There are many factors to consider when choosing a dog breed. You’ll want to take your lifestyle, personality, and home environment into account when making your decision.
If you’re new to dog ownership, or if you’ve never owned a dog before and are looking for the perfect companion, we’ve put together this list of the best dog breeds for first-time owners.
The following dogs are all friendly, affectionate and easygoing. They’re also relatively low-maintenance and require minimal training.
We’ve ranked our top 10 best dog breeds for new dog owners in order of popularity based on traffic on Amazon.com (as of July 2018).
The first step in helping your new dog adjust to his new home is getting him the right dog breed.
Researching what type of dog you want and choosing a breed that fits both your lifestyle and personality is essential.
Best Dog Breeds For New Dog Owners
If you’re a first-time dog owner, consider one of these top 10 best dog breeds for new owners:
- Labrador Retriever – The Labrador retriever is the most popular breed in America and holds the No. 1 rank among all breeds registered with the AKC. They are intelligent, friendly and great with children. Labs are also known for their loyalty and trainability, making them perfect for families with children or as therapy dogs who visit nursing homes and hospitals. They also don’t shed much so they’re great for allergy sufferers!
With so many dog breeds out there, it can be hard to find the right one for you.
Here are 10 breeds that make great pets for new dog owners:
Labrador Retriever: This breed is friendly and affectionate, with a mellow temperament. They’re also good with children and other pets and are very trainable.
Golden Retriever: Golden retrievers have a gentle nature and love to please their owners, making them easy to train and fun to play with. They’re also very good with children and other pets.
Beagle: Beagles are playful, inquisitive and outgoing dogs that love their human companions. They’re very smart and enjoy learning new things, which makes them easy to train. As long as they’re well exercised every day, they’re typically quiet indoors.
Puggle (Beagle/Pug): A cross between a beagle and a pug, these dogs combine two of the most popular breeds into one adorable package. Puggles are playful yet laid back at the same time — perfect for families with young kids who want a dog who will keep up with them without being too much of a challenge for first-time owners
The best dog breed for a new owner is one that will match your lifestyle. While there are plenty of breeds that make great family pets, some are better suited to specific types of homes than others. If you are new to dog ownership and want a canine companion that will be happy in any setting, consider one of these breeds:
Labrador Retriever
Labrador retrievers have long been considered the most popular breed in America. They are affectionate and loyal dogs who love being with their owners. They also get along well with children, other dogs and even cats if they’re introduced early on. Labs generally don’t require a lot of exercise, but they do need plenty of mental stimulation and training to keep them happy and healthy.
Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers are also very popular breeds that make good companions for young families or those with older children who can help take care of a pet. Goldens are smart, easygoing dogs who enjoy going on walks or playing ball in the backyard with their human companions. Like Labs, these dogs don’t require much exercise but do need plenty of mental stimulation so they don’t get bored at home or develop destructive behaviors like chewing things up or barking at passersby from behind the fence line
When you’re getting ready to bring a new dog into your home, it’s important to find the right breed for you. Some breeds are naturally more energetic or require more exercise than others, so you need to consider whether you’ll be able to provide enough exercise and training for your dog.
For example, if you’re looking for a companion who will be content to lay around all day while you work, a Siberian Husky or German Shepherd may not be a good fit. If you’re looking for an active dog who will enjoy playing fetch, running and hiking with you, then one of these breeds might be perfect for you!