8 Best Dog Breeds For First Time Owners

For those of you who are new to dog ownership, this blog post is for you. We’re going to cover the 6 best breeds for first-time owners and what they can offer in terms of temperament, size, and lifestyle requirements. All of the abovementioned is important when choosing a dog because you don’t want to choose a dog that is quite large if you live in an apartment since they won’t have enough space. You also don’t want to choose a dog that requires a lot of training if you don’t have a lot of experience with dogs, as this can be quite a challenge. So, if you’re thinking about getting a dog but don’t know which breed will work best with your home life, keep reading!

1. Goldendoodle

A dog breed that has been highly recommended for first-time owners is the Goldendoodle, and when you find out the parenting involved to create this crossbreed, you will understand. The Goldendoodle is the result of breeding between the Golden Retriever and Poodle, and there are a few breeders you could get them from, such as ABCs Puppy Zs, a premier breeder. The size of Goldendoodles largely depends on the Poodle parent, but they can grow to be around 66 cm tall at the shoulder. These dogs are very friendly, energetic, trainable, and intelligent, making them a popular choice for first-time owners.

2. Boxer

Next on the list is the Boxer, which is another popular choice. Boxers are considered to be medium to large size dogs at 60 cm tall and weighing around 26 kg, which means that they will need space. Pair this with their energetic personality and need for exercise, and you’ll understand why living in a small space won’t be good for them. These dogs are great for families since they are very protective, loyal, confident, intelligent, and trainable. However, they do require a bit of training and socialization, but being friendly and trainable makes this easy.

3. Pomeranian

If you are looking for a companion to join you in an apartment, as well as a dog that requires minimal exercise and is friendly, then you might want to get a Pomeranian. They are described as toy dogs due to their small size, being around 30 cm tall, and only weighing 3.2 kg at most on average. Pomeranians are very friendly, sociable, intelligent, and playful, which means training will be quite easy. They can be quite protective and possessive of their owners, so socializing at an early age will help to curb those behaviors that might develop.

4. Golden and Labrador Retriever

Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are perhaps hands down the most popular dog breeds for first-time owners, and they are on the list together since their personalities are so similar, and they look very similar too. Although Golden Retrievers were bred to be gun dogs, they are very calm and don’t require all that much exercise. They are highly intelligent, friendly, confident, and trustworthy, making training a breeze. Labrador Retrievers were bred for a similar purpose, except in terms of personality, they are slightly more robust and outgoing, and require a bit more exercise in comparison to their counterparts. They are also slightly larger but don’t require as much grooming.

5. Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terriers are another popular choice for first-time dog owners due to their intelligence, confidence, and courage. Most Yorkshire Terrier owners are convinced a larger dog is trapped inside that small body, which only weighs around 3 kg. Because Yorkshire Terriers are so intelligent, training them can be easy, however, they can also be quite stubborn and have a larger-than-life personality, which can also make it tricky. Yorkshire Terriers require a fair share of exercise since they are full of energy, and grooming is of utmost importance.

6. Greyhound

Greyhounds are another dog breed that has become quite popular for first-time dog owners due to their trainability. Most people have started to adopt retired Greyhounds, since they are bred to be a racing dog, and were previously most commonly bred to course game. Since they were bred to follow instructions, they learn most commands rather quickly. They are gentle dogs who are more often than not quiet, affectionate, and even-tempered, all of which are qualities that first-time dog owners look for.

7. Bichon Frise

If you are a first time dog owner, the bichon frise is an excellent choice for your household. The Bichon Frise breed has been around since the Middle Ages and they have always had a reputation as being charming, gentle, and sweet natured. These dogs are known to be good with children and other pets. Bichons are one of the most popular breeds for first time dog owners, and it’s easy to see why. They love snuggling with their humans, they’re especially good at keeping themselves clean (even though you’ll still need to brush them once or twice a week), they have an adorable underbite that makes them look like puppies forever, and they usually get along really well with other dogs too.

8. Shih Tzu

A Shih Tzu is a small breed of dog that was bred to be an indoor companion. It is a fluffy lap dog who loves to be the center of attention. This breed has been around for centuries and was bred by Buddhist monks in China. They are ranked as one of the top 10 most popular breeds in the US. These dogs are very people-oriented and need lots of love. They are typically friendly and playful, making them great for first time dog owners. Shih Tzus have long coats that require brushing every day to ward off matting. If they don’t get brushed regularly they can develop problems like skin irritation or hair loss due to constant pulling on their coat. They do well in apartments or houses with little yard space because they’re not very active indoors and are content being near people most of the time. They also have lower exercise requirements than many other breeds.