Guard Dog - Breeds

Breeds

One of the first police "K9" dogs, (Britain), the Airedale terrier, historically, was a well respected British, German and Soviet military dog. It has fallen out of favor as a guard, because Dobermanns, Rottweilers and German Shepherds look very ferocious when they are agitated and snarling. By contrast, the Airedale will bark before attacking and not put on a big show of aggressive posturing. The Airedale Oorang type, some of which are as big as German Shepherds, are as capable as the more familiar guardian breeds and are tenacious when aroused. Many of the now prominent guardian breeds such as Rottweilers, American Bulldogs, Bouviers, Swiss Mountain dog and Giant Schnauzers started as farm dogs types but then developed over many years into guard breeds. Some breeds, such as the Akita, Weimaraner and Rhodesian Ridgeback, were originally bred for hunting, but their large intimidating look and territorial instincts have helped them evolve into guard dogs in today's society. The Rhodesian ridgeback is a determined defender of the family and can be very damaging to an enemy of its family. Others like Dobermans, Boxers and Black Russian terriers were specifically bred as guard dogs. Many of the below breeds have a greater amount of molossoid or mastiff DNA. This is confirmed by a DNA study done on >270 pure breed dogs. The study suggests that in the distant past thirteen ancient breeds broke off early on after which a group of mastiff style dogs were developed.

These dogs are grouped with the mastiffs Great Dane and Irish wolfhound. The Irish wolfhound (a traditional hunting breed, used against the giant Irish Elk and the wolf and a few unlucky knights on horseback) has evidence that its population was nearly wiped out 200 years ago and its existing members descend from a very small group of dogs and thus it is a rebuilt breed, but evidently out of somewhat different building blocks. Some people think that the Great Dane and Scottish Deerhound contributed to the resurrected Irish wolfhound. The modern Irish Wolfhound has a more peaceful temperament than its ancestor the CU of Ireland.The Irish Wolfhound has the power to excel as a guard but many of them have been bred to be passive. It would still probably not be a good idea to intentionally bait a wolfhound, it could kill a man. The Anatolian shepherd, the Kangal, the Akbash, the Tibetan Mastiff, the Kuvasz, the Mid-Asian shepherd, Caucasian shepherd (which guarded the Berlin Wall) and the great white guardian breeds of Asia are very serious guardian breeds. Most of the flock guardian breeds are more powerful than most police dog breeds, they are independent guards. They are family, property and flock protectors and will attack intruders, man or beast, without prompts from a master. The Belgian shepherd dogs, which look similar to the German shepherd, are gaining in popularity with police departments as an extremely quick and agile police dog. The extraordinary American Pitbull terrier, Fila Brasiliero, Dogo Argentino, American Bulldog, Tosa Inu and Canary dog can be overly destructive to trespassers. Some breeds who make excellent guards, are more commonly having breed specific legislation passed against them, banning them from some communities and whole countries. The watch dogs may someday outnumber the truly effective guard dogs who can actually protect from violent outside threats to a household or a K9 handler. Many landlords will not allow intimidating looking guard dog breeds and big game hunting breeds to live on their properties. It is less complicated to find a home for a tiny lapdog than a robust, confident, scrappy Pitbull.

The St. Bernard is also somewhat different from the mastiffs and is not in the molossoid group; however, the Swiss mountain dogs are. The Moscow Watchdog thus probably inherits its guarding ability not from the St. Bernard but from its other major contributor, the Caucasian Ovcharka (no evidence other than speculation and the known breed characteristics). Great Danes are odd because they are not in the molossoid group and traditionally behaved as though they should be. The Great Dane is a mix of mastiff and coursing hounds, that was popular as a Boar hunter. The Dane is now sometimes referred to as the Deutsche Dogge, Germany claiming credit for the dogs' origin. The Great Dane looks similar to the Broholmer, a nearly extinct Danish mastiff, so the Great Dane could actually be a great Dane.

The original Saint Bernard was used for alpine rescue in the Saint Bernard Pass by the monks. An avalanche killed off many of the dogs used for breeding. The Saint Bernards had to be bred with larger dogs such as mastiffs, which give it the large size and the guard dog instinct that the Saint Bernard has today. The Saint Bernard can be a stalwart guard: GRIZZ, a Saint, ran a Grizzly Bear away from his' owner,saving her life.

It is claimed that female dogs tend to make better personal guardians than males, due to maternal instincts, but males are considered better for guarding property because of their greater territorial instinct. That may be true in general, but all dogs are individuals. Female protection dogs are much easier to train and learn at a faster rate. Less independent, they are adept at integrating into their new family and swiftly blend into any situation they are consigned to.

The Australian cattle dog or blue heeler fought in wars in Australia, and still is used as a military dog today. They also serve in the police force and help to guard herds of cattle or sheep. Being made for harsh weather, herding, and protection, these dogs are very intelligent guard dogs.

The Australian Shepherd has been used as a flock guardian after being introduced into the United states as a herding dog. Over the years, the Australian shepherd has adapted to being used as guard dogs on farms, flock guardians, and guarding households. The Jindo dog is widely used in civilian and military in South Korea.

The German Shepherd dog is widely used by the Metropolitan Police Force and private security companies in the UK.