So you’re looking for your first-ever dog? Becoming a dog owner is an incredible experience. It’s far from easy and requires a bit of effort on your part. But once all is said and done, owning a well-behaved dog of your own is well worth the effort. So how do you make this process as easy as possible?
The best way to begin is to know which breed to choose as your first dog. There are lots of breeds out there and it’s tough to know which one is right for you and your family. To help you make the best choice, here is a list of the 5 best dog breeds for first-time owners.
1) Boxer
The boxer loves to be around his people! Getting love and affection from people, especially children, is one of the main characteristics of the boxer. That’s why they are perfectly suited for families. As they love attention so much, they enjoy being trained. This means they can be trained pretty easily. Boxers need plenty of exercise so are best suited to active owners who enjoy regular walks and runs. Although they need quite a bit of exercise and attention, they don’t require much grooming at all.
2) Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
This small breed of dog is very well suited to first-time owners and families. They are very intelligent so training them is a breeze. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s are open to strangers and get along well with children of all ages. They are generally quiet dogs that require a moderate amount of exercise. They do have a medium-length coat so you will need to do a small amount of regular grooming to keep them looking pretty.
3) Poodle
Poodles are very smart so they are very easy to train. They are adaptable and can do very well in households with children. The poodle comes in three sizes: toy, miniature and standard. They are all equally intelligent and easily trainable. Regular grooming will be needed to maintain their curly locks! They’re very energetic so are best suited in active households.
4) Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular breeds in the world. And for a reason! They are incredibly loyal and affectionate, making them a great choice for homes with kids. Labs are friendly with strangers, easily trainable and form very strong bonds with their owners. Plus, they only need a very small amount of grooming!
5) Papillon
This small, friendly dog is a great choice for a first time dog owner. They are very adaptable so they can fit into any type of home. While they do love to play outdoors, they are also very happy to be entertained inside as well. They enjoy exercise but they also love to laze around the house, sitting on people’s laps. Papillons get along with children, but due to their small size it’s important to ensure the kids are gentle with them.
So, those are 5 breeds we would recommend to first-time owners. It’s important to remember that while these breeds are excellent choices for first-time owners, any dog needs owners who can give them the love and patience they need. If you have that, you can’t go wrong by choosing one of these breeds!