Are you ready to welcome a new dog into your home? If you have young children, you might feel that a small dog would be the best fit for your family, but that’s not necessarily the case! Despite their reputation for being large and vicious, many guard dogs actually make great family pets. With proper training, they can become loyal and loving protectors.
Here are seven of the best guard dogs for families:
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1. Bernese Mountain Dog
The calm, good-natured, strong and intelligent Bernese mountain dog is a great pet for kids because she loves to play sports and spend time with her human friends. This breed is not very aggressive, but her large size and loud bark can serve to deter intruders. All in all, the Bernese mountain dog makes a great family watchdog and a loyal, obedient companion.
2. Boxer
The boxer is an active, bright, fun-loving and extremely loyal breed. Though he may look menacing, he has a strong desire for human affection — especially from kids — and will go out of its way for love and attention. At the same time, the boxer is astute and alert to danger, and will use his athleticism to protect your family, if necessary.
3. Bullmastiff
Strong and powerfully built, the bullmastiff is affectionate, loyal, fearless, confident and eager to please. Though the bullmastiff may look intimidating, she’s very docile and sweet-natured when with her family. These dogs also have excellent instincts and a fiercely protective nature. The bullmastiff is an ideal family watchdog because she rarely barks, but will attack if it senses that her owners are in danger.
4. Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman pinscher is an intelligent, easily-trained breed, which has made it a popular police and war dog. The dogs are very agile, alert, fearless and cautious around unfamiliar people. But while quite intimidating, the Doberman pinscher will become an obedient family friend and guardian with proper training. Just be cautious if you plan to bring an older Doberman pinscher into a home with small children, as it is best to raise this breed from birth.
5. German Shepherd
The American Kennel Club calls the German shepherd “a true dog lover’s dog.” In spite of its large size and somewhat menacing appearance, this is a very playful and loving breed. German shepherds are very fond of children, and they make great pets because they love to listen and obey orders. These dogs are also courageous, intelligent and naturally protective of their owners.
6. Great Dane
The giant Great Dane, which towers over most other dogs, is surprisingly gentle and wonderful with children. They are also a patient, friendly and dependable breed. The Great Dane has quite an intimidating bark and can deter would-be attackers by its size alone.
7. Rottweiler
If properly trained, the intelligent and confident rottweiler makes an excellent guard dog for families. These loving, loyal and devoted dogs are eager to please their owners, but they are also inherently protective and cautious around strangers. The rottweiler can be trained to be both an obedient family pet and an excellent guard dog.
During your search for a new pet, it’s important to keep in mind that the best guard dogs for a family are those that are loyal and protective, but not overly aggressive. If and when you do get a new dog, make sure that you research the type of training the particular breed requires so that you can provide your pet with the tools he needs to be a well-behaved, loving member of your family.
By freelance writer Jennifer Marino Walters
