Dogs bring affection, activity, and happiness to a house, along with a number of responsibilities. For the first-time owners, bringing a new dog can truly be an overwhelming experience.
But before bringing a new pooch, you need to know the ins and outs of keeping a dog. For what purpose do you want a new dog? How much time can you spare for him or her? Do you want a couch potato or an energetic pooch? Are you prone to dog allergies? And so on. A different answer to any of the questions above will decide which breed best suits your requirements.
In this article, we have listed 10 Dog Breeds for First Time Owners. Read on and, we hope, you will find a good friend.
1. Labrador Retriever
Weighing 55-80 lbs., Labradors stand on the top of this list as well as on the top of the American Kennel Club’s list of world’s most popular dog breeds.
Sweet-natured and well-behaved of all dogs, Labs easily get along with their new owners, kids, other pets, and even strangers.
They are smart dogs, thus training and grooming them is easy. They have a thick, dense coat that doesn’t require brushing every day. You’d, however, need to give them occasional baths to prevent dog odors, fleas, and ticks.
In general, Labs are healthy dogs, and there are no genetic issues related to this breed. But you’d need to provide them with premium-quality food to prevent health issues such as stomach bloating, gastrointestinal issues, etc. If you are a non-allergic dog owner looking for a medium-sized dog, Labradors can be a better fit for you.
2. Beagle
Beagles were developed for rabbit hunting. Like all hunting dogs, hunters trained them to work in packs. This made them accustomed to being in the company all the time, which is why Beagles crave constant company. They are friendly towards children, other pets, and strangers. However, obedience and socialization training is vital to enhancing their adaptability in the outside world. They are smart, quick learners, and training them won’t be an issue for you.
Beagles are foodies. They love to eat all things agreeable to their tongue, making them more prone to getting obese. You’d need to keep a check on their food intake.
Nevertheless, they are energetic dogs, fond of physical activities.
Owing to their frequent hair shedding, these dogs are not hypoallergenic. Regular hair brushing, bathing, nail trimming, and ear-cleaning is recommended for these dogs.
If you have enough time to fulfill their requirements, these friendly Beagles can be the best pick for new owners.
3. Poodle
What most people don’t know about Poodles is that they are as intelligent as they are adorable.
Poodles come in different sizes: large, standard, small, and teacups. They have a thick coat, but don’t shed often, making them a perfect choice for people with dog allergies.
They are healthy dogs but they are prone to common dog diseases such as muscle weakness, cataracts, nervous system disorders, etc. Poodles are friendlier and flexible in nature, making them congenial to new owners and, especially, to apartment dwellers. They are energetic dogs, securing a place in the top 10 most active dogs.
If your daily routine is not congested, and if you can provide them with enough time and attention, you can choose Poodles as your ultimate pet buddies.
4. Border Collie
Being a beginner dog owner, if you are looking for a protection dog that is energetic, intelligent, attentive, and is easy-going with a first-time dog owner, Border Collie is the one.
They were bred for herding sheep and cattle. Now, homeowners primarily use them as protection dogs. With a bite force of 238 PSI, they can be incredibly efficient at protecting you and your home. They are cordial towards their owners and their children, but not towards strangers and other pets. If you live in an urban setup where your dog would have to interact often, you need to train them for obedience and socialization.
Border Collies have short-length smooth hair, which is prone to shedding. To avoid excessive shedding, you will have to groom them on a regular basis.
It is worth mentioning here that Border Collie ranks in the top energetic dog breeds. If your routine includes running, cycling, and hiking, Collies can be a perfect match for you.
5. Pug
Well, well, who doesn’t know about Pugs?
These couch potatoes are a perfect choice for owners who want a dog to enjoy movies and lazy weekends with. Their short snouts, wrinkly face, and short stature make them adorable companions. They easily get along with their new owners, kids, strangers, and other pets.
