With their tiny paws and wagging tails, small dogs bring a burst of sunshine into your home. Their loving nature and adorable looks can melt anyone’s heart. But if you’re a new pet parent, picking your first dog wisely still matters.
Small breeds tend to be a great fit for first-time owners for a few good reasons. Their compact size and easygoing personalities make them simple to manage, and most are adaptable with a gentle temperament to match.
These little dogs usually don’t need much exercise; a few short walks and some indoor playtime are often enough to keep them happy. That said, some come with luxurious coats that need daily grooming to stay tangle-free.
Here are 7 small dog breeds that are perfect for first-time owners.
Small Dog Breeds That Are Easy for First-Time Owners
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are loyal and loving dogs, having a friendly nature. Originally bred as royal companions, they can adapt well to many lifestyles. They are equally happy with homeowners or active families. Cavaliers enjoy cuddles and are always up for a nap.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have moderate exercise needs. They need only an hour of daily activity for physical and mental stimulation. Thanks to their gentle temperament, they make wonderful pets for first-time pet parents, according to PetMD.
Cavaliers thrive on human companionship and should not be left alone for extended periods. These smart dogs have an eager-to-please nature, which means you can train them easily (another plus for potential owners). As with all breeds, positive reinforcement methods work best for them.
Despite their small size, they excel at a variety of dog sports, including agility and obedience training.
Do You Know? Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are emotionally sensitive dogs. They often pick up on their owner’s mood and respond accordingly.
2. Havanese
Havanese are entertaining small dogs belonging to the Barbichon family. Initially known as Havana Silk Dogs or Spanish Silk Poodles, they are smart, spirited, and highly trainable. Thanks to their delightful temperament, Havanese make excellent companions and therapy dogs.
Their playful nature, gentle demeanor, and eagerness to please their owners make them well-suited for novice pet parents. Havanese are highly sociable dogs who get along nicely with other dogs, children, and even strangers.
They thrive on human attention and crave constant companionship. Leaving them alone for too long can cause separation anxiety in these dogs. Their moderate energy levels mean they need only minimal exercise to stay healthy and content.
Havanese are easygoing dogs who adapt well to apartment living, according to Orvis. They learn commands quickly, but may be a bit difficult to house train like most other toy dogs.
3. Shih Tzu
These small and sturdy dogs are known for their outgoing and adaptable nature. Originally bred as royal companions, Shih Tzus make affectionate lap dogs today. They thrive on human interaction and love to be a part of family activities.
Shih Tzus are not overly energetic. They need only moderate exercise for physical and mental stimulation. Shih Tzus are indoor dogs who benefit from short walks and indoor play sessions.
They love to please their owners and pick up on new commands quickly. Shih Tzus respond well to positive reinforcement training. These traits make them one of the best small dog breeds for first-time owners.
Shih Tzus are highly valued for their silky coats. Along with bathing, the luscious locks need to be brushed several times a week. Fortunately, their hypoallergenic coats shed minimally, making them perfect pets for allergy sufferers.
4. Pug
Sociable, easygoing, and full of character, Pugs are a top pick for first-time pet owners. They are friendly, eager to please, and love spending time with their pet parents. Pugs are always up for snuggles and naps.
They do not require extensive exercise to stay healthy and content. Pugs are the right dog breed for novice pet parents. Their manageable size and moderate exercise needs also make them suitable for apartment dwellers.
Pugs are not overly energetic, but love entertaining their humans with their playful antics. Their short coat needs only occasional brushing to look good. They may be a bit stubborn, but they are food-motivated. So, you can easily train them using positive reinforcement techniques and food-based rewards.
Pugs are adaptable canines who can fit seamlessly into your lifestyle. They enjoy obedience training, trick training, and playdates with their humans.
5. Bichon Frise
Bichon Frise are sociable little dogs who enjoy being a part of family activities and enjoy human companionship. Their friendly, gentle, and calm demeanor makes them one of the best dog breeds for first-time pet owners.
Bichons are good with children and get along nicely with other pets when socialized well from an early age. These playful and happy-go-lucky dogs draw smiles and hugs wherever they go. Bichon Frise are somewhat active dogs.
They enjoy long stretches of calm interspersed with short bursts of activity, according to the American Kennel Club. Their highly trainable, smart, and eager-to-please nature also makes them a good choice for novice owners.
Bichon Frise has a long double coat of curly white hair that needs lots of grooming. Brush your dog’s hypoallergenic coat daily to keep it in tip-top shape and prevent tangling.
6. Toy Poodle
Toy Poodles are extremely intelligent, easy to train, and agile dogs. They are generally calm and gentle around their family members and bond closely with them. These loving little dogs can develop separation anxiety when left alone for too long.
Toy Poodles are sociable, playful, and affectionate lap dogs. They can adapt well to different living environments and are well-suited for new pet parents. Toy Poodles are very active for their size and respond best to positive reinforcement training.
They need good exercise every day for physical and mental stimulation. Thanks to their natural instincts, Poodles make wonderful swimming partners. Their soft and curly coat is hypoallergenic and needs regular grooming to stay free from mats and tangles.
7. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers are spunky and entertaining small dogs with an affectionate nature. Often known as Yorkies, these playful and sometimes bossy pups are packed with energy. They are loved for their long, flat-hanging coat.
While they were originally bred as ratters, Yorkies make the most lap dogs today. One of the most popular dog breeds, they usually benefit from moderate daily exercise. Indoor play sessions and two daily walks would usually suffice for them.
Yorkies typically respond well to training and pick up basic commands fairly quickly. These traits make them a good choice for first-time pet owners. Despite their small size, Yorkies excel at a variety of dog sports like agility and obedience training.
Conclusion
Several small dog breeds make a good choice for first-time dog owners due to their compact size. These kind and gentle dogs adjust well to a variety of living spaces and need only moderate daily exercise for physical and mental stimulation.
They are generally smart and pick up on new commands quickly. So, you can train them easily. Their kind and gentle nature enables them to adapt to new owners. Remember, no matter what breed you bring home, make sure to shower them with love and affection.
