It is an exciting step for that first time dog owner. While dogs can bring joyous companionship and bundles of unconditional love to the lives of their owners, they also need time, patience, and understanding to be responsible pet owners. That’s why first-time dog owners need to choose a breed that is both easy to train and fit in well with just about any lifestyle. Certain breeds are more forgiving of novice errors and perform better in a host of circumstances. But here are the 14 best dogs for first-time owners, all of which come with a unique set of traits that make them great pets for those just starting out:
1. Labrador Retriever
Disposition: good nature, loving, outgoing
Weight: 55-80 pounds, Giant
Key Features: Labs are popular for a reason. These are gentle dogs that are easy to train and like being with people, which makes them ideal for families as well as individuals. Labs are a great breed for an active owner, and are adaptable to living environments from apartment life to owning a large house with a yard.
2. Golden Retriever
Temperament: Affectionate, Intelligent, and Loyal
Medium to large size (55-75 pounds)
Why They Make A Great Companion: Golden Retrievers are known for being a very loving breed. They are smart so training them is easy, and they mingle well with children and other animals. First-time ownerFamily-friendlyLoves the outdoors
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Personality: Loving, Gentle, Friendly
Size: Small (13-18 pounds)
Best Features: Small with a lot of love to give and they are perfect for beginners dog owners. Affen Spaniels are gentle-natured, trained more easily and loved as a part of the family. Despite their regal appearance, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not one of those high-strung lapdogs that only seem so in pictures on the internet.
4. Poodle — Miniature or Standard
Temperament: smart, playful, loyal
Size: Range (Minis are 10 to 15 pounds; Standards range from 40 to 70 pounds)
Why They Make Great Pets: Poodles are very intelligent and simple to train, which makes them suitable for first-time owners. They vary in size, meaning that you will not have to buy one surprisingly big. Poodles are also hypoallergenic, so they are great for people with allergies.
5. Bichon Frise
Personality: Cheerful, playful, affectionate
Size: Small (12-18 pounds)
Why They Rule: These gentle, happy-go-lucky dogs are friendly and sociable and adore the company of their human packs. They are trainable and require very minimum exercise. Bichons are also a non-shedding, hypoallergenic breed which makes them perfect for allergic individuals.
6. Shih Tzu
Personality: Very affectionate and outgoing, friendly
Size: Small (9-16 pounds)
Why They’re Good: Shih Tzus have a gentle and friendly nature, which makes them perfect for beginners. They are tiny, not that active and they can live in an apartment or a small house. They are also very loving animals and a wonderful friend for many elderly people.
7. Boxer
Personality:playful, energetic, loyal
Medium to Large Size (About 60-70lbs.)
Why They Are Great : Boxers are energetic puppies who love playing and remain faithful to their families. They are loving and excellent with children. Boxers are also a breed that has in incredibly high amounts of energy yet they are smart doggos and trained them is very easy dog so this can be perfect teach-yourself-everything owner first-time.
8. Papillon
Personality: Friendly, intelligent, energetic
Size: Small (5-10 pounds)
Why They Tick so Many Boxes: Papillons may be small (weighing no more than 5-14 pounds), but they have an undeserved reputation. Bernedoodles are easily trainable — they love to learn new stunts. Apartment Living / HouseLivingThey adaptable to most conditions
9. Pug
Personality: Good-natured, charismatic, laid-back
Size: Small (14-18 pounds)
Why They Make Great Pets: Pugs are adoring and people-oriented. They are generally considered to be a great dog for first-time owners due to their laid-back personality. They Are Low Energy And Good For An Apartment
10. Beagle
Disposition : Curious, Social & Playful
Small to medium-sized dog (20-30 pounds)
Why We Love Them: Part of the Hound group, Beagles are merry little hounds that enjoy their place in the home. Curious, playful and adventurous yes, but they are still called Man´s best friend. Since Beagles are easy to train and they get along great with kids and other pets most people prefer beagle rather than any other breed.
11. Cocker Spaniel
Personality: Affectionate, gentle, happy
Size: Medium (20-30 pounds)
Why They Make Great Pets: Cocker Spaniels are loving, affectionate dogs that adore their families. These are easy-going family dogs who can be trained with relative ease, and they love to play but are just as happy to lie around at home. This is because they are so gentle and amiable — great traits for a family dog or for first-time dog owners.
12. French Bulldog
Personality: Laid back, easygoing, affectionate
Small-medium (16-28 pounds)
Why They’re Good: A low-maintenance dog that is perfect for those homes in apartments or with a small living space. They are not very active and enjoy lounging with their owners. Frenchies are also quite loving and enjoy hanging out with their family.
13. Yorkshire Terrier
Personality: loving, excellent mind
Size: Small (4-7 pounds)
Why They’re Good: Yorkies are tiny, affectionate dogs that adapt well to apartment life. These are outgoing dogs that enjoy being with their owners. Yorkies are hypoallergenic as well- which is great for those with allergies.
14. Dachshund
Disposition: Inquisitive, tricksy, good guard
Size: Small (16-32 pounds)
Why They Make Such Good Dogs: Other than being incredibly loyal, dachshunds are fun-loving dogs that often make excellent dogs for those new to owning a dog. They are pretty low-maintenance and need only a medium level of exercise but still make ideal pets for apartment living or homes with small lots.
Selecting the Best Dog Breed For You
As your first dog or a new one at that, the lifestyle you lead, your living conditions and how much time can be spent on exercise and training of the dog will go towards determining whether a golden retriever is right for you. While some breeds of dogs need daily runs because they are high energy, the other option is to have a teeny dog that was bred to relax in someone’s lap all day. This guide offers you some tips to figure out this:
Energy Level: Select a dog with the same energy level as you have. If you are very active, a breed like the Labrador Retriever or Boxer may be better suited. For a more laid back life, then think about the Shih Tzu or even the French Bulldog.
Where You Live: Think About Your Home Size Adaptation refinements for apartment living is best suited for small dogs like Yorkies and Pugs, whereas a Golden or Lab will need a larger space to adapt.
Exercise needs: Some breeds require a lot more exercise than others. For example; Beagles are more active, while Poodles and Pugs will live happily with a moderate amount of activity.
Ease of training: Novice dog owners should seek a dog that easy to train Poodles, Cavaliers and Golden Retrievers are all great examples of intelligent and trainable breeds.
If you have allergies: If anyone in your home suffers from pet allergies, then hypoallergenic breeds are a good bet. Poodles, Bichon Frises and Yorkies might not bring on the sneezing at all!
Conclusion
The first step in forming a strong relationship with your new furry friend is to select the right dog breed to fit your lifestyle. We came up with a list of 14 breeds known for being friendly, adaptable — plus, they’re simply more feasible options for first-time dog owners. From small, low-energy dogs all the way to huge, active breeds, you can find the right fit.
To learn more tips and advice on taking care of your pets Keep Exploring Petsfunzone.com!
