If you live alone, it’s wise to consider getting a dog for protection and companionship. Having a dog offers peace of mind, particularly at night when unexpected sounds or creaks might leave you feeling uneasy. If you’re a single woman living by yourself, a dog provides additional security and reassurance if you’re concerned about being targeted for home invasions or other crimes.
The good news is that thieves, intruders, and others who wish to cause harm are often deterred by the presence of a dog—especially if it’s a large one with a bite to match its bark.
Learn more about the 10 best guard dogs for single women living alone and how to pick the best one for you.
Key Factors in Choosing the Right Guard Dog for Women
People are diverse in their personalities, and so are animals. Before you invest in a protection dog, it’s good to examine which breed’s personality traits best mesh with yours so you and your dog will both have a rewarding experience. As you explore the best guard dogs for women, ask yourself the following before searching for that perfect animal:
- Are you outgoing and energetic or more reserved?
- How much time do you have to commit to caring for your animal?
- What is your living situation? Do you live in a house with a fenced-in yard, or are you in an apartment?
- What kind of social life do you have? Are you active or a homebody?
- Do you have an interest in continuing to train your dog?
- What safety concerns do you have?
It’s important to think carefully about the answers to these questions and be honest with yourself. You don’t want a dog breed that clashes with you.
Here are some factors to consider as you explore the best guard dogs for women to find your perfect match.
- Breed and Personality: The traits of the breed are important, but know that not every purebred dog in a litter shares the same attributes as the others. Golden Retrievers are naturally friendly and playful, for example, but you could get one that’s aggressive or shy. Every personality is unique – just like siblings from the same household.
- Lifestyle and Time Commitment: Be honest about your activity level. Puppies are full of energy, but what happens when that dog grows up? If you’re not an overly active person, getting a dog that requires a lot of physical activity won’t be fun for either of you.
- Living Situation and Space: Pay close attention to the breed that will best adapt to your living situation. Even some larger dogs do well in small apartments, while others need plenty of room to stretch and run in a backyard.
- Safety Concerns: Consider safety concerns, too. Are there any immediate threats that are making your life difficult? If so, consider an adult dog that’s already trained to deal with such threats instead of a puppy. Most well-trained protection dogs aren’t even for sale until they are 2-3 years old.
Benefits of Having a Dog as a Single Woman
The best guard dogs for women offer companionship and security, particularly if you’re a single woman living alone. However, good protection dogs for women can offer benefits. Let’s look at what you can enjoy with one of the best guard dogs for single women living alone.
- Improved Safety: Just the presence of dogs lowers the risk of aggravated assaults, homicides, and robberies in neighborhoods. Having a dog also reduces your likelihood of dying due to a heart attack or a stroke.
- Reduced Loneliness and Isolation: Living alone as a single person can feel lonely sometimes, and having a dog is shown to reduce social isolation and loneliness significantly. This is partly due to the companionship they offer, but they’re also shown to raise your oxytocin levels, which boosts your mood.
- Better Health: Study after study shows that owning a dog is good for your physical and mental health. Dog owners consistently experience reduced stress and cortisol levels, lower blood pressure, lower anxiety, and better heart health. You’ll move more if you have a dog, too, which is good for your whole body.
- Increased Social Time: Having a dog often makes you seem more approachable and gives people a great reason to strike up a conversation. Research shows that having a dog can make it easier to make friends. Studies even indicate that having a dog makes you more attractive to others!
Best Dog Breeds For Women Living Alone
Now that you’ve nailed down what dog traits best match up with yours, it’s time to think about which breed of dog to get. Fortunately, there are a variety of breeds that work both as companions and good protection dogs for women, so picking the perfect pooch shouldn’t be too difficult. Here are the breeds likely to make the best guard dogs for single women.
1. Doberman
The Doberman pinscher is a dog that was originally bred to be a protection dog, so it’s one of the top choices as the best dog for women living alone. One of the best traits of the Doberman is its appearance. Dobermans are big, imposing animals and are certainly enough to make anyone think twice about breaking into your home or doing you harm.
Dobermans are often called ‘Velcro dogs’ because they insist on clinging to their owner’s side. So, if you love having a dog that follows you around, this would be a great breed for you.
