Top 4 Guard Dog Breeds For Families With Young Children
From protecting properties to offering personal protection or maybe companionship, dogs have been domesticated. But whatever the reason may be, every breed of dog has its unique traits, which should be considered when opting to raise or adopt one. Depending on the breed and training, dogs can be dedicated, daring, and know when to fend off an invader. On some rare occasions, they can be quite vicious and difficult to control. For someone with a family and young children, there are some particular dog breeds you should consider. We have taken the time to research the top four guard dogs for your home and family.
- German Shepherd
Having been bred in Germany, German shepherds are a comparable new breed of dog. They were bred in the late 19th century and later brought to the United States of America where they were used in the world wars. They are regarded as the best family dogs to keep due to their instincts to listen, learn, and obey instructions. Shepherds have thick fur and are incredible in size, which is great for security. But they are very quick to respond to a command, making them a good fit for every home. There might not be any better dog in the world with proper training than a German shepherd as they thrive with both adults and young children. They have relatively fewer health problems too.
- Rottweiler
The Rottweiler is a bit of an aggressive breed, and these traits have made them a great candidate for police dogs in recent times. They were used as guard dogs to keep watch and attack while armies rested during the night. Despite being one of the smartest dog breeds, the need for thorough training cannot be overemphasized. Their biggest health concern is cancer, but that is most prevalent in almost every dog breed. With the proper training, Rottweilers are great around family and even children in the right conditions. The aggressiveness can be a turn-off but are very obedient, making them a great fit for a family guard dog.
- Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman Pinscher is agile, great in size, and athletic. When fine-tuned under the owner’s command, they are extremely loyal. The Pinscher is said to have been bred from a varied range of breeds in German. They appear to have resemblance with greyhounds and terriers. They are a bit cautious around unfamiliar characters though very obedient to the owner’s command. If you want to have this type of breed in a household with young children, it is most advisable to have them as puppies due to the difficulty in training and need to be dominated. They are shorthaired with fewer health problems, though they have a relatively short lifespan.
- Bullmastiff
This dog breed is very protective of its owners and household. They are very observant and take stock of everything around them. It thrives in family settings due to its brilliant instincts. It also has a gentle and loving trait around those it considers ‘family’ and will attack when it feels a member of the family is threatened. As its name depicts, a bullmastiff is a combination of a bulldog and mastiff breed. It was first bred in England and was used as a tracker due to its ability to work quietly without noise. It requires early training to understand it’s a servant and needs to respect its owner. Without proper training, a bullmastiff will dominate the household and make it difficult to command and control. It is worth noting that they don’t settle well with other dog breeds if not raised properly. With a tough and disciplined owner, a Bullmastiff is very loving and gentle.
Whatever your reason may be when looking for a new dog, make sure to do good research and consider all factors such as young children in your household. Certain factors like relocating might make you consider giving a dog up for adoption and raising a new dog all over again. But thankfully, with pet transport services, you can safely move with your dog, so whichever dog breed you choose, they can always remain right by your family’s side.
