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When choosing a dog to have by your side in a survival situation, you’ll want a loyal, smart, adaptable breed that is capable of performing tasks that support survival. While companionship is valuable, a dog that can actively assist while offering comfort is ideal. With heightened senses, dogs can detect potential threats, often alerting you to intruders long before you’re aware of them.
Here are 14 of the best dogs for preppers and homesteaders chosen for their endurance, trainability, and natural protective instincts:
German Shepherd
German Shepherds are highly intelligent, loyal, and versatile. They’re used for search-and-rescue, police work, and protection, making them excellent for survival scenarios.
Belgian Malinois
Similar to the German Shepherd, the Belgian Malinois is known for its high energy, intelligence, and trainability. These dogs are often used in military and police work and excel in guarding and tracking.
Labrador Retriever
Labradors are friendly, intelligent, and highly trainable. They are great companions and versatile working dogs. They can be trained for search-and-rescue, retrieving supplies, and even detecting scents.
Border Collie
Border Collies are extremely smart and quick to learn new tasks. While they are traditionally used for herding, they also make great companions and are very high energy. A border collie is an excellent choice if you have a homestead with some cattle or sheep.
Rottweiler
Rottweilers are protective and strong, making them great guard dogs. They’re also intelligent and loyal and can be trained for various tasks, including carrying supplies and acting as a deterrent to threats. If you want one of these dogs, prepare to invest in good training to ensure its safety for your family.
Doberman Pinscher
Dobermans are alert, energetic, and protective. They can be excellent guard dogs and are also highly trainable. Their strong instincts and agility make them suitable for many survival tasks. Sometimes, just seeing a Doberman is enough to deter someone from getting close to you or your family.
Siberian Husky
Known for their endurance and strength, Huskies are great for cold-weather survival. They’re famous for working in packs to pull sleds. They’re also intelligent, though they can be independent, so training them may require more effort. A husky is only a good choice if you’re in a northern climate. And you have to be ready to deal with their stubborn nature. They tend to run, and while they always come back, it’s an issue if there is danger.
Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherds are loyal, intelligent, and energetic. They excel in herding, but their quick learning ability makes them great for tasks like guarding, retrieving, and even aiding in search-and-rescue missions.
Great Pyrenees
Great Pyrenees are natural protectors and excel in guarding livestock and property. They are calm and gentle and can defend your homestead effectively, making them great for rural or off-grid living. The Pyrenees will protect you if you or your family are facing off against a mountain lion, bear, or coyote.
Jack Russell Terrier
Small but rugged, Jack Russells are highly energetic and quick-witted. They are thought to be the most intelligent breed of dog. They’re great for hunting small game and are surprisingly strong and fearless when protecting their family. Sometimes, it takes a yapping dog to run off a would-be intruder.
Bloodhound
Bloodhounds are famous for their incredible tracking abilities. They can follow scents for miles, making them invaluable for search-and-rescue missions, tracking intruders, or locating missing people.
Pit Bull Terrier
Known for their strength, loyalty, and protective nature, Pit Bulls can be excellent guard dogs. They are also highly trainable and adaptable but most certainly aren’t the breed for everyone.
Cane Corso
The Cane Corso is a powerful and protective breed that excels as a guard dog. It’s also highly intelligent and very loyal. With proper training and an owner willing to put in the time and energy, it can be trained to be amazing guard dogs for the family and livestock.
Bernese Mountain Dog
This is a dog bred to be a livestock guardian. It is family-friendly, intelligent, and a little easier to train than other livestock guardian breeds. Because of its size, it is a great deterrent.
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