Best Guard Dogs: Many different types and breeds are included in our list of Best Guard Dogs - but what makes these canines suitable for this type of work? What are the common characteristics of the Best Guard Dogs? Guarding duties are aided by animals that have a loud bark to alert their owners and will bite intruders. Large and giant breeds look intimidating and would frighten trespassers and thieves. Many of the best guard dogs descend from the great molosser or mastiff breeds that were originally bred as fighters. The best guard dogs have a combination of these specific characteristics and many breeds have since been employed by the military and the police. Check out our articles on specific breeds to assess whether a dog would be suitable for a family environment. For additional information refer to our article on Watch Dogs and Working Dogs. The Best Guard Dogs: The best guard dogs are specially trained to attack or restrain an intruder. They are extremely wary of strangers and are bred for their ability to defend their territory and their owners. Their big, intimidating appearance with their menacing sharp teeth are enough to ward off many would-be intruders. The best guard dogs include the Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Belgian Shepherd, Neapolitan Masiff, Boerbel, Tosa Inu, Bulldog, Fila Brasileiro, Akita Inu, Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Cane Corso. Best Guard Dogs - Molosser Dogs: Many of the best Guard Dogs often described as a Molosser dog - breeds that share a common ancestry with the large powerful dogs of antiquity. The word "Molosser" is named for King Molossus, the grandson of the great Achilles famed in the Trojan War, who ruled the ancient Greek tribe of Molossians in Epirus, a mountainous region in northwestern Greece and southern Albania. Best Guard Dogs - Akbash: The large sized, independent, faithful, courageous Akbash is a white coated, Turkish guard dog and belongs to the Working Dog Group and used as a Watchdog, Herder, and as a military and police dog. Best Guard Dogs - Anatolian Shepherd Dog: The large sized, proud, independent, bold Anatolian Shepherd belongs to the Working Dog Group (AKC:1996) and used as a Watchdog, Farm worker and as a military and police dog. Best Guard Dogs - Airedale Terrier: The medium sized, sharp, loving, self-assured Airedale Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dog Group (AKC:1888) and used as a Watchdog, Hunter and as a police dog. Best Guard Dogs - Akita Inu: The large sized, responsive, sharp, courageous Akita belongs to the Working Dog Group and used as a Hunter and is a popular guard dog in Japan. There are Limitations of ownership of the Akita Inu in some USA States Best Guard Dogs - Australian Shepherd: The medium sized, loving, active, protective Australian Shepherd Dog belongs to the Herder Group (AKC:1991) and used as a Watchdog and Farm worker. Best Guard Dogs - Beauceron: The medium to large-sized, calm, protective, loving Beauceron belongs to the Herder Group and used as a Watchdog, Hunting, Herding and popular Guard Dog in France. Best Guard Dogs - Belgian Laekenois: The large sized, protective, lively, sharp Belgian Laekenois belongs to the Herder Group and used as a Watchdog, Farm worker and as a military and police dog. Best Guard Dogs - Belgian Malinois: The medium to large sized, hard-working, loving, protective Belgian Malinois belongs to the Herder Group (AKC:1959) and used as a Watchdog, Farm worker and as a military and police dog. Best Guard Dogs - Boerboel: The large sized, dominant, responsive, self-assured Boerboel belongs to the Working Dog Group and used as a Watchdog, Herder and a popular guard dog in South Africa. Best Guard Dogs - Boxer Dog: The medium sized, energetic, fearless, faithful Boxer Dog originated in Germany and belongs to the Working Dog Group (AKC:1904). Boxers were used as a Watchdogs, Fighters and Hunters. Best Guard Dogs - Bulldog: The medium sized, courageous, aggressive, faithful Bulldog belongs to the Non Sporting Dog Group (AKC:1886) and used as a Watchdog and Bull baiting dog. Best Guard Dogs - Bullmastiff: The large sized, protective, courageous, reliable Bullmastiff originated in England and belongs to the Working Dog Group (AKC:1934). It was used as a Watchdog and Hunter. There are Limitations of ownership of the Bullmastiff in some USA States. Best Guard Dogs - Cane Corso: The large sized, calm, even tempered, reserved Cane Corso originated in Sicily, belongs to the Working Dog Group and used as a Watchdog, Hunter and Retriever. There are Limitations of ownership of the Cane Corso in some USA States. Best Guard Dogs - Presa Canario (Canary Dog): The large sized, dominant, strong willed, Spanish Presa Canario (Canary Dog) belongs to the Working Dog Group loves to fight and was used as a Watchdog and Fighting Dog. Best Guard Dogs - Czechoslovakian Wolfdog: The large sized, lively, courageous, suspicious Czechoslovakian Wolfdog belongs to the Hybrid / Mix group (German Shepherd Dog / Carpathian Wolf) and used as a Watchdog and Herder. Best Guard Dogs - Doberman Pinscher: The medium