Guardian Dogs

Author: Denise Partlow

Instagram: @modernk9 Carolinas

Guardian breeds, strong, powerful and independent, were used to protect flocks of sheep as well as homes and monasteries. These powerful dogs were known for their tenacity in the face of danger. They we’re expected to trust their own instincts to get the job done. Later on they were interbred with other working dogs such as hounds and herders. They were then used as castle guarders, hunters of large prey, cart pullers and bull-baiters. They were passive enough to live with other animals and humans but fierce enough to fight against an unknown threat. They have an incredible perception of danger to their territory and family.

Some of the breeds that we see today in this category are:

Bernese Mountain dog
Cane Corso
English Mastiff
Anatolian shepherd
Great Dane
Bull Mastiff
Great Pyrenees
Greater Swiss Mountain dog
Spanish Mastiff
Newfoundland
Saint Bernard
Tibetan Mastiff

Bred to protect people and homes, these dogs may be protective of their owners as well as their territory; what we often call territorial behaviors. They may be wary of and unfriendly to unfamiliar people and animals.

Many working breeds were bred to cooperate with humans but Guardian breeds we’re expected to be independent and trust their own instincts to get the job done. This can make them difficult to train; not impossible, just challenging. They also have a tendency to wander off and may struggle with recall.

Bred to be on watch, you can imagine there were many parts of their day where there wasn’t a whole lot going on, so these dogs are quite mellow, reserved, gentle, and patient with familiar humans and animals. Despite their size they don’t require as much physical activity as some other breeds, so they may not make a good running buddy.

This is not a full list of characteristics and may not apply to every dog. If you are interested in diving a little bit deeper, I encourage you to read the book “Meet Your Dog” by Kim Brophey