Pet owners often think of their dogs as the loving house pets they are today. However, guardian breeds take a different path to our sofas and hearts. “Historically, these dogs weren’t bred to be ‘pets’ in the modern sense,” explains Bridget Murphy, the CEO of Koru K9 Dog Training. “They were bred to work. Their job was to protect people, property, or livestock. Because of this, it can be hard to know how your dog feels if you have one of these devoted pups in yoru family. To help you get more insight, we rounded up 7 ways guardian dog breeds show they love you, according to trainers.

That way, Murphy shares if you have a common guardian breed like a German Shepherd, Great Pyrenees, a Bullmastiff or a Australian Shepherd, you’ll be able to see what their dog behaviors mean. By being able to recognize what their body language means and the ways these loyal dogs are communicating with you, you’ll see just how much they admire you and your bond will grow closer.

After all, protective dog breeds are loving, but have unique ways of showing it. “Because of their past, their ‘love language’ isn’t usually cuddles and tail wags,” Murphy explains. “It’s awareness and proximity. If you’re expecting a Velcro dog that wants to snuggle on the couch all day, a guardian breed is going to feel a bit aloof or overly independent.”

Read on to find out how your guard dog reveals you are their world and favorite person. You may be surprised to discover how many signs your dog loves you, you’ve been missing all along.

Related: 8 Adorable Signs You Hold the Top Spot in Your Dog’s Heart, According to Trainers

7 Signs Your Guard Dog Loves You

Guardian dog breeds aren’t just fierce protectors—they’re also incredibly loving and faithful companions. These amazing dogs have special ways of showing affection, from gentle gestures to obvious signs of devotion. According to trainers, paying attention to these behaviors helps you understand how guardian dogs communicate love, trust and attachment to the people they care about most. That way, you won’t be wondering, “Does my dog love me?“

1. They stay close to you

Guardian breeds have an independent side, but they’re still literally and figuratively in your corner. So how do you know if your loyal dog loves you? One sign your dog loves you is the distance they stay from you.

“If your guardian breed stays close to you, it can be a sign of a dog that is deeply bonded,” Murphy explains. “Proximity allows them to monitor your safety and respond quickly if something changes in the environment.”

Murphy says the behavior should feel well-balanced, rather than clingy. Clinginess can signal fear or confidence issues rather than affection and commitment—a trainer can help you distinguish between the two if you’re concerned.

2. They’re (calmly) alert with you

How dogs show affection can be tricky, especially when it comes to protective dog breeds. One of the ways guardian show they love you is by staying calmly alert or regularly checking their surroundings when relaxing with you. Think a dog whose ears perk up while snuggling on the couch with you during a Stranger Things binge.

“This behavior is about instinct,” explains Erin Askeland, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, Camp Bow Wow‘s animal health and behavior expert. “Guardian dogs will often feel most at ease when they can easily assess what is happening around them.”

3. They stand between you and anything threatening

How dogs say “I love you” can be really sweet, but can be easily missed if you don’t pay attention to a dog’s body language. One way dogs prove they care for someone is by keeping their owners safe and showing protective behaviors.

“When a guardian breed steps between you and something they perceive as threatening, it’s displaying a protective behavior,” Murphy says. “They are placing themselves as a buffer rather than reacting impulsively. This response shows that the dog views you as someone worth guarding, not someone they need to control.”

While this behavior of love from a guardian breed is profound, Murphy cautions that it comes with great responsibility. “If your dog does this, you also need a high level of control and training, and a strong bond and relationship with your dog to ensure they are not making poor decisions when they do this,” Murphy adds.

4. They bark at strangers

One of the clearest ways guardian dogs show love to their pet owner is by alerting their owners to strangers. This protective behavior is an instinctive trait in many guard dog breeds and a key way these loyal, loving dogs communicate. Barking at strangers isn’t just about protection—it’s a sign that your dog is deeply attached, vigilant and devoted to keeping you safe.

“Guardian dogs have been selected over many generations to alert bark to tell their owners when someone new is entering the premises,” says Annie-Mae Levy, CFBA, professional dog trainer at Woofz. “This behavior is fairly consistent amongst most breeds, but can be even more pronounced in guardian dogs.”

Related: 7 Sweet and Subtle Signs Your Dog Respects You, According to Vets

5. They rest their heads on your leg

Perhaps the sweetest way devoted dogs show love is by choosing your legs as their favorite pillow. This quiet, heartwarming gesture is a powerful sign of attachment and trust.

“Resting their head on your legs is often a quiet form of affection,” Murphy says. “This position allows them to stay physically connected while remaining aware of their surroundings. It’s a calm, grounded gesture that reflects comfort and trust in you.”

For many guardian dog breeds, this simple act is their way of showing their strong bond with yours and them saying, “I love you and I’m here for you.”

6. They listen to you

Guardian breeds are naturally independent, but Askeland says when they respond to your cues, even in tense or uncertain situations, it’s a powerful sign of love and trust. So, when your guardian dog listens closely, it’s more than obedience—it’s their way of saying, “I feel safe with you, and I care about you.”

“Guardian breeds are known for independent thought, so when a dog chooses to follow your cues during moments of alertness, it reflects deep trust,” explains Askeland. “It shows they feel comfortable relying on you to handle the situation and secure enough to follow your guidance.”

Annie-Mae Levy adds, “This is a clear sign of a strong bond, where the dog not only trusts but respects their handler.”

7. They let down their guard

Guardian breeds won’t tells you with words that they care for you and love you, but they will tell you with specific body language cues. These loyal protectors are naturally alert, so when they relax, it’s a clear sign of trust and affection toward you.

“Relaxed body language presents as a general looseness in the body, relaxed open mouth, almond-shaped eyes that are not staring intensely at any fixed point and neutral tail position,” Levy says. “Guarding breeds will show this body language usually only to trusted people with whom they accept belong in their space.”

Take this as a mega compliment as if your dog is saying, “I feel safe, and I trust you completely.”

Sources:

• Erin Askeland, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, Camp Bow Wow‘s animal health and behavior expert

• Annie-Mae Levy, CFBA, professional dog trainer at Woofz

This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Jan 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Dogs section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.