5 best dog breed for first-time dog owners
News Desk | Apr 07, 2025, 12:14 IST
Choosing your first dog pet is an exciting step, and certain breeds are ideal for beginners. Labrador Retrievers, Pugs, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are known for their friendly temperaments and easygoing nature. These low-maintenance, affectionate dogs make training and companionship enjoyable. Selecting the right first dog pet ensures a smoother, more rewarding experience for new dog owners.
Choosing the right dog for the first-time as a pet owner is necessary. While choosing your new furry friend can be both exciting and a little overwhelming. Dogs in each breed are generally predictable. Their sizes, energy levels and looks are all pretty easy to know. Based on that determination, you can choose for yourself the dog you want to adopt.
For your first time you will want a breed that is friendly, gets easily adapted in any situation and is small yet cute and not ferocious. Fortunately, certain breeds tend to be the best dogs for first time owners.
Here are the best dog breeds for first-time dog owners:
1. Labrador Retriever are one of the most popular dog breeds. Recognized for their medium-large dog breeds. Labradors generally adopt well to most of their surroundings and are amazing with kids. They are easier to bond with. Generally thrive in an active household. Labs love to learn, snuggle, play fetch and run. Although they require regular exercises but are highly adaptable. A fun-loving breed which is active, playful and are highly intelligent. Weighs about 55 to 80 pounds, grows from 21.5 to 24.5 inches.
2. Maltese are small, affectionate and low-shedding dogs. They have this silky coats with drapes to the floor if left untrimmed, but regular haircuts makes their hair manageable. They don't shed much but one should always remember to brush them daily. All in all a very affectionate, happy and fun loving breed, great for first time owners with limited space. Generally grows up to 7 to 9 inches, have a long silky white coat.
3. Poodle (Toy, Miniature or Standard) is a very popular and versatile dog breed that makes for a wonderful companion. All are intelligent and respond well if they are being trained. Poodles are very energetic dogs and they need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. These dogs are great for allergy sufferers. Weight goes up to 45 to 70 pounds. Comes in various colors black, white, grey, brown.
4. Golden Retrievers are very gentle and intelligent breed for dogs are highly trainable too. They need a fair amount of physical exercises to keep them out of boredom. They thrive in most households and are excellent with children of all ages. They usually grow up to 21.5 to 24 inches. Weigh approximately 55 to 75 pounds. They are light to dark golden in color.
5. Shih Tzu are very loyal, affectionate and low energy dog breed. They are small in size but are very playful, very big on affection. This ancient Chinese dog breed is happiest when spending time with family whether that’s flopped on the couch next to you watching your favorite TV show or playing with your kids. Although Shih Tzu sheds a little. They grow up to 9-10.5 inches and weigh about 9-16 pounds.
If you are a first time dog owner, choosing a breed that matches your lifestyle is key. Look for a dog that is friendly, small and doesn’t require much efforts. No matter which breed you end up choosing, make sure you provide them with proper training and they will surely enjoy in a well-adjusted space.
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For your first time you will want a breed that is friendly, gets easily adapted in any situation and is small yet cute and not ferocious. Fortunately, certain breeds tend to be the best dogs for first time owners.
Here are the best dog breeds for first-time dog owners:
best dog breeds for first-time dog owners
1. Labrador Retriever are one of the most popular dog breeds. Recognized for their medium-large dog breeds. Labradors generally adopt well to most of their surroundings and are amazing with kids. They are easier to bond with. Generally thrive in an active household. Labs love to learn, snuggle, play fetch and run. Although they require regular exercises but are highly adaptable. A fun-loving breed which is active, playful and are highly intelligent. Weighs about 55 to 80 pounds, grows from 21.5 to 24.5 inches.
2. Maltese are small, affectionate and low-shedding dogs. They have this silky coats with drapes to the floor if left untrimmed, but regular haircuts makes their hair manageable. They don't shed much but one should always remember to brush them daily. All in all a very affectionate, happy and fun loving breed, great for first time owners with limited space. Generally grows up to 7 to 9 inches, have a long silky white coat.
Maltese
3. Poodle (Toy, Miniature or Standard) is a very popular and versatile dog breed that makes for a wonderful companion. All are intelligent and respond well if they are being trained. Poodles are very energetic dogs and they need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. These dogs are great for allergy sufferers. Weight goes up to 45 to 70 pounds. Comes in various colors black, white, grey, brown.
4. Golden Retrievers are very gentle and intelligent breed for dogs are highly trainable too. They need a fair amount of physical exercises to keep them out of boredom. They thrive in most households and are excellent with children of all ages. They usually grow up to 21.5 to 24 inches. Weigh approximately 55 to 75 pounds. They are light to dark golden in color.
5. Shih Tzu are very loyal, affectionate and low energy dog breed. They are small in size but are very playful, very big on affection. This ancient Chinese dog breed is happiest when spending time with family whether that’s flopped on the couch next to you watching your favorite TV show or playing with your kids. Although Shih Tzu sheds a little. They grow up to 9-10.5 inches and weigh about 9-16 pounds.
Shih Tzu
If you are a first time dog owner, choosing a breed that matches your lifestyle is key. Look for a dog that is friendly, small and doesn’t require much efforts. No matter which breed you end up choosing, make sure you provide them with proper training and they will surely enjoy in a well-adjusted space.
- Which dog breed is the best for first-time owners?
What you choose is entirely upto you. Maltese, Pug, Shih Tzu, Golden retriever, Great Daane, Poodle are some breeds which you can go for. They are easy to adjust with and are pretty friendly in nature. - What is the easiest dog to take care of?
French-bulldog and Pug are the easiest to take care of. Very friendly, affectionate and easy going. Both are very low-maintanence and perfect for first-time buyers. - What is the best first small dog breed?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, is one of the best small first-time dog breed. They love and are great with families. Fit well in apartments or larger homes.