For many homeowners and apartment-dwellers, dogs make an important part of their home security systems. The added benefits that they provide, however, in companionship and affection, cannot be replaced.
Dogs are instinctively inclined to protect their territory, which may also be your home, and they are likewise geared to protect their pack, which is you and your family.
Of course, certain breeds of dog make for better security dogs than others. Security dogs tend to be more fearless, loyal, watchful and stronger than other breeds. Most dogs alert you whenever a person arrives at your doorstep, but it takes a special type of dog to spot the difference between a harmless visitor and an intruder. Moreover, certain breeds of dog are more capable of thwarting or disabling an intruder than other breeds. These dogs are generally larger in stature and stronger than other breeds. Therefore, they must be highly trained and socialized to harness those attributes while keeping them under control.
Akita
Akitas are muscular dogs with a double coat. They are known for being loyal, courageous and dignified. Excellent family protectors, they live between 10 and 13 years. Adult males weigh between 100 and 130 pounds and reach heights of 26 to 28 inches. Meanwhile, adult females weigh between 70 and 100 pounds and reach between 24 and 26 inches in height.
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Appenzeller Sennenhund
Appenzeller sennenhunds are medium-sized, tri-color dogs with incredible balance and a nearly square frame. Agile and muscular, this breed is also known to be lively and versatile. Regardless of gender, adults weigh between 48 and 70 pounds and reach heights of 19 to 22 inches. They are known to be good farm dogs, guarding both the ranch house and hen house alike. They are talented herders and perform well in search and rescue scenarios.
Bullmastiff
As docile in relaxation as they are fearless at work, bullmastiffs are powerfully built guard dogs that live between seven and nine years. They are a crossbreed of bulldogs and mastiffs, benefiting from the security and family-friendly features of both breeds. Males reach 25 to 27 inches in height and 110 to 130 pounds. Females bullmastiffs reach 24 to 26 inches in height and 100 to 120 pounds.
Catahoula Leopard Dog
Catahoula leopard dogs are known to be watchful and alert. They are also fiercely loyal with an independent streak that allows them to take on a job like protecting the home with vigor. Both sexes reach 50 to 95 pounds, 22 to 24 inches in height and live from 10 to 14 years.
Catahoula leopard dogs combine endurance and agility with strength and power. Their penchant for playfulness is as strong as their serious devotion to work.
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Reaching heights of 23 to 30 inches tall and weights of 99 to 170 pounds, Caucasian shepherd dogs live from 10 to 12 years. They are a kind and gentle breed by all appearances, unless their pack is threatened. As such, they make tremendous guardians for families. They are fierce when they need to be and endlessly confident in their ability to manage threats, yet equally devoted, tender and affectionate to family members and other pets.
Central Asian Shepherd Dog
Smaller than their Caucasian counterpart, central Asian shepherd dogs are agile and balanced with a deep self-assurance and quiet independence. Their combination of steep courage, immense territoriality and enduring capacity to work make them excellent guardians. They are renowned for being particularly fearless in the face of predators even larger than themselves. Central Asian shepherd dogs achieve heights of 25.5 to 27.5 inches, with their weights averaging between 88 and 110 pounds.
Doberman Pinscher
An intensely alert breed, the Doberman pinscher is one of the most popular security dogs, and for good reason. With an intimidating stature and physique, they are also incredibly intelligent and can be highly trained. Dobermans are tireless and vigilant dogs, looking after their charges as long and steadily as required. Males reach 75 to 100 pounds and 26 to 28 inches tall while females reach 60 to 90 pounds and 24 to 26 inches tall. Doberman pinschers live between 10 and 12 years.
German Shepherd Dog
German shepherd dogs are known as all-around working dogs with one of the best work ethics among canines and some of the finest capacities to execute their duties. These assets include agility, size, musculature and intelligence. German shepherd dogs live from seven to 10 years and reach 65 to 90 pounds and 24 to 26 inches tall for males. Females range from 50 to 70 pounds and 22 to 24 inches tall. German shepherds are loyal, steadfast, courageous and confident. However, owners should be aware that there are show lines and working lines, with show lines generally being more docile and working lines being harder to train.
Giant Schnauzer
Schnauzers may not be the first breed of dog to jump to mind when thinking about security, but that may be because when most people think of schnauzers, they think of small- to medium-sized dogs. However, giant schnauzers can reach heights of 27.5 inches and a weight of 85 pounds. With that kind of size, the sheer intelligence and trainability of the breed can be easily applied to protecting the family and household.
Puli
Not a breed you would necessarily identify straightaway as a security dog based on appearances, the Puli is a small long-haired dog that is one to be reckoned with. They are agile dogs bred to be faithful to humans and are energetic, diligent hard workers. Trained mostly for herding, the instinct to protect the herd can easily be translated to protecting the home. Despite their small size, they contain a great deal of power in their compact frame.
Rottweiler
Another common choice for the role of security dog, the Rottweiler is as loving and loyal as it is fierce. A confident breed most known, perhaps, for its strength and robustness, Rottweilers can switch from scaring off aggressors to playing and cuddling with family little ones in an instant. Male Rottweilers can reach 95 to 135 pounds and 24 to 27 inches, while females can reach 80 to 100 pounds and 22 to 25 inches tall.
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