Consider a Dog
When it comes to deterring home invasion there is united consensus that a dog is one of the best options to consider.Now before your brain runs to the most common guard dog breeds seen on television and the movies such as the German Shepherd or Rottweiler, sometimes the mere fact of barking alone will deter would-be intruders from even thinking about entering a residence; and for that goal, you can consider companion breeds such as the Miniature Schnauzer, Scottish Terrier, West Highland White or Maltese.But if you’re looking for a dog that has an intimidating size as well as guarding instinct you may want to consider one of the following breeds:
- Kuvasz are large dogs so their size and natural guarding instinct will definitely intimidate anyone with an untoward thought. But more so, as far as a house pet, they are loving and loyal and crave physical affection they are big white teddy bears of love to their human “pack.”
- Giant Schnauzer again make a great choice based on their size, but because the breed is so powerful and dominant they do require an experienced and firm hand. The breed is intensely loyal and when this is coupled with its size, the two traits combine to make an ideal watch dog. Just remember that early and consistent training should be employed if selecting this breed.
- Bullmastiff have an incredibly loyal, courageous and protective instinct to its human “pack” and this very large breed instinctively knows how to use their size to their advantage since they are known to not only knock down an intruder but to pin them and stand guard over them until asked to release the hold. Considering the average male of this breed weighs in between 110 to 130 pounds, you know an intruder is going to give it the respect it deserves.
When factoring in other traits that are key to a watch dog it’s commonly accepted that a female makes a better choice than a male due to her more honed natural maternal instincts. Also look for a breed’s physical strength and endurance as well as its courage and loyalty. Some experts say that a dog’s resistance to pain should also be factored in, but we think that’s a personal judgment call on a situational basis.