Bringing a new furry friend home is always a thrilling experience. However, selecting your first dog can be a daunting experience. You need to consider a variety of factors, including size, temperament, personality, exercise needs, and grooming requirements.
Each dog breed is unique in its own way. They have predictable energy levels, sizes, and appearances. You also need to learn a lot in terms of housebreaking, veterinary care, and setting up feeding routines. Some dog breeds are more easygoing than others.
Breeds for first-time dog owners match their energy levels, lifestyle, and attention level. If you are an active individual who loves running and outdoor adventures, athletic dog breeds can be a good fit for you. If you are a lazy couch potato, you can opt for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Have a look at the 9 best dog breeds for first-time dog owners.
Best Dog Breeds for First-Time Dog Ownership
1. Labrador Retriever
Loved for their easygoing and playful personalities, Labrador Retrievers are one of the friendliest dog breeds on the planet. Their kind and gentle nature makes them well-suited for first-time dog owners. These sporting dogs can be easily recognized by their medium size.
Labrador Retrievers are highly intelligent dogs with an eagerness to please their owners. They are the easiest dogs to train and learn new commands quickly. Their sociable nature and ability to get on well with everyone make them a great dog for first-time owners.
Labradors are loyal and affectionate dogs, having boundless energy. This happy breed will fill your home with warmth, laughter, and love. However, they thrive in active households where they can get plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
2. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers also make wonderful family pets due to their gentle and affectionate nature. Like Labradors, they are also the friendliest dogs out there. These happy-go-lucky canines are highly intelligent and eager to please.
These medium-sized dogs are like a ray of sunshine in your home. Their kind demeanor, combined with their eager-to-please nature make them highly suitable for first-time dog owners. Golden Retrievers make wonderful playmates for children of all ages.
They are social butterflies who get along nicely with everyone, including kids, other pets, and even strangers. Many mixed-breed dogs having Golden Retriever as a parent (such as Goldendoodles) also make a great choice for potential pet owners.
According to PetMD, Goldens are full of energy and need lots of exercise for physical and mental stimulation.
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Those expressive eyes and luxurious coats can steal millions of hearts! Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are gentle, affectionate, and sweet canines. Their adaptable and eager-to-please nature makes them an ideal breed for first-time dog owners.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do equally well with active owners as well as homebodies, mentions the American Kennel Club. They are moderately active and do not require plenty of exercise every day. Cavaliers are quite social; they become friendly with everyone, including other dogs, kids, and even strangers.
These sweet pooches have a strong desire to please their humans. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were bred as companions and make loving lap dogs. These smart dogs are very easy to train and excel at a variety of dog sports, including agility, rally, and obedience.
4. Bichon Frise
This small dog breed is valued for its beautiful, hypoallergenic coat and easygoing personality. Bichon Frise are cute little dogs with an eagerness to please their owners. Their moderate energy levels and minimal exercise needs make them a perfect breed for first-time dog owners.
Bichon Frise do well with a few short walks and indoor play sessions every day. This, combined with their highly adaptable nature make them well-suited for apartment living. Looking like adorable cotton balls, these fluffy pooches make lovely lap dogs.
They thrive on attention and love spending time with their owners. Lack of adequate attention can lead to separation anxiety. Also, Bichons can be a little difficult to house train. Apart from that, they learn new cues and commands very quickly.
5. Poodle
The Poodle is another perfect dog breed for first-time owners. This highly intelligent breed picks up on new commands quickly and is very easy to train. A Poodle’s playful nature and friendly personality make it quite suitable for novice owners.
These smart dogs come in three varieties: standard, toy, and miniature Poodle. All of these variants possess boundless energy and are athletic. They need an ample amount of physical and mental stimulation every day to stay healthy and content.
Poodle is a generally healthy and long-living breed, which can be a plus point for you, especially if you are a novice dog owner. These versatile pooches are also loved for their curly coats. Being hypoallergenic, Poodles are great pets for allergy sufferers.
6. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are playful and energetic companions. With their names literally translating to ‘little lions,’ Shih Tzus are charming little dogs with beautiful coats. Although the coat needs extensive grooming, these canines do not require plenty of exercise every day.
Their minimal stimulation requirements and adaptable nature make them a great fit for first-time owners. The Shih Tzu is a Chinese dog breed that was bred as a companion. They still love spending time with their humans and make outstanding lap dogs.
Shih Tzus are also hypoallergenic, making them ideal pets for allergy sufferers. They have an adaptable personality and are well-suited for apartment living. With training and socialization, Shih Tzus make excellent family dogs.
7. Pug
Pugs are very friendly dogs with a laid-back demeanor. However, they get excited very easily and love entertaining their humans with their playful antics. Pugs enjoy companionship and are quite affectionate, explains the Hill’s Pet.
They form inseparable bonds with their humans and become prone to separation anxiety when left alone for too long. Pugs cuddling their humans, napping, and eating. The breed’s motto is ‘multum in parvo,’ meaning a lot in little, with plenty of dog in a small package.
Pugs are quite adaptable and easily adjust to new environments. Their friendly nature, moderate exercise needs, and small size make them a great choice for first-time dog owners. They are also well-suited for homes with kids who know how to interact with small breeds.
Note: Pugs are brachycephalic, meaning they have flat faces. It makes them prone to breathing issues. Avoid over-exercising your dog or taking it out in hot and humid weather. Also consider regular veterinary check ups to avoid such problems.
8. Papillon
Instantly recognizable by its butterfly ears, Papillon is a small dog breed. Don’t get fooled by their diminutive frame; they are very energetic and agile dogs. Paps are intelligent, curious, and love to engage in various activities.
They are quite adaptable and adjust well in a variety of homes. Papillons are highly trainable and eager to learn canines. These traits make them a good choice for first-time dog owners. Papillons are quite active despite their small size.
They are also very playful, but do not require extensive exercise for physical and mental stimulation. Their sparkling personality attracts many humans, but they are no lap dogs. However, Papillons love companionship and do not like being left alone for too long.
9. French Bulldog
Affectionately known as Frenchies, French Bulldogs are one of the most popular dog breeds. These little pooches have a small yet sturdy build, erect ears, and wrinkly faces. Their big, round eyes make them look even more adorable!
Being low maintenance dog, Frenchies are preferred by many novice pet parents. They have minimal exercise needs and do not require extensive coat care. However, Frenchies are also flat-faced dogs. Potential pet parents should purchase this dog from a reputable breeder.
Their high adaptability means they do well in many households. Frenchies get along nicely with everyone, including children and other dogs. They can be a bit stubborn, so training may require some patience.
Conclusion
Dog breeds for first-time owners are usually very adaptable. They can adjust in variety of new environments and get along with everyone. These loving canines are incredibly loyal to their owners and may suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for too long.
Dog breeds well suited for novice parents are usually very intelligent and learn new tricks and commands easily. They are playful, but do not require extensive exercise for physical and mental stimulation.
