I don't want to be rude in anyway as that isn't my style but a Cane Corso is an incredibly powerful breed that is not for a novice owner - do not buy one.
Your questions:
For those with knowledge and experience with dogs, especially guard dogs(not based off Google), what is the best all-around guard dog? No such thing, any of the dogs you mention and many more can be excellent protection dogs but you could buy a Bullmastiffe from a wonderful breeder and will never be a protection animal. Dogs are like people and have different personalities.
And it’s for actual guarding the home and family. Objective is to keep safe the family from animal attacks and deter intruder mother fuckers with evil intentions. At the same time the children must be safe around the dog at all times- zero tolerance for incidents or accidents.
If you aren't prepared to take any strong breed to puppy class, then to obedience class, work on strong socialization in different places none of those dogs are good choices. It takes 100's of hours of training to have a safe protection dog, otherwise you are creating a weapon with no safety.
Between a Rottweiler, German Sheppard, Bullmastiff, and Doberman...
All of these dogs can be good guard dogs, protection dogs, and so can Bouviers, Black Russian Terriers, pitbulls, staffies, mixed breeds, etc. Most dogs have the ability but not all, some dogs are more apt to be friendly and others aloof. My Bouvier loves the family, our friends, and all kids but anyone he doesn't know he has been taught to size them up but no biting unless on command. He can sniff, and walk strangers and I just tell people he is protection trained and ignore him and you will be fine. Stare at him and you are challenging him, don't try to pet him until he has determined if you are friend or foe. My first step after puppy class and obedience was teaching him not all strangers are bad which meant 30 minutes of walking around parking lots, with my dog muzzeled so people felt safe, asking if they would help me feed him. He only ate at parking lots and only out of my hand. My wife and I and any kids that would be around hand fed him so he understood food aggression is not acceptable.
- To destroy anyone who sets foot over the fence trying to break into home
All of the dogs mentioned have that capability but this is a fine line. What if a kid scales the fence as a joke, do you want your dog to kill that kid? Without proper training how is the dog supposed to know when to attack and when not to? Basically you are saying anyone who comes over the fence should be destroyed. If they break into your house that is a different story, if someone does my Bouvier will take you down and most likely won't need my help unless there are 3-4 people. I just call the cops and I have signs 'protection dog on duty'.
- Super intimidating. Vicious bark.
Any dog can be taught to bark and be quiet on command. I train mock protection as well - big dog/big bark and even growl but not allowed to bite. Just a deterrent but that takes dozens of hours of work. I say speak and my dog barks until I say quiet. This was easy to teach and fun. This is enough to stop 99% of the world from being a problem.
- Does not bark a lot annoying neighbours
You are asking for way too much - you want a dog that is intimidating with a vicious bark but don't use it unless he/she sees danger. A paper bag can be perceived as danger by a German Shepherd and they lose their mind without training. I think you are asking for way too much unless you are going to be trained to train your dog and that includes your wife and kids. Dogs are pack animals and all those breeds will run the house and will try to be Alpha (at least many will) if they don't have boundaries, rules and consistent leadership from all family members. I have seen way too many families where the dog listens to one person only.
- Extremely gentle around infants, children, and kids
Most dogs are but they need to learn kids are not toys - almost all protection dogs / guard dogs are working dogs and it is in their nature to nip, heard, and control but not if they know the rules. They may love the kids but scare the shit out them every time they run by nipping at their feet for fun. Again, if you don't have experience in teaching this don't buy any of those breeds or you are getting professional help. My Bouvier will let kids ride him like a pony and loves all kids but he is a working/herding dog so he likes to nip at their legs and I had to curb this. I never hit dogs ever - I use my voice and other communication tools. Never punish a dog unless they are caught in the act and I don't mean swat them - voice is enough if they know the pack hierarchy.
- Very obedient
Some dogs are smarter than others, I wanted a Bouvier because they are very smart, were bread to work in two's to protect a flock from wolves and also have a huge head with an inch of muscle on top of their skull to take a kick from a cow. They are rugged and I love my dog but he would run the house if we let him. He can't drag me but I'm 230 lbs, my wife is 110 and he can run with her like a kite behind him if he wants to. We both trained him so he understood he has to listen to both. Working breeds, which are typically protection dogs, are smart and need a job. If you want a protection ornament don't get a dog as they will become destructive. He needs a 45 minute walk a day or 30 minutes of training followed by 15 minutes of play or he will open the cupboards and take out the garbage or just be a clever jerk and open a book and pull out the pages one by one. Dogs need stimulation and are smart creatures but never forget they are still 3 or 4 year old kids for life.
- Very intelligent
All the breeds you mention are and my most intelligent dogs were a rescue border collie mix who I protection trained and my Bouvier. A dog is only going to be as 'human' smart as the time you put into training and bonding with the animal.
- His sole mission: Protect this family.
Most herding/working dogs are naturally protective of their flock.
Can they tell the difference between invited guests/strangers vs those uninvited with wrong intentions?
Yes, if taught. There are vids at the place where I got certified, the master trainer with a scary mask and a baseball bat screaming and looking scary and my dog had to stay in his stand position and do nothing. I would walk over and shake the scary guy's hand, and he would feed my dog a prized possession like liver. Teaching him don't judge by size or look. He was also trained that when someone charged at me, the guy in the full protective gear would be taken down and he would try to rip his arm off.
Even to this day, my buddy is suspicious of strangers but if I talk nice to the person and shake their hand, etc. he knows they are OK. If it changed and the guy tackled me, he would rip his arm off or break his arm but that took hours of training.
Might sound like I am exaggerating but I'm not - if you don't have time for long walks, 15 minutes minimum a day for training, money for classes for socialization and for someone to teach you how to be the leader don't buy any of those dogs.
Seriously - look up on google, "don't buy a bouvier." I love my dog and he would give his life for us but if we didn't have a ton of experience and go to class each week he would probably be put down. When he was a pup he would charge strangers on a leash and grown and bark. It took a lot of time with him but he is perfect now.
With other dogs it doesn't take as much work.
Do not buy a Cane Corso if you haven't owned a dog before. Start with a dog like an Airedale Terrier. Big enough to be a deterrent and can be a protection dog but only 50 pounds. Naturally protective, and very smart. There are a few in our Sunday class and they are great dogs. One is protection trained and can latch on to an arm and good luck getting him off.
I'm not against any dog you mentioned, I am concerned with what you want from them.
Just my opinion - I wish you good luck.
If you want to talk about this please PM me and I will be happy to discuss it further.
take care,
GR
