The 15 dog breeds perfect for first-time owners
<p><strong>First-time pup parent</strong></p>
<p>Becoming a first-time dog owner is a truly rewarding experience. Youâre gaining a new loyal best friend and have a wonderful adventure before you. That said, weâd be remiss if we didnât acknowledge that the process also comes with some little curveballs as you learn the ropes of pup parenthood.</p>
<p>In addition to the dogâs size â be it a toy breed, medium breed, or giant breed â itâs also important to consider the dogâs personality. For example, do you want a <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/pets/the-best-low-maintenance-dogs-for-busy-people" target="_blank" rel="noopener">low-maintenance dog</a> or a <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/pets/11-dog-breeds-that-can-be-left-alone" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dog breed that does well when left alone</a>? Or are you perhaps seeking the <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/pets/the-best-dog-breeds-for-kids" target="_blank" rel="noopener">best dog breeds for kids</a>?</p>
<p>âWhen you are thinking about getting a dog for the first time, the first thing to ask yourself is what you envision your life with a dog looking like,â says Marissa Sunny, a canine behaviour specialist. âIf you want a dog to get you out of the house and go running with, then a high-energy working breed may be for you! If you are looking for a Netflix buddy, then an adult or senior dog may be for you.â And while purebreds are wonderful, there are many mixed breeds available for adoption in your local shelters that make wonderful pets, even for first-time dog owners.</p>
<p>To help you determine the best first dog for new owners â and avoid some of the worst dogs for first-time owners â weâre showcasing some of the most popular dog breeds that are easy to train, groom and bond with.</p>
<p><strong>Bichon Frise</strong></p>
<p>Known for its loving and playful personality, the Bichon Frise is an intelligent and charming lapdog who befriends just about everyone they meet. They are one of the best dogs for beginners since theyâre typically easy to train and are great with kids.</p>
<p>Another perk is that their fluffy white coat is hypoallergenic, making them ideal for those concerned about dog allergies. They do need to be bathed about once a month and benefit from a good brushing several times a week. A visit to the groomer every four to six weeks can also help keep them looking tip-top.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Ease of care: 4/5</em></span></p>
<p><strong>Golden retrievers </strong></p>
<p>Arguably one of the easiest dog breeds for first-time owners, the golden retriever is one of the most beloved canines for good reason. This lovable pup is exceptionally friendly and devoted to its owners. They are also known for being obedient and easy to train, so teaching them to fetch, sit and stay is likely to be a breeze, which is one of the reasons many service dogs are golden retrievers.</p>
<p>Perhaps most important, though, is their gregarious and outgoing personalities, which make them fantastic as first-time family dogs, as well. They benefit from a good brushing once a week and perhaps more during their twice-annual shedding spree.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Ease of care: 5/5</em></span></p>
<p><strong>Papillon</strong></p>
<p>The papillon â which means butterfly in French â is another wee-sized pup weighing in at only 4.5kg tops. They are an affectionate dog breed and they also get along well with children. Though very small, this toy breed is surprisingly athletic and spritely and benefits greatly from playtime.</p>
<p>One potential drawback is that theyâre not too keen on hanging out with other animals. However, they are surprisingly easy to groom thanks to their lack of an undercoat. A good bath every few months and a once-monthly grooming session are all they need.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Ease of care: 4/5</em></span></p>
<p><strong>Labrador retriever </strong></p>
<p>The Labrador retriever is another popular dog breed. They are most noted for their outgoing personality and friendly demeanour, and they are also one of the best-behaved dog breeds. These playful, easy-going pups â which come in chocolate, black, and yellow â are very sociable.</p>
<p>This allows not only for easy bonding with the entire family but with other animals, too. Because they love to make their owners happy, labs are also one of the easiest dog breeds to train. Occasional baths and brushing are all this dog needs to keep it looking its best.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Ease of care: 5/5</em></span></p>
<p><strong>Cavalier King Charles spaniel </strong></p>
<p>A sweet combination of a small toy breed and spaniel, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel is a gentle, graceful, athletic and high-spirited little pup. They make our list of the best first dogs for new owners because of their adaptability and smarts, which make them both easy to get along with and train. These unfailingly sweet pups are also keen on pleasing their humans, making them excellent for a broad ranch of owners, including couples, families, seniors, and individuals.</p>
<p>They are also known for being effective therapy dogs, too. They do require a little more grooming than other pups on our list and need daily brushing, weekly ear-checks, and monthly nail trims.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Ease of care: 4/5 </em></span></p>
<p><strong>German shepherd</strong></p>
<p>The noble German shepherd is an excellent dog for first-time owners for many reasons. For starters, they are exceptionally smart pups that are easy to train, which is one reason why they are utilised in K-9 units.</p>
<p>Second, they are gentle with their owners and unfailingly loyal â to the end that they make great watchdogs. Finally, German shepherds are easy to groom. The AKC says they benefit from brushing a few times a week to remove loose hairs and that they only need occasional baths.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Ease of care: 5/5</em></span></p>
<p><strong>Standard poodle</strong></p>