2. German Shepherd
2. German ShepherdAnother imposing animal, the German Shepherd, is a dog bred to be a guard dog or service dog, which makes them an ideal choice as a personal protection dog. German Shepherds have a deep, intimidating bark and are aggressive when they need to be. However, they’re also very loving and loyal to their owners, which makes them great pets. This breed is often known as the jack-of-all-trades because they work well in a variety of situations that require specific tasks to complete and need to have a purpose.
3. Boxer
The Boxer doesn’t have the fierce, intimidating look of the Doberman or the German Shepherd, but don’t let that fool you. These animals are fantastic companions and are also very affectionate with those they love. Being smaller, they don’t require as much space as the dogs above, which is great for those who live in apartments. Boxers are great barkers and make good watchdogs, making them one of the best guard dogs for single women.
4. Rottweiler
The Rottweiler is another dog that has a menacing appearance and is a great deterrent to people up to no good. Like the German Shepherd, Rottweilers are extremely loyal to their owners and do very well as personal protection dogs. Consider them protection dogs with a heart of gold. Rottweilers are big dogs and can weigh up to 130 pounds, so consider that if you live in a small space or are petite and may feel uncomfortable with a large dog.
5. Belgian Malinois
5. Belgian MalinoisThe Belgian Malinois is a courageous breed with excellent protective instincts and a tireless work ethic. These dogs are fearlessly loyal, protecting their people without hesitation. They’re also quick, conscientious learners, adapting well to training. The Belgian Malinois are intimidating by looking alone, but they can be highly effective protection dogs if you provide them with enough exercise and stimulation. They’re not a small breed, and they have tons of energy, so it’s important to keep them moving. With an outlet for their energy, however, their social and confident personality is easy to love.
6. Akita
The Akita is another big dog that is very loyal to their owners. Akitas are energetic dogs and need a lot of attention and stimulation to keep them happy. This breed is best for women who have a yard and can spend time playing or exercising with their dogs. Also, Akitas are quite willful, so they require a strong owner and consistent training to keep them in line.
7. Jack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell Terrier isn’t normally associated with personal protection because of its small size. However, these animals are very intense and can be aggressive with much larger animals.
Jack Russel is a great choice for someone who wants a lap dog, but it is also an animal that will stand up and fight for its owner. This is a perfect breed if you live in an apartment and don’t want a large protection dog that requires space and continual training.
8. English Bulldog
English Bulldogs are ideal for women who want a good couch companion. These dogs are fine with short walks and don’t require a lot of exercise or room to run. While these animals aren’t bred to be protection dogs, they are great for people who want a furry friend to hang out with.
If you don’t feel any immediate threats, then having a little companion that can warn you of unfamiliar guests is a great option for a single woman.
9. Great Dane
Yes, the Great Dane is a big animal and needs a lot of space to stretch out. While their commanding presence is enough to scare off many would-be attackers, the fact is these animals are very friendly and affectionate.
They are known for being one of the most patient breeds and behave well around other pets. Great Danes are also very laid-back dogs and will only get “aggressive” if need be.
10. Golden Retriever
10. Golden RetrieverPerhaps the most popular breed on this list, the Golden Retriever, is a great dog for anyone who wants a fun and loyal companion who loves to play. These dogs are friendly with virtually anyone they encounter, and their bubbly personality makes them a great fit for almost everyone.
While Golden Retrievers are not your typical protection dog, simply having a dog (especially a larger dog) can deter thieves.
Just like there are no two people alike, the same is true for animals. The key to getting a good K9 companion is to know exactly what you’re looking for before you start looking. Do you need a personal protection dog to protect you from potential harm? Or are you mostly looking for a dog to be your pal and have fun with? While the two traits aren’t mutually exclusive, it’s important to know what you need, so you get the right animal for the job.
The best guard dogs for women will be able to meet all of your needs as long as you can meet theirs. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship that will leave you both happy and confident.
Sources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9272860/
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/dogs-are-good-for-your-health
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/10-science-based-benefits-dog/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/living-single-dog-may-extend-life/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-41254-6
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3944143/
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-bond-for-life-pets/do-dog-owners-live-longer
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00127-022-02332-9
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2332858419852592
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32093954/
https://academic.oup.com/sf/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/sf/soac059/6617669?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=false
https://news.osu.edu/more-dogs-in-the-neighborhood-often-means-less-crime/
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/aug/18/former-burglars-barking-dogs-cctv-best-deterrent
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.119.005554
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2752/089279392787011593
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2752/175303708X371564
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0122085
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19124024/