Becoming a first time dog owner can be overwhelming but exciting.
One of the first decisions that we need to consider carefully is to choose the right dog breed that best suits our needs and lifestyle.
This decision becomes more delicate when we seek a guard dog as a first time dog owner.
So, before we see which are the best guard dogs for first time owners, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Things to Consider for a First Time Dog Owner
As a first time dog owner looking for a breed that can do the job of a guard dog, you have to consider the following things:
Energy Level
It is necessary to consider the physical activity requirements of a dog.
There are high-energy dogs that need and demand a lot of activity and daily exercise. Other dogs practically have to be forced to do some exercise.
On the one hand, it’s important to be able to meet their daily physical activity needs, which allows us to have a physical and emotional balanced and healthy dog.
In the end, this depends on our lifestyle and our personal physical activity.
Easy to Train
When you have a guard dog, it is essential to train him properly. This allows the owner to know how to handle the dog.
There are dog breeds that are quite stubborn and are characterized by being independent thinkers. This makes training difficult and complicated.
That is why it’s recommended to have intelligent dogs, who are willing to learn and are eager to please their owner.
Socialization Skills
It’s essential for a guard dog to be socialized from an early age and to be exposed to different people and experiences. This allows them to improve their social and decision-making skills.
There are breeds with a more independent personality and are more fearful and suspicious of strangers. These dogs may tend to be overprotective and overly aggressive.
But also, there are more self-confident and friendly dog breeds that can socialize very well with new people in various situations as well as being protective when they have to be.
Best Guard Dog Breeds for First Time Owners
Most dogs have an instinct to protect their family and home, but not all are capable of restraining people or other animals.
Guard dogs have a strong instinct to protect and also tend to be imposing and intimidating.
But while guard dogs have a bad reputation, many of the traits that make them good protectors are also what makes them good pets. The best guard dogs are loyal, courageous, and create strong ties with their family.
The dog breeds that have both, the traits of a good guard dog and those necessary for a first time owner, are:
1. Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large breed that can weigh between 90 to 160 lbs and grow to a height of up to 27 in.
It is a good-natured dog with a friendly and calm temperament.
Very loving and patient, making it a breed that gets along well with children. Although proper socialization helps ensure good interaction with children and other pets.
Very intelligent and easy to train since they are eager to please and enjoy the challenge of learning new things.
However, first time owners must be careful. Due to their size, strength and energy, they can be difficult to handle. That is why it is recommended to start training them from an early age when they are still easy to handle.
Although he is a calm and gentle dog, he was raised from the cross of Mastiffs and other guard dog breeds from whom he still has the natural instinct to protect and defend his family.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a loyal and devoted companion to his family and, while calm and aloof with strangers, is capable of attacking if it’s really necessary.
2. Boxer
Boxer is a medium to large sized dog that weighs between 50 to 80 lbs and a height of up to 25 in.
They are a playful, active, high-energy breed that needs adequate physical activity to avoid boredom and develop destructive behaviors.
He is very patient and a great family dog since he is good with children. A loving and loyal pet who prefers to be in the company of his family with whom he often becomes very attached.
They are intelligent dogs that need to be trained from an early age since they are large and strong dogs that need to control their actions. But Boxers learn fast which makes training fun and rewarding.
It’s important, as with all dogs, to be socialized from an early age to help ensure that they grow to be an outgoing and friendly dog.
They are not aggressive in nature but are instinctively protective. Distrustful of strangers, but courteous to friendly people. But he only becomes aggressive when it is necessary to defend his family and his home.
The boxer is a playful and affectionate dog, very close to his family and an easy to train natural protector. A good guard dog that is great for first time owners.
3. Great Dane
Great Dane is a large breed that weighs between 110 and 180 lbs and a height between 28 and 31 in. Although the record for the tallest dog is a Great Dane that measured up to 44 in.
Descended from a cross between English Mastiffs and Irish Wolfhounds, the Great Danes were used for hunting, mainly wild boars.
Despite its imposing appearance, it’s gentle, noble and friendly. Commonly known as the “gentle giant”, he is tender, loving and playful and is good around children.
He always wants to be with his family. He gets along well with other pets and likes people, even strangers.
But he will guard his home and family when he thinks there’s a threat. In these cases, he is a decided protector.
Due to his size, they must have obedience training from an early age to ensure that they are manageable and have good manners when they are older.
Great Danes are always eager to please which makes them easy to train although you have to be firm and consistent.
The Great Dane is great for first time dog owners because they are good-natured family dogs.
4. Leonberger
The Leonberger is a giant dog breed that weighs between 115 and 150 lbs. On average and a height between 28 and 30 in.
It’s thought to come from a cross between the Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, and Great Pyrenees breeds, having many of the good qualities of these breeds.
The Leonberger is gentle and friendly in nature. It is a great family dog, patient and playful around children.
It’s a breed that likes and needs to interact with people, as well as being always close to its family. He doesn’t handle well being alone for long periods.
He is a loyal and obedient companion to his owners, a trustworthy watchdog who protects his family in any situation. Although he’s not an aggressive dog and easily adjusts to various situations and things.
But early socialization is necessary so that he doesn’t become a fearful or suspicious dog.
Due to their size, it is also important to start training them since they are puppies. They are very intelligent and have a great will to please and obey their owners. Therefore, with calm and patience they are easy to train, which makes them good dogs for first time owners.
5. Newfoundland
The Newfoundland is a large working dog that weighs between 121 and 176 lbs and a height between 26 and 28 in.
Bred to help fishermen in the province of Newfoundland, Canada, and famous as a rescue water dog.
It’s a large and strong breed, but calm and docile. Its good and sweet nature is considered as the most important characteristic of this breed.
The Newfoundland good temperament and disposition makes it a good family dog and great with kids. But at the same time, if you add to his size and strength that he is vigilant, loyal and reliable, it turns out that he is also an excellent guard dog. He is always ready to protect his family and is known to put himself between his family and strangers.
It`s a social breed that needs to be around his family or other animals. It is a breed that doesn’t like to be left alone for long.
Early socialization and training are recommended to ensure that he grows as an educated and balanced dog.
The Newfoundland is eager to please and relatively easy to train, but keep in mind that they respond well to gentle and patient training and guidance, not harsh methods and corrections.
Final Thoughts
These breeds can be great guard dogs as long as they are trained and socialized from a young age.
Finally, it’s worth remembering that having a dog comes with many responsibilities and you have to be completely sure that you have the time, energy and desire to assume them.
Having a dog is a lifetime commitment.
