Finding the perfect guard dog for your family is no easy feat. There are many great guard dogs to choose from, but you want to choose a breed that is also good with children, playful, and loving family dogs. Boxers are one such breed that offers all of these positive attributes.
![6 Reasons Boxers are the Perfect Guard Dog](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2024/01/3e6f0a43389b5b4f68d2e29f69e0aeb28564cdac-1024x576.jpg)
Boxers originated in Germany and were specifically bred to be guard dogs. When trained and socialized properly, they are patient, courageous, and affectionate dogs that will go to the ends of the Earth to ensure their human loved ones are safe.
Here are six reasons Boxers make the perfect guard dog.
1. They Are Highly Intelligent
![White boxer sitting outside on a path](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2021/11/White-boxer-1024x535.jpg)
Boxers come in various colors, with white being the rarest.
©iStock.com/Amanda Woldt Photography
When it comes to being a great guard dog, intelligence is one of the most important characteristics. In order to properly assess a situation, a dog must have enough awareness and intelligence to respond appropriately.
Boxers are intelligent dogs. While they might possess an average intelligence level compared to other dogs, they are especially brilliant when it comes to adapting to new or uncertain situations. This makes them the perfect guard dog — especially for families with children, which often pack unpredictability.
2. You Can Train Them to Become Obedient
![training dog breed boxer. Dog training in the city. Close-up](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2023/05/shutterstock-601509917-huge-licensed-scaled-1024x576.jpg)
Though stubborn in nature, Boxers can develop obedience if trained properly.
©Kyrylo Vasyliev/Shutterstock.com
Another necessary trait of the perfect guard dog is obedience. While you want your dog to naturally go into protective mode when necessary, it’s also important for the pup to obey your commands. For example, suppose you have a family barbecue, and a neighbor walks through your gate unannounced. Your dog might view this intrusion as a threat and immediately jump into action to protect you and your family. In this case, you will want your dog to obey your commands when you tell it to “stay” and reassure it you’re not in danger.
Additionally, obedience can help your dog spring into action if you’re in a quick life-or-death situation. For instance, if you hike with your pup and run into a dangerous, aggressive wild animal, you might command your dog to protect and defend you. In this case, you’ll want your dog to pick up on the command and obey rather than get distracted or abandon you.
While Boxers can be stubborn, if trained properly and from a young age, they can become obedient guard dogs.
3. They Are Fearless Against Threats
![Portrait of two very smart and playful boxers](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2023/08/shutterstock-1904733688-huge-licensed-scaled-1024x683.jpg)
Boxers are not afraid to jump into action to defend their loved ones.
©Gabor Kormany/Shutterstock.com
If you want a top guard dog for you and your family, you’ll need a pup that is fearless in its protectiveness. If a dog is hesitant or skittish when it faces a potential threat or dangerous situation, it likely won’t make the best guard dog, shying away from defending its loved ones.
Boxers are great guard dogs because they are fearless and think quickly when they sense a threat. For example, if someone comes into your home and lurches toward you or your children, odds are, a boxer will immediately jump into action and do everything it takes to protect your family. This might mean it will risk its own safety just to ensure you are protected. This fearless and selfless nature makes Boxers the perfect guard dogs.
4. They Are Especially Loyal
![Boxer with his human](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2023/03/iStock-1381052918-1024x683.jpg)
Once a Boxer bonds with its family, it develops undying loyalty to them.
©iStock.com/Juan Hernandez Carmona
Guard dogs should be loyal to their loved ones. If a dog is not loyal, it could potentially turn on you or might lack the desire to protect you in risky situations. Disloyal dogs do not make great guard dogs.
Boxers are especially loyal pups, so much so that they will fiercely protect you and your territory. Once you build a relationship with your Boxer dog, the pup will likely love and protect you forever, viewing you as its own family.
5. They Have a Protective Nature
![white boxer dog puppy six months old](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2023/05/shutterstock-2211849889-huge-licensed-scaled-1024x683.jpg)
Boxers are naturally protective dogs.
©vito natale/Shutterstock.com
Naturally, a guard dog should be protective when it comes to their “pack” or family. Some dogs are more protective than others, however. Boxers fall into the “protective” category with a natural inclination to defend their loved ones and territories. In fact, Boxers have a guarding instinct that helps them think quickly and smarter than other breeds. They instinctively snap into protective mode when they sense a threat, defending themselves and their loved ones.
6. They Bond Well With Family
![Woman and dog eating breakfast at the table.](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2022/10/iStock-1377275264-1024x683.jpg)
Boxers make the perfect family dogs, forming close bonds with loved ones.
©iStock.com/:OLGA RYAZANTSEVA
A good guard dog will form close bonds with its family. While you want your guard dog to be protective and aggressive against predators if need be, you don’t want them to behave that way with your family, non-threatening strangers, or kids.
Thankfully, Boxers are playful and loving creatures that form deep bonds with their family. As stated earlier, their loyalty is unmatched, and the connections they feel with their humans drive their protectiveness. Otherwise, they are quite gentle and especially great with children.
The photo featured at the top of this post is © ibanezfilm/Shutterstock.com
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