Adding a new addition to your family is a great idea, especially if you are looking for added protection. A dog can be a protective and extremely loyal companion. There are many breeds that are suited to live with children and other pets, while keeping your home safe. Depending on your living situation, there is a dog out there for you. Here are a few popular guard breeds to get you started.

Guard dogs: If you are looking for a loyal protector, then you should consider a Chow Chow. The Chow Chow is very strong willed, sometimes making him hard to train. If socialized and trained from a young age, the dog can adapt to life with other pets. He is an extremely protective pooch, so early socializing can also deter over-protectiveness. A Chow Chow can live in an apartment or outdoors. Their thick coat is made for the cold and should be groomed regularly. If kept outdoors, your Chow Chow should have sufficient shade.

The Doberman Pinscher makes an outstanding guard dog. Bred for protection, these dogs do not require any type of guard dog training. Like Chow Chows, they should be socialized early on to prevent over-protectiveness. Doberman Pinschers are extremely intelligent and loyal to their families, but require training from a firm-handed owner. Many people are frightened of Doberman Pinschers because of their size and appearance. They are, however, very loving dogs. They can live in apartments but require lots of exercise.

Companions to children: The Staffordshire Bull Terrier loves to be around children. They enjoy constant play and exercise, making them great kid companions. The breed is very curious and requires firm-handed training. They can live in apartments but are sometimes difficult to housebreak. They can get along with other household pets, although they are not always friendly with other dogs.

If socialized early on, Airedale Terriers are great with kids! They enjoy playing with older children. However, they may be too rambunctious for younger children. They are fun-loving and obedient to the family. They are very easy to train, but they can become bored with repetitive training methods. When training an Airedale Terrier, it is important that you use a training method that will engage his mind. They require a high amount of grooming throughout the year. Because of their high energy levels, they are not suited to live in apartments.

Companions to other pets: Australian Terriers are great to bring home to a house full of pets. They get along with cats and dogs alike. If left unaccompanied outdoors, they may chase small animals. They are extremely alert and have keen eyesight and hearing, making them perfect guard dogs. Their size and medium energy levels allow them to live in apartments, as long as they are taken on daily walks.

Bernese Mountain Dogs love their families and household pets, while remaining loyal watch dogs. They are fairly inactive, but their large size makes them unsuitable for apartment life. They are large, gentle dogs that require lots of human companionship. Bernese Mountain Dogs establish a strong sense of loyalty early on, making it difficult for them to change households.

All-around: The Belgian Malinois has it all. These dogs are very alert and loyal to their families. They get along great with children or other pets. They can live in apartments or outdoors but require a fair amount of exercise. Because they are always looking for a job to do, Belgian Malinois should be trained early on. They should also be socialized at an early age because of their guard-like instincts.

German Shepherds are great pooches to bring home to a household with children and pets. They are extremely intelligent dogs that thrive on rigorous training. Their high energy levels require intense exercise (more than just a daily walk), but they can still live in apartments. They do not require constant grooming; weekly brushing will do the trick. Their loyalty and devotion to their families make them great watch dogs.

Choosing the right guard dog is important for your household. Whether you are looking for a breed that will get along with your child or your cat, there are plenty of breeds that make great watch dogs. Because of their natural protectiveness, all watch dogs should be socialized and trained as puppies. As the bond with your pooch grows stronger, so will his instinct to protect you.

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