Worst Guard Dogs 2026: These are the 14 breeds of adorable dog that can't be trusted to guard your home - including the loving Labrador 🐶

If you’ve been thinking about welcoming a new dog into your home then you’re in good company – Royal Kennel Club (the new name for the UK Kennel Club) stats show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels.

Dogs come in all shapes, colours and sizes - there are 221 different pedigree dogs recognised by breeders in the UK, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).

So there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest four-legged addition – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or an easy to train dog.

Read more:

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There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.

Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don’t have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.

And one thing you might like to consider is that some dogs are naturally better guard dogs than others.

Labrador Retrievers may be affectionate and popular, but they’re likely to welcome a burglar like a long lost friend - particularly if they come armed with a few tasty sausages.

On the other hand, other breeds are naturally suspicious of strangers, ever-vigilant and have the potential to be ferocious if challenged or confronted. It also helps if they look a bit scary.

Here are the 14 worst breeds of guard dog.

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