Thinking of Getting a Dog? These 7 Dog Breeds are Perfect for First Timers.
Shristy sinha | Apr 04, 2025, 18:49 IST
You already know how having a pet dog at home can make your life much better and happier, so you decided to get a dog for the first time, but now confused which dog breed you should choose that can be compatible to your lifestyle? Here are 7 dog breeds that can make an amazing first timers giving you intense joy and happiness.
Bringing a dog into your home is a rewarding and life-changing decision, especially for first-time dog owners. Dogs offer companionship, love, and loyalty, but they also require time, attention, and training. Choosing the right breed is essential, as certain breeds are better suited for first-time dog owners due to their temperament, trainability, and energy levels.
In this article, we’ll explore seven dog breeds that are considered excellent choices for first-time dog owners. Each of these breeds is known for its friendly nature, ease of training, and overall adaptability to family life.
Temperament: Friendly, outgoing, intelligent
Size: Medium to large (55-80 pounds)
Exercise needs: High
Coat: Short, easy to groom
Labrador Retrievers are consistently ranked as one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States and worldwide—and for good reason. Labs are known for their friendly and easygoing nature, making them excellent companions for families, singles, and first-time dog owners alike.
Labradors are highly trainable, intelligent, and eager to please, which makes them relatively easy to train. Whether you’re teaching basic obedience or more complex tricks, Labs are quick learners. While they are active dogs that require daily exercise, they’re also happy to relax and curl up on the couch with their owners.
Labs thrive in environments where they’re part of family life, and they typically get along well with other pets and children. If you’re ready for a dog that requires daily walks, playtime, and a bit of grooming, the Labrador Retriever could be an ideal choice.
Temperament: Friendly, loyal, intelligent
Size: Medium to large (55-75 pounds)
Exercise needs: High
Coat: Long, requires regular grooming
Golden Retrievers are another breed that excels in family settings. Known for their affectionate and patient nature, they’re a great option for first-time dog owners who are looking for a friendly and loyal companion. Their temperament is gentle, making them particularly good with children and other pets.
Golden Retrievers are highly intelligent and trainable, which is great for owners who are willing to invest time in training. While they do require regular exercise and mental stimulation, they’re generally calm and easygoing at home, making them adaptable to a variety of living environments.
The only downside is their coat, which requires regular grooming to prevent matting and shedding. But with a little care, they’ll reward you with their loving companionship.
Temperament: Affectionate, friendly, easygoing
Size: Small (13-18 pounds)
Exercise needs: Moderate
Coat: Silky, requires regular grooming
For first-time dog owners who want a smaller dog that’s still affectionate and friendly, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a fantastic choice. This breed is known for its gentle, loving nature and thrives on human companionship. Cavaliers are affectionate dogs that love being around their owners, and they tend to get along well with children and other animals.
They’re also relatively easy to train and adapt well to a variety of living situations, including apartments. While they do require moderate exercise, such as daily walks, they’re not as demanding as some other breeds when it comes to activity levels.
Cavaliers have a beautiful, silky coat that requires regular grooming, but their smaller size and easygoing nature make them an excellent option for those new to dog ownership.
Temperament: Playful, affectionate, loving
Size: Small (14-18 pounds)
Exercise needs: Low to moderate
Coat: Short, easy to groom
Pugs are small, but they have a big personality! These affectionate, fun-loving dogs are perfect for first-time dog owners looking for a dog that’s easy to handle and low-maintenance. Pugs are known for their playful, goofy nature and are great companions for families, singles, and older adults alike.
Because of their small size and relatively low exercise needs, Pugs are an ideal choice for people living in apartments or smaller homes. They do enjoy short walks and playtime, but they’re typically content with lounging on the couch with their owners. Pugs are also very adaptable and can thrive in a variety of living situations.
Their short coat requires minimal grooming, and their friendly, loving temperament makes them an easy breed to bond with. However, it’s worth noting that Pugs are prone to certain health issues, such as breathing problems, due to their flat faces, so they may require extra care in hot weather.
Temperament: Friendly, curious, energetic
Size: Small to medium (20-25 pounds)
Exercise needs: Moderate to high
Coat: Short, easy to groom
Beagles are known for their friendly and curious nature, making them an excellent choice for first-time dog owners. They’re intelligent dogs that enjoy problem-solving and are great companions for families with children. Beagles are also known for being excellent with other pets, making them a good choice for homes with multiple animals.