sized, energetic, responsive, faithful Doberman Pinscher belongs to the Working Dog Group (AKC:1908) and used as a Watchdog and as a police dog. There are Limitations of ownership of the Doberman Pinscher in some USA States. Best Guard Dogs - Dogo Argentino: The large sized, energetic, powerful, headstrong Dogo Argentino belongs to the Working Dog Group and used as a Watchdog and Hunter. The dangerous Dogo is banned from the UK and there are Limitations of ownership of the Dogo Argentino in some USA States. Best Guard Dogs - Fila Brasileiro: The large sized, responsive, faithful, determined Fila Brasileiro belongs to the Non-Sporting Dog Group and used as a Watchdog. The dangerous Fila is banned from the UK and are Limitations of ownership of the Fila Brasileiro in some USA States.. Best Guard Dogs - German Pinscher: The medium sized, spirited, courageous, loving German Pinscher belongs to the Working Dog Group (AKC:2003), has a loud bark, and used as a Watchdog and Ratter. There are Limitations of ownership of the German Pinscher in some USA States. Best Guard Dogs - German Shepherd: The large sized, self-assured, curious, faithful German Shepherd belongs to the Herder Group (AKC:1908), has a loud bark, and used as a Watchdog, Farm worker and as a police dog. There are Limitations of ownership of the German Shepherd in some USA States. Best Guard Dogs - German Spitz: The small to medium sized, robust, lively, devoted German Spitz belongs to the Non-Sporting Dog Group, has a loud bark, and used as a Watchdog and Farm worker. Best Guard Dogs - Giant Schnauzer: The large sized, dominant, clever, faithful Giant Schnauzer belongs to the Working Dog Group (AKC:1930) and used as a German Watchdog and Herder. Best Guard Dogs - Great Dane: The giant sized, self-assured, devoted, loving Great Dane belongs to the Working Dog Group (AKC:1887) and used as a Watchdog and Hunter who once hunted the ferocious wild boar. Best Guard Dogs - Great Pyrenees: The giant sized, fearless, patient, loving Great Pyrenees is a top guard dog and belongs to the Working Dog Group (AKC:1933) and used as a Watchdog and Herder. Best Guard Dogs - Kangal Dog: The large sized, alert, protective, territorial Kangal Dog belongs to the Working Dog group and used as a Farm Watchdog. Best Guard Dogs - Keeshond: The medium sized, agile, obedient, playful Keeshond belongs to the Non Sporting Dog Group (AKC:1930), has a loud bark, and was used as a Ratter and Barge Watchdog. Best Guard Dogs - Komondor: The large sized, calm, affectionate, fearless Komondor is a white coated, Hungarian guard dog and belongs to the Working Dog Group (AKC:1937) and used as a Herding and Watchdog. Best Guard Dogs - Kuvasz: The giant sized, protective, independent, patient Kuvasz is a white coated, Hungarian guard dog and belongs to the Working Dog Group (AKC:1931) and used as a Watchdog, Hunter and as a military and police dog. There are Limitations of ownership of the Kuvasz in some USA States. Best Guard Dogs - Leonberger: The giant sized, adaptable, fearless, loyal Leonberger belongs to the Working Dog Group (AKC:2010) and used as a German Watchdog and Herder. Best Guard Dogs - Maremma Sheepdog: The large sized, active, determined, courageous Maremma Sheepdog is a white coated, belongs to the Herding (Rare Dog Breed) and used as a Watchdog and Herder. Best Guard Dogs - Neapolitan Mastiff: The large to giant sized, fearless, dominant, protective Neapolitan Mastiff belongs to the Working Dog Group (AKC:2004) and used as an Italian Watchdog, Fighter and Hunter. Best Guard Dogs - Rottweiler: The medium to large sized, fearless, protective, sharp Rottweiler belongs to the Working Dog Group (AKC:1931), has a loud bark, and used as a Watchdog, Herder, Military and police dog. There are Limitations of ownership of the Rottweiler in some USA States. Best Guard Dogs - Russian Bear Dog: The large sized, sharp, strong, dominant Russian Bear Dog belongs to the Working Dog Group and used as a Watchdog, Farm worker and as a military and police dog. Best Guard Dogs - Rhodesian Ridgeback: The large sized, faithful, regal, sensitive Rhodesian Ridgeback belongs to the Hound Dog Group (AKC:1955) and used as a Hunter and as courageous defender and guard dog. Shar Pei: The medium sized, devoted, independent Shar Pei belongs to the Non Sporting Dog Group (AKC:1992) and used as a Herder and Fighting dog. Best Guard Dogs - St Bernard: The giant sized, independent, sweet-tempered, out-going St Bernard belongs to the Working Dog Group (AKC:1885) and used as a Working Dog Group (AKC:1885). The Saint Bernard inherited its guarding instinct from its mastiff ancestors Best Guard Dogs - Tibetan Mastiff: The large sized, cool, strong willed, protective Tibetan Mastiff belongs to the Working Dog Group (AKC:2007) and was used as a Watchdog, Fighter, Hunter and as a military and police dog. Best Guard Dogs - Tosa Inu: The large sized, suspicious, courageous, Tosa Inu belongs to the Working Dog Group (Rare breed) and was originally used as a Watchdog and Fighting dog. The dangerous Tosa is banned from the UK and there are Limitations of ownership of the Tosa Inu in some USA States.. | 