The Best Beginner Dogs for Families
The best breed for a first-time dog owner is the dog that matches your energy and attention level. If you want a dog that can go running with you, choose an athletic dog with endurance, such as the Labrador retriever. If you prefer a calm lap dog—the Cavalier King Charles spaniel is one such breed—then its best to avoid high-energy dog breeds. You may lean toward a lower-maintenance dog breed, like the papillon, as your first one, especially if you do not have time for lots of grooming.
Remember that all dogs, no matter the breed, will require good care, training, and veterinary care. Adult foster dogs from a rescue are often already house-trained and well-socialized; these can be excellent dogs for beginners since puppies are a lot of work, requiring socialization, training, and a lot of attention.
Bernese Mountain Dog
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Bigandt_Photography/Getty s The Bernese Mountain Dog might be big, but these dogs are easy-going, eager to please, affectionate, and intelligent. They love a good romp with the kids, but are also happy to spend the evening relaxing at home. They adapt well to just about any living situation, and while not aggressive, they are fairly good watchdogs and are very devoted to their humans. Be aware, however, that Berners shed quite a bit and do require regular brushing to remove loose hair.
Breed Overview
Group: Working (AKC)Height: 23 to 27.5 inchesWeight: 70 to 115 poundsCoat and Color: Medium length double coat in black, tan, and whiteLife Expectancy: 7 to 10 years
Bichon Frise
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The Spruce / Kevin Norris The bichon frise is a happy-go-lucky little dog, great for families with children or apartment living. It looks a bit like a bouncy cotton ball. This breed is a great all-around companion. Bichons are relatively easy to train, adapt well to any lifestyle, and only need moderate daily exercise to be happy and healthy. You will need to dedicate the time and money to regular visits to the groomer. This breeds curly coat needs to be trimmed regularly and brushed carefully. For a lower-maintenance coat, keep your bichons hair cut short.
Breed Overview
Group: Non-Sporting (AKC)Height: 9 to 12 inchesWeight: 7 to 12 poundsCoat and Color: Curly white coat; may have traces of apricot, buff, or creamLife Expectancy: 14 to 15 years
Boxer
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Cyrielle Beaubois / Getty s If you are looking for a medium-large high-energy dog, look no further than the playful boxer. This loyal dog forms a close bond with family. If you lead a reasonably active lifestyle, a boxer could be right for you. This breed needs plenty of exercise and a strong foundation of training. Though young boxers can be a little hyperactive, they are trainable and enjoy attention during training. Once trained and socialized, boxers can thrive in active households and often get along well with kids. Guardians by nature, boxers are naturally protective of their families, especially children. The boxers grooming needs are basic.
Breed Overview
Group: Working (AKC)Height: 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch at the shoulderWeight: 55 to 70 poundsCoat and Color: Short coat; fawn and brindle are the standard colorsLife Expectancy: 10 to 12 years
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
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Martin Rogers / Getty s The Cavalier King Charles spaniel is a sweet, affectionate dog with a puppy-like appearance. Cavaliers can thrive in all kinds of households and tend to get along well with children of all ages. This breed is small but not tiny and has a gentle demeanor. This dog is elegant, attentive, and generally quiet. The Cavaliers moderate energy level means basic daily exercise is typically enough to maintain health. It needs basic training and responds to it well. Despite a medium-length coat, this dogs grooming needs are basic. Regular brushing is essential to avoid tangles in the hair.
Breed Overview
Group: Toy (AKC)Height: 12 to 13 inches (to the withers)Weight: 13 to 18 poundsCoat and Color: Long, sleek and silky coat with feathering around ears, feet, chest, and tail in four color varieties, tricolor, blenheim, ruby, and black and tanLife Expectancy: 12 to 14 years Continue to 5 of 14 below.
Golden Retriever
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The Spruce / Kevin Norris The golden retriever is the quintessential family dog; they are eager to please. Goldens are excellent with children of all ages. This medium-large dog is happy, loyal, affectionate, and active. The breed is intelligent and adaptable to thrive in most households. They also need a fair amount of exercise to keep them in good physical condition and prevent boredom. Training is essential but not difficult. They love to learn and can be trained to do many things. The breed needs regular brushing to keep its coat free of tangles and mats.
Breed Overview
Group: Sporting (AKC)Height: 21.5 to 24 inchesWeight: 55 to 75 poundsCoat and Color: Medium-length double coat; light to dark goldLife Expectancy: 10 to 12 years
Great Dane
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On average, Great Danes stand around 28-30 inches tall. Elsa Hoffmann/Shutterstock Dont let the Great Danes great size intimidate you. These oversize pooches are gentle giants, although they can be fierce watchdogs if they feel their family is endangered. As a general rule, however, Great Danes are easy-going dogs that enjoy playing, are highly intelligent, and are very affectionate with their favorite humans. A dog this large needs careful attention to obedience training, however, and while only moderate shedders, Great Danes tend to be droolers.
