10 Most Loyal and Protective Dog Breeds That Will Keep You Safe

Dogs don’t just bring happiness into your life; in fact, they are very loyal companions that will always stand by your side no matter what challenge or danger you both may have to face. With plenty of dog breeds experiencing various lines of work as police dogs, guard dogs, and even watch dogs, protectiveness and loyalty are now traits whose popularity is increasing among dog-lovers.

In light of that, we decided it would be a great idea to list, not in any particular order, the 10 most loyal and protective dog breeds that will keep you safe! So, take out a pen and a piece of paper, because you’ll need to start taking down notes if you have any plans to own a loyal guard dog.

10 most loyal and protective dog breeds

1. German Shepherd

First on our list of the most loyal and protective dogs is the iconic German Shepherd. There is a good reason why you always see German Shepherds depicted as police dogs in movies, TV series, and many forms of media, and that’s because of their amazing skill set! German Shepherds are very intelligent dogs that can be easily trained from the most basic of commands like sit and fetch, all the way to very complex commands.

Another great attribute that the German Shepherd possesses is its athleticism, meaning you will hardly ever see this dog tire out and they will always be readily on the go. In fact, if you do plan to train and workout with this dog, then you’ll probably be out of breath before this doggie can even get started! Just from their looks alone, they appear to be very intimidating, standing over two feet tall and weighing a considerable amount that is sure to send intruders running.

2. Rottweiler

Next up we have the Rottweiler, one of the fiercest-looking dog breeds, known both for their loyalty and dependability. Just like the German Shepherd, the Rottweiler is a very intelligent dog that can be trained a vast amount of commands. However, its most shining feature is its level of loyalty, known to be one of the strongest among the canine world.

Despite their seemingly intimidating appearance, which leads to many misconceptions, they are also very loving and affectionate dogs. The Rottweiler is in fact a dog breed that has exceptionally high social and affection needs. So, if you’ve got a family or even if you live on your own, you can bet that this dog breed is sure to be looking for you like crazy when it starts to miss you!

3. Bullmastiff

If you’ve ever dreamed of having a large and muscular dog that has this sort of “bouncer” look, then scroll no further, because nothing can beat how buff the Bullmastiff is! The Bullmastiff breed is a very athletic and muscular dog that can send intruders and dangerous people running for their lives just at the sight of this beast. This strong dog knows no fear and will always put their life on the line to protect their owner and family from any danger that they can stop.

However, despite the way they look, Bullmastiffs are very affectionate and loving towards their owner and family! They are also no strangers to playfulness and cuddliness when given the opportunity. This deep love and affection the dog has for its owner is what its protective traits are founded upon, and because they don’t want their loved ones to be in danger, they choose to fight off anything that could possibly hurt them.

4. Doberman Pinscher

Next on our list is the Doberman Pinscher Dog Breed, a very loyal and protective dog breed that is often seen in police and military work. The Doberman Pinscher is a big and intimidating dog breed, sporting a strong and ferocious coat of black and rust. Similarly, the Doberman is known to have a high intellect and can be taught several commands! They are also known to be one of the fastest learners, making training a much easier task all together. The Doberman is a very big dog, but despite its size, it is actually very athletic and strong, which is sure to ward off intruders and dangerous people from the premises your home.

However, its most redeeming quality is its loyalty; when a Doberman grows up from puppy to adult, they will never forget the love and affection their owner gave them. This is why they are one of the most ideal companions for anyone looking to have a loyal doggie. This dog will always show their owner utmost respect and follow their commands to the letter. Don’t take them too seriously, though, because they can get quite playful and rowdy if left unsupervised, so make sure to teach them how to be obedient.

5. Pitbull

Fierce is the single most appropriate thing you could say to describe a Pitbull, and that single thing is what has shrouded the beautiful American Staffordshire Terrier breed in controversy. Pitbulls are big muscular dogs that have very strong bite, and this comes from their background as hunting dogs, which made them very athletic and intelligent. And while they are fierce and intimidating, people blind themselves to reality and never see the Pitbull’s true personality.

Despite its looks, this dog breed is actually very friendly and outgoing, making them the perfect companion for anyone who likes to go on adventures and socialize to meet new people and other dogs. And while the Pitbull has quite an intimidating bark, this comes from excitement rather than the intention of scaring others off! These dogs are very loyal and affectionate, and you’d be surprised to see how loving they can be if you show them enough attention and care.

