Here are the 10 breeds of brave pup that make good and bad guard dogs - from the German Shepherd to the loving Labrador
There's a reason that German Shepherds are popular with the police and army
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They are alert, fast, strong, and make great guard dogs. The popular breed - they are a regular in the annual top 10 favourite UK dogs list - are also affectionate and great with kids.
Originally bred to fight, but they are also incredibly loyal and loving.
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The Staffordshire Bull Terriers were originally bred to fight and make brave, compact muscular and tenacious guard dogs.
The Akita's extreme vigilance and distrust of strangers means they can be trusted to keep your safe
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Originally from Japan, where they are venerated as family protectors.
They are also playful and love human companionship.
A breed that sometimes get a bad A well-bred Rottweiler will only show aggression when it, its home or its family are under threat.
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When not on guard dog duty they are calm, confident, loving and playful.
Used in their native America (despite the name, they are not actually from Australia) to guard vast ranches
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The Australian Shepherd is a breed that is as brave as it is beautiful - and are also great with young children.
No... The Basset Hound is one of the most sociable breeds of dog, well known for getting on with everybody.
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Unfortunately that includes complete strangers, such as potential intruders.
No... The have the best sense of smell in the canine world so could happily track down a burglar. But.....
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Just don't ask them to stop the crime in the first place though - they'll welcome all and sundry into their home.
No... Their innate greed means that it tends to only take a couple of treats to get around them.
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Labrador Retrievers are the UK's favourite breed of dog - partly due to their friendly disposition.
This counts against them as a guard dog though.
No... Unless your idea of guarding a home is licking intruders into submission
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Then the Old English Sheepdog just isn't up to the task.
No... If they think there's a snack in it for them, they'll probably happily share the location of your valuables.
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What's true of the Labrador Retriever also usually applies to their close cousin the Golden Retriever - including their lack of guard dog attributes