There are so many factors that play into finding the perfect protection dog for you and your lifestyle. Your activity level, hobbies, personality and preferences play a big role in what dog you will be happiest with. Is there a “best” breed of dog for protection? Out of the working dogs that have the right temperament for protection work, there is a “best” dog for you and your lifestyle. All of our dogs are incredible protection dogs because we choose our dogs from the best bloodlines and select only the ones that have the best temperament and abilities. Any of these trained dogs would make a great protector for you, but we go a step further and match you with a the dog that will blend seamlessly into your life. We want to help you find the best breed for you and your family’s lifestyle.
The Cane Corso breed
- Large presence
- Calm and friendly
- Smart and Confident
If you want a dog that looks intimidating to others but is a gentle giant? Then a Cane Corso may be the dog for you. A Cane Corso has a fierce look and bite (they can weigh more than 100 pounds) but is also a great family dog because of their gentleness and loyalty. A rough Latin translation of Cane Corso is ‘bodyguard dog” so you can trust this breed to keep you safe.
Learn more about The Cane Corso breed here.
Boerboel Protection dogs
Another dog whose looks are sure to keep the bad guys away is the Boerboel. This breed is native to Southern Africa where its job would be to protect its owners and their farm from lions and baboons. If Boerboels can keep lions away, he’s sure to be able to keep you and your family safe.
- Large presence
- Used to protect farm from predators
- Loyal companion
Czech Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds and German Shepherd
- Medium to large dogs
- Classic colorings
- Love to work
At Integrity K9 Services, we train Czech Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds, and, of course, German Shepherds. There are more similarities in these three breeds besides the fact that they have European origins. They all are very active, hard workers, and are very trainable and all are great with kids! So, what’s the difference between these breeds? the biggest difference between them is their place of origin. Based on their place of origin they developed slightly different coats, physical traits and personalities. Their coloring and difference in coat length can be a giveaway to which breed is which. Dutch Shepherds have a beautiful brindle coat that comes in a gold or silver color which can be long, short, or rough. German Shepherds come in the classic black and tan that we all recognize as well as white, black, or even blue. Czech Shepherds have sable coats which can make them look like a wolf since they are a bit bigger and more muscular than the German Shepherd. The Dutch Shepherd is the most energetic of the three and the German Shepherd is the least, though they will always be happy to exercise with you and, of course, will always be alert and ready to jump into action if a threatening situation arises!
The Belgian Malinois Breed
- Agile and athletic
- Sometimes referred to as the “ultimate protection dog”
- Incredibly high protective drive
Though they are sometimes confused with a Dutch or German Shepherd because of their looks, the Belgian Malinois also makes for a fantastic protection dog! These dogs are always ready to run, hike, bike, swim, train, or do any other athletic activity with you. Belgian Malinois are a very athletic breed with strong protective instincts. They have a strong prey drive and are highly intelligent, this makes them super quick learners. They excel in their obedience and protection training because of their personalities and their ethleticism.
We dive deeper into the Belgian Malinois breed here.
Belgian Malinois VS German Shepherd
When deciding between a Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd for protection there are some subtle differences between these two breeds that can make either one more or less well suited to you, your family and lifestyle. Though German Shepherds are known for their athleticism, strength and agility, Belgian Malinois are generally even more athletic, even stronger and even more agile than their German counterparts. Belgian Malinois are usually lighter, smaller and need a little more exercise than German Shepherds which can make a difference when deciding which breed is right for you. They are both extremely intelligent and hard working dogs who love their jobs! When it comes down to it, the better breed for protection is whichever one suits you and your lifestyle the best.
The Standard Poodle and Bouvier des Flandres breed
- Non-shedding
- Great family dogs
- Incredibly smart and trainable
If you have allergies, or prefer non-shedding breeds, a Standard Poodle or a Bouvier des Flandres could be the dog for you.
Poodles have amazing agility and make great protection dogs as they are very obedient. They have been bred for hundreds of years as working dogs and continue to prove their intelligence and ethleticism.
Bouvier des Flandres are very devoted to their owners and love children. They are very hard-working dogs, and they thrive when they have an assignment to fill, they excel in police, service and protection work.
American Bulldogs
- Great family dogs
- Protective instincts
- Love companionship
Last, but certainly not least, the American Bulldog. These dogs make great family dogs because of their sweet personalities. American Bulldogs are affectionate and have a strong natural instinct to protect their owners. They need a moderate amount of exercise and can do well being active with you and your family but need less exhaustive exrcise than some other breeds of working dogs.
Learn more about American Bulldogs and their temperaments and physical traits here.
Ultimately, the best protection dog for you and your family is the one that fits in best with your lifestyle. All of our dogs have been handpicked for their health and temperament and have all been through rigorous training. Contact us at 855-461-3647 or on our website to talk to a trainer about your protection dog needs.