as I like boxers, they're daft as brushes and I'd never have one as a guard dog. Similarly mastiffs. They're huge, scary-looking dogs but they are usually big softies. I love them to bits but, no, not as a guard dog.

    Ridgebacks are good all-rounders. Great watch dogs, decent attack dogs, and reasonably good guard dogs. Ideal if you've got a problem with lions. :)

    If you specifically want a guard dog, Dobies and German Shepherds are bred for it. My friend's German Shepherd had his father pinned against the wall when he tried sneaking in drunk at 3am. That's what you want from guard dog behaviour. Incapacitate but don't attack. German Shepherds are not at the top of the list of my favourite breeds of dog but I've never failed to be impressed by their guard work. Exceptional stuff, so I'm voting German Shepherd.

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    • NeuroNeptunian
      11 years ago

      Totally agree. Shephards are bred for it. They are strong and quick and they never fail to amaze me with their intelligence and physical prowess.

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    • Lucy-loo
      11 years ago

      German Shepherd's we're actually bred for herding orginally, not guarding. The only dog orginally bred 'to guard' was the Doberman. And since i have 2 two of these, i have to vote Dobie! I love the breed. German Shepherds nowadays are bred by the police and such to be good guard dogs, and they are amazing at the job! So i also have a soft spot for them as well :)

      I am quite a fan of Ridgebacks, but sadly i don't see too many lions :P

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      • dappled
        11 years ago

        Yah, I was saying much the same. German Shepherds seem to have drifted into being guard dogs because of their intelligence and controlled aggression.

        The shop near me has three ridgebacks as guard dogs. Maybe they know something I don't and I should go on lion alert. :P

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        • Lucy-loo
          11 years ago

          Haha yeah they might do! :P

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        • foxyk
          11 years ago

          LOL lion alert ....I think that's one of the most interesting reasons someone bred a dog. "to hunt lions" hahaa

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      • foxyk
        11 years ago

        Yes you are right, originally for herding but they are so smart and versatile that they later became guard and police dogs. I think it's cool how a tax collector bred the Doberman to protect him on the streets so people wouldn't steal his cash from him :)

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        • Lucy-loo
          11 years ago

          They are, and mine is a complete softy and a great family dog, but i still wouldn't advise anyone, to come into my house in the middle of the night ;)

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        • foxyk
          11 years ago

          Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann (Apolda, January 2, 1834 – June 9, 1894) was the first breeder of Doberman Pinscher. He started the creation of this dog breed in the town of Apolda, in the German state of Thuringia around 1890, following the Franco-Prussian War.

          Dobermann served in the dangerous role of a local tax collector, and ran the Apolda dog pound. With access to dogs of many breeds, he aimed to create a breed that would be ideal for protecting him during his collections, which took him through many dangerous, bandit-infested areas. He set out to breed a new type of dog that, in his opinion, would be the perfect combination of strength, loyalty, intelligence, and ferocity.

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    • foxyk
      11 years ago

      Actually, boxers are great guard dogs I have known a few of them- also look on the American Kennel Club's website. Boxers are instinctive guard dogs, "While they are instinctive guardians, the Boxer loves to be with his people." Mastiff are softies yes, but they are guard dogs too : "A combination of grandeur and good nature as well as courage and docility, he was bred in England and used as a watchdog for more than two thousand years."- mastiffs were bred for the use of a watchdog. Source is of course the AKC. Also, you are absolutely right about the dobermans and german shepherds- they are probably the two best ones on this list, also bred for it. German shepherds also were bred for herding on farms and protecting the sheep and other animals they herd

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      • dappled
        11 years ago

        Yeah, I'd agree with that. I wasn't sure whether you were thinking more of a guard dog or a watch dog. And, yes, German Shepherds slowly transformed into guard dogs rather than were bred to be them (like dobies). I think there's something innate about German Shepherd character that makes them ideal.

        Then again, dogs in general are amazing, whatever their role. Herding, ratting, burrowing, hunting, pointing, sniffing, assisting the blind...

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        • foxyk
          11 years ago

          Yes shepherds are ideal IMO as well..... And i totally agree! The things that dogs can do amaze me!

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          • dappled
            11 years ago

            Have you seen that dog that can identify three hundred different words and go and get a different toy based on which of the three hundred was asked for? That's getting on for the vocabulary of a five year old child.

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  • [Old Memory]
    11 years ago

    I can say from owning an 85 lb, pure muscle pit bull myself that they are absolutely no good at being a guard dog at all. They may bark and certainly intimidate someone scoping the place out, but if that person kicked in the door my dog would greet them like a long lost friend.

    Rottweilers, Dobermans, and GSD are all bred for guard dog traits.

