Considering dog ownership for the first time? Not sure which are the best dog breeds for novice owners?
All dog breeds were created with specific purposes in mind, resulting in widely varying temperaments. Breeds bred to be guard dogs are less friendly and social. Those bred for retrieving tend to be more active and obedient. And dog breeds bred to be lap dogs are just that, perfectly content to take a nap in your lap.
These different temperaments make some dog breeds more suitable for first-time dog owners than others.
To help you decide which breed is right for you and your family, we’ve compiled a list of the 15 best dog breeds for first-time owners.
A giant breed dog might not be the best choice for all first-time dog owners, but the sweet, gentle Bernese Mountain Dog truly is one of the best dog breeds for novice owners. Known as “Berners” by those that love them, they’re good-natured, eager to please and super affectionate. And, as if they know they need to be careful of their size, they’re calm, easy to train, not easily riled up, and patient with kids.
They’re medium-energy dogs and need a decent amount of exercise. A perfect day for a Berner would be a hike in the woods with their humans, followed by an evening nap. Berners need daily grooming.
You’ll find lots of small breed dogs on the list of best dog breeds for first time dog owners, but the fluffy white Bichon Frise is in a class of its own. Easy-going, affectionate and eager to please, Bichons treat everyone around them, people and dogs alike, as friends they haven’t met yet. They’re playful, a touch goofy, and great with children.
Bichons are hypoallergenic, making them perfect for first-time dog owners with allergies, but their fluffy coat does need regular grooming. Bichons are low- to medium-energy dogs, but do get the zoomies on occasion.
No list of best dogs for first time owners would be complete without the loyal Boxer. Affectionate, friendly and easy to care for, Boxers regularly make the list of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S. And it’s no surprise! The cheerful Boxer is a social dog, loves to play and is famous for its patience with children.
They’re best suited to active first-time dog owners as they are high-energy and need plenty of exercise. Boxers are easy to train and need minimal grooming.
Known as Cavs, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the easiest dogs to own, making it perfect for first-time dog owners. Gentle, affectionate, adaptable, and friendly with everyone they meet (including other dogs), this breed is also easy to train. They’re sociable and want to spend time with their humans. They’re as content to lay down at your feet as they are to go for a romp in the backyard. Whatever you want to do so long as they’re included in the fun.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels need regular grooming but only an average amount of exercise.
The second spaniel to make our list of best dog breeds for first-time owners, the English Springer Spaniel is cheerful, affectionate, and eager to please. Like Cavs, Springers want nothing more than to spend time with their humans, even if it’s only to curl up at their feet. But they are also high-energy and do need regular exercise, including plenty of games of fetch. They’re easy to train and because your approval is so important to them, they’re highly obedient.
The English Springer Spaniel’s beautiful silky coat needs regular brushing and trimming to prevent it from getting tangled and matted.
Very much like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, only larger, Golden Retrievers are famous for their happy-go-lucky attitude and friendliness. They’re also loyal, affectionate, easy to train, and obedient. They’re happiest when you’re happy with them. Golden Retrievers aren’t only good dogs for first-time owners in general, they’re great for first-time owners with kids. They’re non-aggressive and well-known for their patience with children.
Golden Retrievers are best for active first-time dog owners as they absolutely need about two hours of exercise per day. They’re also prolific shedders, so not great for first-time owners with allergies to dog hair.
Unlike racehorses, which are notoriously high-spirited and hard to handle, the racehorse of the dog world is undemanding and easy-going. Greyhounds might be super fast, but they don’t actually require lots of exercise. In fact, for most Greyhounds, one or two half-hour walks are plenty. (If you have a backyard, giving them a chance to sprint full out is fun for both of you.) Like most other great dogs for first-time owners, Greyhounds are gentle and loving. They enjoy cuddling with their owners but also don’t mind meeting new people and dogs.
Greyhounds are ridiculously easy to groom.
The friendly, outgoing Labrador Retriever has topped the list of favorite dog breeds in the U.S. for more than 30 years. They also regularly top the list of best dog breeds for families with kids. There’s almost nothing bad you can say about this breed. Affectionate, playful, eager to please, the Lab is everything most people want in a dog. They’re good with kids, excited to meet strangers and play with other dogs, and generally happy-go-lucky about life. They’re also easy to train and obedient.
Labs are high-energy and athletic. They’re a great breed for runners, boaters (
