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Every dog will perform the duties of a watch dog, with the exception perhaps of the Basenji, a wild African dog which does not bark. A dog's instinct is to warn the pack of the approach of strangers and most often they will do this through insistent barking. A guard dog will do more than just warn you, it will also defend both you and its territory. Guard dogs are used by police forces around the world to attack and hold violent offenders, they are also used by business to defend unoccupied premises and protect valuable assets. Specialized training is required for dogs used for these purposes and some breeds, like the German Shepherd, are renowned for their prowess in this field.

If what you want however is a household pet that will also guard your property and family there are quite a few breeds that with simple obedience training will be ideal. Small and medium size dogs are not suitable as guard dogs. While many have the heart and courage of their larger cousins and will sacrifice themselves to save you, they do not have the weight or size to defend against human interlopers or other large dogs.

The best guard dogs that also make great family pets come from either the large or giant breeds of dogs. Whether pure bred or of mixed heritage, due to their size, strength and intelligence all guard dogs require obedience training. A large dog has an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years while the giant breeds have a shorter life averaging 8 to 10 years; you may want to take this into consideration when deciding which breed to buy.

Best large dog breeds:
The Boxer is highly intelligent and good with children. Bred in Germany as a guard and escort dog they take their guard duty seriously but are also always ready to play with family and friends.

Dalmations were bred to guard carriages from highwaymen and as a result their protective instinct is highly developed. They are friendly and have an outgoing personality but remain reserved around strangers. Highly intelligent and well behaved the Dalmatian is a great choice for very active families.

Doberman Pinschers were bred by Louis Dobermann to protect him while collecting taxes. This breed is also used as a police dog and should be socialized from a young age to ensure their suitability for family life. The Doberman is devoted to their family and will protect them above all else but they do need to be supervised around visitors.

There are also some great family dogs within the giant breeds whose immense size is

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