Ten Dog Breeds That Will Risk Their Own Life To Protect You and Your Children
Kuvasz
Kuvasz are polite, but rather suspicious and discriminating in making new friends or strangers. This breed is excellent for protecting livestock and your home. Kuvasz requires early and ongoing socialization if his territorial instincts are to remain under control. Kuvasz are gentle and patient with children in the family, but may become concerned and overprotective when neighborhood kids join in. Similarly, he may be amiable with the pets in his own family, yet think nothing of eradicating trespassing animals.
Komondor
The Komondor, a working dog, devotes their life to his or hers family. Distrustful of strangers, some Komondors are never completely comfortable with one single stranger. Many Komondors must be carefully introduced to guests, then supervised while the guest is present in the home. The Komondor is patient with children in the family, but can be overprotective when neighborhood kids join in. Similarly, he may be protective of his own family’s pets while aggressively attacking others.
Belgian Malinois Shepherd
The Belgian Malinois Shepherd, a working dog, takes great pride in protecting its own. The strong protective instincts and highly observant stature with strangers makes the Belgian a great family protector. Belgians can be mischievous one second and often serious the next.
Chinese Shar-Pei
Shar-Pei are wonderful dogs to own. Naturally clean, quiet, and good mannered at home. The Chinese Shar-Pei develops close knit relationships with loved ones. Aside from the fact that Shar-Pei are easily housebroken they also are outstanding guard dogs. Typically Shar-Pei will mind their own business unless provoked. Natural instincts will make any stranger in your home running for the door.
Chow Chow
This bulky and stilted built animal respects their owners and strangers unless it is provoked. Strong hunting skills in Chow Chow give them a bad reputation for being aggressive towards other animals. Accustoming your Chow Chow to friends and family at an early age is a must to gain trust within the family.
Akita
Powerful, reserved with strangers, and protective, the Akita Inu must be accustomed to people at an early age so that his guarding instincts remain controlled rather than indiscriminate. Akitas can be so aggressive with other dogs of the same sex that two males or two females should never be left alone together. It is strongly advised to keep small children away from Akitas when they are eating.
Giant Schnauzer
Most Giant Schnauzers are watchful with strangers and responsible about protecting their home. However, timidity, skittishness, and sharp-shyness are seen in some lines. To promote a stable, confident temperament, Giant Schnauzers need more socialization than many other breeds.
Rottweiler
Rottweilers have been selected for guarding and protection work, and this must be kept in mind at all times. Well-socialized rottweilers get along nicely with people and other dogs, but males in particular can be a bit aggressive and dominant. Active, intelligent dogs, they are fully confident enough to act on their own, so they need guidance right from the start.
Doberman Pinscher
Doberman pinschers are considered people-oriented dogs that are affectionate and sweet with people, if socialized and trained properly. They are loyal to their owners and are good with children if raised with them; however, some Dobermans bond only to one person. No special guard training is needed for anyone who wants a good family protector. In fact, Doberman pinscher experts often advise against special guard training, which could result in over-guarding and aggression.
German Shepherd
