You can’t believe it, but it is finally happening — you are getting yourself a dog! And now the time has come for the ultimate question: “What kind of a dog should I get?” Every dog specialist will tell you that certain dog breeds require more effort to raise than others. And while some people grew up having multiple pets, others get their very first pet only when they reach adulthood. As a first-time owner with not much experience, it is very natural to do some research on the best dog breeds for first-time owners — because we all want to do our very best for our new friend.
Every dog owner, if asked, will tell you that the best dog ever is the one living in their house — and that’s absolutely true! Yet, some breeds have special traits that make them the best dogs for beginners, as they respond well to training, have bright personalities, and are not very demanding. Another thing to consider when choosing a dog is your living conditions. Some breeds make the best house dogs, while others prefer to spend a lot of time outdoors.
For this article, we have collected some recommendations on the best dog breeds for people with limited experience. Have you ever owned one of these? Tell us what challenges you faced when raising them and whether you would recommend them to first-time owners.
With that said, we firmly believe that all dogs are the best dogs, so share some pics of your floofs in the comments.
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Mixed Breed
Mixed breeds, especially when adopted from a shelter or picked up from the streets, will provide you with the most loyal and loving friend till the end of your life, forever grateful for the love you give them. When choosing a mixed breed dog, make sure you can take care of potential health issues they might have, as you want to give them the best.
Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers might look like goofy rays of sunshine, but in fact, they are one of the smartest and easiest breeds to train — notice how many service dogs are actually golden retrievers. Combined with their friendly personalities and exceptional devotion to their owners, this makes them a perfect companion for the entire family and a great choice for first-time owners.
My first dog is a Golden! AND he's a working dog! He's so clever, but he has what I call "blonde days".
Bernese Mountain Dog
Looking at these fluffy giants, you will have a hard time believing how shy Bernese mountain dogs can sometimes be. They bond well with all sorts of personalities, love kids, and are very patient. They also absolutely love staying close to their human at all times and are easy to train.
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Staffordshire terriers look menacing to everyone around them, but their love and devotion to their owner knows no boundaries. This breed is included in the top five best therapy dogs for children with autism.
Staffies are NOT "pit bulls", though they are closely related. A poorly-bred and poorly-socialized Staffy CAN have aggression issues; let's not gild the lily. They are smaller than "pit bulls", however, and are usually more biddable and trainable. They are prone to skin allergies, however, and are often "stinky" due to the allergies.
Labrador Retriever
Labradors are known to be one of the best-behaved dog breeds. Outgoing, friendly, and playful, they are also easy to train, especially since they love it when their owner praises them. They will become not only the entire family’s best friend, but also the best friend of your other pets.
Cocker Spaniel
Cocker spaniels love to play around and be active in general as much as they love cuddling with their owner on the couch. They bond well with almost all types of personalities. They do require daily exercise but, other than that, are very versatile in terms of their living environment.
Cockers are quite often high-strung dogs. They can become possessive of food, territory, toys, or even their owners, which can lead to resource guarding and aggression/reactivity. This is literally referred to as "Cocker rage". I'd suggest looking for breeders who breed for temperament and who do early neurological stimulation/sensory training on their litters.
Greyhound
Greyhounds love to run fast but will also be very gentle and loving with their household members, especially if you are just starting a family. However, keep in mind that they don’t mix well with tiny pets, so if you have one already, don’t leave them together unsupervised.
Like all deep-chested breeds, greyhounds can be prone to bloat (stomach torsion/twisting). They should eat from lowered (non-elevated) feeders to minimize risk. Spread out their meals and make each meal smaller (3-6 small meals vs. one large daily meal). Don't let the dog play or exercise immediately after a meal. This applies to all deep-chested dogs. Greyhounds should also have soft bedding, as their physique makes them prone to skin sores if they sleep on hard surfaces.
Miniature Poodle
Miniature poodles are very intelligent and balanced. It is rather easy to train them, which is a plus point for first-time owners who might not have the experience. They don’t require a lot of daily exercise either, so both the dog and its owner can enjoy a one-hour walk daily.
German Shepherd
Having a German shepherd is basically like having your own personal bodyguard. Their exceptional smartness means you won’t have a hard time training them, as any K-9 unit handler can tell you. But they are also gentle and loving and enjoy having a time-out with their owner.
I had a German Shepherd as a kid. She was my best friend, my sister, my child, all in one. She was what dog owners call my "heart-dog". She wanted to be at my side 24/7. She was not aggressive in the slightest and was easily trained. The only downside to GSDs is their lifespan - larger dogs just do not live that long. I got 12 wonderful years with my girl before I lost her to cancer :( My current puppy is half GSD (and half Kuchi Dog). I love larger breeds, even though they do not live as long.
