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Guardian
Dogs
American
Bulldog
Many dogs are naturally protective of their family and their
home territory, but none are more so than the guardian breeds,
which can be divided into four categories: flock protectors,
bull breeds, mastiffs, and other guard breeds.
Flock protectors were among the first canine workers. They
probably originated thousands of years ago in the mountainous
areas around what is now known as Iran and Iraq, and then
in different regions developed into the distinct breeds now
known as the Bernese mountain dog, Greater Swiss mountain
dog, Great Pyrenees, komondor, and Kuvasz.
Their imposing size and formidable strength made them effective
protectors, while their thick coats shielded them from the
elements and from attack by animals seeking to prey on their
flocks.
To this day, flock protectors are known for their quiet, intense
loyalty. But they are also independent workers that don't
readily take direction.
Mastiffs are descended from ancient dogs known as Molossians,
which probably originated in Asia and were spread throughout
Europe by Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.). Back then, such
dogs were used as bodyguards and war dogs, jobs for which
their massive bulk, powerful jaws, and thick skin served them
well.
Like the flock protectors, mastiffs were interbred with local
dogs in different regions. Temperaments among today's mastiff
breeds range from laid-back to sharply aggressive.
The mastiff breeds described in the following pages are the
bullmastiff, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, mastiff, Neapolitan
mastiff, and Tibetan mastiff. All bear the mastiff physique:
a massive, blocky skull and tremendous jaw, a thick and powerful
neck, and an immense and muscular body that is slightly longer
than it is tall.
Mastiffs can be stubborn and need intensive obedience training
early on, since they are invariably stronger than their owners.
The bull breeds may have originated as early as the 1200s.
These breeds were created by crossing mastiffs with terriers,
and were used for bullbaiting, a sport in which dogs were
set upon a chained or confined bull. Bulldogs were therefore
bred to be strong, tenacious, and impervious to pain. After
bullbaiting was outlawed in England in 1835, bulldog breeders
began to breed out the aggressive traits.
The bull breeds of today--the American bulldog, English bulldog,
and boxer--all make enjoyable family companions. They remain
somewhat protective but are much easier to handle than their
mastiff brethren.
Other breeds classified here as guardians are the Doberman
pinscher, Great Dane, Newfoundland, rottweiler, and Saint
Bernard. These dogs share many traits with the mastiff breeds.
They are intensely loyal to their families and generally range
from aloof to wary with strangers, except for the Newfoundland
and the Saint Bernard, which have outgoing dispositions.
Great
Dane
Guardian Dogs
American Bulldog
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boxer
Bullmastiff
Doberman Pinscher
Dogo Argentino
Dogue de Bordeaux
English Bulldog
Great Dane
Great Pyrenees
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Guardian Dog Mixes
Komondor
Kuvasz
Mastiff
Neapolitan Mastiff
Newfoundland
Pit Bull Mixes
Rottweiler
Saint Bernard
Tibetan Mastiff
 
types of dogs
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