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16 Best Protective Small Dogs For Families You Have To See!

It’s a common misconception that all small dogs are non-protective. In fact, there are many breeds which can be perfect for families with children and seniors alike. This article will cover 16 of the best protective small dogs for families.

They were carefully selected for their level of intelligence, temperament, size and energy levels to make sure they would be good companions for people who have younger kids or elderly family members living in the home.

Straffordshire Bull Terrier

Straffordshire Bull Terrier
Image by k9arteu from Pixabay

Staffies are the best protection for families and children. This breed is very intelligent, loyal, and protective of their family. They will warn you when a stranger approaches your home with a bark or growl. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has been recognized as one of the top breeds in America because they are known to be gentle with children. In England, this breed was used to guard kids from bullies on the playground at school; it’s no wonder that they’re perfect for protecting our little ones.

Spanish Water dog

Spanish Water dogs are a breed of hunting dog that is known for its keen sense of smell and strong instinct to protect. The Spaniels’ instinct to protect comes from their ancestral line which includes Greyhounds, Bloodhounds, Bull Terriers, Mastiffs and the Pug. These breeds were used as guard dogs because they have a natural tendency to want to defend their family against any threat or intruder. Spanish Water dogs will bark at people they don’t know or strangers in their territory.

Bull Terrier

Bull Terrier
Image by jhenning from Pixabay

Bull Terriers are excellent guard dogs that will intimidate any intruders. These dogs are very muscular and will not back down from a fight. The size of the Bull Terrier is also perfect for intimidating people because they stand at least 30 inches tall, weigh around 50 pounds, and have a coat that is short and sleek. Bull Terriers can be good family pets as well as guard dogs because they get along with children just fine if trained properly. 

Border Collie

Border Collie
Image by Tricia Winwood from Pixabay

Border Collies are an excellent breed of dog for families. They can be protective of their families and generally bark if they hear or see something they don’t like. Border Collies are known to protect their family’s property by attacking intruders with a fury that is seldom seen in other breeds. Another reason why Border Collies make good guard dogs is because the breed has natural instincts to hunt, herd, and chase animals off from its territory. This makes them an easy choice for any families.

Beagle

Beagle
Image by Daniel Albany from Pixabay

Beagles are a perfect breed for guard dogs. They have great personalities and are friendly with children. Many people believe that Beagles do not make good guard dogs because they are so small, but they are wrong! The beagle is an excellent watch dog due to their high level of intelligence and loyalty. They bark when someone comes near the property which makes them one of the best breeds for security.

Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu
Image by Rachel Nelson from Pixabay

The Shih Tzu, which originated in China, are now known as the best small guard dogs for apartments,  or smaller homes. These small watchdogs may only weigh 7-12 pounds but they can still do their job of being protective and alerting their family to any intruder by barking at them. They are very vocal animals so it’s hard to sneak up on one without them knowing!

Shiba Inu

Shiba Inu are one of the oldest dog breeds in Japan. These dogs have a long history as watchdogs, hunting companions and even more recently, family pets. Shiba Inu are dogs with fox-like looks. They have a thick coat that comes in three colors: red, black and tan. This breed of dog is good for companionship as well as being family pets because they are loyal and devoted to their owners. Shiba Inu can be very vocal if they do not get enough attention from their owner which makes them great watchdogs too!

Boston Terrier

Boston Terrier
Image by Thorsten Blank from Pixabay

Boston terriers are one of the best guard dogs around. They are known for being very protective and will never let anything happen to their family members. Boston terriers have a perfect sense of hearing, which helps them detect any intruders in the house. They also make excellent watchdogs because they bark at every little noise that might come from outside or inside the home. Boston terriers need a lot of attention and love, so they don’t get bored when they’re not guarding your property!

Pomeranian

Pomeranians are the best guard dogs, beacuse they bark at any noises, and make a good pet for people who don’t have much time to take care of them. The Pomeranian is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a guard dog that doesn’t require much upkeep or attention. Pomeranian’s have a high pitched yap, which can be very intimidating to would-be intruders or attackers. Their size is not much bigger than a cat, so this makes them ideal for apartment living where space is limited. These little furballs do not require lots of exercise and will only need about 10 minutes per day of walking to stay healthy and happy.

Chihuahua

Chihuahua
Image by Andrés Carlo from Pixabay

The Chihuahua is a breed of dog that originated in Mexico. They are the smallest and most popular type of dog in the world. They have big ears, a short muzzle, and are well known for their signature bark which they use to alert you when someone is at your door or if there’s something suspicious going on outside. Their overprotective nature means they will never leave your side – making them one of America’s most loyal companions.

Poodle

Poodles are an intelligent, gentle and playful breed. They can be a little territorial but they do not make good guard dogs. Poodles are considered to be more of a watch dog because they will bark at intruders if the poodle feels threatened or their territory is invaded. They also tend to get along well with other animals and children, making them a great family pet. Despite being small in size, they have been known to put up quite the fight.

Manchester Terrier

Manchester Terrier
Photo by Bicanski on Pixnio

Manchester Terriers are one of the most popular breeds in America, and they are very loyal. They make excellent watchdogs for their family and territory. Manchester Terriers will alert you to any strangers or animals near your home. They are intelligent dogs that can be trained easily with positive reinforcement methods like treats and praise. They love attention from their owners and enjoy games as well as long walks on a leash. The average lifespan is about 14 years, but some have been known to live up to 19.

Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniel
Image by Steve Sewell from Pixabay

The Cocker Spaniel is a type of dog that was bred to be the family pet. They are loyal and protective of their family members, but they can also be aggressive towards strangers. The Cocker Spaniel’s breed originated in England during the 18th century when hunting dogs were crossed with toy spaniels to create this new breed.  A Cocker Spaniel is a dog that belongs to the category of sporting dogs. They are popular because they are very good with children and their temperament is often gentle.

Dachshund

Dachshund
Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

The Dachshund is a small, compact dog that has an elongated body and short legs. They are often referred to as wiener dogs because of their long, thin shape. Dachshunds were originally bred in Germany for hunting badgers and other burrowing animals such as rabbits or foxes. Their instinctive behaviors from this period of time still remain today- they will be protective of their family members and sometimes known to attack intruders with vigor.

Lhasa Apso

Lhasa Apso
Image by Kshitij Prakash from Pixabay

The Lhasa Apso is a small, furry dog that originated in Tibet. This breed has the ability to detect intruders and warn its family of danger with barking. The name Lhasa Apso comes from the city where they were originally bred: Lhasa, Tibet. Lhasa Apsos are very friendly dogs who enjoy spending time with their families. They are usually reserved around strangers and will bark at anyone unfamiliar to them or anyone who approaches without an invitation.

Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terrier
Image by Annabel_P from Pixabay

The Jack Russell Terrier is a breed of dog with very loyal and protective characteristics. The average weight for this breed is 18-23 pounds, which makes them great companions for an apartment or small house. They are also friendly with children and strangers, making them perfect pets to have around kids. However, they can be shy and timid around other dogs that are not familiar to them, so it’s important to make sure the terrier has had socialization when they’re young.

 

Author

  • Karin S

    Welcome to All About My Small Dog, where my love for small dogs and years of hands-on experience meet your need for trusted information. As a dedicated small dog enthusiast and pet parent, I'm deeply committed to sharing expert insights, reliable advice, and a community of support. Every blog you read here is crafted with the utmost care, guided by my passion and expertise. You can trust that you're in the right place for valuable insights and a warm community that understands the unique joys and challenges of small dog ownership. Together, we'll make sure your small dog's world is filled with love, care, and knowledge.

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