9 Most Loyal and Protective Dog Breeds

Are you looking for the most loyal and protective dog breeds? Then you are welcome, in this post, we have carefully selected the most loyal and protective dog breeds.

We will also provide their unique temperaments, lifespan, size, weight, colors, and diseases associated with each of them.

Keeping your home safe should be paramount, even if you’re not always at home these breeds of dogs can secure your property and make sure no one trespasses.

Our selection was made after chatting with most of these breed owners and researching.

Of course, our number one choice is the Rottweiler which am a proud owner for 5 years now.

From experience I can tell you that Rottweiler is the most loyal and protective dog breed one can think of, so let’s look at the list.

Don’t forget to check out our post about the top reasons why dogs bark at night.

Most loyal and protective dog breeds

Here are some of the most loyal and protective dog breeds:

Rottweiler

Rottweiler is a confident and fearless strong breed of dog that was used to herd cattle a long time ago.

Rottweiler is very protective of its environment, be it day or night.

This breed of dog is also known as butcher’s dog, which originated from Germany. However, we also have American Rottweilers.

Both breeds are known to bark at strangers and would need proper socialization to be pet dogs.

What colors do Rottweilers have?

Rottweilers come in three different colors:

1. Tan
2. Mahogany
3. Black

What are Rottweilers Temperaments?

• Fearless
• Devoted
• Self-assured
• Obedient
• Steady
• Good-natured
• Alert
• Confident
• Calm
• Courageous

What are Rottweiler Dimensions?

Weight

Male Rottweilers weigh about 55 – 62 kg

Female Rottweilers weigh about 32 – 50 kg

Height

Male Rottweilers can grow up to 60–70 cm

Female Rottweilers can grow up to 55 – 60 cm

How long can a Rottweiler live?

Rottweilers are active dogs that can live an average of 8 to 11 years, depending on how you care for them.

What are the diseases associated with Rottweiler?

• Parvo disease
• Skin diseases
• Eczema disease
• Dermatitis diseases
• Seborrhea disease
• Rabies

German Shepherd

German Shepherd is among the most popular breeds of dogs in the world.

This breed originated in Germany, and it has been used by many military units.

German Shepherd is a very intelligent and smart breed of dog that is easy to train if you are an experienced or professional dog trainer.

This is a very fast dog and can be used in tracking people, animals, or objects.

The German Shepherd was originally used in herding sheep. Now it’s the perfect dog for search-and-rescue operations.

What is the color of the German Shepherd?

German Shepherd comes in different colors, which are as follows:

• Black
• Sable
• Black & Tan
• Grey
• Red & Black
• Black & Silver

What are German Shepherd Temperaments?

Here are the German Shepherd temperaments you need to know.

• Obedient
• Curious
• Intelligent
• Loyal
• Alert
• Confident
• Watchful
• Courageous

What are the German Shepherd Dimensions?

Here are the German Shepherd dimensions you need to know.

Weight

A male German Shepherd weighs about 31 – 43 kg

A female German Shepherd weighs around 23 – 31 kg

Height

A male German Shepherd can grow up to 61 – 66 cm

A female German Shepherd can grow up to 56 – 61 cm

How long does German Shepherd live?

German Shepherds lived around 8 to 13 years, under proper exercise, feeding, and training.

What are the diseases associated with German shepherds?

Here are the diseases associated with a German shepherd

• Hemophilia
• Cataracts
• Thyroid issues
• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Bloat
• Epilepsy
• Diabetes
• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Panosteitis
• Pancreatitis
• Bladder Stones
• Urinary Tract Infections
• Dental Health Problems
• Cancer

Find out more about How to Socialize a Puppy:

Bull Mastiffs

Bull Mastiffs have a solid build and a short muzzle that helps them stand off against opponents.

Be it other animals or humans, Bull Mastiffs can die guarding or protecting their owner or territory.

Bull Mastiffs were developed by crossing the English Mastiff with the now-extinct Old English Bulldog, and were used to protect or guard Estates.

What colors do Bull Mastiffs have?

1. Brindle
2. Fawn
3. Red

What is the Bull Mastiffs Temperaments?

• Docile
• Devoted
• Reserved
• Reliable
• Loyal
• Alert
• Loving
• Protective
• Powerful

How Long Do Bull Mastiffs Live?

In a suitable environment, well cared for, fed, and exercised, the Bull Mastiff can live around 9 to 13 years.

What are Bull Mastiffs Dimensions?

Weight

Full-grown Bull Mastiff males can weigh around 54 – 60 kg.

A Female Bull Mastiff can weigh around 47 – 55 kg.