There are three things about pugs regarding their health and fitness you need to consider before adopting them. One, they have low energy levels; two, they are susceptible to respiratory issues; three, they are prone to overheating. Thanks to these three facts, Pugs can’t do frequent physical activity, and are, therefore, ranked in the top lazy dog breeds. They prefer to lie on a couch and watch things happening. However, you should not let your pug lay down all the time or they will get obese. Short walks or other small-scale physical activities are recommended to keep them in shape.
6. Papillon
The word “Papillon” is a French word meaning “butterfly.” They are named so because they have ears shaped like the open wings of a butterfly. Pappis are smart, athletic, and friendly—the best fit for first-time dog owners.
Papillons belong to the toy group. They are for the owners that want to relish their eyes every time they look at their butterfly pooch. Due to their flexible nature and intelligent disposition, Pappis have high adaptability and trainability.
Given their daintiness, you might be thinking that these dogs would need more grooming. Well, the good news is, they don’t. Due to the absence of an undercoat, Papillons don’t shed much; thus, frequent brushing is not required. All they need is good food, a little time, and of course, some attention
7. Golden Retriever
Reading about the best dogs and Golden retriever is not on the list? Not possible!
Golden Retrievers are a complete package. They are good at everything. Protecting, guarding, learning new tricks, playing, and affection—a Goldie is a jack of all trades.
Training Golden Retrievers is effortless as they are intelligent dogs. What’s not easy is their grooming. They have a thick and dense coat that sheds frequently, requiring you to brush them daily and bathe them every week. But the good thing is they don’t try to run away while getting bathed.
The only reason that you should not bring a Goldie is if you are prone to dog allergies, or if you are looking for a toy dog. Else, these dogs fulfill all the other conditions of being an excellent choice for novice dog owners.
8. Chihuahua
In the cuteness-filled world of toy breeds, miniature[AH1] Chihuahuas are the tiniest dogs. They are quite popular dogs in the US. If you are an Ariantor (Ariana Grande’s fan), you’d know that her favorite dog, Toulouse, is also a Chihuahua. They also are a subject of popular memes, thanks to their cute faces.
Chihuahuas are intelligent and need daily mental stimulation to stay active. These dogs have sensitive skin and are susceptible to catching a cold. Miniature Chihuahuas are very fragile, needing proper care and regular grooming. If you have young or overly energetic kids at home, let them hold Chihuahuas under your supervision.
Chihuahuas come in different sizes, the teacup size being the popular one of all. They have medium shedding tendencies; you won’t see a lot of hair balls on your carpets.
If you are looking for an easy-going cute dog that would stay small forever, then go for Chihuahuas.
9. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are titled “the Divas of the dog world”. Shih Tzus have a flexible nature, making them a good option for first-time dog owners.
Like Poodles, Shih Tzus too come in standard, small, and toy sizes. They belong to the companion dog breeds group. They have long luscious hair, but due to the absence of an undercoat, they are hypoallergenic. Since Shih Tzus have low-energy levels and are fragile and very sensitive to heat, you will have to keep them indoors. But if the weather allows it, they can be good companions for short walks. If you want a dog that requires less effort and grooming, bring a Shih Tzu.
10. Boxer
Last but not the least, Boxer.
This breed is starkly different in appearance from the aforementioned breeds.
With a size of 57–63 cm, weight of 27–32 kg, and bite force of 230 PSI, Boxers were mainly bred for accompanying soldiers during wars. But that doesn’t make them aggressive. In fact, they are really friendly dogs. They enjoy the company of the owner, family, kids, as well as strangers. Due to their possessive nature, they are less friendly towards other pets.
They are high-energy dogs, fond of running, jogging, and playing. If you are an athletic person, Boxers are the perfect fit for you.
Here ends the list of 10 best dog breeds for first time owners. This list includes various dogs such as companion dogs, protection dogs, energetic dogs, toy dogs, etc. Make sure you carefully read about their qualities and find the one that matches your schedule, personality, preference, and lifestyle.