Dogs for First-Time Owners
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Getting dogs for first-time owners can be incredibly exciting, but with so many breeds to choose from it can be hard to make the best choice for you and your family. We have put together a guide to help you choose the very best breed for your family. Whilst we know that how a dog looks is important, it is really crucial to consider the temperament of your furry friend. A busy household with many people coming and going won't be a good fit for a timid or nervous breed, whereas if you love nothing more than long walks every day, then a high-energy dog may be the perfect fit for you. Whatever choice you make, take your time choosing and do your research. Going to meet some breeders, or joining a breed-specific walk, can help to understand the pros and cons of your chosen dog breed.
Importance of Choosing the Right Dog for Your First Dog
Some dogs are harder to train than others, and if this is your first dog, you won't be as experienced or as knowledgeable. Whatever dog breed you choose, it is worth investing in regular training with your new pet, to ensure that you understand how best to train your new dog. Owning a dog should be fun and enjoyable, but if you choose a dog that is incompatible with your lifestyle you may be setting yourself up for a tricky relationship. If your idea of a lovely walk is pottering down to the local pub, then choose a dog that suits this. Don't buy a dog to make you take long walks, but rather pick one that suits your energy levels - you will both be happier!
Characteristics to Look for in a Breed of Dog for First-time Owners
Consider your lifestyle first. How much exercise do you have time to give your dog? Many dogs are happy with a short walk over the park, while others need a couple of hours of running around every day. Are you out at work all day? Getting a dog walker will help with this, but some breeds are very sociable and can become destructive if left alone for extended periods of time. Do you have children? Most dogs adore children, but some breeds can be snappy, fearful or overly boisterous. Trainability is key to choosing a good breed for first-time dog owners. A dog that is willing to please and easy to train will be better for your first dog, than a breed that is renowned for its stubbornness!
Top Dog Breeds for Your First Dog
Let's take a look at some of the best dog breeds for first-time dog owners, however, it is important to remember that whilst some traits are genetic, each dog is an individual, and may not be representative of its breed type.
| Breed | Group | Height | Weight | Coat and Color | Life Expectancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bichon Frise | Companion | 9–12 inches | 7–12 pounds | Curly white coat; may have traces of apricot, buff, or cream | 14 to 15 years |
| Boxer | Guardian | 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch at the shoulder | 55 to 70 pounds | Short coat; fawn and brindle are the standard colors | 10 to 12 years |
| Yorkshire Terrier | Companion | 8 to 9 inches | 5 to 7 pounds | Long, straight, and silky coat; colour combinations are black and gold, black and tan, blue and gold, and blue and tan | 13 to 16 years |
| Springer Spaniel | Gun Dog | 19 to 20 inches | 40 to 50 pounds | Colour combinations are normally black and white or liver and white. They have a double coat, with a shorter layer underneath the longer outer coat. | 12 to 14 years |
| German Shepherd | Herding | 22 to 26 inches | 50 to 90 pounds | Thick coat, black with tan points as standard, though they do come in other colours | 12 - 14 years |
| Poodle | Companion | Over 15 inches (standard); 10–15 inches (miniature); 10 inches and under (toy) | 45 to 70 pounds (standard); 15 to 18 pounds (miniature); 5–9 pounds (toy) | One of many solid colours, including but not limited to white, black, grey, brown, apricot, and particoloured | 10–18 years |
| Golden Retriever | Gun Dog | 21.5 to 24 inches | 55 to 75 pounds | Medium-length double coat; light to dark gold | 10 to 12 years |
| Great Dane | Guardian | 28 to 32 inches | 110 to 175 pounds | Short, smooth coat in almost any colour or combination of colours | 7–10 years |
| Labrador Retriever | Gun Dog | 21.5 to 24.5 inches | 55 to 80 pounds | Short, dense double coat in black, chocolate, or yellow | 10 to 12 years |
| Maltese | Companion | 7 to 9 inches | Less than 7 pounds | Long silky white coat | 12 to 15 years |
| Papillon | Companion | 8–11 inches | 6–10 pounds | Straight, long, single-layer coat with frills; white with markings and a mask of colour, usually red, sable, black, or lemon | 14 to 16 years |
| Pomeranian | Companion | 6–7 inches | 3–7 pounds | A long, double coat that comes in many colours, though the most common are red, orange, cream, sable, black, brown, and blue | 12 to 16 years |
| Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier | Terrier | 17–19 inches | 30 –40 pounds | Soft, wavy coat that is wheaten in colour | 12 to 15 years |
Best Large Dog Breeds for First-timers
Goldendoodle
GROUP: Hybrid
HEIGHT: 20 to 24 inches
WEIGHT: 50 to 90 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Most commonly white, cream or apricot, but can come in a range of colours, with a variety of coat types, including wavy, curly, or straight. They often have low-shedding or hypoallergenic coats.
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 10 –15 years
Bernese Mountain Dog
GROUP: Guardian
HEIGHT: 23 to 27.5 inches
WEIGHT: 70 to 115 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Medium-length double coat in black, tan, and white
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 7–10 years
Best Dogs for First-time Owners With Children
Beagle
GROUP: Hound
HEIGHT: 13 to 15 inches
WEIGHT: 20 to 30 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Short coat, generally tri-coloured, black tan and white.
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 10 to 15 years
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
GROUP: Companion
HEIGHT: 12 to 13 inches (to the withers)
WEIGHT: 13 to 18 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Long, sleek and silky coat with feathering around ears, feet, chest, and tail in four colour varieties, red, red and white, black and tan, and tricolour
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 14 years
Whippet
GROUP: Hound
HEIGHT: 18 to 22 inches
WEIGHT: 25 - 40 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Short, fine coat, often brindle but can be any colour, grey and cream are striking and popular.
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 15 years
Low Maintenance Dogs for First Time Owners
French Bulldog
GROUP: Companion Dog
HEIGHT: 11 to 12 inches (to the withers)
WEIGHT: 25 to 27 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Short coat, black with or without white, fawn, white
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 9 to 11 years
Basset Hound
GROUP: Hound
HEIGHT: 13 to 14 inches (to the withers)
WEIGHT: 40 to 60 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Short coat, common hound colours such as tri-colour.
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 8 to 12 years
Greyhound
GROUP: Hound
HEIGHT: 28 to 30 inches (to the withers)
WEIGHT: 60 to 70 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Short coat can be any colour, commonly brindle.
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 10 to 13 years
Shih Tzu
GROUP: Companion
HEIGHT: 9–10.5 inches
WEIGHT: 9–16 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Long silky double coat in almost any solid colour or colour plus white
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 10–18 years
Dog Breed Characteristics Considerations for Your First Dog
The most important trait to match with your dog is the energy and attention levels. Dogs that need a lot of exercise, training and attention will take up more of your time, and it is important to be realistic about how much time you have in a day. While you may love the majestic sleekness of a German Shorthaired Pointer, if you only have 30 minutes a day to walk a dog, you will be better off with a low-energy dog, such as Bassett Hound. Many breeds of dogs are perfectly happy to snooze on the sofa, having cuddles, with a short walk around the park. Conversely, if you love nothing more than walking for two hours a day, avoid breeds that don't need that much exercise. Some dogs simply won't walk that far, and in some breeds, it can cause health conditions if they are overwalked. Remember all puppies are cute! However, they all grow up into distinctive dogs with their own unique personalities and quirks.
