Finding your first dog can be both thrilling and a little intimidating. The dog might be your partner’s “fur baby,” your children’s playmate, or your only friend.
Keeping that in mind, the breed of dog you choose must suit your way of life. In the end, although no dog is identical, there will still be variation within any standard breed.
That being said, almost every breed has some standard attributes – energy level, size, shape, and grooming options – which can guide you towards identifying your suitable dog.
Good examples of dogs as a first pet are Yorkshire terrier, Labrador retriever, Bernese mountain dog, and poodle.
Additionally, there is a lot to learn, including general veterinary care, housebreaking, grooming, and feeding schedule, to name only a few!
Most important, you and your new four-legged friend will go through a “getting to know you” stage of sorts, and discover your respective personalities and character traits.
You don’t want to go through this stage believing you’ve made a mistake in picking your new dog.
Thankfully, there are always going to be breeds that will be more even-tempered, require less attention, and feel less intimidating to you; these can all contribute to the best dogs for new pet owners.
1. Labrador Retriever
Among the most gregarious breeds is the Labrador Retriever. They are well known for their love and devotion to their family members.
They are highly trainable due to their high level of intelligence. Additionally, you can feel secure leaving your child with the dog!
You can be sure that the Labs are good with children because they are very amiable and focused.
2. Boxer
Boxers require a lot of playtime and activities because of their high level of activity. They are known to be incredibly loving, gregarious, and devoted.
As early as possible, take them out to interact with others and get to know the family. For this breed, taking them out to socialize with other dogs and people would also be a great idea.
They are also incredibly trainable. Due to their active nature, they need a strong foundation in fundamental training.
3. Whippet
Whippets used to be bred to race, but these days they just enjoy running in your backyard! They are usually docile and playful.
One wonderful benefit is that Whippets don’t bark very often. The Whippet is an excellent choice for those who want a playful dog but are unable to tolerate loud barking.
Their playful nature, however, may require you to spend time playing with them or letting them run around your backyard. With a little exercise, whippets can become the ideal house pet.
4. Papillon
The Papillon is a smaller breed that only reaches heights of 8 or 11 inches. But do not be deceived by their small size!
They have big personalities despite their diminutive size. They can be very active and enjoy playing.
Because of this, they are very trainable, which is better for new owners. In addition, they have a great rapport with children and may even be protective of them.
Because of their short undercoat, they are easy to groom. Other than that, the drawback of owning this dog is that they can occasionally be aloof.
5. Mixed Breed
Mixed-breed dogs can be excellent for beginners, depending on the mix. The dog may have already acquired personality traits that suit your tastes, particularly if they are older.
To find mixed breeds, visit your neighborhood shelter! The staff will be well-prepared to locate a dog whose personality best fits your home and way of life.
Adopting a mixed breed can be a smart choice for first-time pet dog owners because most adopted dogs are incredibly devoted to their adopters.
6. Bernese Mountain Dog
Despite their size, Bernese Mountain Dogs are intelligent, gregarious, affectionate, and eager to please.
In addition to playing with the children, they like to relax at home in the evenings. Although not aggressive, they are quite good watchdogs and very loyal to their humans.
They also adapt well to almost any living situation. However, be advised that Berners do require frequent brushing to remove loose hair due to their high rate of shedding.
Conclusion
With first timers, temperamentally erratic dogs or extremely independent and stubborn breeds suit very poorly.
They may need diligent behavioral and social training, with close supervision around strangers.
Consider avoiding guard dogs or protection breeds, active terriers, herders, and those needing much maintenance this time.