Height

A female Bull Mastiff can grow around 60 – 65 cm.

A fully grown male Bull Mastiff grows to around 63 – 67 cm.

What are the diseases associated with Bull Mastiffs?

Here are some diseases that can be associated with them:

1. Lymphoma
2. hypothyroidism
3. Entropion
4. Elbow dysplasia
5. Hip dysplasia
6. Gastric dilatation volvulus
7. Progressive retinal atrophy
8. Arthritis

Learn more about the Benefits Of Having Pets.

Dobermann

Dobermann is an intelligent, loyal, and alert breed that is very popular in the United States.

This is a very long breed of dog that originated from Germany.

What colors does Dobermann have?

• White
• Black
• Fawn
• Red
• Black & Rust
• Fawn & Rust
• Blue
• Red & Rust
• Blue & Rust

How long does Dobermann live?

Under a proper and suitable environment, Dobermann can live around 9 to 13 years on average.

What are Dobermann Temperaments?

1. Energetic
2. Obedient
3. Intelligent
4. Fearless
5. Loyal
6. Alert
7. Confident

What are Dobermann Dimensions?

Weight

A fully grown male Dobermann weighs around 41 – 46 kg

A female Dobermann weighs around 33 – 36 kg.

Height

A full-grown female Dobermann grows around 60 – 67 cm.

Male Dobermann grows around 65 –70 cm.

What are the diseases associated with Dobermann?

Here are some diseases associated with Dobermann

• Dilated cardiomyopathy
• Cervical vertebral instability
• Von Willebrand’s disease
• Prostatic diseases.
• Hypothyroidism 
• Hip dysplasia. 
• Canine compulsive disorder

Great Dane

Great Dane is one of the largest breeds of dogs and was developed in Germany as a fast-hunting dog, this breed is known for never backing down when going after prey.

Great Dane is a long-leg breed of dog that is very confident because it was used in hunting big game. Great Dane is a very protective breed of dog.

What colors does Great Dane have?

Great Dane comes in different colors which include the following

• Black
• Brindle
• Fawn
• Blue
• Mantle
• Harlequin

How long does Great Dane live?

In a suitable environment, well cared and well-fed a Great Dane can live around 9 to 11 years.

What are the Great Dane Temperaments?

Great Dane has the following temperaments

1. Devoted
2. Reserved
3. Confident
4. Friendly
5. Loving
6. Gentle

What are Great Dane Dimensions?

Weight

A full-grown male Great Dane can weigh around 55 to 86 kg.

Female Great Danes can weigh as high as 45 to 60 kg.

Height

On average a female Great Dane can grow around 70 to 82 cm.

A fully grown male Great Dane can grow up to 80 to 86 cm.

What are the diseases associated with Great Dane?

• Gastric dilatation volvulus
• Hip dysplasia
• Dilated cardiomyopathy 
• Congenital heart diseases
• Deafness
• Blindness
• Wobbler disease

Check out the Strong Dogs That Will Defeat A Wolf.

Dogo Argentino

Dogo Argentino is a muscular breed of dog that was developed in Argentina primarily for big-game hunting, including wild boar.

This breed of dog is the best protective dog breed you can think of.

Dogo Argentino will do everything within his reach to keep his owner safe.

Dogo Argentino has been banned in many countries because they were involved in human attacks.

To keep this breed, you have to devote time to proper training and feeding.

What color does Dogo Argentino have?

A pure breed of Dogo Argentino has only one color which is pure white any other color is a mixed breed.

What are Dogo Argentino Temperaments?

1. Affectionate
2. Cheerful
3. Protective till death
4. Tolerant
5. Loyal
6. Friendly

What are Dogo Argentino Dimensions?

Height

Female Dogo Argentino can grow up to 59 – 63 cm

Male Dogo Argentino can grow around 61 – 67 cm

Weight

Male Dogo Argentino on average weigh 42 – 46 kg

Female Dogo Argentino on average weigh 35 – 41 kg

How long does Dogo Argentino live?

Dogo Argentino in a very suitable environment can live around 11 to 14 years, but how long it lives depends on care, exercise, and training.

What are the diseases associated with Dogo Argentino?

• Demodectic mange
• Skin diseases 
• Bacterial infections
• Eye Diseases
• digestive problems (chronic diarrhea)
• thyroid disease

Boxer

Boxer is a breed of dog that was developed in Germany as a result of a crossing of a bulldog and a Great Dane.

Boxer is a good protective breed of dog with high bite force.

We know Boxer for ugly looking face, docile and muzzled body. This breed has weight enough to need exercises to stay fit or will be lazy.

Boxer is very aggressive if not properly trained and has powerful jaws with high bite force.

Boxer is the seventh most popular breed of dog in the United States.

What colors does Boxer have?

Boxer comes in three basic colors, which are as follows;

• White
• Brindle
• Fawn

What is Boxer Temperaments?

Here are all Boxer Temperaments you have to know.

• Playful
• Calm
• Brave
• Alert
• Friendly
• Devoted
• Energetic
• Cheerful
• Intelligent
• Fearless
• Loyal
• Bright
• Confident

What are the Boxer Dimensions?

Height

A male Boxer can grow up to 56 – 62 cm

A female Boxer can grow up to 52 – 59 cm

Weight

Full-grown male Boxer can weigh around 26 – 33 kg

A full-grown female Boxer can weigh around 24 – 30 kg

What are the diseases associated with boxers?

• Boxer Cardiomyopathy
• Aortic Stenosis
• Canine Acne
• Dilated Cardiomyopathy 
• Seasonal Flank Alopecia
• Atrial Septal Defect
• Allergic Skin Disease
• Hypothyroidism
• A non-itchy hair loss on the flanks

Read more about Senior Citizens And Dogs: Things Seniors Should Know.

Rhodesian Ridgeback

Rhodesian Ridgeback belongs to the Southern African region and was used in hunting big games.

This is a large powerful breed of dog that can face off any opponent and fight to death if properly trained.

This is a loyal and intelligent breed of dog that requires daily exercise to stay active and fit.

When trained as a protective dog, not as a pet dog, Rhodesian Ridgeback can die protecting the owner.

Rhodesian Ridgeback has long legs that aid them to catch up with their prey in a short time.

This feature makes them good hunting and protective dog. If you have spare time to train a guard dog, then you should consider getting this breed.

What are Rhodesian Ridgeback colors?

Rhodesian Ridgeback comes in three basic colors, which are as follows:

• Light Wheaten
• Red Wheaten
• Tan Wheaten

What are the Rhodesian Ridgeback Temperaments?

Here are the basic Rhodesian Ridgeback temperaments you should know.

• Strong-Willed
• Intelligent
• Dignified
• Loyal
• Sensitive
• Mischievous

What are the Rhodesian Ridgeback Dimensions?

The following is the Rhodesian Ridgeback dimensions you should know.

Weight

A full-grown male Rhodesian Ridgeback can weigh around 37 – 43 kg

A female Rhodesian Ridgeback that is fully grown can weigh around 30 – 35 kg on average.

Height

On average a female Rhodesian Ridgeback can grow around 60 – 67 cm

A fully grown male Rhodesian Ridgeback is around 62 – 70 cm

How long does Rhodesian Ridgeback live?

On average, under proper care, training, and a suitable environment, an adult Rhodesian Ridgeback can live around 9 – 13 years.

What are the diseases associated with Rhodesian Ridgeback?

Here are some diseases associated with Rhodesian Ridgeback

• Dermoid sinus
• Hypothyroid
• Gastric dilatation volvulus
• Degenerative myelopathy

Fila Brasileiro

The Fila Brasileiro also known as the Brazilian Mastiff is a large breed of dog developed in Brazil for tracking games.

This is not a popular breed of dog but is used for large game hunting dogs and working dogs.

This is a very aggressive and unforgiving breed of dog that remains loyal only to its owner.

This breed of dog is one of the best protective dogs on this list.

How long does Fila Brasileiro live?

In a suitable environment, a Fila Brasileiro can live for around 10 to 12 years at most.

What colors does Fila Brasileiro have?

• Black
• Brindle
• Red
• Yellow

What are Fila Brasileiro Temperaments?

Here are some Fila Brasileiro temperaments you should know.

• Docile
• Obedient
• Determined
• Loyal
• Courageous
• Brave
• Unforgiving
• Aggressive

What are Fila Brasileiro Dimensions?

Weight

A male Fila Brasileiro can weigh around 65 – 84 kg

Female Fila Brasilerio weighs around 55 – 75 kg.

Height

Male Fila Brasilerio can grow around 62 – 76 cm

A full-grown female Fila Brasilerio grows around 58 – 71 cm.

What are the Diseases associated with Fila Brasileiro?

1. Hip dysplasia
2. Elbow dysplasia
3. Gastric torsion

Conclusion

Dogs have been used as a means of keeping homes safe for a long time ago, selecting a good protective dog is always an issue for most people, now I hope you can now select the breed of your choice.

Before selecting any breed make sure to check the breed dimension, how long they live, diseases, and temperaments.

Also, remember that training a guard dog or a protective dog is different from training a pet dog.