Is a Mastiff a Good Guard Dog? Vet-Verified Facts & FAQ
In this article
View 4 More +The magnificent Mastiff is a breed that can be traced back to ancient Rome and Greece and is one of the biggest dogs on earth. These powerful dogs look scary on the outside, but most are calm, affectionate dogs on the inside. One question many ask is whether Mastiffs make good guard dogs. Mastiffs do indeed make excellent guard dogs, and most would quickly and capably jump to their owner’s defense if the need arose.
If you’re interested in how your Mastiff would react in an alarming situation, or you’re considering adopting one of these powerful and regal canines for your own, read on! We have the massive Mastiff details coming up next!
What Qualities Make a Mastiff a Good Guard Dog?
Aside from their size, several other factors make a Mastiff a good guard dog. First, just seeing a Mastiff is enough to scare even the toughest, biggest people. Second, Mastiffs are highly intelligent and controlled. They won’t mindlessly rush a criminal unless necessary but will watch them and await an opportunity to attack. This trait makes them exceptional guard dogs if properly trained.
Mastiffs are also fearless. Many dogs will run away in a scary situation thanks to their fight-or-flight reflex. The average Mastiff doesn’t have a fearful bone in its body and won’t be intimidated easily. If a criminal or attacker were to challenge a Mastiff, they would almost surely lose since the typical Mastiff won’t back down.
Another quality that makes the Mastiff a good guard dog is that, although they’re usually gentle giants, Mastiffs will not hesitate to defend their family if threatened. Their tremendous strength and determination can make them a formidable opponent to anyone attempting harm.
Lastly, Mastiffs have an intense, loud bark that would send a shiver down the back of any criminal. Mastiffs don’t bark often, and most owners don’t have issues with their pups barking at inappropriate times. However, they will bark to let you know something is wrong.
Will a Mastiff Protect You if You’re Attacked?
Because of their massive size and strength, Mastiffs have been trained as guard dogs throughout their history. Today’s Mastiff, however, is mainly trained to be a pet and companion and is generally sweet and affectionate towards their family.
If someone were to attack you or another member of your close family, your Mastiff would undoubtedly spring into action. That would be unfortunate for the attacker, as you can imagine. Mastiffs have enormous jaws, massive heads, and powerful bodies.
Are Mastiffs Naturally Protective?
One of the traits that Mastiff fans like the most is the breed’s protective nature. They have been trained to be guard dogs to kings and queens, emperors, and other powerful people for thousands of years.
It is true that Mastiffs need plenty of training, but their protective nature comes naturally. Once they’ve bonded with you, your Mastiff will be your protector for life.
Is the Mastiff the Strongest Dog Breed?
The Mastiff is often considered one of the strongest dog breeds in the world, mostly due to its massive size and impressive muscular build. Weighing around 200 pounds or more, many Mastiffs exhibit extraordinary strength, often outmatching other powerful breeds such as the St. Bernard, Rottweiler, and Newfoundland in raw physical power. What is surprising is that such a massive dog could be so sweet and gentle-natured, especially when raised by a caring and dedicated owner.
Is it Easy to Train a Mastiff to Be a Guard Dog?
Mastiffs have an innate protective instinct that makes them good guard dogs. A Mastiff would need top-notch, ongoing training to be an excellent guard dog. Many people leave their Mastiff’s training to a professional, but if you want to do it yourself, you’ll definitely need to know what you are doing and have experience training. While Mastiffs are people-pleaser dogs who will do whatever they can to make their owners happy, they can sometimes be stubborn. Plus, they’re highly intelligent canines, which means that while they may quickly learn new skills and commands, they could also outsmart you. And, due to their large size, this could have a less than ideal outcome.
Likewise, Mastiffs are very sensitive dogs and don’t respond well to aversive training techniques. It’s better to use positive reinforcement techniques like patience, kind words, tasty treats, and a lot of praise when they get things right. Talk to an experienced professional or veterinarian first to find out about the proper training techniques as this is very important.
Summary
As a massive beast with a gruff and tough exterior, the average Mastiff is actually a gentle, affectionate dog that bonds strongly with its adopted family. Mastiff guard dogs have been around for centuries, which shows in their innate protective nature. Although they need extensive training, a Mastiff will make an excellent guard dog as they were born for the role. Since they’re intelligent, fearless, devoted, and strong, if your family has a Mastiff, you should sleep very well at night.
See Also:
Featured Image Credit: GoDog Photo, Shutterstock
Expert dog care, straight to your inbox
News, insights, expert advice, and everything dog.
No spam — unsubscribe anytime.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.
How useful was this post?
Click a star to rate. You can leave written feedback afterwards. (We read all feedback.)
Greg Iacono is a self-taught writer and former chiropractor who, ironically, retired early due to back problems. He spends his time writing scintillating content on a wide variety of subjects. Greg is also an accomplished video script writer known for his ability to take a complex subject and make it accessible for the layperson.
Before retiring from chiropractic, Greg had clinics in 3 different countries, including the U.S., Belgium, and Peru. When not writing, Greg spends his time traveling, riding his motorcycle, and doting on his 7-year-old daughter, Valery. He also has a massive Lego city he built with his son, Alex, and is very proud of his daughter, Catherine, an accomplished graphic artist.