Breed Overview
Group: Working (AKC)Height: 28 to 32 inchesWeight: 110 to 175 poundsCoat and Color: Short, smooth coat in almost any color or combination of colorsLife Expectancy: 7 to 10 years
Labrador Retriever
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The Spruce / Kevin Norris The Labrador retriever is one of the most popular and recognizable medium-large dog breeds. Labs adapt well to most environments and are excellent with kids. They are intensely loyal and affectionate dogs that form close bonds with their families. This breed is active, playful, and intelligent. They thrive in active households that can provide plenty of exercise and training. Labs love to learn and can be trained to do almost anything, enjoying fetching, running, and snuggling. Fortunately, they only have minor grooming needs, like regular brushing to minimize shedding.
Breed Overview
Group: Sporting (AKC)Height: 21.5 to 24.5 inchesWeight: 55 to 80 poundsCoat and Color: Short, dense double coat in black, chocolate, or yellowLife Expectancy: 10 to 12 years
Maltese
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Sebastian Condrea / Getty s Its hard to resist the adorable face and friendly nature of the Maltese. These dogs have beautiful silky coats that drape to the floor if left untrimmed, but regular haircuts can keep their coat short and manageable. Despite all that fur, they dont shed much, but should be brushed daily. The Maltese is a very affectionate, happy breed that doesnt require excessive exercise and is content to spend time relaxing on your lap.
Breed Overview
Group: Toy (AKC)Height: 7 to 9 inchesWeight: Less than 7 poundsCoat and Color: Long silky white coatLife Expectancy: 12 to 15 years Continue to 9 of 14 below.
Mixed Breed Dogs
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The Spruce / Kevin Norris When considering the right breed for you, its important to keep mixed-breed dogs in the picture. These one-of-a-kind dogs can make excellent companions. If you are not sure which breed is right for you, visit your local shelter or rescue group to meet some adorable mutts. Rescue workers can match you with a dog that has the traits you desire. Training, exercise, and grooming are necessary for all dogs, but a mixed-breed dogs needs will depend on its unique makeup.
Papillon
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RichLegg / Getty s Dont let this dogs diminutive frame fool you. This happy, friendly, and adaptable dog breed can do well in a variety of households. The papillon gets along with children, but they must be gentle. The papillon is a hardy little dog that enjoys a somewhat active lifestyle. This versatile cutie can function as a lap dog and exercise partner. The papillon does not need a lot of exercise but wants a chance to play and run around. The breed is easy to train and requires only moderate grooming.
Breed Overview
Group: Toy (AKC)Height: 8 to 11 inches Weight: 6 to 10 poundsCoat and Color: Straight, long, single-layer coat with frills; white with markings and a mask of color, usually red, sable, black, or lemonLife Expectancy: 14 to 16 years
Pomeranian
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Lucinda Haza / Getty s The Pomeranian is a dainty and sweet little lap dog. The Pom often bonds closest to a single owner but can still do well in families. This breed is better with gentle older kids but can adapt to many situations. Daily basic exercise is generally enough to keep your Pom happy. They need basic training to provide structure and boundaries. Without training, the breeds feisty and stubborn side may come out. Fortunately, they respond well to consistent, positive training and will thrive because of it. This dog is bright and moderately active with a big fluffy coat. Fortunately, its coat is not as high-maintenance as it looks. Regular brushing is generally all you need to keep your Pom looking good.
Breed Overview
Group: Toy (AKC)Height: 6 to 7 inchesWeight: 3 to 7 poundsCoat and Color: Long, double coat that comes in many colors, though the most common are red, orange, cream, sable, black, brown, and blueLife Expectancy: 12 to 16 years
Poodle
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Irina Marwan / Getty s The poodle is a popular, versatile dog breed that makes a wonderful companion. The poodle is adaptable to its environment and can do very well in various households, including those with children. This breed comes in three sizes: toy, miniature, or standard. All are intelligent and respond well to training. Poodles are energetic dogs that need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. They need grooming regularly to maintain their curly, continually growing coat.
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)Coat and Color: One of many solid colors, including but not limited to white, black, gray, brown, apricot, and particoloredLife Expectancy: 10 to 18 years Continue to 13 of 14 below.