<p>Recognised for their fluffy, pillow-like hypoallergenic coats, the poodle is a notably smart and athletic family companion. Because of these positive qualities, poodles have been bred with many other breeds to get designer breeds including the labradoodle, groodle, spoodle, and cavoodle.</p>
<p>Do note that as puppies, poodles can be high-energy, so theyâll need to be able to run off that steam. They also should be brushed daily and professionally groomed about once every month or two to combat matting and keep their coats lustrous.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Ease of care: 4/5</em></span></p>
<p><strong>Basenji</strong></p>
<p>You might not be too familiar with the Basenji, but this smart and adaptable quiet dog breed makes our list because of how easy-going and low-key it is. Some even describe this dog as âcat-likeâ in its independence and quiet demeanour. While itâs not overtly lovey-dovey like some breeds, the Basenji is perfect for first-time owners who tend to be gone often and prefer a pup thatâs not always at their ankles.</p>
<p>The AKC says their short coat is also simple to care for. Just give them a once-over every week or two â and no bathing required unless they get into something.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Ease of care: 4/5</em></span></p>
<p><strong>Yorkshire terrier</strong></p>
<p>A truly petite-sized pup, the adorable Yorkie is a tiny terrier that weighs in at only seven pounds. Though tiny, they do have major personalities! This breed has a reputation for being brave, tenacious and sprightly. They are also exceptionally friendly.</p>
<p>The breedâs long, low-allergen coat mimics human hair more than dog fur, making them one of the more popular dogs for those who deal with pet allergies. The trade-off is that their long hair does require daily brushing, weekly bathing and regular professional groomings.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Ease of care: 3/5</em></span></p>
<p><strong>Pugs</strong></p>
<p>Survey any pug owner and theyâll likely be quick to tell you that this breed is one of the best family companions out there. The adaptable pug gets along with basically everyone â including kids, seniors and other animals â and thrives in both the city and country.</p>
<p>Pugs also enjoy making their owners happy, which helps make training them a breeze. Another bonus: their coat is considered low maintenance and only needs weekly brushing to control light shedding.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Ease of care: 5/5</em></span></p>
<p><strong>Whippet</strong></p>
<p>Donât confuse the whippet for a greyhound! Though they do look similar, the whippet is its own breed (and actually quite a bit smaller). This lean and elegant pup is a lightning-quick runner that enjoys having a good chase in the backyard. As long as itâs getting plenty of exercise, this breed can fare well in an apartment or a house with a yard. Another perk is that these guys barely bark.</p>
<p>Also, their short coat is very easy to care for and only requires weekly brushing and occasional baths. While smart, the whippet has a bit more of a mischievous personality that can be a little tricky to reign in when training.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Ease of care: 4/5</em></span></p>
<p><strong>Great Dane</strong></p>
<p>Donât be intimidated by the Great Daneâs mighty stature; this pup is a true gentle giant. This sweet-natured, patient, ultra-friendly pup bonds with its family owners quickly and remains loyal through and through â theyâre even great with children. However gentle, the Great Dane also makes for a courageous and vigilant watchdog as well.</p>
<p>Regarding training, this breed does benefit from professional obedience training in order to harness its full potential. They also should be brushed weekly, bathed occasionally, and have their nails trimmed monthly.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Ease of care: 3/5</em></span></p>
<p><strong>Irish setter</strong></p>
<p>If youâre in the market for a lovable, friendly pup thatâs perhaps not quite as well-known as other breeds, the Irish setter might just be your match. These sweet dogs get along with, and bond quickly, with everyone they meet â including kids, adults, seniors, and other animals.</p>
<p>They do tend to be a bit on the rambunctious side, so a playful and active setting is ideal. They are also eager to please and respond well to patient training, notes the AKC. Moderate grooming is required, including twice-weekly brushing, monthly nail trims, and occasional baths.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Ease of care: 4/5</em></span></p>
<p><strong>Bernese mountain dog</strong></p>
<p>The powerful and sweet-natured Bernese mountain dog is a family companion that will bring joy to any home. Theyâre on our list of the best dogs for beginners because they are easy to train, exceptionally patient with everyone (including kiddos), and get along easily with many personalities and even other animals.</p>
<p>Their big size can be intimidating, but theyâre big softies who love to stick close to their humans. In fact, they can be a little shy! Frequent shedding is more of an issue with this breed, and they require a good brushing two to three times a week.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Ease of care: 4/5</em></span></p>
<p><strong>Mixed breeds</strong></p>
<p>Weâve included many purebreds on this list, but we donât want to leave out mixed breeds and âmutts.â Though adoptable animals from the shelter can come with some specific needs, many will be forever grateful to have you as their owner.</p>
<p>When seeking a pup to adopt, we recommend looking to their personalities â versus specific breed â to determine if theyâre a fit for your lifestyle. âYour local shelter or rescue can help you find the perfect match for your family,â says Sunny.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Ease of care: varies</em></span></p>
<p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>
<p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/pets/15-best-dogs-for-first-time-owners?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. </em></p>
