There are some dogs that look scarier than others, which can be useful for deterring home invaders. There are so many different big breeds but how many of them are good as guard dogs?
The following breeds may be more prone to aggression than others, but proper training can help keep it in check. But which are the scariest-looking dog breeds out there?
The scariest-looking dog breeds are probably the Bullmastiff, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, or the Pitbull. Some other dog breeds considered to look scary to some are the Alaskan Malamute, German Shepherd, and the Siberian Husky.
If you are looking for a “scary” dog, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here down below you will find a more detailed list with information about the scariest looking dog breeds.
10 Scariest Looking Dogs
1. Bullmastiff
The Bullmastiff is unquestionably one of the most intimidating dogs on the planet. This particular breed is very obedient and loyal as a pet, but it can also be quite aggressive to strangers.
These dogs can grow up to 27 inches tall with a maximum weight of around 130 pounds. It is one of the best choices for those who want a dog to keep their home and family safe.
2. Dobermann Pinscher – Really Scary Looking Dog Breed
Dobermans certainly have a reputation for being aggressive, though they can actually be quite loving and affectionate towards their owners as family pets. So it is doubtful that any potential burglars would try messing with one of these dogs.
Dobermann pinschers were developed in 1890 by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, a German tax collector. they are great as pets but you should be prepared to lock them if you have guests in your house.
They have a snarling growl that would scare off even the most hardened criminal. These dogs can grow up to 27 inches tall with a maximum weight of around 100 pounds.
This well-known working dog isn’t the perfect choice for inexperienced dog owners, but Dobermans are definetely better than many other breeds on this list for novices. In any case, they’ll need firm training, obedience classes, and plenty of socialization, beginning at a young age.
3. Rottweiler
The Rottweiler is a notoriously temperamental dog that always stands its ground when confronted, whether it is by another dog or a person. These are not great dogs for small children, but they are excellent for home defense/security.
The mere sight of a Rottweiler instills a sense of fear in most people. That being said, these dogs are known for being incredibly loyal and devoted companions.
They can be quite rowdy when provoked and learn to be aggressive if not taught with a firm hand. They usually accept only one owner in the family so it is still a possibility after training to be dangerous to another member. With the right amount of training, love, and socialization, this german breed can learn to be gentle with humans, yet fierce when the need arises.
4. Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute can grow up to 26 inches tall with a maximum weight of around 100 pounds. Despite the somewhat intimidating appearance of these dogs, they are known for being quite affectionate, playful, and gentle giants. They are very high-maintenance and not recommended for those who don’t have any prior experience.
This breed is really awesome, they are great family pets and powerful runners. These dogs were made to run in snow for hundreds of kilometers so they need long walks with quite intense physical activity. If you won’t give them exhaustive exercises every day you might face the problem of them running away quite often.
Keep in mind that if you live in a hot climate area this won’t be good for Alaskan malamute or any other dog breed. They are meant to sleep in the snow every night and they simply lose their fur and health living in hot weather.
This breed was bred to hunt bears and their fang are so sharp that they are capable to cut bears’ throats in seconds.
5. Pit Bull Terrier
Pit Bulls or American Pit Bull Terriers are definitely among the scariest dog breeds in the entire world. Many of these dogs have a muscular physique that is sure to intimidate just about anyone who crosses their path. While this breed can certainly be sweet and affectionate, it does have a tendency towards aggression.
This is why proper training is so important for pit bulls. They can go from being completely calm to viciously aggressive in a split second, which is frightening, to say the least.
This breed has extremely strong jaws which makes their bites so strong. Even one of the strongest bites I would say.
6. Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff is one of the largest dog breeds on the planet. With a maximum height of 30 inches and a weight of 160 pounds, these dogs are truly massive. They are highly intelligent, but also very aggressive under the right circumstances. This is a very protective breed that is great for those who want to feel a little safer in their own home.
This is not only a huge breed but as well who can jump 6 feet high. Imagine walking near the fence and seeing such a giant jumping over it on your shoulders. Their fur required quite a good maintenance and grooming so be prepared to brush them often.
7. German Shepherd
German Shepherds aren’t the biggest dogs in the world, but they are undoubtedly intimidating. They are fiercely loyal and protective, making them excellent for families and good at socialization. These dogs do, however, have an aggressive nature that needs to be taken into consideration.
This breed was invented in Germany and for many years stays as a perfect working dog. They are used a lot in police in Europe but now getting quite a competitor from Belgian Malinois.
They are fairly easy to train and make for excellent watchdogs and man’s best friend. You can trust that this dog will be able to scare off any shady people who may come near your home.
These dogs are not hunting breed so they have quite a strong smell of dog which can be a problem if your dog lives inside of your house, especially when they are wet after the rain.
8. Siberian Husky
The wolf-like appearance of the Siberian Husky naturally lends a certain element of intimidation to this dog. Huskies are very high-energy dogs that can actually be quite aggressive and even dangerous without proper training. They almost never bark but express their emotions with different kinds of howling.
