Collaborative post. We’ve been looking into the best dog breeds for first-time owners so we have an idea of what to adopt when we eventually move into a larger home. Dogs are great to have as pets. They develop a special relationship with their owners, one that can’t be equalled by any other pet. Dogs are by far and away the most popular pet in the UK, according to data from the PDSA. But there are many of us who have yet to own a dog of our own. If you’re looking into buying a dog for the first time you may find the number of options available rather overwhelming. There are many breeds to choose from. Some are much more challenging than others, and most have predisposed health issues to take into consideration.
Here are some of the better breeds for first-time owners, depending on your situation and lifestyle.
Best Dog Breeds for First-Time Owners
Preparing for Your Dogs Arrival
Dog ownership is a uniquely fulfilling thing, but it is also a big responsibility, even with relatively low-maintenance breeds. Therefore, you should be well prepared before you come home with your new furry friend. Aside from research on dog care and best practice, you should buy up supplies and accessories in advance, so your home is ready to receive a dog. Your dog will need a comfortable bed to make their own, in a dedicated corner of your home. They will also need good quality dog food and drinks bowls, and a toy or four to keep them occupied when you’re not spending quality time together!
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
These have the sweetest temperament and will do anything to please their owners. They also don’t bark a lot. They’re friendly with other dogs and great with new people. These dogs can be a great addition to families with young children. These dogs are smart and an easy breed to train which is ideal if you’ve never had a dog before. These need to be groomed regularly but it’s easy enough to do and doesn’t take long as they’re not particularly large dogs. They need at least one, one hour walk a day.
Whippet
Whippets are extremely cute short-haired dogs, and surprisingly easy to accommodate. They are great with other dogs and young children and hardly ever bark. These dogs are natural-born cuddle-buddies, and more than content to spend the vast majority of their day on the sofa with their favourite human. In terms of exercise, the amount they need is small. Often, two short walks a day will suffice, but this will depend on the demeanour of the whippet in question. These dogs will need some garden space to have a little run around to use up excess energy. They make a great first pet.
Labrador
Labradors are famously accommodating dogs and a perfect choice for first-time dog owners. They fit especially well in young families, and can also be a glowing presence for couples or those who live alone. Labradors have a reputation for being energetic, so expect to get a lot of playtime with your new Labrador buddy! This energy can sometimes count against them, though. They are great dogs for the first-time owner, but not necessarily low maintenance. You would need to be able to give them oodles of love and attention, and a little extra when it comes to walkies. These dogs don’t bark much which is great as you won’t have neighbours complaining.
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Poodle
These make a great family dog. They are energetic, super smart, and easy to train. They do need plenty of physical and mental exercise so it’s important to make sure they have daily walks and plenty of toys to keep them entertained. These dogs can be quite talkative much like my children and are considered moderate barkers. This can be triggered by loud noises, excitement lack of exercise, and seeing people. It’s important to begin socialising them early on. They love cuddles but can be prone to separation anxiety so not the best option if they will be left alone for long hours. These dogs tend not to smell or shed like many other breeds.
Papillon
These dogs are smart, easy to care for and train, and don’t need as much exercise as larger dogs although they do love to have a good run around daily. This can be done indoors or outdoors. They are not particularly anxious dogs and are great with kids although you need to be careful that younger children are not too rough with them. As small dogs, they cost less to feed and are not a breed that has much of an odour and they don’t shed much either. Papillons do love to have loads of cuddles and give loads of kisses to anyone that wants them.
I hope you enjoyed reading all about the Best Dog Breeds for First-Time Owners. You might like to read my post Useful Facts About Dogs for more helpful information.
Which of these Best Dog Breeds for First-Time Owners would you consider having as a pet?
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This is such a great resource for first-time owners. Not all dogs have the same personality, and there are definitely some breeds out there that require an experienced owner.
These are such great tips for those planning to get a dog! We love dogs, but our current apartment doesn’t allow pets. I’ll keep these tips in mind:)
I like the small dogs best. This post gave me lots of info that I needed for selecting a dog.
