When you get your first dog, you will most likely want to get a dog that is a good fit for you and your lifestyle.

There are a bunch of dog breeds to choose from, and not all people will be a good fit for the same dog breed.

If you have never owned a dog before, maybe you want to start off with a easier breed of dog that would be A better fit for a beginner, or first time dog owner.

So we put together a list of 15 dog breeds, that might be a good fit for a first time dog owner!

1. Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers make great pets because they are super friendly, smart and easy to train.

They also have a great reputation for being good with kids, and overall pretty great dogs.

Lab’s love swimming and going on walks, These dogs need to get regular exercise for a long happy life, so keep that in mind!

Labrador Retrievers tend to get bored without regular exercise, which can cause behavioral issues! daily obedience training for mental stimulation is recommended.

Overall this makes the Labrador Retriever a great dog to own for a active family looking for a gentle, playful, big teddy bear of a dog, thats easy to train!

Labs also always – make a great excuse to get the whole family out for walks together.

 

2. Dachshund

Dachshunds are a great dog breed for first time owners because they are very loyal and affectionate.

They will want to be by your side at all times, which will make them an excellent companion.

They are not very energetic, which makes them a good option for people who don’t have much time to exercise their dogs.

However, dachshunds do have a notorious bark and howl, because they were bred to be hunting dogs.

If you live in an apartment, they’re a great choice for size, but the volume might be an issue if you don’t have the time to properly train that out of them!

 

3. Griffon Bruxellois

or Brussels Griffons make an excellent choice for a first time dog owner because they are very energetic, intelligent and playful.

They also are a very loyal breed and will love spending time with you

While they are sweet and affectionate to their owners, they can be aggressive to children, dogs and other small pets.

If you plan on getting a Griffon Bruxellois, do your research on obedience training for this breed before bringing one home.

 

 

4. Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is an intelligent and obedient dog and is well-known for its love of people.

They require regular exercise, but they’re a great choice for first time dog owners because they are eager to learn and don’t usually misbehave if they don’t get the attention they want.

A Golden Retriever will be a loyal companion that makes a great playmate for your children. They’re also very good with other pets if you already own other animals, too.

Like labrador retrievers, they do require frequent exercise that might not be an option for a lot of people, but their physical needs aren’t too much to handle for the most part.

 

5. German Shepherd

German Shepherds are intelligent, loyal dogs that make for a great companion, but they can be very protective and tend to get aggressive or anxious toward other dogs they don’t know, which is why constantly socializing your German Shepherd from a young age is super important!

It’s also very important to train German shepherds early on to avoid potential headaches in the future!

German Shepherds require regular exercise. They love playing fetch, going on walks, jogging and hiking through the woods, they will also be more then happy to play with your children!

German shepherds love to please and are eager to learn, which makes them a great choice for a first time dog owner looking for a loyal, intelligent dog thats easy to train and always willing to play!

 

6. Boxer

Boxers make a great companion for first time dog owners because they are very loyal and protective dogs.

They will bond with you and your family members quickly, and you will have trouble finding a dog that is more family-oriented.

Boxers also make great watchdogs due to their strong loyalty, but they can be aggressive toward other dogs if they don’t get enough exercise.

Like labs, Boxer’s can become bored without their walks so you need to make sure you’re willing to go on them regularly!

 

 

 

7. Mastiff

Mastiffs are protective dogs that make great guard dogs because they are big, strong and can be aggressive when they need to be.

Overall Mastiffs are gentle giants that are pretty laid back, making them a great dog for beginners!

If you have kids, you can count on a mastiff to protect them, you and your home.

 

 

 

 

 

8. Pomeranian

Pomeranians are a small dog breed, so you don’t have to worry about them taking up a large amount of space.

They’re a great option for families with small children, because they tend to be very playful and they love attention.

However, Pomeranians can be temperamental if not trained so they do require obedience training from their owners.

If you have the time to spend on training your Pomeranian, they are an excellent choice for first time dog owners.

 

9. Yorkshire Terrier.

Yorkshire terriers are a great option for first time dog owners because they’re small, but can also be very protective and energetic.

They don’t need too much exercise and are great for people that live on their own or people who live in small apartments.

Yorkies enjoy being with their family and are very loyal companions that love to snuggle.

Yorkies can be shy around other dogs, so you need to get them socialized early on if you plan on taking them on walks where they will meet and see other dogs.

If you’re unable to socialize them starting early on, this could lead to issues like separation anxiety down the road!

 

10. Beagle

Beagles are friendly dogs that are perfect for first time dog owners.

Beagles have excellent scenting abilities that make them ideal for hunting and tracking, but they can also be high-strung and prone to biting if they don’t have enough to do.

Training them early on is very important to avoid problems down the road, but they’re very family-oriented dogs who do well in small homes and apartments.

Like dachshunds, they have quite a howl to them, so you’ll want to keep that in mind if you have nearby neighbors.

 

11. Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Corgis are another smart, easy to train, low-maintenance breed that are very family-oriented dogs who also do well in apartments.

They prefer to be inside with their owners during the day, but they’re great for going on walks and playing outside in the evening.

Corgis are quite strong and energetic, so you need to provide them with plenty of exercise both inside and outside!

Also, you’ll want to start obedience training early with this breed, to prevent any potential behavioral issues that might show up down the road!

 

12. Greyhound.

Greyhounds are great for first time dog owners because they’re fairly easy to train.

As long as you’re patient with them, they’ll have very little issues with training and learning.

The greyhound also has a very gentle temperament which makes them great for people who want a companion that doesn’t get too aggressive or hyperactive.

Greyhounds are known as racing dogs, so you might want to make sure they get their exercise.

If you’re not a runner, you might want to consider taking them to large parks to run around, this breed is ideal for people with big backyards and active lifestyles.

 

13. Bernese Mountain Dog.

This breed is a working dog that originated in the Swiss Alps.

They have a strong, muscular and sturdy build and an impressive coat that was originally made to withstand rigorous weather conditions.

Bernese Mountain Dogs tend to be calm, patient, and gentle dogs that are great with children.

This is a large dog breed needs a lot of room to move around in. With that said, despite them being calm dogs who are easy to get along with, they’re not really great for people in apartments.

They also prefer the colder weather, which could be an issue for people who live in warmer climates.

 

14. Pug.

A pug is a great small dog for first-time dog owners and those who have small kids.

They are similar to French bulldogs, which makes them a popular dog breed as well. They are known for being fun and energetic dogs!

One thing to look out for is health related problems. As a small breed with a short snout, they can have a lot of breathing problems, which may result in costly and frequent vet visits!

15. Basset Hound.

The Basset Hound is a great dog for first-time owners because they’re very lazy and calm, making them a great choice for somone looking for a lazier dog that doesnt need daily exercise!

Like beagles and dachshunds, they love scent training, and also love to howl.

Basset Hound do have extra skin and known to drool, which might be an issue if cleanliness is a concern of yours.

Otherwise, these are great docile, loving dogs for first time owners.

To wrap things up, this was our list of the 15 best dogs for first time owners!

There are many dogs that you can choose as your first dog that didn’t make our list, but there is no right or wrong answer!

You can pick your dog up directly from an animal shelter, or you can look for a reputable breeder that can guarantee the health and temperament of their puppies!

Regardless of the size of your family, or your lifestyle there’s a dog for you!

And, there are tons of places with information about dog breeds so that you can do the research, and pick exactly the right dog for you, like our youtube channel and website!

Don’t forget dogs are amazing and will love unconditionally if you take the time and give them lots of love and care, you will grow a bond like no other!

If there is a dog you think we missed, that you would reccomend for a first time dog owner leave it in the comments below!