Low-Energy Security Dogs: Maximum Protection with Minimal Effort

Dogs aren’t just great companions. They also help to make us feel safe. A guard dog can help to protect your home and family. However, many of the popular security dog breeds are also known for their high energy. That makes caring for them a full-time job. If you’re not cut out for this but would still love to have a companion that provides a sense of security, you may want to consider a pet from our list of low maintenance guard dogs.

Aggressive vs Protective

Many people misinterpret aggression as being protective. Dogs are intelligent creatures. They can recognize their family. When they encounter unknown people, they display defensive aggressive behavior in an attempt to protect their family and home. This is different from displaying aggressive behavior against every other living creature unprovoked. An aggressive dog can kill or hurt other pets or people. Don’t try to teach a dog to be aggressive with the goal of making it a guard dog. You should invest in proper training for your pet.

The Best Low Energy Guard Dogs

1. Newfoundland

These large low energy protective dogs are a great option especially for those with families. Their friendly, affectionate and sweet temperament makes them a great pet for families. They are especially great with young children and are friendly to new people. This however, doesn’t mean that they are not good guard dogs.

Newfoundlands are very courageous and loyal. Their large size makes them intimidating and they respond well to training. They require around 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day to keep them happy.

2. Great Pyrenees

Bred for guarding livestock from predators, the Great Pyrenese is one of the most popular calm guard dog breeds. These dogs are known for their courage. They are large and friendly. However, their size can be problematic in a household with young children. They also bark quite a lot. This makes them a poor choice for apartments or multi-family living situations.

These dogs are quite calm and do not require a lot of exercise. Moderate daily walks would be adequate to keep your pet happy. They are shredders and require regular grooming. Weekly brushing can help with the shedding.

3. Saint Bernard

These calm protective dogs are great for families. Saint Bernards are calm protective dogs that are great with children and deeply loyal to their families. They are quick learners and can be quite independent. With proper training, they can be great companions.

Initially bred as guardians for livestock, these dogs are often used as search and rescue dogs. They are low maintenance, requiring only about 30 minutes of moderate play or a long walk to keep them content.

4. Mastiff

If you’re looking for low maintenance protective dogs that don’t shed, you may want to consider the mastiff. These large dogs are very loyal and protective. While they are courageous, they are usually calm. They have low energy levels and can be great for families with older children.

A mile-long walk every day is quite enough to keep this low energy dog happy. These low shedding guard dogs are quite low maintenance when it comes to grooming. You can brush their coat when it’s needed. Be sure to inspect and clean their facial wrinkles regularly to prevent infections. 

A Last Word

It should be noted that many people in search of a dog that can provide protection are actually searching for a dog with protective tendencies and not an actual guard dog. Guard dogs are trained specifically to attack and protect on command. This is different from aggressive dogs. We at Anchor Up K9 Academy provide training programs designed to meet different needs and requirements. Contact us now to discuss your needs and get started.