How to Choose a Loyal Dog Breed for a Family
Let’s all agree that no dog is a bad dog. Yet, some are more suited to family life and children than others.
Some dogs have loyalties attached to food or even fall in deep love with every new person they meet. On the other end of the spectrum, some dogs are loyal to their families, and that’s about it.
If you’ve been thinking about getting a family dog that can love and guard your family with their life, you’ve come to the right place.
Keep on reading for our full breakdown of what loyal dog breed can best suit your family. We’ll start with the most loyal guard dog breeds, and work our way down.
Loyal Dog Breed 101: Presa Canario
Let’s start with the best family dog of them all.
The Presa Canario is known to be an owner-focused breed, with rather high degrees of intelligence and strong guarding instincts in spades. Those are dogs that need a ton of training and socialization to become perfect canine citizens.
Even though they can be scary-looking dogs to strangers, they’re nothing but gentle and loving towards the people they consider their family.
Within the home, you’ll notice that the Presa Canario is very affectionate, and devoted to their loved ones. Yet, you need to understand that those are guarding dogs by nature. If they feel like their family is in danger, they will attack first and ask no questions later.
So you’ll need to dedicate time for high degrees of training for those dogs, no exceptions. Also, you’ll need to take it slow when it comes to introducing strangers to your Presa Canario.
Our Favorite Working Dog: German Shepherd
Whether you’ve seen them as part of the K-9 unit or with different members of the armed services, the German Shepherd is a win-win for a family.
They can wear a lot of hats. They’re confident, courageous, and very loyal to their family.
German shepherds are guardians by nature, yet gentle with their families. They’re rather protective as well.
Forever Lassie: The Collie
Sure, watching “Lassie” will always make us look lovingly to our nearest pet whether they’re dogs or not, as well as cry.
But there’s a reason why they’ve chosen a Collie for the role of Lassie. This is a dog breed that’s just as happy, active, and loyal as represented by the media.
If you already have a pet, and you’re worried that introducing a loyalty-driven dog to the household can turn them aggressive, you don’t need to worry about that with a Collie. They’re great with other animals, as well as children.
But you’ll want to keep them well-exercised to avoid their more destructive tendencies. So only go for a Collie if you know that your home is active and they’ll get a ton of exercise daily.
Hugging Is a Necessity: The Labrador Retriever
If you’re looking for a dog with an outgoing personality, and they’re so affectionate that cuddles and hugs are daily necessities, then you’ll want to get a Lab.
This is a dog breed that will get along with your family, your neighbor’s dogs, other family-friendly dogs, and everyone else.
But their first loyalty will always be with their families, and they’re intelligent enough to guard your family the moment they notice that there’s danger in the vicinity.
The Original Guard Dog: The Rottweiler
Rather famous for its protective nature, the Rottweiler is a calm and loyal dog that will always take the spot as the leader of your pack.
If you’re not intimidated by the amount of training that a Rottweiler would require, then you should definitely give one a chance. They’re rather wonderful and protective family companions with the right owners, who are responsible and kind.
The Gentle Giants: Newfoundland
If you’re a fan of bigger dogs, you’ll fall in love with Newfoundlands. They’re so good with children that they’re known as nanny dogs, due to their patient and gentle personality.
However, don’t be fooled into thinking that those are low-energy dogs. They’re working dogs that were bred to rescue drowning victims at sea, and they were rather good at it.
Coming in at 100 to 150 pounds, Newfies now tend to be placed with families for their loyalty and their gentleness.
Snoopy in the Wild: The Beagle
On the other end of the size spectrum, you might be interested in getting a smaller-sized family companion. If so, then you’ll want to check out beagles.
This is a centuries-old breed that has proven to be highly loyal and are great companions to their families.
Looking for proof? Look no further than Snoopy and Charlie Brown.
Bear-Looking Dogs: The Akita
Akita puppies resemble little bears at first, but don’t let their cuteness fool you. They’ll grow up to be large and dignified. Of Japanese origins, those are alert dogs that are affectionate and rather patient with children.
However, don’t be surprised if they’re aloof with strangers. Also, they require a decent amount of socialization, especially early on in their puppy-hood.
For the Fun-Loving Home: The Brittany
A nanny by day, and a guard by night, the Brittany is a dog breed that loves to work, as well as have fun.
While many people like to compare them with spaniels, they’re actually much closer to the setter or pointer when it comes to breeding and personality.
The Sausage Dog: The Dachshund
They are small, yes, but they’re mighty.
These little creatures are very protective and loyal to their families. It’s rather common to hear stories of little Dachshunds saving their families from bear attacks and even house fires.
Originally, they were bred to hunt badgers in the German wilderness, so they still retain their curious hunting qualities.
Ready to Pick Your Dream Family Dog?
We know that it can be a bit overwhelming to pick the perfect loyal dog breed, especially since they all look really adorable and there are so many of them. Hopefully, our guide has shed some light on the different loyal dog breeds available to you. If you wanna make a custom dog portrait to help you remember your furry friend and to cherish him, you can check smooch&pooch.
If you liked our article, you’ll definitely enjoy additional puppy-laden tips and tricks on our pet section.