While Beagles are relatively easy to train, they can be a bit stubborn at times, so patience is key. They have a strong sense of smell and may get distracted by scents, so it’s important to keep them on a leash or in a secure area when outdoors.
Beagles do require regular exercise to keep them happy, as they’re an active breed. They enjoy long walks and playtime, but their friendly demeanor and smaller size make them suitable for homes with limited space.
Temperament: Affectionate, friendly, playful
Size: Small (9-16 pounds)
Exercise needs: Low to moderate
Coat: Long, requires regular grooming
The Shih Tzu is a small, sturdy dog with a loving and playful personality. This breed is known for its affectionate nature, and they make great companions for first-time dog owners. Shih Tzus are relatively low-energy dogs that enjoy spending time with their owners, making them great for families, singles, and older adults.
Although Shih Tzus have long, beautiful coats, they do require regular grooming to keep their hair in top condition. Despite this, they don’t have demanding exercise needs, making them perfect for people with limited time for daily walks. A few short walks and play sessions each day are typically enough to keep a Shih Tzu happy.
Shih Tzus are friendly dogs that get along well with children and other pets. Their adaptable nature and manageable grooming needs make them a good choice for first-time dog owners looking for a low-maintenance, affectionate companion.
Temperament: Gentle, affectionate, calm
Size: Medium (40-65 pounds)
Exercise needs: Moderate
Coat: Short, easy to groom
Basset Hounds are known for their calm, laid-back demeanor and their loyalty to their families. These affectionate dogs are great for first-time dog owners who prefer a low-key companion. Basset Hounds are not as high-energy as some other breeds, but they still require regular walks and playtime to keep them mentally stimulated and healthy.
Despite their calm nature, Basset Hounds are quite social and enjoy being around their family members. They’re generally good with children and other pets, making them ideal for families. Basset Hounds are intelligent but can be a bit stubborn, so training requires patience and consistency.
With their short coat, Basset Hounds are easy to groom and require minimal maintenance. They may need some extra care when it comes to cleaning their droopy ears and managing their weight, but overall, they make excellent companions for first-time dog owners.
Ultimately, Choosing the right dog breed for your lifestyle and experience level is a crucial step in ensuring a successful and rewarding relationship with your new canine companion. For first-time dog owners, it’s important to select a breed that suits your living situation, exercise preferences, and time availability for training and care. The best dog for you will depend on your lifestyle, preferences, and ability to meet the breed's needs. By selecting a dog that fits your life and committing to proper training, exercise, and care, you can look forward to many happy years of companionship with your new furry friend.
In this article, we’ll explore seven dog breeds that are considered excellent choices for first-time dog owners. Each of these breeds is known for its friendly nature, ease of training, and overall adaptability to family life.
1. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retriever
Temperament: Friendly, outgoing, intelligent
Size: Medium to large (55-80 pounds)
Exercise needs: High
Coat: Short, easy to groom
Labrador Retrievers are consistently ranked as one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States and worldwide—and for good reason. Labs are known for their friendly and easygoing nature, making them excellent companions for families, singles, and first-time dog owners alike.
Labradors are highly trainable, intelligent, and eager to please, which makes them relatively easy to train. Whether you’re teaching basic obedience or more complex tricks, Labs are quick learners. While they are active dogs that require daily exercise, they’re also happy to relax and curl up on the couch with their owners.
Labs thrive in environments where they’re part of family life, and they typically get along well with other pets and children. If you’re ready for a dog that requires daily walks, playtime, and a bit of grooming, the Labrador Retriever could be an ideal choice.
2. Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever
Temperament: Friendly, loyal, intelligent
Size: Medium to large (55-75 pounds)
Exercise needs: High
Coat: Long, requires regular grooming
Golden Retrievers are another breed that excels in family settings. Known for their affectionate and patient nature, they’re a great option for first-time dog owners who are looking for a friendly and loyal companion. Their temperament is gentle, making them particularly good with children and other pets.
Golden Retrievers are highly intelligent and trainable, which is great for owners who are willing to invest time in training. While they do require regular exercise and mental stimulation, they’re generally calm and easygoing at home, making them adaptable to a variety of living environments.
The only downside is their coat, which requires regular grooming to prevent matting and shedding. But with a little care, they’ll reward you with their loving companionship.
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles spaniel
Temperament: Affectionate, friendly, easygoing
Size: Small (13-18 pounds)
Exercise needs: Moderate
Coat: Silky, requires regular grooming
For first-time dog owners who want a smaller dog that’s still affectionate and friendly, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a fantastic choice. This breed is known for its gentle, loving nature and thrives on human companionship. Cavaliers are affectionate dogs that love being around their owners, and they tend to get along well with children and other animals.
