Breeds of Attack (Guard) Dogs For Defense

Dog lovers around the world have pets from a multitude of different breeds and groups. There are herding dogs, hounds, toy breeds, non-sporting dogs, terriers, working dogs, and those in the miscellaneous class. Attack dogs, or guard dogs, typically come from the working dog group.

In this article, we’ll be delving into the breeds specifically bred for self-defense, those that make great attack or guard dogs by nature, and those that can be trained to guard. Read on to discover which dog breeds make the best guard and attack dogs.

1. Doberman Pinscher

If you’re looking for a dog that will be loyal, fiercely protective, and highly trainable, the Doberman pinscher is a great choice. These intelligent dogs love their families, though they’ll often attach themselves mostly to one member. They are sleek and powerful, and they’ll take down any threats quickly and effectively.

Doberman pinschers have scored fifth place on Stanley Coren’s dog intelligence rating based on scores from. 100 different judges. Here are more personality, trainability, and intelligence measurements, which all contribute to their performance as attack and guard dogs.

• Vigilance — 5/5
• Trainability — 5/5
• Intelligence — 5/5
• Weight — Males: 75 to 100 pounds, Females: 60 to 90 pounds
• Height — Males 26 to 26 inches, Females: 24 to 26 inches

2. Rottweiler

Descended from the mastiffs that protected Roman legions, the Rottweiler is a fiercely loyal protector and affectionate dog who loves their family. However, they aren’t aggressive unless they’re defending their loved ones. They’re muscular, strong, and confident dogs.

Rottweilers scored first place ranking for “top dogs for watchdog barking” in Stanley Coren’s book, as well as ninth place in intelligence. Here are more personality, trainability, and intelligence measurements.

• Vigilance — 5/5
• Trainability — 5/5
• Intelligence — 5/5
• Weight — Males: 95 to 135 pounds, Females: 80 to 100 pounds
• Height — Males: 24 to 27 inches, Females: 22 to 25 inches

3. Tibetan Mastiff

Though this breed of dog is highly intelligent, they are also stubborn. Tibetan mastiffs often learn a command quickly, but they don’t always repeat it on cue. Perhaps they don’t want to belabor the point. They do most often obey their owners, but they will use their own prudent judgment about some situations.

Here are their personality, trainability, and intelligence measurements.

• Vigilance — 5/5
• Trainability — 3/5
• Intelligence — 5/5
• Weight — Males: 90 to 150 pounds, Females: 70 to 120 pounds
• Height — Males: 26 inches, Females: 24 inches

4. German Shepherd

The quintessential police and military dog, the German shepherd is actually the third-smartest dog on Stanley Coren’s famous The Intelligence of Dogs list. Many researchers and experts in the field claim that this particular breed is the easiest to train, partly due to their being bred for intelligence. In fact, they are one of the very few breeds who can learn a new command the first time they hear it.

Here are their personalities, trainability, and intelligence measurements.

• Vigilance — 5/5
• Trainability — 5/5
• Intelligence — 5+/5
• Weight — Males: 65 to 90 pounds, Females: 50 to 70 pounds
• Height — Males: 24 to 26 inches, Females: 22 to 24 inches

5. Cane Corso

Cane Corsos are so muscular that you can see those muscles pulsating underneath their sleek coats. They are intimidating, competent, and intelligent. However, they tend to be independent and need competent and consistent owners. They are fiercely protective and treat unknown people and situations as threats to their owners.

Here are their personality, trainability, and intelligence measurements.

• Vigilance — 5/5
• Trainability — 4/5
• Intelligence — 5/5
• Weight — Males: 100 to 110 pounds, Females: 90 to 100 pounds
• Height — Males: 25 to 27.5 inches, Females: 23.5 to 26 inches

6. Belgian Malinois

Though similar in appearance to their working kin, the German shepherds, the Belgian Malinois are leaner, a bit smaller, but also very loyal. In many places, this breed is favored over German shepherds for police and military work. Belgian Malinois need lots of exercise and mental stimulation to keep from getting bored.

Here are their personality, trainability, and intelligence measurements.

• Vigilance — 4/5
• Trainability — 5/5
• Intelligence — 5/5
• Weight — Males: 60 to 80 pounds, Females: 40 to 80 pounds
• Height — Males: 24 to 26 inches, Females: 22 to 24 inches

7. Bull Mastiff

Bullmastiffs may not be quite as intelligent as the aforementioned breeds, but they make up for it in sheer strength and size. They are confident and alert. Additionally, they are first-rate protectors for you and your family. While they may not be quite as intelligent as some other attack breeds, they are still intelligent and very trainable.

Here are their personality, trainability, and intelligence measurements.

• Vigilance — 5/5
• Trainability — 4/5
• Intelligence — 3/5
• Weight — Males: 110 to 130 pounds, Females: 100 to 120 pounds
• Height — Males: 25 to 27 inches, Females: 24 to 26 inches

8. Akita

Akitas are unique and interesting dogs. Long ago, they were called snow country dogs because they originated in the snowy mountains of Japan. Consequently, they have webbed toes to help them walk in the snow with front dewclaws that serve as ice picks. Akitas are highly intelligent, but their willfulness makes them a bit more difficult to train than some of the other attack/guard dog breeds.

They rank as the 54th most intelligent dog breed according to Stanley Coren’s intelligence measures. Here are more of their personality, trainability, and intelligence measurements.