Most importantly, they are very protective of their owners and loved ones, and are not afraid to act if they see you in danger or at a risk of being harmed. They are also known for being quite playful, so having toys that can withstand strong bites will be a good investment.

6. Akita

One of the best choices of loyal and protective dog breeds is the famous Akita, a large and gentle dog that deeply loves their owner and family, treating them with utmost affection. One aspect that makes the Akita stand out among all the other dogs on this list is how cute and cuddly it looks. However, reality can be quite confusing and underneath all that fluff is a big and strong dog capable of protecting you when danger is near. The Akita is known for its loyalty, as portrayed in the famous movie Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, where Hachiko is pictured patiently waiting for his owner even after he has passed away.

The Akita is one of the most loyal and protective dog breeds on this list, and to add the cherry on top, you should know that they also handle children and even strangers very well. They are very gentle and always have a deep desire to keep those they love most safe and free from harm.

7. Boxer

If you’ve always dreamt of having a tough and athletic dog of your own, then you may want to get yourself a Boxer. The Boxer certainly looks very tough and menacing, but don’t be fooled, these dogs are one of the most affectionate breeds you will ever meet, because they will literally do anything to please their owners. They get along very well in a family because of their pleasing personality and you won’t have trouble keeping them around children, because they will do anything to get the love they crave for.

The overall look of the Boxer is very intimidating and will make any intruder or dangerous person out there think twice about even messing with him. They can also get very aggressive when they feel that the safety of their loved ones is threatened, which makes them a very capable guard dog to keep around.

8. Great Dane

Appearance is one major factor that determines how intimidating and confident a dog will look, and if there is one dog that stands the tallest among other dog breeds, that is the Great Dane. This breed is recognized as the tallest, and just by its stature alone it will scare off anyone who tries to harm you or endanger you in any sort of way. The Great Dane also possesses one of the most menacing barks and is sure to have any intruder or bad person running for their life the second they hear it. However, despite how towering the Great Dane can be, it is considered a gentle giant, perfect for families.

Despite their size, Great Danes are very playful and won’t miss out on a chance to run the field or play fetch with anyone who is willing to. They are also very intelligent and can be taught a plethora of commands, from obedience to the coolest tricks. Most importantly, though, these dogs are very loyal to their owner and are no stranger to becoming aggressive if they feel that their loved ones are put in danger.

9. Giant Schnauzer

Being protective is the Giant Schnauzer’s most well-known trait, and is also one of the reasons why they have become quite famous guard dogs throughout history. Giant Schnauzers are big dogs that appear even bigger due to their fluffy black coat, which only makes them look even more intimidating and stronger than they already are. They also come with one of the meanest barks, thus being sure to send unwanted visitors running away and never coming back to mess with you again. And even if they do go through all of that, the Giant Schnauzer is more than capable of getting aggressive, as it has a very strong bite that can cause severe pain to any intruder.

However, this dog breed has a tendency to become quite over-protective of their owner, which will make them treat anyone they don’t know as a danger to their beloved master. So, it is crucial that they undergo socialization at a young age and are trained to be more friendly and open towards strangers, to avoid the over-protectiveness.

10. Rhodesian Ridgeback

Last on our list is the Rhodesian Ridgeback, recognized as one of the most athletic and capable dogs in this selection of breeds. Owning a Rhodesian Ridgeback is no small feat and requires an owner who should also be willing to match its tempo and high level of energy. If you can do that, then you may have found the best companion you will ever get to have in your lifetime. Underneath all that energy and speed is a very loving and affectionate dog that will always stay by your side and may ask for the occasional belly rub.

They are naturally protective of their loved ones and always on the alert, ready to warn you if they sense something wrong or different about the situation which they find themselves in. However, the best thing about them is their loyalty and how they’ll always follow your command and do what is best to keep you safe, no matter what happens.

Summary: What Dog Should You Choose?

At the end of the day, all ten of these dogs make great companions that will keep you safe and remain loyal to you forever, as long as you give them your love, affection, time, and effort.

Each has their own unique traits compared to others, but overall each and every one of them is sure to blow your expectations out of the water. If you want to read more on dogs and training specifically, check out our choice of the 7 Best Dog Training Books Every Pooch Owner Should Buy!