Which breed is best for guard dog: Boxer, doberman, rottweiler or German Shepherd?

Answer 1

you have chosen all smart, quick, energectic breeds - only have one you have plenty of time and want to have a true companion all your waking hours and you can teach him something new every day, I would say a German Shepherd. They are fantastic dogs. BUT all these breeds are quick and cleverer than alot of 3 years olds and need you time and attention. You constantly have to think of new ways to keep life exciting for them ie. obedience training is a MUST!! and teach them new things, otherwise boredom and destructiveness ensue - and they are big dogs that do alot of damage easily!! You need to be fit and energetic.
Be honest about your lifestyle - if you are a runner at home more than 4 days a week and need valuables guarding then fine. If you have a young family then consider something less demanding and naturally friendlier that will be less time consuming on training - a cocker spaniel for example loves kids and their friends and will play til the cows come home. And will still bark when strangers are aound, believe me!

Answer 2

I have German Shepherds myself. I don't know if a Boxer is a good guard dog or not.
The Rottweiler, Doberman and German Shepherds all have good and bad points.
It sound like you need to do some reading as well as talk to owners and breeders about each breed
For that matter there are a great many dogs at the shelter who would make an excellent guard dog.
By guard dog do you mean a dog that is attacked trained or just a dog to alert you to strangers around your property? If you mean a dog that is attack trained - be ready to have a VERY SECURE PEN and carry alot of insurance in case it attacks the wrong person.
Please take your time when deciding such a serious issue,

Answer 3

Why do you need a 'Guard' dog?
If it's a pet in your home no matter what breed it is, a dog will try to guard you! If you are in the UK and your dog bites an intruder you are liable if the said intruder decides to sue. You could end up losing your pet.
Not sure about the Boxer, but all the others are commonly used to guard but unless properly trained and handled they shouldn't be! This is partly why these dogs have a reputation of being 'Dangerous' or haven't you heard about the 'Dublin' ban? All these breeds require experienced owners or knowledgable ones so do a lot of research before deciding which breed is for you!
Outside any of them will 'protect' you simply by being what they are.
I have a very gentle well behaved shepherd but the local youths stay well clear! She is currently being trained to come to us after she has barked to warn anyone she is there! As I DO live in the UK I can't afford to let her tackle anyone on her own! She sounds 'vicious' enough to put off anyone but the dumbest criminal and I also have a warning sign saying she is around so that if someone is foolish enough to 'break in' when no-one is there at least I might be able to prove it was their fault not hers!
Anyone considering getting ANY dog should find out as much as possible about the specific breed before getting it!

Answer 4

First, I would rule out the Boxer. They are pretty docile and loving.

The other 3 are good if you go to a breeder who has proven dogs. You will want to spend some time with the puppies to assess them, and you will definitely want to meet the pup's parents.

If this is a guard dog for real, you have lots of investigating to do and you will pay for professional training, coaching, etc.

If you are a person looking for a mean looking dog for home protection, I would suggest a Rottweiler because any intruder would recognize the breed and the bark. These dogs are very family oriented and loyal. Even the puppies will try to protect the yard and home and kids if they are from good stock (the dogs, not the kids).

Yahoo search Rottweiler and read about these magnificent dogs. They have wonderful characteristics as a pet.

Personally, I would not use a dog just to guard a warehouse or a lot. A dog is a human companion and they need to belong to a person and family. Just remember that a large dog needs lots of yard, and you will be shoveling poop for the rest of your life!

I have a toy breed, a Pug, and she is the mayor of this street! I have never seen such an alpha and protector. They guarded temples in Tibet so they are pretty tough. My Dad trained dogs for the Army so dogs are very important to me. Best of luck to you!!

Answer 5

For a straight forward guard dog I would say a Doberman or Rottie. I've got a German Shepherd x and he's a guard dog but still a family pet. Remember even a guard dog needs human company and affection as well!

Answer 6

My question is do you have any experience with strong dominant breeds?? My answers are based on MY experience and knowledge they are all great guard dogs but in MY experience the most ferocious when it comes to guarding is the rottweiler, German Shepherd, Ridgebacks and Akita's. The most energy in energy wise is the boxer the most playful as well. the akita being a dominant breed does not do well with other dogs and it ALL depends on were you purchase your're dog, Every dog is differant.

Answer 7

We rescued a Boxer several years ago and he is the sweetest boy you'll ever meet. Oops, sorry, if you come near me, he'll kill you. My big guy will protect me at all costs.

My husband works with a man who trains K-9 dogs and he told my hubby that the Boxer is best as far as natural guard dog and family pet. Another story I heard was from a postal worker who told me that the Boxer is the one dog he was always afraid of, simply because if he walked the same route everyday, the German Shepards and the other dogs would get used to him after a while and would be friendly, but no matter how many times he visited the houses with Boxers, they stood their ground and protected their house.

Like someone else said, if you are looking for a family pet and a dog that will protect your house, even a mutt will do that, I have 2 and they are always on alert. It depends on the individual dog.

Answer 8

I guess it depends on what personality you have and what exactly you want them to guard.

In my opinion, I would choose a rottie, Doberman, German Shepherd and boxer in that order. Boxer last because they are usually too friendly to be guard dogs.

Answer 9

If you're in the UK, you need something that'll bark and scare off but wont attack. Even if they are trespassing, if your dog bites them, you're liable.

I dont agree with keeping guard dogs at all personally, but then I dont see the need for them in a normal home environment. I think a lot of people see them as a cheaper alternative to a good security system. And I doubt any good rescue would rehome a dog into a guard dog situation, as others have said - a life on a chain in a yard 24 hours a day with no love, playtime, training, walks, bed by the fire - not a happy life.

I know someone who swears by westies - dont laugh - they bark a lot at intruders, and therefore wake their owners - who in turn can go out and scare off the intruders themselves!

Answer 10

I would say any of them,but Rotties are more intimidating because of their bulk.And,when you say "guard dog",I hope you don't mean a dog who is going to spend it's life on a chain,or in a pen, all alone for it's entire life.A guard dog can be a pet as well,and should be taken for walks,played with and given plenty of attention,and regular vet care,and they do NOT need to be treated harshly to get them to guard their property.My German shepherd is as friendly as can be,but when someone strange comes to the door,she barks and growls like crazy,and that is enough to scare off someone who doesn't know she wouldn't bite them (although she probably would bite someone if they broke into the house,or tried to harm me,or a member of my family.)