Irish Setter
With their lovable, friendly attitude towards anyone who comes their way with well wishes, an Irish setter is sure to become a wonderful companion for you, your kids, or your elderly parents. They easily respond to training, especially with patience, so if you can provide enough room for their boisterous and playful nature, you will enjoy many precious moments together.
A Setter is a "working dog" (a gun dog) and thus should have a "job"/activity. This can be anything from agility to scentwork, to just lots of play/exercise/"trail-sniffing" walks. As they are hunting dogs, they can have a high prey drive in regards to small animals kept as pets (cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, etc) but can, of course, be socialized to accept them as fellow companions if socialized early. They're very smart doggos and can - and will - play "tricks" on their owners.
Boxer
Boxers make wonderful guards and exercising partners, but they are also super affectionate and will ask you for your attention. They get especially attached to young people and are very patient and protective with children.
English Springer Spaniel
Like any spaniel, an English springer will be happy to do anything that pleases its owner. They have very outgoing personalities and love to be close to them as much as possible. Although well-suited to living indoors, they still need daily activities.
Yorkshire Terrier
Don’t let the petite size of the Yorkshire terrier fool you; their personality is larger than life. Throughout their existence, they earned the reputation of brave and tenacious companions. They are also very friendly and will let you style their human-like hair as much as you like.
Whippet
One thing you will notice about whippets straight away is how little they bark. Although elegant-looking, they do love — and need — a lot of exercise, but if you can provide that, they will thrive even in an apartment, while their mischievous personality will make you laugh many times.
Like all deep-chested breeds, whippets can be prone to bloat (stomach torsion/twisting). They should eat from lowered (non-elevated) feeders to minimize risk. Spread out their meals and make each meal smaller (3-6 small meals vs. one large daily meal). Don't let the dog play or exercise immediately after a meal. This applies to all deep-chested dogs.
Boston Terrier
Any Boston terrier owner will tell you that representatives of this breed are friendly, amiable, and very cute. Being on the smaller side, they are easier to keep in an apartment, but at the same time, they have a robust stature and love goofing around.
80%-90% of all Boston Terrier litters are whelped by caesarian section. This is because the puppies' heads are too big to pass through the mother's birth canal. This is NOT natural and is not sustainable long-term for the health of the breed. This doesn't really have any immediate bearing on an individual Boston's suitability as a pet, but we should keep in mind the unnatural breeding and birth practices around our obsession with brachycephalic breeds, and try to minimize the traits in the future. If a mother Boston Terrier is not given a caesarian section, it is very likely that both she and her puppies will die during birth.
Bichon Frise
With their charming and playful personalities, bichon frises can be friends with virtually any person. They are easy to train and are amazing with kids, which makes them a great choice for beginner owners. And if you have never had a dog at home before and are not quite sure if you’ll turn out to be allergic, the American Kennel Club determined that this breed is hypoallergenic and suitable for both people with and without allergic concerns.
Pomeranian
Pomeranians do well in families but will often bond with a single owner. They are very affectionate and readily give love to their owner, and are especially fond of older children who treat them gently. Some fundamental training and simple daily activity will do them lots of good.
My psychiatric service dog is a pom, as was the one before her. Excellent dogs. The do bark a lot, you have to work on that - gently, at 7 pounds pounds they can be kind of fragile. Oh, and they do shed a lot. But I wouldn't have another breed if at all possible. Their personality and empathy is a major trait.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Imagine a corgi but with a longer tail. It is as cute as it sounds. Cardigan Welsh corgis are smart, fun-loving, and very social. They love making new friends both among humans and other dogs. They also love their outdoor walks.
Italian Greyhound
As with any greyhound, Italian greyhounds are fast and love to run. Yet, they are very playful and enjoy spending time with their humans. They are fantastic companions and very gentle around people.
Like all deep-chested breeds, even the small Italian greyhound can be prone to bloat (stomach torsion/twisting). They should eat from lowered (non-elevated) feeders to minimize risk. Spread out their meals and make each meal smaller (3-6 small meals vs. one large daily meal). Don't let the dog play or exercise immediately after a meal. This applies to all deep-chested dogs.
Papillon
Papillons get really attached to their families and love playing with the kids. Unlike many other lap breeds that are not too keen on exercise, papillons love active playtime. Just be careful about the way you introduce them to other animals. As much as they like spending time with their owners, papillons are not always keen on hanging out with other pets.
Standard Poodle
They may look like they just came out of a beauty parlor, but poodles are actually great fans of athletic exercise, especially as pups. Plus, that fluffy coat of theirs is actually hypoallergenic. They are also very smart, which makes them a fantastic companion for the entire family.
