Suppose you are thinking about buying a dog. In that case, it is a good idea to know a little about dogs in general and about the different dog breeds available. Choosing the right breed of dog for yourself can be one of the most daunting and stressful things that any pet owner will do. Different dog breeds have different temperaments, so you must choose a breed that suits your personality. Here’s a list of some of the best dog breeds for first-time owners.
But before coming to the main points, take some other facts into account. If you are buying a dog for the first time, it will also help you choose the right dog breed.
In the last decades, everything changed in America but their love for dogs is the same as years ago. American Kennel Club carries out an analysis to determine the 10 most popular breeds registered in the US. Labrador Retrievers were the most popular breed.
What Should You Look For In A Dog Breed For A First-Time Owner?
When it comes to choosing a dog breed, there are a few things to consider. Here are a few things to look for in a dog breed:
- Size
- Appearance
- Temperament
- Age
- History
- Work Schedule
- Energy
- Activities
What You Should Research Before Getting A Dog?
There are a few things you should research before getting a dog. First and foremost, you should make sure you have enough space for the dog and that you can provide the necessary exercise, food, and shelter that the dog needs. Secondly, you should research the breed of dog you are interested in and make sure that the dog suits your lifestyle and personality. Finally, you should explore the specific dog’s personality and temperament. Hence, you are aware of any potential issues that may arise.
Did you know in the United States Year 2020, dog owners spent an average of $442 on pet food per year.
List Of Top 10 Best Dogs For First-Time Owners
There are many different breeds of dogs available for first-time owners. To help you find the right first dog for new owners, we’ve selected some of the most popular dogs that are easy to train, groom, and bond with. While they are all proven pets who aren’t as challenging to handle as others, they may not be a good fit for everyone.
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Bichon Frise
First and foremost, these dogs are incredibly affectionate companions. Happy little doge best for a family with children or living in a small apartment. There are many things to love about the Bichon Frise dog breed, but here are a few key points to consider if you’re thinking about adding one to your family.
Breed Overview:
| Group | Non-Sporting (AKC) |
| Height | 9 to 12 inches |
| Weight | 7 to 12 pounds |
| Color & Coat | Curly white coat; may have traces of apricot, buff, or cream |
| Life Spam | 14 to 15 years |
| Temperament | Intelligent, Love to learn tricks, Highly trainable |
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Boxer
Boxer dogs were a type of dog breed in Germany and Austria in the 19th century. They are considered one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. Boxers are medium-sized dogs known for their strength and stamina.
Breed Overview:
| Group | Working (AKC) |
| Height | 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet |
| Weight | 55 to 70 pounds |
| Color & Coat | Short coat; fawn and brindle are the standard colors |
| Life Spam | 10 to 12 years |
| Temperament | Intelligent, High-Energy, Playful |
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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Most popular pure breed in the United States. This sweet little dog just needs a little exercise to maintain health. This little creature needs basic training to respond well. This type of breed can adjust with children of all ages.
Breed Overview:
| Group | Toy (AKC) |
| Height | 2 to 13 inches |
| Weight | 13 to 18 pounds |
| Color & Coat | Coat: Long, sleek and silky coat with feathering around ears, feet, chest, and tail
Color: tricolor, Blenheim, ruby, and black and tan |
| Life Spam | 12 to 14 years |
| Temperament | Playful, Affectionate, Fearless, Sociable, Patient, Graceful, Gentle, Adaptable |
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Golden Retriever
This dog is known as a family dog and can adjust with children of all ages. This breed needs a fair amount of exercise to maintain health. Their training process is not challenging as they can learn quickly. According to the survey in 2020, the third-highest amount was reached by the Golden Retriever breed with approximately 1.4 thousand new registrations
Breed Overview:
| Group | Sporting (AKC) |
| Height | 21.5 to 24 inches |
| Weight | 55 to 75 pounds |
| Color & Coat | Medium-length double coat; light to dark gold |
| Life Spam | 10 to 12 years |
| Temperament | Intelligent, Friendly, Reliable, Kind, Trustworthy, Confident |
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Labrador Retriever
It is one of the most popular breeds known for loyalty. Labs can quickly adapt to the environment and easily adjusts to kids.
Breed Overview:
| Group | Sporting (AKC) |
| Height | 21.5 to 24.5 inches |
| Weight | 55 to 80 pounds |
| Color & Coat | Short, dense double coat in black, chocolate, or yellow |
| Life Spam | 10 to 12 years |
| Temperament | Sweet-Natured, Intelligent, Enthusiastic, And Loyal. |
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Papillon
Don’t be fooled by this dog’s small size. The Papillon dog is a lap dog and hardly requires extra exercise. They are easy to train.
Breed Overview:
| Group | Toy (AKC) |
| Height | 8 to 11 inches |
| Weight | 6 to 10 pounds |
| Color & Coat | Straight, long, single-layer coat with frills; white with markings and a mask of color, usually red, sable, black, or lemon |
| Life Spam | 14 to 16 years |
| Temperament | Happy, Alert, And Friendly |
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Pomeranian
The Pomeranian dog is a sweet little lap dog known for low maintenance. They respond well with little moderate training. But to keep them you need to work on their exercises. Regular exercise will keep your Pom happy and active.
Breed Overview:
| Group | Toy (AKC) |
| Height | 6 to 7 inches |
| Weight | 3 to 7 pounds |
| Color & Coat | Long, double coat that comes in many colors, though the most common are red, orange, cream, sable, black, brown, and blue |
| Life Spam | 12 to 16 Years |
| Temperament | Playful, Extroverted, Intelligent, Friendly, Sociable, Active |
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Poodle
This little pod is very energetic and intelligent. They easily adapt to the environment. They come in various sizes.
Breed Overview:
| Group | Non-Sporting (AKC) |
| Height | Over 15 inches (standard); 10 to 15 inches (miniature); 10 inches and under (toy) |
| Weight | 45 to 70 pounds (standard); 15 to 18 pounds (miniature); 5 to 9 pounds (toy) |
| Color & Coat | One of many solid colors, including but not limited to white, black, gray, brown, apricot, and particolored |
| Life Spam | 10 to 18 years |
| Temperament | Alert, Intelligent, Loyal, Trainable, Active, And Instinctual. |
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Yorkshire Terrier
This type of breed is suitable for those who want a lap dog. They are super friendly with owners but may act protective with strangers. They do not need extensive exercise. Their energy level is moderate, and only a daily walk is enough.
Breed Overview:
| Group | Toy (AKC) |
| Height | 8 to 9 inches |
| Weight | 5 to 7 pounds |
| Color & Coat | Coat: Long, straight, and silky coat
Color: black and gold, black and tan, blue and gold, and blue and tan |
| Life Spam | 13 to 16 years |
| Temperament | Intelligent, Bold, Independent, Confident, Courageous |
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Mixed-Breed Dogs
When considering the right breed for you, it’s important to keep in mind the mixed-breed dogs. These dogs are also excellent companions.
Breeds To Stay Away From
You may want to take a pass on certain breeds of the dog if it’s your first time as an owner. These particular breeds can be challenging to train and might have a high energy level, making them difficult for novice owners. Breeds like Akitas, Airedale terriers, and Australian cattle dogs can be overwhelming for some people.
Bottom Line:
Dogs are friendly, intelligent, great with kids, and very lovable. They’re also effortless to care for and typically don’t require much attention. There are many different types of dogs, and it can be challenging to determine which is the best for your needs. To help, we’ve created a list of the top 10 popular dog breeds for first-time owners. We hope you found some helpful information in our blog post today.