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    • foxyk
      11 years ago

      You're pitbull must be a softy lol I've known a few that were good guard dogs and didn't mess around haha. Maybe just depends with them, but yeah they were not bred to guard. Do u know exactly what they were bred for? I don't know too much about pits

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      • SoldierAP
        11 years ago

        They were cross bred to fight bulls thats how they got pitbull then eventually they banned it and faught other dogs. I love my two pits they wouldnt hurt a fly.

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      • [Old Memory]
        11 years ago

        They can be protective of their families, BUT they are not nervous around strangers either, usually the guarding breeds are standoffish to new people UNTIL they see that the newcomer is welcomed. Pit Bulls tend to welcome anyone and dont mind ever being picked up. In fact most are stolen by people hopping fences and just picking them up and running off with them.

        They are descended from Labradors and bulldog cross breeding, its what gives them their size and overall muscularity. And sadly they were originally bred to be fighters, which is why pit bulls more often then not will be aggressive around other dogs, but animal aggression and dog aggression are 2 separate things a dog aggressive is almost never aggressive towards people, in fact most Pit Bulls LOVE people without prejudice.

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        • foxyk
          11 years ago

          although if u can correctly socialize a pit bull as a very young pup until he is grown with other dogs, then he will probably be okay. socialization is key in a lot of these breeds

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        • foxyk
          11 years ago

          yeah that's what i was thinking but wasn't too sure, then looked it up online. bred for fighting, and yes, dog aggressive.

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  • [Old Memory]
    11 years ago

    chihauhau they bark to alert more than any dog on earth, they dont eat much and their poo is tiny

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    • foxyk
      11 years ago

      LOL

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  • drumandpickchick
    11 years ago

    I like my great danes. Their size is enought to make people get out of the way.

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  • [Old Memory]
    11 years ago

    I like pitbulls. Lol my pitbull was huge and mean as fuck. She ripped my hoody in 2 pieces the last time i took her for a walk. Lol its ok tho because nobody would ever come near my house... Ever.

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  • howaminotmyself
    11 years ago

    I had a German Shepard that fooled everyone into thinking he was tough. His size and bark usually scared people away. But it was the Aussie Shepard you had to watch out for. She was the protector and more inclined to attack if anyone threatened the family.

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    • foxyk
      11 years ago

      Haha that's so cute! I lOve Aussies ! Especially the blue merle ones !

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  • Boo!
    11 years ago

    German shepherd! I've always thought a german shepherd would complete the family!!?!

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  • [Old Memory]
    11 years ago

    I like wolves and sheperds too, so chances are it would be one of these.

    But the fighting breeds are awesome too, so I'd never say no to AST, pittbull or bullmastiff.

    So, I guess when I'll go to buy a dog I'll just see whoch one chooses me :)

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    • foxyk
      11 years ago

      Totally makes sense, yeah they are all pretty cool :)

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  • anti-hero
    11 years ago

    A wolf.

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    • Boo!
      11 years ago

      My grandpa's doggie used to look like a wolf I was so scared of it yet it was sooo cute~

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  • RomeoDeMontague
    10 years ago

    German Shepherd for sure! I love German Shepherd. They are big friendly and soft. They have wonderful soft coats.

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  • Hussainthemvp
    11 years ago

    Something russain and illegal

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  • jakmehof
    11 years ago

    I honestly say pitbulls are the best for guard. I have three. Lovable as he'll. My brides and nephews play with them all the time but when it comes to guarding they're very dependable. I've had one break-in and it was the last. They cornered him til the police showed and backed away when they came in. I train my dogs to protect at any cost especially when it comes to the kids.

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  • nickki
    11 years ago

    mine would be pit bull

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  • foxyk
    11 years ago

    i can't add Akita to the list! Darnit, unless I don't know how....Can I even edit this poll?

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  • aussiewolf
    11 years ago

    my fav breed of dog is border collie. they are great all rounders. great guard dogs, family dogs, work dogs and they are the rocket scientists of the dog world!

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    • dappled
      11 years ago

      I used to argue a cats versus dogs thing with my friends about instinct versus intelligence. I still think some of what border collies do is instinct. But when you see border collies tested on things that are purely intelligent, it's impossible to deny that there's a huge intelligence at work there. And it's backed up with instinct too. Very, very special dogs. They're often put at the top of the tree and it's deserved.

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    • foxyk
      11 years ago

      definitely rocket scientists of the dog world!! #1 smartest and most trainable dog is the border collie :)

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  • I did not have sex with my dog
    11 years ago

    Any kind, really. I like all breeds of dogs.

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    • Wh0Ar3YoU
      11 years ago

      haha as guard dogs? Or for something else?lololol

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      • I did not have sex with my dog
        11 years ago

        What do you mean?

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        • Wh0Ar3YoU
          11 years ago

          Have u ever used a dog for other purposes?lol

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          • I did not have sex with my dog
            11 years ago

            Well duh! She wards off thieves and cheers me up when I'm feeling down.

