New to Being A Dog Parent? These 10 Breeds Can Be Your Best Fur-Friends
Getting your first dog is certainly one of the most exciting things in life. Yet, there is also a little nervousness along with the joy. Your life will change a lot with the addition of a canine companion. It is a huge commitment and thus, choosing the right breed is immensely important.
So, instead of going into it blindly, you must research thoroughly because every breed has different requirements. Certain breeds will be better suited to your lifestyle than others. Here are the 10 best dog breeds for first-time owners to help you choose:
1. Golden Retriever
- Height: 21.5 to 24 inches
- Weight: 55 to 75 pounds
- Lifespan: 10-12 years
- Breed Group: Sporting
- Exercise Needs: 40 mins to 2 hours
It’s really hard not to love a Golden Retriever. Their beautiful furry coats, their cheerful personality, and their floppy ears are sure to melt anyone’s heart. They are one of the best dogs for first time owners, particularly because of their friendly, patient, and loving temperament. Even if you have no experience with dogs, Goldies make it pretty easy for you because of their eagerness to please.
A Reddit user, yaourted, says their favorite breed for first time dog owners is Golden Retriever. In their words, “first time as an adult owning a dog, and first time training a service dog. He’s ridiculously easy to train, can match my high and low energy days, has tons of personality, has no breed tendency towards reactivity, and [is] all around certified good boy.
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2. Bernese Mountain Dog
- Height: 23 to 27.5 inches
- Weight: 70 to 115 pounds
- Lifespan: 7-10 years
- Breed Group: Working
- Exercise Needs: 1 to 1.5 hours
At first glance, you might feel intimidated by the size of a Bernese Mountain Dog. However, they are one of the best big dogs for first time owners. They like to please their owners, show a lot of affection, and are adaptable. If there are kids wanting to play with them, these dogs will not hesitate at all but they can also be relaxed and laid-back when you want them to be.
According to a Bernese owner on Reddit, “I’m a first time dog owner with a Bernese mountain dog … They are so lovable and pretty easy to train. They are pretty well-behaved dogs naturally, but still require some coaching.”
3. Bichon Frise
- Height: 9 to 12 inches
- Weight: 7 to 12 pounds
- Lifespan: 14-15 years
- Breed Group: Non-Sporting
- Exercise Needs: 30 minutes to 1 hour
The Bichon Frise is one of the friendliest dogs, putting them on the list of one of the best dog breeds for a first time owner. These little dogs can be happy in almost any living situation. They are easy to handle due to their size, and you can take them for grocery shopping, brunch with your friends, or your niece’s birthday party. If you want an affectionate dog who doesn’t require too much exercise, this breed is suitable for you.
Dr. Monica Tarantino, a small animal veterinarian, believes that “Bichons are relatively easy to train, adapt well to any lifestyle, and only need moderate daily exercise to be happy and healthy.”
4. Poodle
- Height: 15+ inches (standard), 10 to 15 inches (miniature), below 10 inches (toy)
- Weight: 45 to 70 pounds (standard), 15 to 18 pounds (miniature), 5-9 pounds (toy)
- Lifespan: 10-18 years
- Breed Group: Non-sporting
- Exercise Needs: 1 hour
Incredibly smart and easy to train, Poodles are a great choice. Whether you choose a standard or a miniature Poodle, you will easily be able to teach them some cute tricks and also discipline them. Another plus point is their low-shedding coat, thus making them one of the best hypoallergenic dogs for first time owners.
A Reddit user, OldheadBommer, wrote, “Poodles are great for first-time dog owners. They are very smart, they learn very quickly, and will hone in on your every sound and movement, picking up cues as to what you’re doing or going to do next.”
5. Labrador Retriever
- Height: 21.5 to 24.5 inches
- Weight: 55 to 80 pounds
- Lifespan: 10-12 years
- Breed Group: Sporting
- Exercise Needs: 1 to 2 hours
Just like Goldens, Labrador Retreivers are popular all over the world as wonderful family dogs, which is why they are among the best dogs for first time dog owners. Great with kids and adults alike, these dogs are friendly, loving, and eager to please. They are active dogs who would love to accompany you on a run or a hike. Moreover, these sweethearts love playing fetch with their families and require regular exercise.