Shih Tzu
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The Spruce / Kevin Norris The Shih Tzu is a small dog thats big on affection. This ancient Chinese breed is happiest when spending time with the family, whether thats flopped on the couch next to you watching TV or playing with the kids. This isnt a breed with a high need for exercise, nor is it prone to excessive barking, but you will need to brush that beautiful silky coat at least several times each week to prevent tangles. Surprisingly, however, the Shih Tzu sheds very little.
Breed Overview
Group: Toy (AKC)Height: 9 to 10.5 inchesWeight: 9 to 16 poundsCoat and Color: Long silky double coat in almost any solid color or color plus whiteLife Expectancy: 10 to 18 years
Yorkshire Terrier
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Natasha Japp Photography / Getty s The Yorkshire terrier is a great starter dog for those who want a little lap dog. This breed is affectionate towards its owner and may even act protective around strangers. The Yorkie has a moderate energy level and only needs basic exercise. Daily walks are great for this breed. It also needs a solid foundation of training. Without structure, these little dogs can be stubborn and vocal. Train your Yorkie as you would a big dog, and it will help strengthen the bond between you and lay down boundaries. This dog has grooming needs that require attentiveness. Yorkies have continually growing hair that must be brushed and trimmed regularly. If you have the time and budget for regular groomer visits, it will be fairly simple to keep your Yorkie in good condition.
Breed Overview
Group: Toy (AKC)Height: 8 to 9 inchesWeight: 5 to 7 poundsCoat and Color: Long, straight, and silky coat; color combinations are black and gold, black and tan, blue and gold, and blue and tanLife Expectancy: 13 to 16 years
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Why Breed Matters for First-Time Owners
Really, breed matters for all owners. Even if you’re flexible on what you’re looking for in a dog, you probably have a few preferences on size, coat type, energy level, and friendliness.
As a dog behavior consultant, many of my most difficult cases originate from owners getting in over their head with a fashionable breed that’s the wrong fit for their homes. At the shelter, we see thousands of dogs each year that were mismatched with their owners. Many of these poor fits could have been avoided if the humans spent more time researching their chosen breed.
Every dog breed originated with a specific needs and goals in mind. Dogs that are bred for hunting, guarding, pulling sleds, herding, or sitting on laps will all come with vastly different energy levels and temperaments.
Let’s take my dog Barley as an example. He’s a border collie — a breed that’s notorious for being wicked smart and having a go-go-go attitude (he’s a total fetch maniac)!
Charming collies doing handstands and yoga on YouTube really “sell” this breed, but they’re not a great fit for most first-time families.
There are days where Barley comes home from a 19-mile run, takes a two-hour nap, and is then ready for more action as he runs circles around the house squeaking his 93 different toys. In addition to his boundless energy, he can open doors. You can see why letting him get bored could be a recipe for disaster.
If I had small children (like Barley’s previous owner did), I honestly doubt I could handle having Barley in my home. He’s incredibly trainable and will do almost anything I ask, but I have to constantly give him tasks, or he makes up games and jobs for himself.
If I wasn’t a marathon-running dog trainer, Barley would be a very challenging dog!
It’s easy for me to take a few impressive training videos of him and pretend he’s the most perfect dog out there (well, he is to me). The truth is that this breed is a tough one, and they really aren’t for everyone.
The point is, Barley is a very typical border collie. Anyone who has done a little research on the breed would know how high-octane these dogs can be.
Still, we get hundreds of herding dog mixes into the shelter for behavior problems that are depressingly common with underchallenged and bored dogs. They bark, dig, chase children, and try to herd cars.
Take the time to Google what your chosen breed is bred for and common behavior problems. Research is imperative to success as a first-time owner.
Before selecting a dog, take some time to get real about what you’re looking for. K9 of Mine’s pre-adoption series will help you create a scorecard and really think through the preparation process.
Don’t base your decision off of an individual dog!
I’ve met enough Akitas to know that they’re generally a very tough breed, but my neighbor’s Akita is easier to handle and friendlier than most Labs I’ve met.
PugsSurvey any pug owner and they’ll likely be quick to tell you that this breed is one of the best family companions out there. The adaptable pug gets along with basically everyone—including kids, seniors, and other animals—and thrives in both the city and country.
| Breed Overview | |
| Height: | 10 to 13 inches |
| Weight: | 14 to 18 pounds |
| Life expectancy: | 13 to 15 years |
| Ease of care: | 5/5 |
How to Choose the Perfect Dog Breed
If you’re thinking about becoming a dog owner, the chances are you already have an idea of the kind of dog that you might like. This is a great starting point, but before you get your heart set on a particular breed, it’s really important to remember that some dogs will be much more suited to first time dog owners than others.
