We get asked this question frequently, what breed of dog is best for protection for a family?
What breed you get is a personal preference but the following is important to keep in mind:
What was it bred for?
What job was this breed created for or bred to do. This is the most important point when making
your decision. Humans have spent generation breeding dogs for specific purposes. Pointers for bird
hunting, sheepdogs for herding, hounds for trailing animals. We have to look at the qualities that the
breed has and if those qualities are suitable for protection. For example, bird dogs are bred to be
soft mouthed, which means they don’t bite hard, as hunters don’t want them to damage the birds
when they retrieve them. With protection training we want the dogs to bite hard and hold on. So
bird dogs don’t have the qualities we need for protection.
Today your herding breeds like your Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd get bred specifically for
police and protection work.
What lines to get.
Breeds like your Belgian Malinois get bred for different functions. Herding, working, showing or
sport to name but a few. When choosing a dog for protection you can’t just buy any Malinois and
think that it will do protection. Your chance of being successful will be greater when buying form
lines that were bred to do protection. Some dogs come from generations of working dogs. Even
within working lines you have to find the temperament and qualities that you want and will suit you
best. The best protection dogs are well balanced dogs.
Research
Make sure that the dog you are getting will fit into your lifestyle. Do your research on the breed. Look at the health of the breed. Do they make good family dogs? Do they need a lot of grooming? A dog is a 10-12 year commitment, make sure you know what you are letting yourself in for. At the end of the day it is still a personal choice. Sometimes the breed doesn’t matter but the personality does. Make sure to do your research, buy from responsible breeders and trainers, this
will help you make the best choice possible.
Have a look at our video on breeds for protection: