The Best Protective Dog Breeds To Help You Feel Safe, According To Pet Parents

The following article includes references to violence and harm to animals.

Our furry friends serve many purposes; they can be loving companions, perform essential tasks to better our lives, and even entertain on the big screen. Yet, one of the many duties we have tasked dogs with is offering protection, whether it be for property or personal safety. Many canines were bred specifically with this in mind, and even though some are far removed from those days of duty, it has become an inherited trait or an easily trainable attribute.

To show how versatile dogs can be, we have looked for real accounts of brave boys and girls stepping up to save their caretakers. Sometimes, it can be through alerting an owner, fighting off an attacker, or training to help in a threatening situation. These 12 breeds are remarkable for their desire to ensure their owner always feels safe, and we have stories from thankful owners to prove it. Note: Some of these dogs face bans or have restrictions based on location, and anyone interested in keeping them as pets should double-check the Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) in their city and state prior to bringing one home.

The Doberman pinscher's protective tendencies date back to the 19th century, when a German tax collector, Louis Dobermann, sought a canine to guard him as he went about his day. The breed has become popular since thanks to its natural protective instincts and easy trainability as a guard dog. These canines can cast a menacing figure, with males averaging between 88 and 99 pounds, depending on the Doberman type. They're ideal dogs for active singles or couples in a metro area.

Many dog parents praise these highly intelligent canines for their intuitive nature and desire to protect. On the site Doberman Talk, a forum for owners, a thread details how protective "Dobies" can be. One user recounted a whole slew of instances where they were proud of their Doberman named Amy. Of the many stories, one included a case where another dog got loose and ran at the user's wife, only for the Doberman to step in and get the offending canine to submit until its owner retrieved it.

Another user from the forum told a story of their Doberman, Ming, defending the house from an intruder while they were in the shower. "Ming heard him and got through the doggie door and proceeded to bring him down. All the while being stabbed multiple times, (in the chest, shoulder, side and hip.)," the user wrote. The owner got Ming to an emergency vet, and she survived. They later learned the details of their Doberman's brave stand from the police.

These are big, intimidating pooches, with a male weighing between 110 and 133 pounds. However, the bullmastiff can be called a gentle giant, as it's a relatively quiet breed, doesn't require an abundance of exercise, and is good with kids. They can be stubborn dogs to train, but they make exceptional guard dogs. In fact, they were initially bred to halt poachers in their tracks.

Bullmastiffs are prized for their loyalty, calm demeanor, and natural protective instincts. You can see this sentiment echoed throughout a bullmastiff-centered Quora thread, but one story stands out as a testament to the dog's bravery, proving it has been a prized protector for decades. One user, who was 85 when posting on the site, spoke of his bullmastiffs protecting his family farm when he was 7 — aka during World War II. "Case in point, one night well after 3 a.m. we heard a big commotion of mixed human cries and shouts as well as barking and growling," the user wrote. "Our 2 [bullmastiffs] ... were causing havoc to a small group of 6 German soldiers looking to loot our larder of lambs, turkeys and chickens for their own consumption." 

While it can be difficult to differentiate between the American and Japanese Akita, the breed comes from a rough history. Originally bred to fight bears and later for dog fighting, it's hard to envision such a past with a doggo that has such an adorable appearance. Yet, behind all that fluff, you're looking at a dog as big as 75 to 120 pounds, which is certainly an intimidating figure for an unwanted stranger. Akitas are loyal, intelligent, and prideful, making them natural protectors. 

Many chimed in on a Reddit thread, asking for examples of when an akita protected its owner. One user talked about how her akita defended her against a Rottweiler-pit bull mix: "My boy immediately put himself between the other dog and me." Another user related how her akita was aware of someone sketchy following their partner: "Kita became very vocal and [aggressive] towards the silhouette coming for them. The guy turned around and that was it."

There's one story of a brave akita, aptly named Hero, who saved his owner in a peculiar way. According to Good News Network, Hero was first reported as a menace after attacking another man and his dog while they were walking in a field. However, when the police came to deal with Hero, they found him beside his owner, who had been missing for two days. Hero had watched over him, protected him against coyote attacks, and kept him company in the cold.

The Australian shepherd is one of the most beloved dog breeds, especially in high-energy families because the canine excels in a stimulating environment. These very affectionate pups are medium-sized (they average between 40 and 65 pounds), but their trainability can make them ideal guard dogs. They're naturally protective of their people, but training is essential to hone their innate desire to watch over their parents.