They’re also relatively easy to train and adapt well to a variety of living situations, including apartments. While they do require moderate exercise, such as daily walks, they’re not as demanding as some other breeds when it comes to activity levels.
Cavaliers have a beautiful, silky coat that requires regular grooming, but their smaller size and easygoing nature make them an excellent option for those new to dog ownership.
4. Pug
Pug
Temperament: Playful, affectionate, loving
Size: Small (14-18 pounds)
Exercise needs: Low to moderate
Coat: Short, easy to groom
Pugs are small, but they have a big personality! These affectionate, fun-loving dogs are perfect for first-time dog owners looking for a dog that’s easy to handle and low-maintenance. Pugs are known for their playful, goofy nature and are great companions for families, singles, and older adults alike.
Because of their small size and relatively low exercise needs, Pugs are an ideal choice for people living in apartments or smaller homes. They do enjoy short walks and playtime, but they’re typically content with lounging on the couch with their owners. Pugs are also very adaptable and can thrive in a variety of living situations.
Their short coat requires minimal grooming, and their friendly, loving temperament makes them an easy breed to bond with. However, it’s worth noting that Pugs are prone to certain health issues, such as breathing problems, due to their flat faces, so they may require extra care in hot weather.
5. Beagle
Beagle
Temperament: Friendly, curious, energetic
Size: Small to medium (20-25 pounds)
Exercise needs: Moderate to high
Coat: Short, easy to groom
Beagles are known for their friendly and curious nature, making them an excellent choice for first-time dog owners. They’re intelligent dogs that enjoy problem-solving and are great companions for families with children. Beagles are also known for being excellent with other pets, making them a good choice for homes with multiple animals.
While Beagles are relatively easy to train, they can be a bit stubborn at times, so patience is key. They have a strong sense of smell and may get distracted by scents, so it’s important to keep them on a leash or in a secure area when outdoors.
Beagles do require regular exercise to keep them happy, as they’re an active breed. They enjoy long walks and playtime, but their friendly demeanor and smaller size make them suitable for homes with limited space.
6. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu
Temperament: Affectionate, friendly, playful
Size: Small (9-16 pounds)
Exercise needs: Low to moderate
Coat: Long, requires regular grooming
The Shih Tzu is a small, sturdy dog with a loving and playful personality. This breed is known for its affectionate nature, and they make great companions for first-time dog owners. Shih Tzus are relatively low-energy dogs that enjoy spending time with their owners, making them great for families, singles, and older adults.
Although Shih Tzus have long, beautiful coats, they do require regular grooming to keep their hair in top condition. Despite this, they don’t have demanding exercise needs, making them perfect for people with limited time for daily walks. A few short walks and play sessions each day are typically enough to keep a Shih Tzu happy.
Shih Tzus are friendly dogs that get along well with children and other pets. Their adaptable nature and manageable grooming needs make them a good choice for first-time dog owners looking for a low-maintenance, affectionate companion.
7. Basset Hound
Basset Hound
Temperament: Gentle, affectionate, calm
Size: Medium (40-65 pounds)
Exercise needs: Moderate
Coat: Short, easy to groom
Basset Hounds are known for their calm, laid-back demeanor and their loyalty to their families. These affectionate dogs are great for first-time dog owners who prefer a low-key companion. Basset Hounds are not as high-energy as some other breeds, but they still require regular walks and playtime to keep them mentally stimulated and healthy.
Despite their calm nature, Basset Hounds are quite social and enjoy being around their family members. They’re generally good with children and other pets, making them ideal for families. Basset Hounds are intelligent but can be a bit stubborn, so training requires patience and consistency.
With their short coat, Basset Hounds are easy to groom and require minimal maintenance. They may need some extra care when it comes to cleaning their droopy ears and managing their weight, but overall, they make excellent companions for first-time dog owners.
Ultimately, Choosing the right dog breed for your lifestyle and experience level is a crucial step in ensuring a successful and rewarding relationship with your new canine companion. For first-time dog owners, it’s important to select a breed that suits your living situation, exercise preferences, and time availability for training and care. The best dog for you will depend on your lifestyle, preferences, and ability to meet the breed's needs. By selecting a dog that fits your life and committing to proper training, exercise, and care, you can look forward to many happy years of companionship with your new furry friend.