What's a better guard dog? A Doberman, a German Shepherd, a Rottweiler, a Great Dane, or a Mastiff? Help!!!

Question

I got a huge amount of cash that will enable me to buy one perfect guard dog. So, which one is it?

Answer 1

Most of the dog breeds you mentioned will naturally act as guardians when at home, but some dog breeds have been especially developed or selectively bred for their natural inclination to guard and defend the territory and people they consider as having under their custody.

A panel comprised of dog breeders, veterinarians, and dog trainers have established a list of dog breeds especially suited for guard dog duties. Dog breeds that qualify as guard dogs must possess a natural inclination to protect along with a strong sense of territory. They tend to be wary of strangers. They stand out for their courage and their resistance to counter-attack.

Other qualities considered as essential by the panel were: trainability, loyalty towards the owner, stress-resistance, watchfulness, and the deterrent factor. The deterrent factor includes not only the impression an individual dog makes because of his bulk, voice and color (black is more impressive than white) but also how recognizable the breed is as a guard breed. A Rottweiler or Doberman will be more easily recognized by a would-be intruder as a guard breed than an Akita or cross-breed, for example.

The list this group developed is as follows and may cause you to look at your choices a bit more broadly.

1. Fila Brasileiro
2. Rottweiler
3. American Pit Bull Terrier
4. Doberman (females moreso than males)
5. Dogo Argentino
6. Belgian Shepherd Dogs
7. South-African Boerboel
8. German Shepherd Dog
9. Cane Corso
10. Presa Canario (of Diane Whipple/San Francisco fame)
11. Tosa Inu
12. Neapolitan Mastiff
13. Dogue de Bordeaus
14. American Bulldog
15. Ca de Bou
16. Bouvier des Flandres
17. Giant Schnauzer
18. Thai Ridgeback
19. Bull Mastiff
20. Akita Inu

Keep in mind a dogs size can also limit its ability to maneuver. Great Danes aren't on this list for that exact reason. Though large, they aren't known for being the fastest dog on the block.

I have 2 Dobermans, so my vote would be in that direction. They took to protection training, and it takes just one word to put them in that mode.

And before people wig out, a Doberman trained to use what they do instinctively is FAR safer around strangers than one untrained.

Answer 2

First of all, Great Danes and Mastiffs are nothing but oversized lap dogs just made for loving. They are very gentle animals and by no means guard or attack dogs. German Shepherds are your best bet as they are exceptionally intelligent, loyal, trainable and STRONG, both physicaly and mentally. The police use them as K-9 officers because of this. Rottweilers would be the second-best choice BUT like a Pit, they can turn vicious and may not let go of an intruder before inflicting serious bodily harm on him, above and beyond the call of protective duty. You do not want to run the risk of your dog being put down because of a vicious attack. Dobermans I'm not too fond of as more than just pets, working dogs or show dogs, as the majority of them are far too skittish and unpredictable in their personalities. For guarding, you'll usually find a pack of them in junk yards or used car lots, just for the scare factor. They will attack, but they're not reliable. Whatever dog you choose as a guard dog, make sure you get him/her young and put them through a licensed training course so that the dog will know to work within its limits and so that you will have complete control over it at all times.

Answer 3

All would be a great guard dog. Find a really good breeder that guarantees their health, and meet both parents. Make sure you also want to invest the time and money on vet bills, training, supplies, etc. I think shepherds and Rottweilers are great choices. Any dog would work if you just want them to bark when they hear someone. A big breed like a Dane, Mastiff, St. Bernard, etc would be a good deterrant whether they are friendly with strangers or not, but they don't live long. Check out Petfinder.org to see if there are any shelter dogs you like. Lots of dogs get surrendered and put to sleep for their protectiveness.

Answer 4

Great Dane, no. Property, Dobey or Rotti. Personal, Mastiff. In my opinion though, if you want the best all around (personal and property) protection dog, go out and get yourself a Schutz Hund trained German Shepherd. At least a level 2, and make sure you do some training with him before you bring him home so that you know all the commands and you and the dog are on the same page. Make sure you get him from a reputable breeder, and get the best trainer you can find, then you will have a loving and loyal dog that would lay down his life for you if need be.

Answer 5

Having a great amount of cash is no guarantee of getting a good dog.
As far a a gaurd dog these are highly trained animals who are a working dog and not for companionship. They have to be trained by the person who will handle them and work only with that person. You would need to train with the dog and if you have a family this is not going to work at all. Thay are not good in family type settings. After training these dogs are not really suited for home life.
It would depends on your lifestyle and how much care and time you are prepared to give the dogs.
Doberman are sort of a high maintenence type of dog. Lots of exercise and tons of continual training. I have had dobes for 17 years.
Danes are not suited as gaurd dogs at all in any way shape or form.
Mastiffs are but have some health issues.
Shepards are used for it but you have training and health issues there also.
Research each breed and be honest about the time you are willing to spend training and working with a dog and make sure it will fit into your lifestyle.

Answer 6

Well, the Doberman is the most highly reactive out of the bunch, but the Mastiff is known for its extreme loyalty to its family and home. Mastiffs are known for their gentility around children (provided you raise this dog with a loving hand and heart). Keep in mind it'll be over 250 lbs so you'd better not make it mad.

There was a case where a family came home one night and found their front door open. Inside they found their Bullmastiff pinning an intruder to the wall by his, um, cannolies. Apparently the dog had stayed like the for several hours. It was winter and both burglar and dog had mild frostbite. LOL

Answer 7

German Shepherd

Answer 8

German Shepherd

Answer 9

What kind of guard dog do you want?
if you want a traveling guard dog the doberman pinshcer was developed for that reason.

if you want a multi prupose guard dog the German Sheperd.

the rotweiler was originally a cart dog and herder not a guard dog though their size does make them popular with people as guard dogs today.
the great dane has many medical problems to be of much use today as a guard dog and the mastiff is the same. they are naturally just big dogs and were used originnally for war dogs because of this today they have many medical problems and are rarely used as guard, military, or police working dogs.

If yu truly want a guard dog then you should consider getting formal training in Shultzhund trials for what ever breed you choose as doing the training yourself with out good guidance usually just make a problem dog. Get in touch with a good trainer with experience in training police dogs. check out this website they are experinced in this type of training, lacrossedogtraining.com, they are located in LaCrosse, Wisconsin

Answer 10

Basically there is no such thing as a perfect guard dog but if you are willing to put the time in to train one with a correct style of trainer i would say a female doberman but not forgetting that all these breeds have different genetic traits, that you should really do a bit of research on if you are looking for the 99% perfect guard dog