While this breed is more likely to alert you of an intruder when appropriately trained, there are some remarkable stories of Australian shepherds protecting their owners in other ways. Speaking to Australian Shepard Lovers site, pet parent Emma Blauw recounted her dog Banjo saving her after she fell and hit her head on a log. "A couple of minutes later, I woke up to feel Banjo tugging on my coat collar to get me to the side of the river and back on land," Blauw wrote. "My doctor said if it weren't for Banjo being there and dragging me to safety, it could have been a lot worse!"

Another Australian shepherd, Bailey, became a minor celebrity after videos of her saving her pet parent, Katie Graham, made their way to social media. Bailey was trained to watch over Graham, who suffers from postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), which can cause dizziness and fainting. For example, she's shown on video coming to her owner's aid before the onset of an episode and helping her when she experiences a fainting episode. Bailey is so attentive to Katie's safety that the clever pooch even grabs her medication.

Cane corsos are ideal guard dogs. Originally bred for war, hunting, and dog fighting, they are far removed from such barbaric duties nowadays. However, you can still see how this dog gives off an intimidating aura, and it's not just its average 88 to 110 pounds that makes this breed a strong presence — its physique makes it instantly recognizable. A cane corso is very loyal and affectionate to its owner, but beyond that, the dog can struggle in families with kids, is not good with cats, and can be disagreeable with other dogs. As a guard dog loyal to one or two owners, few can match the cane corso.

With proper training, the cane corso can still make for a great pet and guardian. This was highlighted in a viral TikTok video in which the poster dressed their partner up as a burglar and had him pretend to try to break into the home. Their two dogs' quick reactions showed what a potential intruder could face and how much of a deterrent having one of these big dogs can be.

@little_apple_cane_corso

The Cane Corso is an impressive breed with the instinct to protect their family. I wouldn't want to be an intruder in my house. P.s this was not a real break in attempt #canecorso #canecorsoitaliano #guarddog #guardianinstinct #protection #aggressivebreed #dominantbreed #gooddogs

♬ original sound – Little_Apple_Cane_Corso

Cane corsos aren't just for intimidating a would-be intruder, though. In a story shared with Cane Corso Rescue, one owner explains how their 7-month-old dog, Leo, alerted his family of intruders. "All Leo's teeth were showing, and it was obvious he meant business as, he went into a 'charge' stance as he watched the bedroom door and slowly made his way to my side," the owner recalled. Without the vocal and guiding pooch, the owner didn't think they would have realized vandals were downstairs. If that weren't enough, the dog even led them all to safety after a series of fires started in the home.

The boxer's popularity in the United States can be dated back to their use as military and police dogs during World War II, with returning service members finding a fondness for their breed due to their utility. When trained properly, these dogs also have a kind and loyal nature and can thrive in a family household, though they may struggle to get along with other pets. Their muscular figure and moderate size also make them a visual deterrent to unwelcome strangers.

With a history of service that saw them as fearless, the boxer has become a welcome addition to many homes looking for protection. The breed's protective nature was highlighted in a playful story in which a boxer named Maddox guarded his future little friend by warding off anyone trying to approach his pregnant owner. "[Maddox] is protective over his soon-to-be new baby brother," the father-to-be said of the dog (via the Daily Mail). Another solid example of this breed's protective nature is one named Tank alerting its family of a fire so they could get out in time, as explained by Metro.

A dog bred for versatility, from herding work to military use, the German shepherd also doubles as a loving family pet. When trained properly to avoid unexpected attacks, German shepherds fit nicely into a multi-member and multi-pet household and are loyal to their people and property. The medium-to-large dog is instantly recognizable thanks to remaining consistently within the top 10 dog breeds in the U.S.

The German shepherd is one of the most intelligent and obedient dog breeds. In fact, one brave pupper, Luna, saved her mother from a bear attack. According to The Doggington Post, owner Vanessa Chaput was hiking along the trail in Canada's Yukon territory when she found herself between three bears. Luna warded off two of the smaller bears, and when Chaput was attacked by the third, the German shepherd returned to save her mom. "Her barking saved my life," Chaput said of the incident.

In the popular off-my-chest Reddit thread, one user described an "angelic experience" where a kindly German shepherd led him to safety when he became lost in the woods. "But the dog started walking off the way it entered and kept stopping and looking back at me ... after about another hour of walking I could finally see light, the dog led me right out to the road about 2 -3 miles away from my house," the user wrote. Given this breed's popularity and naturally protective nature, there's no shortage of online stories about brave German shepherds stepping up to save their caretakers.

It's not always the big boys and gals who have that instinct to protect, and the shiba inu is one of the many little warriors that make great protectors. These dogs are very alert and fearless. Ask any shiba inu owner, and they'll also relate how vocal the adorably fluffy breed can be. If training your shiba inu as a guard dog, they may not be aggressive, but they can certainly vocalize and deter any unwanted visitors. This breed is perfect for city living for those in apartments who can't have large dogs.

