5 Small Guard Dog Breeds with Big Attitudes: When you imagine a guard dog, you might picture a big, strong dog like a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler. Those dogs are huge and powerful, and they look like they could scare anyone away. But guess what?
Some of the best guard dogs are actually really small! These little dogs might not look scary at first because they’re so tiny, but they have huge personalities and tons of courage. They act like they’re the biggest dogs around, even though they could fit in your lap.
Here are five small guard dog breeds that are super brave and full of attitude, even though they’re not very big.
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Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is a small dog that comes from Germany. It usually weighs between 11 and 20 pounds, so it’s not very heavy. This dog has a funny look because it has a bushy beard and eyebrows that make it seem like a little old man.
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A long time ago, people used Miniature Schnauzers on farms to catch rats and keep them away. Nowadays, these dogs are great at guarding houses. They have really good hearing and sharp eyes, so they notice everything that’s going on.
If someone strange comes near your house, they’ll bark really loud to let you know. They love their families a lot and will stand up to anyone they don’t trust. Even though they’re small, they act like they’re in charge of everything!
Jack Russell Terrier
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The Jack Russell Terrier is another small dog, weighing between 13 and 17 pounds. It’s usually white with some brown or black spots on its fur. This breed started in England, where people used it to hunt foxes. Because of that, Jack Russells are super brave and full of life.
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They never seem to get tired! If something or someone comes near their home that they don’t like, they’ll bark in a high, loud voice to scare it away. They’re smart, fast, and not afraid of anything—even things much bigger than them. These little dogs are like tiny tornadoes, always ready to protect their space and the people they love.
Norfolk Terrier
The Norfolk Terrier is a really small dog from England, and it only weighs about 11 to 12 pounds. It has shaggy fur and floppy ears, so it looks kind of like a cuddly stuffed animal.
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But don’t let that fool you—this dog is tough! A long time ago, people bred Norfolk Terriers to chase away small animals like rats. That’s why they’re so fearless. They have a deep bark that sounds bigger than you’d expect from such a little body.
They love their families a lot and always keep an eye out for anything strange. If someone they don’t know comes too close, they’ll let you know right away. They might look sweet, but they’re like tiny guards watching over your home.
Dachshund
The Dachshund is a funny-looking dog because it has a super long body and very short legs. It comes from Germany, and it can weigh between 16 and 32 pounds, though some are even smaller.
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People used to use Dachshunds to hunt badgers, which are tough little animals. That’s why this breed is so brave and strong, even though it’s small. If they hear something weird or see someone they don’t like, they bark really loud—louder than you’d think a little dog could!
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They’re curious and always sniffing around, and they’re not afraid to stand up to anything that seems suspicious. Dachshunds might look silly, but they take their job as guard dogs very seriously.
Scottish Terrier
The Scottish Terrier, or “Scottie” for short, is a small dog from Scotland that weighs between 18 and 22 pounds. It has a wiry coat that can be black, brindle, or wheaten, and it has a beard that makes it look kind of fancy.
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A long time ago, these dogs hunted small animals in the rough, rocky land of Scotland. That made them tough and independent. They have a deep, loud bark that they use to warn people to stay away.
Scottish Terriers don’t trust strangers easily, and they’re very protective of their homes. They act confident and proud, like they’re the king or queen of the house. If something’s not right, they won’t hesitate to let you know with their big attitude.