Dogs are the most popular and the number one pet in the United States according to recent research. While many people will go for a loyal, friendly breed that is also easy to care for, you may wish to look into small guarding dog breeds if you’re looking for protection and preferably less of an actual family pet and more of a protector. While any breed can be trained to become a guard dog, there are certain breeds that are common for the job because of their size, their nature, or what they are historically. It’s important to find the right balance between having a small pet you’ll walk around in public and something big enough to scare away potential intruders.
Can a Small Dog Be a Guard Dog?
Yes, it is possible for a small dog to be a guard dog. However, not all small breeds are good with children or good-natured enough to be in your home when you’re not around. You’ll need to consider the size of the breed along with their nature and training before buying one, to make sure that they don’t turn out to be a good companion merely for show rather than as a protector.
Small dogs can be great guard dogs for a number of reasons. They are often more aggressive than their larger counterparts and are not as likely to be intimidated by an intruder. They also require less space, making them a good option for apartments or homes in which a larger dog may not be able to easily maneuver. Small dogs are often easy to train to become guard dogs and are very loyal to their family.
You can train a small dog by using harsh and strict training techniques to teach them who is in charge. With a small dog, it’s also more likely that you won’t have to worry about the dog harming larger animals. The small dog can also be more likely to live for a longer period of time. Make sure that the dog becomes familiar with everybody in the house, and that everybody is comfortable with the dog as well. The smaller breed can miss those special cues that you’ll want to teach it if it spends a lot of time around family and friends and must be taught not to harm them.
Can a Small Guard Dog Also be a Family Pet?
It is possible for a small breed to be both a guard dog and also a family pet. However, it’s important that the small dog has been trained not to harm anyone in your household or any children that you may have living with you. Small dogs should only be purchased if they get along well with other animals and people and can get through their day without harming or being harmed.
The family pet is often an entirely different breed than the guard dog. It’s important to understand that there are two distinctly different types of dogs for two completely different purposes. A small guarding dog should not be bought as a family pet because it will not be able to protect your children or yourself, if necessary, whereas a true family pet will be more likely to be lovable and loyal while still being safe.
What Are the Best Small Guard Dogs?
There are many small guard dogs that you can choose from, such as:
Poodles
This is a great guard dog that gets well along with both other animals and people. They are smart, loyal, and easy to train.
Pomeranians
This is another popular choice for small guard dogs because of their protective nature. They don’t like to be left alone for long periods of time though so you’ll need somebody who can come home and visit often. Here are some small guard dog breeds to protect you and your property:
Chihuahuas
This breed is a little more difficult to train and can have a lot of anxiety, but this also means that it rarely bites or harms anyone. It may be better suited for somebody who has lived with dogs before and doesn’t require constant obedience training.
Jack Russell
This breed is playful and intelligent, so they tend to get along well with older children. They can be a little too energetic though for younger children who may not know how to handle the dog’s roughhousing nature.
Chinese Shar-Pei
This dog is very protective of children and doesn’t like to be around strangers, so they are a great option for somebody who lives alone or with their family. They’re loyal but can get aggressive if provoked.
Other small dogs you can use as guard dogs include the: Bulldog, Pug, Weimaraner, Chow Chow, and the Maltese Terrier.
See also: Spotlight on the Miniature American Shepherd Dog
And: Focus on the Miniature Husky Breed
What Are the Best Medium-Sized Guard Dogs?
There are many medium-sized guard dogs that you can choose from when primarily looking for an outside dog to keep your home safe at night or when nobody is there. Such dogs include:
Bull Mastiff
This breed is great at protecting your home, but requires a lot of space to move around and doesn’t do well in either hot or cold climates for extended periods of time.
Doberman Pinscher
This is another breed that does well outside guarding the house, but needs plenty of exercise and maybe too energetic for a small apartment.
German Shepherd
As it’s able to be trained well at a young age, this breed can become great at protecting you and your home. They require a lot of attention however so they do not make good guard dogs if you have little time for them or take long vacations often.
Other great medium-sized guard dogs include the: Great Dane, Presa Canario, Boxer, Rottweiler, and Siberian Husky.
Depending on what you are looking for in your next dog or your next guard dog determines how big of a breed you should get. Generally speaking, though, it’s best to get a medium-sized breed if you aren’t going to have the dog inside of your home with you and a smaller breed if you have some time but not that much space. In any case, always make sure you get a guard dog from a breeder who knows how to properly socialize their dogs so they won’t become feral or attack anybody.
Featured image: Jack Russell
