Doberman pinschers, mastiffs and rottweilers are among dogs who were bred to guard people and property. They do tend to be more dominant than other breeds. If your guardian dog is poorly bred, not socialized enough or untrained, their guarding instincts can work against you. They bond tightly with their family, but even when socialized, they can be wary of strangers. Your guardian dog must be very well socialized and always be supervised with others, if you love to entertain and have company over at your house.
Maremma sheepdog and Great Pyrenees are among the guardian dogs that were bred to protect livestock rather than humans. Many of these dogs are still used like this today, in the United States farms and ranches, as well as in their countries of origin. Sometimes, the protective instinct of these guardian dogs can put them at odds with a human household. Their job is to protect their herd, and they make great watchdogs because they see their owners as their herd. However, they may overwhelm a family not experienced with dominant dogs, and be wary of strangers and strange animals.