It’s definitely worth spending some time thinking about all your options, taking into account your lifestyle and home environment. So grab a cuppa and here are some ideas to get you started…
Golden retrievers are lovable, affectionate and gentle dogs that can thrive in any household. They will get along well with everyone including children and other pets. They love to learn, which makes them easy to train and therefore a great choice for a first time dog owner. You will also discover the joys of being active as this breed needs plenty of exercise to keep them happy and healthy.
This breed is a happy ball of fluff and is adaptable to all sorts of lifestyles. Their coats are hypoallergenic too which makes them a fantastic choice for people who suffer with allergies. An attentive nature and a love of their owners’ company means they will be ready to take part in all your favourite activities, as long as one of those includes going on a walk or heading out to the park! They can be a little shy around strangers but this can be easily remedied with early socialisation.
Whichever size of poodle you go for, standard, toy or miniature, this breed is a great dog for beginners. Playful and affectionate they make great exercise partners as well as always being up for a cuddle. They have incredible temperaments and are one of the easiest breeds to train, but they will need plenty of physical and mental stimulation. So get ready for lots of walks and be creative with play.
These sweet little dogs are great if you are looking for a snuggle buddy. They love nothing more than spending time relaxing with their owners. Their calm demeanor and attentive nature means they respond well to training, and they will always be eager to please. While chilling out on the sofa may be one of their favourite things, just make sure you encourage them to get out and about, as daily walks will keep them in tip top shape.
Don’t let their small size fool you, Papillons have big personalities and often act like a larger dog. They also need more exercise than you might think as they have boundless energy and love to run around and learn new skills. This does mean that they are easy to train and you might even consider getting them involved in agility training. They will happily get along with children, and you will be pleased to know that their big personality does not come without a large dose of friendliness.
Active, playful and intelligent, this breed does best in a home that can offer lots of exercise, training and attention. Labrador retrievers are loyal to their owners and their amiable natures mean you can take them anywhere. They are as happy relaxing outside a coffee shop as they are accompanying you on a run. One thing to watch out for with this breed is their love of food. They will happily indulge in anything and everything, so they have a tendency to become overweight. This is easily managed by limiting treats and keeping them active, you could even download the free PitPat app and make use of the free weight management tool for extra peace of mind.
Bred to be a competitive racer, it might surprise you to learn that this breed are actually very calm, affectionate animals that can make great first time dogs. In fact, when they are at home they love to relax and sleep, but they will always be up for exploring the outdoors with their family too. While they can be a good fit for most homes, it’s worth mentioning that they do have a strong hunting instinct, so should be kept away from cats and other small animals.
Mixed breeds can be a great option for first time dog owners, particularly if you are considering adopting an older dog. In fact an older dog can give you the advantage of taking home a companion whose behaviour and temperament will already be apparent to you. This may be less clear if you are looking at mixed breed puppies, particularly if the parents are unknown. But don’t let that dissuade you as the majority of mixed breed dogs will grow up to hit the middle of the road for most personality traits, making them perfect for the novice owner.
A happy and affectionate dog well suited to life in the city and the county, the Maltese will love nothing more than being by your side. They are quite intelligent and therefore easy to train, but it should be noted that as a breed, they can be tricky to housebreak. But this is nothing that can’t be solved with patience, consistency and love. They will always be up for cuddles and can make a great addition to any family, but they tend to do best in homes with older children.
A small breed with a big heart, this little dog was bred to be a companion for Chinese royalty. It is because of this they don’t have strong herding or hunting instincts, so they are unlikely to show aggression and will adapt easily to any type of household. They are playful in a gentle way, form strong bonds with their owner, and will love nothing more than curling up on your lap. They have an independent streak, though, so try not to pamper them too much as this can make them harder to control. But as long as you establish yourself as the alpha, they can make great companions for the novice dog owner.
Any of these breeds would be a great choice for a first-time dog owner, but there are plenty of other options. Getting caught up in lots of cute puppy pictures can be tempting, but it’s important to remember the commitment you are making to them when you bring that bundle of fur home. It’s as much about finding the right dog for you as it’s about finding the right forever home for them.
Whichever pup you bring home, ensuring you can provide love, structure and exercise will be central to raising a happy, healthy dog. With a PitPat Dog GPS Tracker, you can not only track how much exercise, rest and play your dog is getting, but you can also find them should they ever run off. Get yours for £149 with no monthly subscription or hidden costs.
If you’re thinking about getting a dog for your family, you will want to make sure you choose a breed that is pawfect for your family. These are our top 10 dog breeds for famililes.