The best security dogs have a natural protective instinct. They’re brave, strong, energetic, and perhaps most importantly, loyal to their people. Learn more about how to choose the best dog for security and family protection.
What Makes a Good Family Guard Dog?
The best guard dogs for families should be comfortable with children and in busy homes, along with the instinct to protect their people in dangerous situations. They need to have high energy to stay alert, but they shouldn’t be overly aggressive in situations that don’t call for it. Typically, the best security dogs are also large and strong, so they need to know how to behave. They should respond quickly to training, ensuring they’re properly socialized and respond to commands.
How to Choose the Right Home Security Dog
If you’ve decided a home protection dog is right for you, how do you choose the best dog for security and family?
- Commit to proper training. Protection dogs need extensive training to properly identify a threat and respond appropriately. If you want a guard dog that you can trust around your family and other people, you must commit to professional training to ensure your dog is ready to assess and respond to threats (but not to squealing kids).
- Research your breeds and breeders. Choosing a breed from the most protective dogs may seem easy, but you also need to choose your breeders. Choose well-regarded breeders with a history of breeding healthy dogs with the traits you want.
- Have clear expectations. Before meeting puppies, know what you’ll expect of your protection dog. Will they need to patrol outdoors or in the home? How do you expect them to alert you to danger? How do you want your dog to respond to a threat? Clear expectations get you the right dog for you.
- Meet the puppy (or have a trusted trainer do so). Every puppy will have their own personality, and it’s important to see that early on. Look for puppies that aren’t fearful, timid, or overly aggressive puppies. Learn about the puppy’s parents, and get a clean bill of health.
The Advantages of Owning a Guard Dog
There are many benefits to owning a protection dog because the best security dogs are so much more than just security. Here are some of the advantages you can enjoy.
- Deterrent to criminals: A protection dog is enough to prevent many criminals from bothering you or your property on sight. Even if they try, hearing the fierce barking and seeing a dog ready to do what’s necessary is usually enough to scare them away.
- Lifelong companionship: The best guard dogs for families are also loving family members. They’re patient and well-behaved, making them particularly good with children. With proper training and socialization, you can trust them with every member of your family.
- More exercise: Protection dogs have a lot of energy, and they’re happiest expending that energy on work, play, or exercise. Whether you take your dog to walk, run, do obstacle courses, or play with the kids in the backyard, you’ll all get more exercise.
- Peace of mind: A protection dog is fiercely loyal and will protect their people with their life. The bond you build with your dog ensures their commitment to keep you and your loved ones safe at all times, so you can rest easy knowing you and your family are protected.
The Growing Need for Guard Dogs in Modern Homes
Crime is a reality we all have to live with and even the rich and famous are vulnerable. Recently, after several burglaries of professional basketball players’ homes, the NBA joined the NFL and NHL in encouraging their players to upgrade their home security. In a memo sent to teams, the NBA specifically urged players to “utilize dogs for home protection.”
In most of the burglaries of the sports stars’ homes, the existing alarm systems weren’t activated. Alarm systems can be part of a security solution, but even the most advanced system can also be turned off. The best home security dogs are never “off.” You can count on them to identify and assess a potential threat well before an alarm system could, and they can also take defensive action when necessary.
Guard Dog Misconceptions: What You Need to Know
People frequently confuse guard dogs with attack dogs, but they’re different. While guard dogs have an innate desire to protect their owners, they’re well-trained, so they do not become aggressive unless there’s a threat. The best security dogs can assess a potential threat before taking any action.
Another misconception is that guard dogs can’t be around children. However, a well-trained and thoroughly socialized guard dog is likely great with kids. What matters for the best guard dogs for families is training and socialization, which goes for any dog. No dog should be left alone and unsupervised with young children, no matter their breed, size, or training.
Top-Rated Guard Dogs for Your Family’s Home Security
Wondering which of the most protective dogs make the best security dogs? Learn more about top guard dog breeds. The best dog for your security and family is the one that meets your needs.
German Shepherd
German Shepherds are smart, energetic, strong, and brave with a reliable drive to work, making them a top choice as the best dog for security and family. Gentle and patient with kids, they’re also fiercely loyal and willing to put themselves in harm’s way to protect their loved ones. German Shepherds are an ideal family guard dog.
Rottweiler
Another popular choice, Rottweilers are smart, confident, powerful, and adaptable. They are great with kids but tend to be aloof and territorial. With plenty of early training and socialization, they can make very good guard dogs.
Doberman Pinscher
Another intelligent breed, Dobermans are athletic, fearless, and vigilantly protective. They are affectionate with family but tend to find their own entertainment if they don’t have a constructive outlet for their energy. Ample training and exercise are essential for these noble guard dogs.
Boxer
Boxers are smart, too, and their affectionate, loyal nature makes them great with kids. They have plenty of energy, so they need a job or regular exercise, and they excel at alerting their owners to trouble. That said, Boxers tend to be better at alerting and protecting proactively rather than actively protecting, so this breed is best if you’re looking more for a deterrent.
Malinois
Confident, intelligent, and fearless, the Malinois is another top choice for guard dogs, police dogs, and military work. These dogs learn quickly, so they take very well to training, and they love to have a job to focus their energy on. They are also social and loyal, but very protective, and their agility and speed make them excellent guard dogs.
Sources:
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/best-guard-dogs/page/3/
https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/how-to-pick-and-train-the-perfect-guard-dog/
https://abcnews.go.com/US/nba-urges-players-guard-dogs-update-home-alarms/story?id=116140233#:~:text=After%20burglaries%20at%20the%20homes,of%20burglaries%20targeting%20professional%20athletes.
https://sanfranciscodsa.com/high-crime-in-san-francisco-and-the-benefits-of-owning-a-protection-dog/
https://scottsk9.com/debunking-common-misconceptions-about-protection-dogs/
https://www.thesprucepets.com/best-family-guard-dogs-6829541
https://www.rd.com/list/guard-dog/
https://www.care.com/c/7-of-the-best-guard-dogs-for-families/