10 Manly Dog Breeds

The rule of thumb for breeding any dog is proper socialization and training. If you do that, your dog will become your best friend. However, it can be quite tricky when it comes to choosing a manly dog. You typically want a pet that is calm when indoors and carefree outdoors. With that in mind, there are tons of dog breeds available to you. Hence, we have carefully researched and put together a list of ten manly dogs that fit the bill perfectly.

German Shepherd

In the past, German Shepherds were bred to be errand and guard dogs. So, it’s not surprising that they exhibit sheepherding characters. These mutts like to play fetch, run after anything that moves and to defend what they believe is their territory. In general, German Shepherds tend to show some level of unfriendliness towards strangers. For this reason, they usually fit right into military settings and can be used as police dogs. They do not mind a bit of structure and as such are easy to train and nurture.

In addition to all this, they tend to learn very fast and do not easily fall sick. Even more attractive is the fact that German Shepherds displays boldness, intelligence, and alertness in the face of danger. Unfortunately, their temperament can be a bit of an issue due to their hyper activeness.  Based on this, ideally, a German shepherd is not an indoors pet.

For more options, check out our detailed review of Dog Food for German Shepherds.

Boxer

This highly intelligent, energetic, and super-friendly dog breed is a complete busy bee. At the core of its being, this dog has a need to be quite active for the most part of it. Additionally, they are very loyal to their owners and will defend them if they sense danger or unrest. As a cool dog breed for guys you will hardly find a Boxer that barks. As such, it should not be taken lightly when they bark since they only bark at strangers or other dogs. Instead of that, they tend to growl.

This dog breed is not known for being particularly furry and as a result of this (as well as their short-furry nature) Boxers cannot withstand harsh weather conditions. Hence, you mustn’t allow them to be exposed to intense heat or cold. The upside is that their furs are very easy to maintain; simply bath them regularly and keep them on a healthy diet.

Before you consider living with a Boxer, you have to ensure you can meet their uncontrollable need for exercise and companionship. If you are not up to the task, then you will have to deal with his/her ugly side. The ideal family for breeding a Boxer is one that has lots of people around to keep the dog company. Also, it’s best if you live in an estate or somewhere spacious so the dog can expel inbuilt energy by running or playing fetch.

Find out more about Dog Food for Boxers here.

Bulldog

As far as the most common dog breeds for men go, Bulldogs fit the bill through and through. There are actually two types of Bulldogs: English and French. The former is typically medium-sized with a rather large head. It should be noted that the English bulldog is not exactly considered an attractive animal. Their faces are usually wrinkled with saggy jowls and black noses. Additionally, the skin of an English bulldog is a little loose and this makes it look quite big. Typically, the male weighs around 54 pounds while females weigh roughly 50 pounds. At first glance, it is easy to think that Bulldogs do not have coats, but they have short coats that come in hues of fawn, white, piebald and brindle.

French Bulldogs, on the other hand, are mostly identified by their bat-shaped ears; unlike English Bulldogs that are quite heavy, they usually weigh about 28 pounds. And thanks to the length of their fur, they are quite easy to groom. However, you have to take good care of them since they are prone to falling ill quite often. For one, their rather small noses can make it a bit difficult to breathe, especially when they are in a poorly ventilated environment. Even with a clean bill of health, they are not exactly the best manly hypoallergenic dogs you can find. Hip dysplasia and other skin issues are prevalent when it comes to this breed.

Siberian Husky

According to dog experts, the Siberian husky is known for its peaceful and free-spirited nature. Unlike most guard dogs, this breed does not show possessive traits. They are equally very agile, friendly, and fast. Also, they need to live quite a regimented lifestyle, especially during the winter months.  You have to ensure that they adhere strictly to a well-planned fitness routine, so they won’t be affected by the weather. Also note that the Siberian husky is an outdoorsy type of dog that enjoys hiking, running, and walking. However, be sure to have him/her on a leash in order to thwart any escape attempts. Small creatures like birds and squirrels catch their attention easily, and they are not above bolting after them.

Another thing to note is that the Siberian husky tends to be massively destructive at times, especially when left idle. Hence, you must be given a sense of responsibility; you could teach them how to pull sleds and play fetch since these activities also help them stay in shape. If you are a sucker for manly dogs that can equally maintain a social relationship with other dogs, then the Siberian husky is for you. It even interacts well with dogs of different breeds.

However, we must point out that the Siberian huskies should not be left alone with other animals like rabbits, cats, and birds because they tend to see them as prey or playthings.

Check out our guide on Dog Food for Huskies.

Irish Setter

Contrary to popular belief, the Irish Setters are not all red, a handful of them are red and white as well. If you are on the lookout for a happy-go-lucky, beautiful and lively dog, then the Irish Setter is your best option. You have to be ready to exercise a great deal of patience with the dog during the first three years of its life because it can be quite gawky. A lot of time and energy has to go into training him to understand voice and body gestures. Failure to do this will leave you with an unruly weakling. In addition, you must try not to be harsh when training an Irish Setter because they can be very sensitive and end up acting out. Some Irish Setters go as far as to demonstrate a strong need to win the approval of their owners.

The good thing about this dog breed is that they are very sociable. As a result, they hardly get into fights with other pets even when they are asking for it. Also, note that the Irish Setter is a natural hunter, so you have to be very careful with them when they are outdoors. This is because they tend to run off after animals or interesting scents that catch their attention.

English Mastiff

If you have a thing for gigantic dogs, then the English Mastiff will be your best friend. They are unarguably one of the biggest dog breeds known to man. It is no surprise that they use their size as a defense mechanism against all sorts of threats. If you want a dog that will always be there to keep you company with the added advantage of protection, then look no further. The English Mastiff has a habit of staying with his owner, come rain or shine. Also, you don’t need to give them any special form of training; they naturally understand your likes and dislikes.

However, if you are not comfortable with dogs that drool, then you may not like the English Mastiff. But then, the slobbering can be taken care of by wiping his mouth after a meal. This dog breed poses as quite the conundrum at times, you may find it quite stubborn occasionally, especially when he is in a new environment. But on the other hand, they tend to be gentle companions. As far as grooming goes, not that their fur sheds quite rapidly, so you have to brush it at least once or twice a week to keep it in good condition.

Bernese Mountain Dog

The particular breed of Bernese Mountain dog that exists today is named after a state in Switzerland called Bern. However, the dog came to the United States around 1926 and since then, they have become one of the most preferred dog breeds in America. That’s not surprising, though, considering their upbeat and outdoorsy nature. In fact, a study shows that the Bernese Mountain dog is among the 20 most popular dog breeds in the world. As much as they love the outdoors, Bernese Mountain dogs will also keep you company if you prefer to stay indoors.

If you want a dog that will be part of your family, then the Bernese Mountain dog will be a great choice. They are mild mannered, very social and easy to train. What you may find off-putting is the fact that Bernese Mountain dogs are not very healthy. In fact, there is a huge possibility of them incurring health problems like elbow dysplasia, retinal atrophy, bleeding disorders, and cataracts. So the responsibility falls on you, as their owner, to take good care of them if you want them to live a long and healthy life.

Kuvasz

The Kuvasz tends to be very friendly with family, but not so much when it comes to strangers. The odds are high that they will get into fights with dogs they are not familiar with seeing as they tend to be quite brash. Based on this, it is advisable not to leave them with kids unless you have trained them since birth to be a lot more sociable. On that note, socialization is very important, take them to different places at a while they are young so as to acquaint them with different faces and experiences.

Seeing as they are quite agile, the Kuvasz needs to be taken for a walk or run daily. But ensure it’s in a secluded environment, so they do not run off after people on the street. Equally, prevent them from climbing stairs or running long distances until they are three years old. This guards against all forms of bone formation issues in their early years. A Kuvasz can weigh up to 120 pounds, so it’s not the kind of pet you should go for if you are looking for an indoor companion. They require their own space, so you should be ready to build a separate home that’s at least five feet high.

Rottweiler

Most Rottweilers are quite fierce-looking dogs; nevertheless, some are equally very carefree. They have calm and calculated responses to threats and this makes them an excellent choice for personal protection. Just like the Kuvasz, Rottweilers are also very muscular, and as such, they require a spacious environment where they can perform their brisk walks, runs, and romping sessions.

Before you get a Rottweiler, you must be prepared to supervise rigorous training sessions to improve his agility, speed, obedience, and alertness. Also, try to make them socialize with other pets and people when they are young. That way, they can learn to control their territorial tendencies. Naturally, Rottweilers are dominant creatures and will always fight for a higher share, especially when it comes to food. So you have to be assertive when dealing with them; otherwise, because they often try to lord over their owners.

Dobermann

This particular breed is named after, Louis Dobermann, a German who developed the breed as far back as the 1800s. It is believed that the Dobermann breed was developed from a hybrid of a Rottweiler, English Greyhound, German Pinscher, and Manchester terrier. Dobermann himself was a tax collector, and as such, he needed a fierce-looking dog that would follow him to his daily rounds. In light of this, the Dobermann is still used as a security and military dog today. There’s research that shows that the average Dobermann can live up to 12 years which is quite impressive for a dog.

Like a handful of other dog breeds, the Dobermann has quite a short coat, it stands out because it is sparkling and sleek. The coat comes in an array of colors, some of which are black, blue, fawn, or dark red. Thankfully, Dobermanns are moderate shedders, so you can get away with grooming them just once a week. Also, note that Dobermanns require a lot of exercise; otherwise, they may reveal their aggressive side.

Despite the violent nature of the Dobermann, they can equally be friendly and social when trained accordingly. As a whole, Dobermanns are loyal dogs who follow only one master their entire lives, so do not sweat it if all your efforts to train one turns out to be futile. If you were not with you from birth, chances are that they do not regard you as their master.

You may also like our article on Dog Food for Dobermans.