31 Best Dogs For First-Time Owners

Golden retrievers might look like goofy rays of sunshine, but in fact, they are one of the smartest and easiest breeds to train — notice how many service dogs are actually golden retrievers. Combined with their friendly personalities and exceptional devotion to their owners, this makes them a perfect companion for the entire family and a great choice for first-time owners.

Looking at these fluffy giants, you will have a hard time believing how shy Bernese mountain dogs can sometimes be. They bond well with all sorts of personalities, love kids, and are very patient. They also absolutely love staying close to their human at all times and are easy to train.

American Staffordshire terriers look menacing to everyone around them, but their love and devotion to their owner knows no boundaries. This breed is included in the top five best therapy dogs for children with autism. 

Labradors are known to be one of the best-behaved dog breeds. Outgoing, friendly, and playful, they are also easy to train, especially since they love it when their owner praises them. They will become not only the entire family’s best friend, but also the best friend of your other pets.

Cocker spaniels love to play around and be active in general as much as they love cuddling with their owner on the couch. They bond well with almost all types of personalities. They do require daily exercise but, other than that, are very versatile in terms of their living environment.

Greyhounds love to run fast but will also be very gentle and loving with their household members, especially if you are just starting a family. However, keep in mind that they don’t mix well with tiny pets, so if you have one already, don’t leave them together unsupervised.

Miniature poodles are very intelligent and balanced. It is rather easy to train them, which is a plus point for first-time owners who might not have the experience. They don’t require a lot of daily exercise either, so both the dog and its owner can enjoy a one-hour walk daily.

Having a German shepherd is basically like having your own personal bodyguard. Their exceptional smartness means you won’t have a hard time training them, as any K-9 unit handler can tell you. But they are also gentle and loving and enjoy having a time-out with their owner.

With their lovable, friendly attitude towards anyone who comes their way with well wishes, an Irish setter is sure to become a wonderful companion for you, your kids, or your elderly parents. They easily respond to training, especially with patience, so if you can provide enough room for their boisterous and playful nature, you will enjoy many precious moments together.

Boxers make wonderful guards and exercising partners, but they are also super affectionate and will ask you for your attention. They get especially attached to young people and are very patient and protective with children. 

Like any spaniel, an English springer will be happy to do anything that pleases its owner. They have very outgoing personalities and love to be close to them as much as possible. Although well-suited to living indoors, they still need daily activities.

Don’t let the petite size of the Yorkshire terrier fool you; their personality is larger than life. Throughout their existence, they earned the reputation of brave and tenacious companions. They are also very friendly and will let you style their human-like hair as much as you like.

One thing you will notice about whippets straight away is how little they bark. Although elegant-looking, they do love — and need — a lot of exercise, but if you can provide that, they will thrive even in an apartment, while their mischievous personality will make you laugh many times.

Any Boston terrier owner will tell you that representatives of this breed are friendly, amiable, and very cute. Being on the smaller side, they are easier to keep in an apartment, but at the same time, they have a robust stature and love goofing around.

With their charming and playful personalities, bichon frises can be friends with virtually any person. They are easy to train and are amazing with kids, which makes them a great choice for beginner owners. And if you have never had a dog at home before and are not quite sure if you’ll turn out to be allergic, the American Kennel Club determined that this breed is hypoallergenic and suitable for both people with and without allergic concerns.

Pomeranians do well in families but will often bond with a single owner. They are very affectionate and readily give love to their owner, and are especially fond of older children who treat them gently. Some fundamental training and simple daily activity will do them lots of good.

Imagine a corgi but with a longer tail. It is as cute as it sounds. Cardigan Welsh corgis are smart, fun-loving, and very social. They love making new friends both among humans and other dogs. They also love their outdoor walks.

As with any greyhound, Italian greyhounds are fast and love to run. Yet, they are very playful and enjoy spending time with their humans. They are fantastic companions and very gentle around people.

Papillons get really attached to their families and love playing with the kids. Unlike many other lap breeds that are not too keen on exercise, papillons love active playtime. Just be careful about the way you introduce them to other animals. As much as they like spending time with their owners, papillons are not always keen on hanging out with other pets.