Expanding your family by four paws is an exciting yet daunting experience. Whether you are looking for a friend to comfort you in times of stress or a playmate for your kids, dogs can be a great addition to your family.
Do you know? Adopting a pet reduces the levels of stress hormone, cortisol. It also helps lower blood pressure, reduce loneliness, and boost mood, as given by News In Health.
While bringing a furry friend home, it is important to choose a breed that perfectly matches your lifestyle. The best dog breeds for first-time owners usually have easygoing temperaments, moderate energy levels, and a desire to please their humans.
In addition, they should be easy to train and not require extensive grooming. Breeds for first-time pet parents have good overall health and an ability to adapt to different living environments. Several small dog breeds are a great choice for novice dog owners due to their calm demeanor and high trainability.
Have a look at the nine best small dog breeds for first-time owners.
Best Small Dog Breeds for First-Time Owners
1. Bichon Frise
Bichon Frise is a fluffy, cloud-like pup known for its friendly and affectionate temperament. They get along well with everybody, including children, other pets, and even strangers. These intelligent and easy-to-train dogs make a good fit for first-time dog owners.
They have a hypoallergenic coat that does not shed a lot, making the Bichon Frise well-suited for allergy sufferers. These natural performers love everyone and enjoy being the center of attention. Bichon Frise is also ideal for apartment dwellers and has a charm that will make you smile.
According to the American Kennel Club, Bichon Frises are playful, curious, and peppy canines. These calm dogs have short bursts of energy and require only 30 minutes of daily physical exercise.
2. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are the cute and cuddly puff balls that make excellent lap dogs. These easygoing fellows get along well with kids and other pets, but Shih Tzu puppies can easily hurt themselves due to their compact size. So, you have to be a bit careful. Adults are sturdy, weighing between 9–16 pounds.
They need only 20 to 30 minutes of daily exercise to stay healthy. Shih Tzus are relatively easy to handle, but they have high-maintenance coats. They need monthly haircuts to keep their luxurious coat in top-notch condition.
Overall, Shih Tzus are laid-back, friendly, and sociable dogs. These intelligent dogs are easy to train and respond well to positive reward-based training.
3. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers are one of the smallest Terriers. They have feisty personalities and are a great choice for people looking to add a strong canine to their family. Their long, shiny, and smooth coat is hypoallergenic, which means you don’t have to worry about pet dander.
However, frequent grooming is required to maintain the coat. They are also well-suited for homes with children. Yorkshire Terriers have an affectionate, lively, bold, and independent temperament. These spunky dogs are remarkably intelligent, but not as easy to train as some other breeds on our list.
Yorkies respond well to training based on positive reinforcement, explains PetMD. These loving pooches are immensely loyal to their pet parents and want to stay by their side all the time.
4. Poodle
All three Poodle varieties, standard, miniature, and toy, make excellent family pets for first-time owners. These curly-coated fellows have hypoallergenic fur that requires regular grooming. Poodles are energetic dogs who require plenty of exercise for good physical and mental health.
They are well-suited for novice pet parents with an active lifestyle and homes with children. Poodles are loving and gentle canines who respond well to training due to their incredible intelligence. Their companionable and highly trainable personalities make them ideal as your first dog.
Their exercise needs can be fulfilled with activities like jogging, hiking, brisk walking, and swimming. Poodles also love playing games of fetch.
5. Beagle
Beagles are small scent hounds with floppy ears and a keen sense of smell. They make loving and spirited companions and like being involved in family activities. Beagles love giving and receiving affection. They are optimistic and adapt well to changes.
Beagles are considered to be good with kids and other pets. These active dogs require an hour of exercise every day. They are quite friendly, but don’t depend on them to guard your house. Being part of the Hound group, they make sure to use their voice and noses when required.
However, Beagles cannot be left alone for extended periods and are prone to separation anxiety. They are excessive barkers and may not be ideal candidates for obedience training, according to Hill’s Pet.
6. Maltese
It is an extremely popular small white dog breed with a hypoallergenic silky coat. Well-suited for allergy sufferers, Maltese are lively little dogs with a playful demeanor. They are highly tender and do not require much exercise to stay healthy and fit.
These charming canines easily become friends with everyone. Maltese make good family dogs and are known for their responsive and gentle disposition. These intelligent and highly alert dogs enjoy learning new tricks.
Maltese bark excessively in response to unfamiliar noises. They have moderate energy levels, and their silky coat requires daily brushing, regular bathing, and occasional trimming.
7. French Bulldog
French Bulldogs are playful and smart dogs who can adapt to different living environments. Their compact size, even temperament, and adaptable nature make them well-suited for city life. Looking like a miniature Bulldog, Frenchies have wrinkly faces, bat ears, and a cute little nose.
Frenchies don’t bark much, and their alert nature makes them ideal watchdogs. They do not require extensive exercise and get along well with singles, couples, or families with kids. These adorable pooches also behave well around other animals and like making new friends.
This funny and lovable fellow is very intelligent and easy to train. French Bulldogs are easygoing companions, but they demand attention from their pet parents.
8. Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers look very similar to French Bulldogs, but if you look carefully, Boston Terriers are a bit taller with long legs, and Frenchies are a bit stockier. They are friendly and quick learners, and are less stubborn than Frenchies.
Boston Terriers have been nicknamed “American gentlemen” due to their tuxedo-like coat. They are a bit more vocal than French Bulldogs and have a quirky personality. They love everyone and everything, making them excellent family pets, especially for first-time pet owners.
This lively and intelligent breed likes to run and play. They are not couch potatoes and require around one hour of daily exercise. Never over-exercise your Boston Terrier as these flat-faced canines are prone to respiratory issues.
9. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the most popular toy dog breeds. They thrive on human company and like spending time with other dogs. Cavaliers are the happy-go-lucky, affectionate, and sociable dogs having a strong desire to please.
They make good family dogs and are not hyperactive, so they are also popular with the elderly. Cavaliers are the sweet-tempered canines who behave well with kids. They enjoy activities like running and climbing. Around one hour of exercise is required to keep them happy and healthy.
However, if you are looking for a low-maintenance dog, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel may not be the right fit for you. Their coat and feathered ears require regular maintenance.
Conclusion
There are numerous small dog breeds, but not all make a good first-time dog. Small dog breeds suitable for first-time owners are adaptable, intelligent, and easy to train. They do not require extensive exercise for physical and mental stimulation.
If you are planning to adopt a dog, take care of its exercise needs and properly train your pup. Most importantly, make sure to reciprocate the love and affection it offers.
