Are Bernese Mountain Dogs Good Guard Dogs? Traits & FAQ

One reason many people want a dog is for their protective personalities. But while some dogs look intimidating, they often won’t do anything if someone crosses the line. But generally, that isn’t the case with the Bernese Mountain Dog.

While your dog’s exact personality will vary, generally, with a bit of training, the Bernese Mountain Dog is an excellent guard dog.

Are Bernese Mountain Dogs Good Guard Dogs?

If you’re looking for a guard dog, the Bernese Mountain Dog makes an excellent choice. Not only will they take the necessary steps to protect you, your family, and even your property, but they have an incredibly loving demeanor and are great family dogs.

Just keep in mind that while the Bernese Mountain Dog is generally an excellent guard dog, each individual has their personality and temperament, and you’ll still need to train them if you want them to guard anything effectively.

Traits That Make the Bernese Mountain Dog a Great Guard Dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog is an excellent guard dog, and there are a few signature characteristics that ensure this is the case. Here, we’ve highlighted three characteristics that make the Bernese Mountain Dog such an excellent guard dog:

Large Size

Weighing between 80 and 110 pounds, there’s no doubt that the Bernese Mountain Dog is one big breed. They also stand between 25 and 28 inches tall, which certainly adds to their intimidating presence. Simply having a dog this size around you or on your property is an excellent deterrent for would-be thieves or aggressors.

Protective Traits

To be an effective guard dog, they need to have a strong protective instinct, and the Bernese Mountain Dog certainly does. They love their families and don’t want anything to happen to them. Not only that, but if your pup knows you don’t want other people in a particular area, they’ll do everything they can to make that happen.

Docile Temperament

While the Bernese Mountain Dog is a great guard dog with protective traits, they’re also a great family dog. They’re extremely docile and loving, and they’re well aware of their larger size. Because of this, they’ll take the necessary steps to avoid hurting you, kids, or smaller pets in the home simply because of their large size.

Other Great Guard Dog Breeds

The Bernese Mountain Dog is an excellent guard dog, but they’re far from the only great guard dog breed. We’ve highlighted a few other great guard dog breeds you might want to consider for you here:

Newfoundland

If you want a Newfoundland guard dog, you better get ready to train them. They have the right size, but they also have an incredibly docile temperament. But with the proper training, a Newfoundland can be one of the most effective guard dogs in the world.

Saint Bernard

The Saint Bernard is another massive dog with a generally docile personality, but with the right training can be an extremely effective guard dog. But despite their large size, the Saint Bernard isn’t quite as intimidating as some other breeds, so they don’t possess the highest possible deterrent factor.

Great Dane

To many owners, the Great Dane is the perfect mix of docile nature around their family and potential aggressiveness towards strangers. These are great guard dog traits, but you need to fully train them so they don’t go after someone they shouldn’t.

English Mastiff

The English Mastiff is another large dog breed that generally has a docile demeanor. This isn’t ideal for a guard dog, but with the proper training, they can fit that role. And with a docile demeanor, you shouldn’t have to worry about them around kids or guests.

Great Pyrenees

You generally wouldn’t think of a Great Pyrenees as a guard dog from their appearance alone, but their personality and size ensure they fit the bill. They also have an intimidating bark and are a vocal breed, which certainly helps scare away potential intruders.

Conclusion

If you’re looking at getting a guard dog that also does great around kids and other pets, the Bernese Mountain Dog is as good as it gets. Ensure you properly train them and they should do just about anything you want!

With a Bernese Mountain Dog, you’re getting a lovable companion that will happily look after anything you want it to!

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Featured Image Credit: Oleg Mitkevych, Shutterstock