Users on the shiba inu Subreddit have shared instances of their "borky" boys and gals stepping up to protect them. A post from one user listed multiple cases of her shiba inu as a protector, including warning of an oven fire, warding off suspicious strangers, and becoming protective of her belly before they knew they were pregnant. Another user spoke about how their shiba stayed protective of her after they and their boyfriend fought despite being affectionate to the man previously. However, the thread also has users stating how cowardly their little pup could be, so this breed remains best as a potential option for those who can't have larger, more proven guard dogs.

The great Dane is one of the best-behaved dog breeds, and its affectionate, kind, and devoted nature can brighten an owner's life. Despite their size, they make for great family or apartment dogs, given their only moderate need for exercise. These dogs make for great protectors because of their large size (they average between 100 and 200 pounds) and deep bark, which are enough to scare away any potential intruder or unwanted stranger.

Great Dane owners discussed precisely this on a Reddit thread, with tales of solicitors or Amazon delivery drivers running after hearing the dog from behind the door. The consensus is that many feel safe with dogs because their size was intimidating for those unaware of their generally gentle nature. However, one user related that their sweet Dane, Hennesey, pinned down an intruder entering her bedroom. "Our house was broken into while I was asleep and the [burglar] broke my bedroom window to get in. She ran full speed from the living room to my bedroom and jumped at the guy as he was midway into my room," the user wrote. Still, these dogs are ideal protectors for their size and boisterous bark; even when training them as guard dogs, they make for a better deterrent than aggressors.

An alternative to a big, intimidating dog — if you want a furry friend better suited for wide spaces, a childless household, and a solo-pet home — is the giant schnauzer. This large breed can get on the bigger end, but they're known for kindness and loyalty. Moreover, their easy trainability makes them the perfect companion for the right home.

One Reddit user calls her giant schnauzer, who doubles as her service dog, the "Best bodyguard in NYC." The dog breed has also entered the force. Case in point: In 2015, a giant schnauzer named Tyr joined the Saskatoon police force. Talking to the Saskatoon Star Phoenix, owner and trainer Chad Malanowich, a police constable, spoke about how professional Tyr is while on the job and said he trusts the pooch in the dangerous line of work. "He's completely social around people, but when he goes to work, he's all business," Malanowich told the outlet. The giant schnauzer has been embraced in the police force and military more in Europe, but they're still relatively new in these fields in North America.

Rotties have an unwarranted bad reputation, with heavy restrictions on ownership in several countries, including Spain and the U.K. While the breed can struggle with kids, cats, and other dogs, Rottweilers are brilliant, easy-to-train dogs that are loyal and protective of their people. Still, tailored training is vital for this easily recognizable breed to become the ideal protectors with their muscular build and big size.

One owner of a brave Rott recounted how their dog saved their child's life. A 4-year-old was attacked by a pit bull who grabbed him by his arm and began dragging him (via The Telegraph). His brother called for their Rottweiler, Frankee, to save his brother. Frankee bravely attacked the aggressive pit bull, allowing the dog's owner to call 911. The kid sustained injuries but survived.

Another story, initially aired on NBC 5, tells the story of a 110-pound Rottweiler named Hercules who saved his mother from being abducted while on a hike. Catalina Humphrey was hiking in The Woodlands of Texas when a stranger grabbed her. Hercules wasted no time coming to his mother's aid, attacking the perpetrator until he fled.

The great pyrenees is another deceptive dog when it comes to great protectors. The enormous, fluffy breed certainly has the size to make it intimidating. However, due to its affectionate nature, the dog is a great family dog, as it generally gets along with kids and other pets. Its long history of safeguarding livestock from all manner of predators should give potential owners an idea of its capabilities as a protector.

One of the most remarkable stories of this breed protecting a family comes from The Great Pyrenees Club of Southern Ontario. Martha, the owner of a friendly dog named Frank, tells how her dog fought off a bear approaching her kids while she was away from home. Another story tells of a great pyrenees who alerted a family living on a houseboat of a blaze, saving their lives with his quick reaction (via the Daily Mail).

Many users on Reddit have also expressed their love for the protective nature of their great pyrenees. For instance, one user spoke fondly of her pups, who have helped protect her property from coyotes and wild dogs "nearly countless times." Another user fell while walking with his dog, bumping his head. "Next thing I know my fluff is standing on top of me snarling at all our neighbors," the user wrote. "My wife said I was out about a minute or so. Leia would not let anyone get near me." Protective? We think so!