10 Popular Dog Breeds for First Time Owners

Deciding on the type of dog breeds for first-time owners can be exciting and a little overwhelming.

There are several factors to consider, including maintenance, training, and how well the dog would fit in your life or your household, making it a challenge to choose what dog breed to have as a first-time owner. 

The good thing is that certain dog breeds have specific and predictable characteristics that make the decision-making process easier.

Although breeds have distinct traits such as prey drive, trainability, and aggression towards strangers, each dog is unique.

The environment the dog grows in may have a significant influence and supersede these traits.

It is important to remember that characteristics specific to dog breeds may not predict how a particular dog will act. 

This article will look at some dog breeds for first-time owners.

Best Dog Breeds for First time Owners 

When choosing a dog for the first time, choosing a dog that matches your energy and attention level is essential.

If you want an energetic dog you can go running with, choose an athletic dog with endurance. If you prefer a lazy dog, avoiding dog breeds with high energy is best.

You may want to consider dogs with low maintenance as your first dog, especially if you don’t have much grooming time.

You can also consider foster dogs from rescue homes as they have already been house-trained and well-socialized.

They are better dogs for beginners since puppies require a lot of training, socialization, and maintenance. 

Some of the best dog breeds for first-time owners include: 

1. Pug

Pugs are friendly dogs with adorable faces and are one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners, making them the perfect dog for someone who needs a laid-back dog.

They are sweet animals with a wonderful temperament, a rare characteristic for a size dog. Pugs enjoy a good play session, but their short noses and legs challenge breathing and running.

They have a short coat that requires little maintenance. Pugs weigh about 14-18 pounds and stand 12-13 inches tall. Pugs also get along with everyone and are a joy to own.

Unfortunately, Pugs are often riddled with health problems due to their cute short noses. Therefore, you must have the money and resources for potential health problems from owning a pug.

2. Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is an adorable, fluffy dog ideal for households with children of all ages and one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners.

Their hypoallergenic coat makes them the perfect pet for people suffering from allergies. Bichon Frise has a lovable and attentive demeanor that makes it very easy to train and thrive in human company.

They can be shy with strangers at first but quickly warm up to anyone. This dog breed is 9-12 inches and weighs about 7-12 pounds.

They have a curly white coat that may have traces of cream. The Bichon Frise has a life expectancy of 14-15 years. 

3. Golden Retriever

This dog breed is another contender on the list of best dog breeds for first time owners. Golden Retrievers are happy and lovable dogs eager to please and excellent with children of any age.

They are intelligent and capable of thriving in any household. Goldens also have high energy levels and require lots of exercise to keep them from being bored and in good shape.

Exercise may include intense activities like running, hiking, and playing fetch. Training a Golden is crucial but not difficult; they are eager to learn and can do many things.

Golden Retrievers have long coats that require regular grooming. They weigh around 55-75 pounds and stand at 21-24 inches. 

4. Labrador Retriever 

Playful, intelligent, active, and obedient qualities can be used to describe Labrador Retrievers. These dogs are perfect for homes with lots of attention, exercise, and training.

They are loyal, well-behaved dogs that happily relax in the home while running in the park with their owners. Labs are famous for their love for food and would happily eat anything edible within their line of sight, so they tend to become overweight.

This can be managed by regular exercise and limiting dog treats. Labs are easy to train and have an easy-going temperament, making them one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners.

They have a short, dense double coat in chocolate, black and yellow colors. They stand at 21-25 inches and weigh 55 to 80 pounds. Labrador Retrievers have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. 

5. Maltese 

The Maltese is a popular dog breed and one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. It is jovial and affectionate and well suited to any environment as long as it is a loving one. They are intelligent dogs, making them easy to train, although they can be tricky to housebreak. They are always up for quality family time and a great addition to any family.

6. Pomeranian

The Pomeranian is a dainty, small dog breed suitable for one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. It is a lap dog that typically bonds closest with a single owner but can still do well in families.

This fog is better suited for older children but can adapt to any living environment. The Pom can be a stubborn and aggressive dog that requires training to provide structure and boundaries.

Poms are bright and moderately active with an oversized fluffy coat. Fortunately, their coat is not as high-maintenance as it looks. Regular brushing is generally all you need to keep your Pom looking good.

7. Greyhound

Greyhounds are initially racing dogs. They’re bred to run in short spurts after fast-moving objects, so they’re not ideal for off-leash work or homes with small animals.

They are, however, calm and affectionate companions that are great for many new dog owners. Greyhounds have average energy levels.

They love a good sprint but are content to hang on the couch. Greyhounds are of average intelligence and have very short coats. They are long and leggy dogs that weigh about 60-70 pounds and stand 27-30 inches tall.

8. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

These cheerful little dogs are great if you are seeking a cuddle buddy. They are great lap dogs who love nothing more than snuggling with their owners.

They possess a calm demeanor, and their attentive nature makes them respond well to training. They are also very eager to please.

Although they have slightly fewer noses than pugs, they are still susceptible to similar health challenges. While they may enjoy staying on the couch, it is good to encourage them to do a little physical activity, like taking a walk in the park.

Cavalier King Charles spaniel has long coats that require regular brushing. They possess average intelligence and are small dogs that weigh about 13-18 pounds and stand only 10 to 13 inches tall. 

9. Papillon

The Papillon is a small dog breed with a very big heart. This cheerful and amicable dog can do well in a variety of households. The dog breed gets along with children, but they must be gentle.

The papillon enjoys an active lifestyle. It can function as a lap dog and exercise partner. The papillon does not need a lot of exercise but wants a chance to play and run around.

The breed is easy to train and requires only moderate grooming. The Papillon has a long, straight coat with a single layer.

The coat is white with markings and a mask of color, usually black, red, or sable. It weighs about 6 to 10 pounds, stands at 8 to 11 inches, and has a 14 to 16-year life expectancy. 

10. Shih Tzu

This is another adorable small dog breed with a big heart and is also among the best dog breeds for first-time owners. This dog was bred to be a companion for Chinese royalty.

Because of this, they do not have strong hunting instincts and are unlikely to show aggression. This makes them ideal for households with small children and other pets.

Shih Tzus are playful and cute and form strong bonds with their owners. They are lap dogs that love nothing more than curling on your lap.

They have a wild, independent streak, so you shouldn’t spoil them too much; otherwise, they become little terrors. A Shih Tzu has medium-high energy and enjoys the activity.

They possess long coats that have to be maintained by regular grooming. They are intelligent dogs weighing about 9 to 16 pounds and standing at just 8 to 11 inches tall. 

While many dog breeds would be an excellent choice for first-time owners, many options exist.

It can be easy to get caught up in many cute puppy pictures, but it is crucial to remember your commitment to bringing a dog into your home and becoming a dog parent. 

It is necessary to ensure you provide love, structure, and exercise to any dog you bring home, as this is the key to raising a happy and healthy dog.