Standard poodles can be HUGE. They are, however, very intelligent and affectionate dogs. However, they are not "hypoallergenic". NO dog breeds are "hypoallergenic". The poodle's dense, curly, waterproof coat traps hair and dander and releases less of it into the environment in an immediate sense, but they still PRODUCE the same amount of hair and dander. Again, no dog breed is "hypoallergenic".
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
This breed is named after royalty, and it definitely lives up to the title. Cavalier King Charles spaniels have a range of qualities that make them great pets for various types of owners, including seniors and those in need of a therapy dog. They are athletic but gentle, and also very high-spirited, adaptable, and smart.
Don’t adopt CKCs. They are badly inbred and have many, many congenital health problems. One of the most prominent is heart failure. “Nearly all Cavaliers eventually have mitral valve disease, with heart murmurs that may progressively worsen, leading to heart failure.” 50% of all CKCs will have mitral valve disease by age 5.
Basenji
Basenji might not be a very widespread breed, but you should definitely consider them as an owner if you work long hours and can’t stay at home with your pet. Not only is this breed quiet and adaptable, but it is also pretty independent and very smart.
Basenjis cannot bark! They have a different shape to their larynx that makes them unable to bark like other dogs. This doesn't make them silent, however. Instead, they "yodel"! They are also highly intelligent, clever, and independent - they are VERY hard to train. I would NOT recommend a Basenji for a first-time owner, or even a novice dog owner. They are very stubborn.
Shih Tzu
Shih tzus have vibrant personalities and don’t need a lot of exercise. They enjoy their time at home with the family, and will become an amazing companion for them. You can keep their coat long or give them a “puppy cut.”
Chihuahua
You might think that all Chihuahuas do is sit on a pillow, but these tiny dogs actually respond well to training. They are extremely intelligent and tend to demand their independence, but their larger-than-life personalities make them everyone’s favorite.
Poor breeders, of course, are a plague on this breed. So many Chihuahuas are aggressive, or fearful, or both. They can be prone to biting/viciousness, although their small size makes the bites nonfatal (though watch out for infection!)
Leonberger
Leonbergers are very intelligent, slow, and affectionate. They bond well with single owners, families, and children alike. However, they do require more space due to their sheer size, so keep your living conditions in mind when considering getting this breed.
Wonderful sweethearts. Very short lifespans, on average, however :( Their lifespans are shorter than most of the other large-breed dogs.
Pug
Unlike many smaller breeds, pugs absolutely enjoy the countryside as much as they enjoy the city. Their adaptability to any type of owner and other family pets makes them easy to live with. They also enjoy your praise, so it works well in training them.
They have all of the health issues of any brachycephalic dog that has been over-bred to have a smashed-in face: breathing issues, airway obstruction, protruding eyes that are prone to prolapse. They are also often whelped by caesarian section as the puppies' skulls cannot fit through the mother's birth canal. Their skin folds should also be wiped/cleaned often, as they can develop dermatitis in the folds. Pugs are neat, but brachycephalic breeds make me sad.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
As a true terrier, the wheaten terrier is agile, self-assured, and aware of its surroundings. This breed is also calm, less aggressive, and adapts to any living conditions, be it in the countryside or in an urban area. They also form great bonds with kids.
Great Dane
While their grand posture and intimidating look make Great Danes perfect watchdogs (and they live up to this reputation), at home they are still very sweet, patient, and absolutely loyal to their owners. They are fantastic with kids and will guard them from any danger when left alone.
My parents had a Great Dane when I was born. Her name was Chashu, and she was such a gentle giant. She would let me ride her like a pony, and one time when I was two years old, I apparently put wooden clothespins all over on her ears, lips, and face. She stood there and endured it with infinite patience. She was the sweetest dog I've known in my entire life. She also rescued me from the pool - I was young (around 2-3) and I apparently escaped from inside the house and fell into the pool. My parents later told me that Chashu leaped in before I'd even finished falling into the water, and pulled me out. I've never known a better dog than that Great Dane.
American Bulldog
Your first instinct upon seeing an American bulldog might be to take a step back, but in their minds, dogs of this breed are absolutely sure they are tiny lap dogs. This shows a lot in their behavior, as they love cuddling and giving kisses. But at the same time, they are very devoted to their owners.
I had one who saved my teenage daughters life when I house fire started. We lost him because he tried to get the cats to come downstairs. Best dog I have owned.
Mastiff
Of course, mastiffs require a bit more space, but in fact, they love staying indoors and cuddling with their owner, which makes them a great breed for urban dwellers. They are very laid-back and good-natured, bonding well with different personalities.