Just keep in mind that keeping and training these dogs can be quite difficult, as they are known for being spectacularly stubborn. This is definitely not a good choice for those who want a nice and easy low-maintenance canine companion.
Siberian Huskey is one of the primitive dogs which means that it was minimum intervention in the development from wolf to breed. They are still one of the rare breeds that have sharp sides of fangs and actually they cut the victim like a knife.
9. Caucasian Shepherd Dog (Caucasian Ovcharka)
The Caucasian Shepherd is a huge dog that can grow up to a whopping 220 pounds with a maximum height of 2.3 feet. These dogs are impressively powerful with a mighty stature that would be sure to intimidate even the most fearless person at times. With proper training, these dogs can be quite calm and well-behaved most of the time.
As you can guess from their breed name, they were bred in the Caucasus to protect sheep from wolves and other predators. If you travel there you can see plenty of dogs walking with people and spending time with tourists.
10. American Bulldog
The American Bulldog can grow up to 28 inches tall with a maximum weight of 130 pounds. These dogs are often used by farmers to protect their livestock, due to their naturally aggressive and energetic nature. They are also very loyal and confident dogs that can keep you and your family safe.
Proper training is an absolute must with this breed. If you don’t train your bulldog, it is more likely to become aggressive at the wrong moments. While it might not look like the scariest dog at first, just wait until it bares its teeth at you!
This breed was developed for hunting wild boar and they are strong enough to do it.
Honorable Mentions
There are a couple of dog breeds that didn’t quite make our list but that we still felt were worth mentioning. The Boxer is a very energetic and playful breed, but it can also be quite scary when it becomes aggressive.
The Wolf Hybrid is another dog that is known for its unpredictable aggression, which can be quite frightening. These dogs are hard to train, but their loyal nature makes it well worth all the effort.
American or Japanese Akitas are quite good guardian dogs to protect their families. Akita has a big head and massive shoulders that make them perfect for what the breed was developed – the protection of nobles and VIPs.
Golden Retrievers are big but barely can scare anyone. This is a pure loving ducks hunting breed that can lick the intruders till death.
German breeds called Great Danes are one of the biggest and tallest dogs on the earth. They were developed to hunt wild bores which makes them less aggressive to people but still they are terrifying for any criminals or intruders trying to rob your house.
The huge Italian breed Cane Corso is not the simplest dog to handle. You should avoid it if you have lack the experience or time to train them. This breed requires early socialization as they are naturally wary of strangers.
Canary Mastiff is one of the top lists of scary dog breeds. It was initially bred in the Canary Islands for catching birds. The other name is perro de presa canario and they are known as one of the most aggressive dogs in the world and are even banned in some regions.
Kangal is a dog more known as a guardian dog than a guard dog. They have the strongest bite in the whole world, measuring 743 PSI (pounds per square inch).
Rhodesian Ridgeback is a South African breed that was bred to be capable to scare away lions in their natural habitat. Even though they are very popular as a pet in USA and Europe, this breed remains only semi-domesticated.
Great Pyrenees dogs somewhat resemble friendly dog breeds like Golden Retrievers or Labradors. However, they were bred from herding dogs and are very serious workers. When not provoked they are great family dogs but yet scary only because of their size.
Conclusion
- The Bullmastiff is a scary dog because of its huge size and confident overall nature.
- Doberman Pinschers are known for being aggressive, but also very loyal and obedient with proper training.
- The Rottweiler has a stocky body and is known for being very intimidating as a whole.
- Alaskan Malamutes may be affectionate and playful dogs, but they can also be quite vicious under the right circumstances.
- Pit bulls also have a reputation for extreme aggression, and their muscular build makes them frightening just to be around.
- The Tibetan Mastiff is an unbelievably large dog that can intimidate just about any other dog with its sheer size.
- German Shepherds are also loyal dogs, but their natural pension for aggression can be problematic without training.
- Siberian Huskies are large dogs that bear a striking resemblance to wolves, and they can be quite unpredictable.
- The Caucasian Shepherd’s massive stature is enough to put any person on edge.
- The American Bulldog has a history of aggression, which is why it is so commonly used by farmers to keep their livestock safe from predators.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most protective dog?
The most protective dog is one that is loyal to its family and will defend them against any perceived threat. Some of the most popular breeds known for their protective instincts include German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Dobermans. However, any dog has the potential to be protective if it has been properly trained and socialized.
What is the toughest dog?
Rottweiler is considered to be the toughest dog in the world. But among other breeds, we can note the Irish Wolfhound, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Newfoundland, and Great Dane.
What is the greatest fighting dog?
The leader among fighting dogs is American Pit Bull Terrier. Humans have bred them for dog fights because of their agility and muscular body. But among other breeds, we can note Kangal, Cane Corso, Dogo Argentino, Rottweiler, and Bully Kutta.
What is the most badass dog?
Apart from Pitt Bull which actually just looks scary but has no aggressive gens, we can mention such breeds as Caucasian Shepherd, Doberman, Rottweiler, Bullmastiff, Irish Wolfdog, Cane Corso, Boerboel, and Dogo Argentino.