• Vigilance — 5/5
• Trainability — 4/5
• Intelligence — 3/5
• Weight — Males: 150 to 200 pounds, Females: 150 to 200 pounds
• Height — Males: 24 to 27 inches, Females: 22 to 25 inches

9. Boerboel

Bred to guard South African families and homes from predators like leopards, the Boerboel — or South African Mastiff — just became accepted into the working dog group in 2015. They have a very muscular and compact body with blocky heads, heavily defined muscles, and powerful jaws. Yet, they are deceptively agile for their size. They are trainable, protective, and loyal dogs.

Boerboels have not been ranked in Stanley Coran’s intelligence list. This may be partly due to being only recently introduced into the United States. It’s important to note that some countries have banned them because of concerns over aggression. Here are some of their personality, trainability, and intelligence measurements.

• Vigilance — 5/5
• Trainability — 3/5
• Intelligence — 4/5
• Weight — Males: 100 to 130 pounds, Females: 70 to 100 pounds
• Height — Males: 26 to 28 inches, Females: 24 to 26 inches

10. Dogo Argentino

Dogo Argentinos were bred to hunt wild boar and puma, which is an indication of their strength and prowess. Unlike many other breeds that come in multiple coat colors, the Dogo Argentino is distinguishable by its singular white coat. Bred to be a perfect hunting dog by a wealthy Argentinian teenage boy and his father in the 1920s, this dog is powerful, responsive, and highly alert.

Dogo Argentinos were accepted as an AKC breed in 2020, which may be part of the reason they’re not listed on the Coran intelligence list. Here are some of their personality, trainability, and intelligence measurements.

• Vigilance — 5/5
• Trainability — 5/5
• Intelligence — 3/5
• Weight — 80 to 100 pounds
• Height — Males: 24 to 26.5 inches, Females: 24 to 25.5 inches

11. Kuvasz

Another white dog — like the Dogo Argentino, Great Pyrenees, Samoyeds, and others — the Kuvasz is of Hungarian origin. Though they are large dogs, they are nimble-footed and agile. They are great protectors, yet they are affectionate with their owners and families.

The Kuvasz ranked at number 42 on the Coran intelligence list. Here are more of their personality, trainability, and intelligence measurements.

• Vigilance — 5/5
• Trainability — 5/5
• Intelligence — 4/5
• Weight — Males: 100 to 115 pounds, Females: 70 to 90 pounds
• Height — Males: 28 to 30 inches, Females: 26 to 28 inches

12. Komondor

The komondor was once the guardian of the ancient Cumen — a now-extinct group of nomadic people who originated in China and eventually settled in Hungary — livestock. Underneath all the fur that resembles dreadlocks, the komondor has a well-muscled, strong-boned build. They are uncompromising protectors of their families and property.

Komondors are not ranked on the Coran intelligence list, but here are some of their personality, trainability, and intelligence measurements.

• Vigilance — 5/5
• Trainability — 4/5
• Intelligence — 3/5
• Weight — Males: 100 or more pounds, Females: 80 or more pounds
• Height — Males: 27.5 inches, Females: 25.5 inches

13. Rhodesian Ridgeback

A hound at heart, the Rhodesian ridgeback was a lion-tracking dog in Africa. Like the Dogo Argentino, this breed also comes in just one color — wheaten — although there are several shades of wheaten. You can also identify them by the telltale ridge along their backs. This breed is powerful, fast, and highly protective of their families. However, they can be strong-willed, so they need a competent trainer to keep them from becoming domineering.

Rhodesian ridgebacks ranked at number 52 on the Coran intelligence list. Here are more of their personality, trainability, and intelligence measurements.

• Vigilance — 5/5
• Trainability — 4/5
• Intelligence — 4/5
• Weight — Males: 85 pounds, Females: 70 pounds
• Height — Males: 25 to 27 inches, Females: 24 to 26 inches

14. Kai Ken

The Kai Ken is a rare Japanese dog breed — rare even in Japan. They are hunters by nature, athletic, and willing to please. Incredibly, they’re not only great swimmers, but they’re climbers as well. Some have even climbed trees to get to their prey. They are intensely devoted to their owners, which makes them reliable guardians.

Kai Kens are not ranked on the Coran intelligence list, though trainers and owners describe them as highly intelligent. Here are some of their personality, trainability, and intelligence measurements.

• Vigilance — 5/5
• Trainability — 3/5
• Intelligence — 5/5
• Weight — Males: 30 to 40 pounds, Females: 25 to 35 pounds
• Height — Males: 18.5 to 19.5 inches, Females: 15.5 to 17 inches

15. Dutch Shepherd

Similar in appearance to German and Belgian shepherds as well as the Belgian Malinois, Dutch shepherds are independent dogs with a bit of a stubborn streak. They have a lot of endurance and are truly athletic, nimble, and alert. Since their development, Dutch shepherds have been used for herding sheep and cows, pulling carts of produce to the market, watching children, and alerting their owners of strangers coming into the farmyard.

Dutch shepherds are not ranked on the Coran intelligence list. However, here are more of their personality, trainability, and intelligence measurements.

• Vigilance — 5/5
• Trainability — 3/5
• Intelligence — 3/5
• Weight — 42 to 75 pounds
• Height — 21.5 to 24.5 inches

Summary Table of Breeds of Attack/Guard Dogs