Ha...no space needed, fit in a 600 sq ft home no problem, also fine when renting/living in a single bedroom for a year. Very little exercise required, friendly to everyone at dog park. The drool was not a problem after banning all treats, then it only happened when eating food, drinking water, or overheating. Best to put leash around hips or waist or will face plant when they rush to say hi to another dog.
This clearly is a weird list of someone's favorite dogs, not a list of "perfect dogs for 1st time owners" ... A German Shepherd, an American Bulldog or Staffie, a Mastiff, a Great Dane? 1st time owners might not realise how hard it can be to hold on to such a strong dog when they are scared or startled. And they clearly don't care about questionable health issues. A Bernese Mountain dog has a life expectancy of 7-9 years due to being prone to an aggressive cancer gene, the breeding of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels has been banned in Norway due to serious brain/skull issues, the Boston Terrier often has breathing problems and don't get me started on the horrible skull deformities of the Pug... There ARE some great dogs on this list, but not necessarily for 1st time owners. I agree with a smalish/medium size mongrel, as they are usually physically and psychological the most healthiest, but otherwise this list is complete and utter nonsense...
I had a German Shepherd when I was a kid. And my childhood dog was a Great Dane. Both were incredibly gentle dogs that never "pulled" and rarely got startled or scared. I think a lot of the larger breeds boil down to training and how they are raised/socialized. Mastiffs are fantastic family/child dogs as well, as their natural tolerance, patience, and sufferance of kids' B.S. is a well-known feature of the breed. I've had dogs for nearly every moment of my 40 years of life and I would have no problems suggesting a GSD, Mastiff, or Dane as a "first" dog, with the caveat that you'll be picking up a LOT of poop, as big dogs lay big shits. :p I agree with your assessments about congenital issues and health concerns; I feel very strongly about the breeding of Pugs, Frenchies, and the like.
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What the heck. Another b******t dog list? Did BP not learn from the city dog list? I'll just be waiting for Lakota to sort it.
IM HERE!! ...haha XD Yeah, I had some choice words for that weird list BP put out last time :x These aren't AS bad, but dogs like greyhounds/whippets require a LOT of energy and a "job" (of sorts) as they were bred for a purpose and instinctively seek one. I'm not sure if they're good first-time dogs :x Puppers like Labs and Goldens are great though!
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The list title is somewhat misleading, because some of those breeds require some experience to handle well and to give them adequate stimulation and health conditions. Nevertheless, I’d really like to see a good list about good breeds of cats for first time owners, but with adequate info this time.
This clearly is a weird list of someone's favorite dogs, not a list of "perfect dogs for 1st time owners" ... A German Shepherd, an American Bulldog or Staffie, a Mastiff, a Great Dane? 1st time owners might not realise how hard it can be to hold on to such a strong dog when they are scared or startled. And they clearly don't care about questionable health issues. A Bernese Mountain dog has a life expectancy of 7-9 years due to being prone to an aggressive cancer gene, the breeding of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels has been banned in Norway due to serious brain/skull issues, the Boston Terrier often has breathing problems and don't get me started on the horrible skull deformities of the Pug... There ARE some great dogs on this list, but not necessarily for 1st time owners. I agree with a smalish/medium size mongrel, as they are usually physically and psychological the most healthiest, but otherwise this list is complete and utter nonsense...
I had a German Shepherd when I was a kid. And my childhood dog was a Great Dane. Both were incredibly gentle dogs that never "pulled" and rarely got startled or scared. I think a lot of the larger breeds boil down to training and how they are raised/socialized. Mastiffs are fantastic family/child dogs as well, as their natural tolerance, patience, and sufferance of kids' B.S. is a well-known feature of the breed. I've had dogs for nearly every moment of my 40 years of life and I would have no problems suggesting a GSD, Mastiff, or Dane as a "first" dog, with the caveat that you'll be picking up a LOT of poop, as big dogs lay big shits. :p I agree with your assessments about congenital issues and health concerns; I feel very strongly about the breeding of Pugs, Frenchies, and the like.
Load More Replies... What the heck. Another b******t dog list? Did BP not learn from the city dog list? I'll just be waiting for Lakota to sort it.
IM HERE!! ...haha XD Yeah, I had some choice words for that weird list BP put out last time :x These aren't AS bad, but dogs like greyhounds/whippets require a LOT of energy and a "job" (of sorts) as they were bred for a purpose and instinctively seek one. I'm not sure if they're good first-time dogs :x Puppers like Labs and Goldens are great though!
Load More Replies... The list title is somewhat misleading, because some of those breeds require some experience to handle well and to give them adequate stimulation and health conditions. Nevertheless, I’d really like to see a good list about good breeds of cats for first time owners, but with adequate info this time.