They are super cute aren’t they! I love most dogs, although I’m not sure I could cope with the large breeds.
I have a golden retriever and a rescue and I love them both. Can’t imagine not having a dog.
Even though I want one and we had one back then, my parents don’t want one now. But maybe when I have my own house, I will get anything big. lol
I haven’t even heard of some of these dog breeds before! I know a few people with a lab, though, and they seem like really good family dogs.
Labs are great family dogs. I’m not as familiar with the other breeds with the exception of poodle. I personally have a Yorkie and Boxer mix.
I love labradors and poodles! They are both energetic but I think I will go with poodles because they are easy to train.
Wow! These are awesome lists of dog breeds, I would definitely prefer Labrador as it is really cute and so much fun to be with!
We have had labradors in the past at one stage we had a golden lab and black lab who looked great together. Both so different in character but both great. The black lab was mine and he was so naughty, I would love a chocolate lab but keep being told no
I would love poodle to be my son’s first dog. He love to have one on his birthday! Thanks for sharing this!
They are such lovely dogs and smart too.
Never owned one of these, but I’ve had quite a few dogs. German Shepard’s are best and thats the dog I have now
All of my dogs are rescues of one form or another. 3 chihuahuas and 1 pitt/shephard mix. The chihuahuas were the easiest especially since they were so teeny and out pitt/mix was only 5 weeks when his mama got ill so we have a now 2yr old 85lb boy who still acts like a pup!
I feel like all breeds will come with their own set of problems but there are definitely some that inexperienced owners should avoid but no matter what breed you have I couldn’t advocate hard enough for thoroughly researching the breed and starting early, professional obedience and behavioral training.
They do come with their own problems but you need to assess what is more manageable for you.
A labrador would be amazing for us! We wanted a husky but we were told it is not an easy dog for first-time owners.
Huskies are harder dogs to look after. I’d try one that is better for first-time owners.
I’ve always had a dog and it was just the best experience. They just become part of the family. I grew up with pugs and then we had a toy poodle. I think the standard poodle is better for a family because the toys tend to be more of a one person dog but they are so cute and smart. It’s important regardless of the breed to socialize them well from an early age.
One of my friends has three King Charles Spaniels and they’re absolutely adorable. My brother and sister law recently got a miniature schnauzer and he is so cute! Plus he’s so little he doesn’t need walks that are as far or often which suits them, although my cats are still bigger than him haha x
Kind Charles Spaniels are adorable as are schnauzers. I’d have a selection of dogs if I could.
I agree with every option, they are all very nice breeds anyone would love. Thanks for sharing!
These are great dogs to have as pets.
Our family has a new pet for several months. It’s a first time experience and we have an American Bully. It’s the best dog ever!
I bet it’s adorable. It’s so lovely to have pets.
We don’t own a dog but hope to in a few years’ time so this post has been very informative. I’ve been told to get a Cockapoo as they are good first time dogs as well
Those are good first-time dogs and they are super cute too!!!
I have always found the small dogs the cutest. So if ever we’ll get us one, it’ll be one of those.
They are adorable. I’d love a few dogs of various sizes. We’ll see what happens though. I hope you get to have one x
It makes sense to have a strategy for buying a dog. These all sound like good breeds to start with.
It really helps especially if it’s the first time you’ve had a dog.
I think the Papillion will be perfect for our family. We want small dogs that loves cuddles.
I know what you mean. Who doesn’t love a doggy cuddle.
Our first family pet was a Pug and he was amazing with our kids. We now have a rescue dog that is a Chihuahua and he his amazing BUT can be territorial over my daughter 😉
Dogs are such lovely pets and can have their own personalities.
I have never had a dog but if I was to go for one it would definitely be a Labrador. They look super cuddly and seem to be the easiest to train. I could be wrong though 😅
They are lovely dogs. I’ve always wanted one too. They are such lovely dogs.