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            • Wh0Ar3YoU
              11 years ago

              Any other purposes? Like maybe sex?lolololol

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  • Wh0Ar3YoU
    11 years ago

    Nah Ive got to say rottweilers are the best guard dogs. If you've seen good action movies or any similar movies you will see that Rottweilers come out the most as guard dogs living in a rich persons mansion or house in general. We've had rottweilers for over 15 years now and I can say from experience that they don't even need to be trained to be guard dogs. Our big black male rottweiler will bark aggressively at the sound of a gunshot from a mile away. German Shepards are also pretty good guard dogs but not scary looking enough to lure away a stranger by its looks alone. Besides the rottweiler blends well into the dark. The nights invisible beast.

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    • foxyk
      11 years ago

      yes rottweilers are also AMAZING guard dogs!!

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      • Wh0Ar3YoU
        11 years ago

        Sure are

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  • [email protected]
    11 years ago

    Felix the cat.

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  • disthing
    11 years ago

    I'd never get a dog specifically to be a guard dog. I'd get a dog specifically to have a loving pet around for company and affection and entertainment. Maybe if I were in a neighbourhood with a high burglary rate but even so... I wouldn't want some aggressive, protective animal barking wildly in my house.

    Out of your selection, I'd choose German Shepherd because they are good family dogs.

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    • foxyk
      11 years ago

      Yeah I totally agree with you. I would much rather have a family companion. I just want to see what people would choose if they needed one or just in general because a lot of people have dogs like the ones listed just for extra protection even if it isn't needed haha. I really love German shepherds because they are versatile family and guardian etc... But overall my number 1 fav breed (obviously not listed lol ) is a Labrador retriever. Mine is a sweetheart :) like most of them.. And goofy lol

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      • disthing
        11 years ago

        I'd love a Lab! :) There's a reason they're the most popular breed of dog in many countries. Overall just a great dog.

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  • Cuntsiclestick
    11 years ago

    A Black Lab Husky Mix. I had one for years and she was sweet in personality and tough on anyone that posed a threat.

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  • detroitlove81
    11 years ago

    Presa Canario's are the only way to go...

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  • Anime7
    11 years ago

    Akitas definitely. They can be amazing dogs and I've heard that Japanese mothers would actually trust them to guard their kids when they're away at work.

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    • foxyk
      11 years ago

      Akitas are also really cool and very good guardians because they hardly bark, they are very silent dogs (even when hunting), they hunt low to the ground and make almost no noise like a cat. So when an Akita in your home does bark, it's usually for a good reason

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      • Anime7
        11 years ago

        Yep. Akitas they are great hunters and you're right quiet. They're my favorite breed.

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    • foxyk
      11 years ago

      I forgot to put them on the list. I will add them... Because you are right, they are excellent guardians and were used in Japan

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  • Blue_Velvet
    11 years ago

    Siberian husky.

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  • JustDave
    11 years ago

    Most burglars will scope out a premises before breaking in. Owning ANY dog will lesson the likelyhood of a break in. Even a yappy small dog will draw unwanted attention.

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    • Justsomejerk
      11 years ago

      Yes, but I'd prefer to have my television stolen every six months than own a small yappy dog.

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    • NeuroNeptunian
      11 years ago

      True. I had a Border Collie and I have known her to scare away wannabe burglars. The funny thing is is that she is a relatively small breed and she has never bitten anyone.

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  • tori
    11 years ago

    My pitbull is a softy. Raised by cats and a 12 year old golden he respects other creatures. Yay!

    I would like to have a German Sheppard as a guard dog. My neighbor had a K9 police dog. Very well trained but could be scarey.

    On a different species. The squirrels in my back yard make all kinds of noise when things aren't quite right outside. I get my clue from them also.

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    • NeuroNeptunian
      11 years ago

      I was at work once when there was a cop inside of the building in for a medical appointment. His police car said "K9 Unit" with a picture of the dog on the car and that specific dog's name. I walked up to the car and that dog almost made me piss myself. I had no idea that she was in the back seat.

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      • tori
        11 years ago

        Yep. They can do that to a person!
        When I was little, I had a Grand Uncle that was blind. His seeing eye dog was a German Sheppard. She was amazing. And yet I was afraid of her at the same time. No reason really. Maybe it was "The Look" she gave me once.

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  • sassafrassi
    11 years ago

    Akita, Hachi: A Dog's Tale

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    • Anime7
      11 years ago

      That's a sad story.

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  • Moonbow
    11 years ago

    A dead one! Only a wimp needs a freaking guard dog. Buy a gun. Guns don't stink, eat, bark or shit all over the place!

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    • [Old Memory]
      11 years ago

      Surprised this lasted this long without being thumbed off the page, if only we could thumb you off the site!

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