6 Reasons Great Danes Are Wonderful Guard Dogs

Great Danes are often considered “gentle giants.” Historically, they were bred in Germany as boarhounds (used for hunting wild boar, deer, and other large game). Later, their imposing size made them useful as estate guard dogs. While they aren’t traditional guard dogs, there are some reasons you may want to consider Great Danes as a pet for the purpose of protection.

This post was updated September 1, 2025 to clarify the history of Great Dane breeding and specify healthy and safe training advice.

1. Imposing Size

Great Danes simply look scary. They’re one of the largest dog breeds in the world, which can make them very imposing. While they’re generally known as “gentle giants,” that doesn’t mean that everyone will be comfortable around them.

Simply having a guard dog in your house may be enough to prevent some intruders from entering, especially if they can’t tell exactly what kind of dog they are through the window! A big dog with a powerful bark is plenty to send many trespassers on their way.

2. Protective Instincts

Great Danes can possess some protective instincts. Many are not protective at all and live up to the “gentle giant” name. However, breeding can have a huge effect on this breed, with some breeders purposefully breeding dogs with some of the older guarding instincts still intact.

You may have to research breeders in your area that produce Great Danes for guarding purposes. Most of these guard dogs are pretty gentle and friendly with their family members, but they can be protective if they sense a threat.

Of course, socialization is vital so that these dogs can figure out what is a threat and what isn’t with some accuracy. if they are never around new people, they may assume everyone is a threat, which can be dangerous. If you plan on using a Great Dane as a guard dog, it is vital that you take extra time to socialize them.

3. Loyalty

Great Danes love their families, and it shows. They form strong bonds with their owners and are very likely to be loyal to their families. When faced with a threat, this trait is absolutely necessary for any guard dog. Their loyalty to their family must overrule any self-preservation and fear that they have.

These canines are known for bonding closely with their owners, including the children of the family. Careful training can help deepen this bond, making these dogs even better at guarding the family and property.

4. Alertness

Great Danes are decently alert dogs. They tend to be vigilant, and their loud bark is very imposing (though they don’t tend to bark all that much). They’re faster at picking up changes in their surroundings than most owners are, making them great watchdogs and guard dogs.

Even if your Great Dane is really just a cuddle bug, they can be very useful for letting you know when something is off on your property. Plus, as we explained above, sometimes their loud bark is enough to scare off potential intruders.

5. Training Potential

Great Danes can be stubborn and slow to mature. They are trainable but not ranked among the most obedient breeds. They require consistent, patient training and early socialization. They can be gentle but are also strong-willed. Many owners actually find them quite challenging to manage.

Just like with any breed, socialization and training are both cornerstones to producing a safe, discerning Great Dane. Socialization becomes even more important if you’re going to raise your Great Dane as a guard dog. You don’t want them to think that everyone who shows up on your doorstep is an enemy.

Luckily, Great Danes socialize and train easily, so these important steps aren’t all that difficult for a committed owner.

6. Good with Children

Great Danes tend to be good with children, especially considering their size. Of course, proper socialization is important. If you want your dog to be good with kids, it’s important that they are around children of all ages at a young age. This socialization should include children outside your family, as well.

You don’t want your Great Dane trying to guard anything against a child, so they should be exceptionally well-socialized with kids. Sadly, many protective Great Danes may try to protect their children from other children when they misinterpret roughhousing, leading to potential injuries. Most canine behavior experts recommend teaching kids and dogs to avoid rough play so the dog doesn’t misinterpret situations or accidentally injure a child.