| Around the world there is much debate as to which | | | | 5. Rhodesian Ridgeback |
| dogs make the best ones for guard duty. Most | | | | The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a breed that is |
| experts just judge the effectiveness of dogs they | | | | indigenous to South Africa. The Ridgeback's |
| are familiar with, while ignoring unfamiliar less local | | | | distinguishing feature is the ridge of hair along its back |
| dogs. Most lists tend to be regional and not global. In | | | | running in the opposite direction to the rest of its |
| England, large terriers show up higher on the list, | | | | coat and are typically muscular with a light wheaten |
| while in Europe they tend to lean toward the | | | | coat, which should be short, dense, sleek and glossy |
| traditional dogs like German Shepherds and Doberman | | | | in appearance and neither woolly nor silky. Ridgebacks |
| Pinschers. American lists tend to add Pit Bull terriers | | | | are loyal and intelligent, but tend to be aloof to |
| and while the Japanese add the Tosa Inu. The top | | | | strangers. A Ridgeback of proper temperament will |
| ten list here takes these factors into account and | | | | be more inclined to ignore a stranger than to |
| presents a good balance of guard dogs from around | | | | challenge them. This breed requires positive, |
| the world. | | | | reward-based training, good socialization and |
| 10. Tosa Inu | | | | consistency, and is often not the best choice for |
| The Tosa Inu is a stately, massive dog. Bred for | | | | inexperienced dog owners. |
| hundreds of years in Japan, the Tosa is surprising | | | | 4. Bull Mastiff |
| athletic and agile. With a large head and broad skull, it | | | | The Bullmastiff is a powerful dog, which was originally |
| has a large mouth with very powerful jaws. The | | | | a cross between the English Mastiff and the Old |
| sheer size and deep bark of this dog is an excellent | | | | English Bulldog. Originally bred to find and immobilize |
| deterrent for intruders. Tosa Inus are crossbreeds | | | | poachers, the breed has proven popular as a family |
| between Great Danes, Saint Bernards, and Mastiffs | | | | pet. A Bullmastiff can be fearless and confident, yet |
| and were created to be large fighting dogs. They are | | | | docile. It has a very strong protective instinct and will |
| highly intelligent and do not need repetitious training, | | | | defend against any threat to its owners, as well as |
| but do to their size, they should not be left with | | | | any threat to its territory. Their protective instinct |
| children unsupervised. | | | | combined with their great size and natural wariness |
| 9. American Akita | | | | of strangers means that early socialization and |
| The American Akita, separate from the Akita Inu, is | | | | obedience training are essential. |
| a large dog breed that originated in the mountains of | | | | 3. Rottweiler |
| Japan. The Akita is a beautifully striking dog with the | | | | The Rottweiler is a medium to large breed originating |
| appearance of strength and nobility. Physically, these | | | | in Germany as a herding dog. It is a hardy and very |
| dogs were bred for cold weather. They have | | | | intelligent breed with well developed genetic herding |
| luxuriously thick coats and large bear-like heads. They | | | | and guarding instincts, but the potentially dangerous |
| are very affectionate, loyal and very territorial. They | | | | behavior in Rottweilers usually results from |
| tend to be socially dominant towards other dogs, | | | | irresponsible ownership, abuse, neglect, or lack of |
| reserved barkers, and can be hard to train. But unlike | | | | socialization and training. |
| the Tosa, the Akita is well suited for families looking | | | | 2. Doberman Pinscher |
| for more than a watch dog. | | | | Doberman Pinschers are among the most common of |
| 8. Giant Schnauzer | | | | pet breeds, and the breed is well known as an |
| The Giant Schnauzer is a large compact dog that | | | | intelligent, alert, and loyal companion dog. The |
| operates well in clear defined pack relationships. It is a | | | | Pinscher are short coat dogs compactly built with |
| calm, versatile work dog that loves to be with its | | | | endurance and speed and have a proud, watchful, |
| owner at all times. The Giant Schnauzer is easy to | | | | determined, and obedient temperament. Although |
| train and responds to firm consistent behavior. The | | | | once commonly used as guard dogs, watch dogs, or |
| key to this breed is for it understand that all other | | | | police dogs, this is less common today. |
| humans around it are higher up in the pack. The Giant | | | | 1. German Shepherd |
| Schnauzer lives in pack mentality, and it is crucial to | | | | One of the most registered breeds in the world, |
| have a consistent behavior with this dog to remain a | | | | German Shepherds are a relatively new breed of |
| great guard dog. | | | | dog, whose origins date to 1899, and were |
| 7. Komondor | | | | developed originally for herding sheep. The breed is |
| The Komondor is a large dog with Hungarian origins | | | | marked by a willingness to learn and an eagerness to |
| that is covered with a heavy corded coat and a | | | | have a purpose. Because of their strength, intelligence |
| robust body. The Komondor is a natural guardian that | | | | and abilities in obedience training they are often |
| is used to protect livestock and property. These | | | | employed in police and military roles. Shepherds have |
| dogs were almost wiped out during World War 2 | | | | a loyal nature and bond well with people they know. |
| when the Germans and Russians had to slay them | | | | They are in the top five on most guard dog lists. |
| before entering the properties they were invading. | | | | Note, while the Pit Bull is a popular dog, it is also the |
| 6. Puli | | | | top dog for viciousness and I would not recommend |
| Similar to the Komondor, the Puli is a medium sized | | | | it for a guard dog due to its chaotic temperament |
| guard dog. Its fur is similar to the Komondor and | | | | and history. The Pit Bull can be a very loving dog and |
| differs in color and tends to be darker than its | | | | excellent deterrent as a watch dog and we need to |
| cousins. The Puli is an intelligent, agile dog used both | | | | bring these loving dogs back into the world as a safe |
| for guarding and herding livestock and are very loyal, | | | | breed for families. |
| easy to train dogs. | | | | |