Best Guard Dog Breeds to Help Protect Your Family
Akita The Akita comes from Japan, where they were used for centuries as a hunting dog and guard dog. HEIGHT: 26 to 28 inches (males); 24 to 26 inches (females) WEIGHT: 100 to 130 pounds (males); 70 to 100 pounds (females) TEMPERAMENT: Affectionate, loyal, independent, protective COAT AND COLOR: Short, thick, double-layered coat in brindle or pinto (each with white markings) LIFE SPAN: 10 to 13 years
Belgian Malinois The Belgian Malinois is a herding breed that hails from Belgium and has been used extensively for police and military work, and is known for its fearless, protective nature. HEIGHT: 22 to 24 inches (female), 24 to 26 inches (male) WEIGHT: 40 to 60 pounds (female), 60 to 80 pounds (male) TEMPERAMENT: Intelligent, active, loyal COAT AND COLOR: Short, smooth double coat in fawn, mahogany, red, red sable, or fawn sable with a black mask LIFE SPAN: 14 to 16 years lax..
Bernese Mountain Dog The Bernese mountain dog originated in the mountains of Switzerland, where they were an invaluable helper as a cattle drover, guard dog and all-around farm dog. HEIGHT: 23 to 26 inches (female), 25 to 27.5 inches (male) WEIGHT: 70 to 95 pounds (female), 80 to 115 pounds (male) TEMPERAMENT: Gentle, even-tempered, loyal COAT AND COLOR: Thick, medium-length double coat in black, rust, and white or black, tan, and white LIFE SPAN: 7 to 10 years
Bullmastiff The Bullmastiff was once called the Game Keeper’s Night Dog because they were used to stop poachers on English estates. HEIGHT: 24 to 27 inches WEIGHT: 100 to 130 pounds COAT AND COLOR: Short, dense coat in fawn, red, or brindle with accents of black LIFE SPAN: 8 to 10 years TEMPERAMENT: Loyal, protective, alert, loving, companionable, calm
Doberman Pinscher The Doberman pinscher was created by German tax collector Louis Dobermann to accompany him on his visits, looking intimidating and ready to protect him from any threat that might arise. HEIGHT: 24 to 28 inches WEIGHT: 65 to 100 pounds COAT AND COLOR: Short and smooth in black, red, blue, or fawn with rust markings TEMPERAMENT: Intelligent, loyal, alert, energetic, attentive LIFE SPAN: 10 to 12 years
German Shepherd Like the Belgian Malinois, the German shepherd is a herding breed that has a long history as a police and military dog. HEIGHT: 22 to 26 inches WEIGHT: 60 to 100 pounds TEMPERAMENT: Intelligent, courageous, alert, bold, loyal, protective COAT AND COLOR: Coarse, medium-length double coat in bicolor, black and tan, black and cream, black and red, black and silver, solid black, gray, sable LIFE SPAN: 7 to 10 years
Great Dane Despite the name, the Great Dane in fact hails from Germany. The breed’s imposing size and deep bark are usually enough to deter would-be intruders. HEIGHT: 30 to 34 inches (males); 28 to 32 inches (females) WEIGHT: 120 to 200 pounds (males); 99 to 130 pounds (females) TEMPERAMENT: Calm, gentle, friendly, loving, even-tempered, attentive, proud COAT AND COLOR: Short, smooth coat in black, black and white, blue, brindle, fawn, harlequin, merle, silver, solid white, or mantle LIFE SPAN: 6 to 8 years
Great Pyrenees The Great Pyrenees, from the Pyrenees Mountains, has been used for centuries as a flock guardian, watching over and protecting sheep and other livestock from predators and thieves. HEIGHT: 25 to 32 inches at the shoulder WEIGHT: 100 to 150 pounds (males); 85 to 110 pounds (females) TEMPERAMENT: Gentle, affectionate, patient, confident, strong-willed, fearless COAT AND COLOR: Thick double coat is white but may have markings of gray, tan, badger, or reddish-brown LIFE SPAN: 10 to 12 years
Rottweiler The Rottweiler was developed in Germany as a cattle drover, moving cattle from field to market while protecting the herd. HEIGHT: 22 to 27 inches at the shoulder WEIGHT: 80 to 130 pounds TEMPERAMENT: Steady, alert, self-assured, fearless, devoted, confident, good-natured, obedient COAT AND COLOR: Short double coat in black with tan, rust, or mahogany LIFE SPAN: 8 to 10 years
Saint Bernard The Saint Bernard was created by monks who used the dogs for search and rescue of stranded travelers in the snowy Alps. HEIGHT: 26 to 28 inches (female), 28 to 30 inches (male) WEIGHT: 120 to 140 pounds (female), 140 to 180 pounds (male) TEMPERAMENT: Gentle, affectionate, protective COAT AND COLOR: Short to medium-length, smooth or rough double coat in brindle and white, brown and white, mahogany and white, orange and white, red and white, or rust and white with/without a black mask LIFE SPAN: 8 to 10 years