An experienced lab owner, mooscaretaker, gives an advice on Reddit for people thinking to get a Lab as their first dog. They say, “My suggestion with decades of lab ownership and fostering, is to start with a young adult. Labs are given up most often when they’re about 1 or 2 yrs and again when they’re over 9 yrs old. Many shelters and rescues have labs, and right now, because of irresponsible owners, they’re full.”
6. Boxer
- Height: 21.5 to 25 inches
- Weight: 55 to 70 pounds
- Lifespan: 10-12 years
- Breed Group: Working
- Exercise Needs: 2 hours
If you’re looking for a dog who is loyal, protective, and also friendly, a Boxer ticks all these boxes. They are the perfect guard dogs for all inexperienced pet parents because they are playful and easy to train. In addition, when it comes to grooming, they are among the best low maintenance dogs for first time owners.
“Though young boxers can be a little hyperactive, they are trainable and enjoy attention during training. Once trained and socialized, boxers can thrive in active households and often get along well with kids,” explains Jenna Stregowski, a registered veterinary technician.
7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Height: 12 to 13 inches
- Weight: 13 to 18 pounds
- Lifespan: 12-14 years
- Breed Group: Toy
- Exercise Needs: 1 hour
Gentle and loving, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels never lose their puppy-like appearance. The characteristic that makes them one of the best first dogs for owners is that they are extremely adaptable. Whether you have a small apartment or a mansion, these little canines will thrive anywhere. Also, they get along with most people and love to be with children.
Describing their experience of getting a Cavalier as their first dog, Disastrous_Line2770, says, “He has been great. I got him at 5 months old, and honestly, this is much easier than I thought it would be … He sleeps through the whole night 8-10 hours without potty problems. I suggest getting a crate if you get this breed … They are a lovely breed and very sweet dogs.”
8. Shih Tzu
- Height: 9 to 10.5 inches
- Weight: 9 to 16 pounds
- Lifespan: 10-18 years
- Breed Group: Toy
- Exercise Needs: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Shih Tzus are also among the best dog breeds for first-time owners because they are the perfect little cuddle buddies. They are great for apartments since they don’t require a lot of exercise and can easily thrive in small spaces. Additionally, they are a calm breed, which means that they will rarely ever overwhelm dog parents due to their energy levels.
A Reddit user, PutYourCheeksIntoIt vouches for having Shih Tzus as your first dog, stating, “They are super loving and cuddly and not too hard to take care of. They still need walks but typically can’t go long distances. Ours is also really good about not having accidents in the house while we are at work, but about 9-10 hours is her limit that she can be alone.”
9. Maltese
- Height: 7 to 9 inches
- Weight: Less than 7 pounds
- Lifespan: 12-15 years
- Breed Group: Toy
- Exercise Needs: 20 to 30 minutes
With silky smooth coats and adorably cute faces, Maltese dogs are one of the best small dogs for first time owners. The only hassle you need to keep in mind is their grooming needs. Their fur must be trimmed regularly and brushed daily. Fortunately, these lap dogs don’t shed a lot so you don’t have to worry about vacuuming all day.
Jenna Stregowski notes, “The Maltese is a very affectionate, happy breed that doesn’t require excessive exercise and is content to spend time relaxing on your lap.”
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10. Pomeranian
- Height: 6 to 7 inches
- Weight: 3 to 7 pounds
- Lifespan: 12-16 years
- Breed Group: Toy
- Exercise Needs: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Pomeranians would be the best dogs for first time dogs for owners who would rather like their dog on their lap instead of running around in a backyard. They need some amount of daily exercise to be happy and healthy. It’s important to note that Poms can show their stubborn streak if they are not properly trained.
A Reddit user describes being a Pomeranian owner, writing, “I also have a Pom as my first dog. I used to be scared of dogs as well but ever since owning him I kinda lost that fear … My Pom is the nicest and cutest little potato I have ever seen. He is super friendly with other dogs and other people.”