If you consider becoming a dog owner for the first time, you should think about the kind of dog you want. With hundreds of breeds, it’s hard to know how to get the right one.
Some dogs are more active than others, while others can be problematic for newbies. Assuming you’re not experienced, you should take a look at easy dog breeds. For your comfort, we hand-picked the list of ten best dog breeds for first-time owners.
Why Breed Matters
In case you travel a lot, you may want to choose smaller dog breeds that are easy to go on a trip with. If you're a first-time dog owner, you should consider a puppy that can grow with your family. After all, you can always check Petcube Rescue Program to adopt a pooch in your area. You can also volunteer in your nearest shelter, which is one of the resolutions pets will welcome.
In case you're new to such practice, don't miss our A-to-Z guide on dog adoption. This makes it easier for all the family to adjust to the new dog and learn training tips along the way. Don’t choose a dog for superficial characteristics. For instance, if you like the way that a Pomeranian looks but don't want to deal with a high-energy dog, then you should pass on this breed.
If your favorite dog breed is cute but is known for its temper and is difficult to train, then you should keep looking. It’s definitely advisable to think about all the options, so the following ten dogs for first-time owners are surely worth checking.
Border Collie
Border Collies are one of the smartest breeds of dogs. They’re known for their ability to work and communicate with hoomans. Because of their high energy levels, they may be a bit hard to train, however, they can learn tricks fairly quickly.
They are wonderful around children and family, so they may be ideal dogs for beginners. As their coats shed year-round, remember that grooming is a must for this breed.
Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are the most popular breed in the world and known for their good temperament and loyalty. They can make great family pets and can adapt easily to children or other pets in the house. They have a short coat, so grooming should be quite simple. They do shed, but you’ll only have to deal with it during spring and fall shedding seasons.
German Shepherd
German Shepherds are known for their strong character and diligence. If you’re looking for a dog that will protect you at all costs, German Shepherds are the ones for you. They’re excellent guard dogs and can be trained as service dogs for people with disabilities.
Because of their temperament, a German Shepherd is the best guard dog for a first-time owner. Their high intelligence makes them easy to train, but they will require supervision at all times because of their protective nature. GSDs are known to be very affectionate toward their owners as well as other animals in the house.
Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are playful and smart dogs that are very good with children. As most owners say, Golden Retrievers are quintessential family dogs. They do shed year-round, so regular grooming is recommended for this breed.
They have short hair that requires minimal brushing and grooming each week. They are also very active dogs, so they need plenty of exercise every day, but training is not particularly difficult. It’s no wonder that Golden Retrievers are among the best first-time dogs suitable for large families.
Poodle
Poodles have an appearance that many people are attracted to, but they are also highly intelligent and very playful. They can be trained easily to be house pets or for competitive activities like agility and obedience trials.
They have a long coat that requires brushing every few days to get rid of loose hair. Poodles shed a lot, so if you’re looking for minimal shedding, this breed may not be the best option for you.
Collie
Collies are very intelligent dogs that can live in almost any environment or lifestyle with ease. However, they tend to shed heavily year-round, so your home may become covered in dog hair if you don’t have time to groom them daily or every few days.
Collies have lots of energy, so they need regular exercise and playtime outside for both physical and mental stimulation. They learn fast and their exceptional intelligence is worth mentioning.
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers may look small, but they aren’t as fragile as you may think! This breed has a life expectancy of 15 years or more, which makes them an excellent choice for those looking for a long-term companion.
They don’t require much outdoor exercise or playtime and absolutely love cuddling up next to their owners while watching TV or listening to music. Yorkies don’t shed much hair if they’re groomed regularly, but some shedding is common during the spring and fall seasons.
Pomeranian
Pomeranians can make great family pets because they love children so much! They are also known for being intelligent dogs that can be easily trained if you have enough time on your hands to spend with them each day.
However, Pomeranians can be nippy if not trained correctly from an early age and may bite if you don’t take care of the situation quickly enough before it gets out of hand.
Poms don’t shed much at all, so there won’t be much hair in your home unless. If you enjoy training and spending much time with your pooch, Pomeranians are among the best dog breeds for first-time owners.
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus make great family pets because they are very affectionate towards their pawrents! They aren’t too energetic either, so even though they love playing with their owners, they also love cuddling up next to you when you binge-watch Netflix in your living room.
These little guys are good first-time dogs as they can be trained easily at home or by a professional dog trainer if needed; however, they also make great dogs just the way they are. Shih Tzus shed year-round, but since their fur is short, there won’t be much hair in your house.
Dachshund
Dachshunds are affectionate little dogs that love nothing more than to cuddle up next to you. They are loyal, protective, devoted, and intelligent. Their adorable appearance, combined with playful nature, makes them perfect companions for children.
As long as they’re well socialized from an early age, Dachshunds are generally friendly with other pets as well, which makes them a smart choice for a multi-pet family looking for another canine companion.
Keep in mind that even the easiest dog breeds require love and care. Never lose touch with your doggo with a Petcube camera, which allows communicating and playing with your four-legged friend remotely.
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