Best First Dogs to Own for New Fur Parents

If you are reading this, then welcome to the lovely world of fur parenting! Indeed, deciding to own a pet dog is a significant step that will make your life more magnificent. At the same time, it is challenging. Obviously, you are now thinking about the best first dogs to own. There are so many breeds and you won’t really know what you want unless you pick first and experience taking care of it. One way to ensure that you and your pet dog will have an adorable loving relationship is to research well on the dog breed that will complement you as a person.

Certainly, every kind of dog has its unique characteristics. For this reason, one behaves differently from the other. Also, the grooming demands of one varies considerably from another breed. Overall, you really want to pick the best that suits your own personality, resources, lifestyle, and needs.

Among the countless and amazing dog breeds around the world, here is a list of some of the best that you may want to consider to get as your first dog.

  1. Bichon Frise

A Bichon Frise looks like a huge chunk of cotton ball. Its coat is curly, so taking care of it requires you to have a regular grooming visit. To not be hassled by its coat’s grooming needs and just keep it low maintenance, you have to always keep it short as much as possible. On the other hand, learn the basic grooming yourself to save a lot of money.

This breed also has a happy-go-lucky temperament and is wonderful to play with. Hence, a daily walk is enough to make a Bichon Frise happy.

2. Golden Retriever

A Golden Retriever is one of the well-known dog breeds around the world. It is also one of the candidates for man’s “best” best friend. Absolutely, it is a family dog which is sweet to both kids and adults. It can be peaceful but can also play rigorously with you and the rest of the family. It is easy to train because it is obedient.     

This honey colored breed needs regular brushing so its coat won’t get tangled. Other than that, it is good to go.

3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Another one of the breeds which are the best first dogs to own is this one. A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a dog breed which has been deemed as a companion dog ever since the 17th century. It is elegant for its noteworthy quietness, but it would accompany you wherever you go.

Additionally, it has a medium length coat which demands a regular grooming routine, but it is totally worth it!

4. Maltese

This breed is also one of the great first dogs to own. A Maltese is a tiny breed that likes to have short walks as well as a bit of run here and there. Indeed, it is a wonderful companion.

5. Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever is a cousin of the Golden Retriever. Just like the latter, they are an excellent family dog, so they are indeed one of the amazing first dogs to own. At the same time, this large breed needs to have more training/exercise than the golden retriever. They are also known as the “take anywhere” dog because they enjoy hanging out with you, regardless of where you are or what you are doing.

6. Poodle

A Poodle is a popular breed for its regal image and attitude. At the same time, despite these characteristics, it loves goofing around with people. It comes in three sizes such as toy, miniature, and standard. On the other hand, the standard type is the most smart and well-behaved.

Also, it is known for its fancy hairdos and ribbons. This breed also needs a regular grooming visit but is also one of the minimally shedding breeds around the world.

Since they like playing around, they need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation.

7. Papillon

A Papillon is a breed known as a doer not a cuddler. Moreover, it has a moderate to intense energy level which is funnily ironic towards its small size. Surely, it won’t be satisfied sitting on your lap. It would rather go out and play with kids or other animals. It is highly trainable and loves toys too! Because of its diminutive size, everyone should be careful with it, especially if it is always running around in every corner of the room.

8. Pug

A Pug is a small dog that has a cute squishy face. If you are an aspiring fur parent looking for a low maintenance kind of breed to complement your laid back personality, this is the perfect first dog to own.

9. Greyhound

A Greyhound is a large dog breed which, although is fast, is known for its laid back personality. They are known as “racing dogs,” but they will only do so if you want them to. You will most likely find them cuddling with you. It also doesn’t require regular grooming, but it does need your attention.

Beware though because they don’t like cats that much, so a messy tackle may happen if they find a cat or two in the same room.

10. Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu is a breed of royal order. The combination of aristocracy and cuddliness makes it irresistible! Another fun fact about it is it is related to wolves through its DNA, but they are surprisingly warm to people. It needs a regular grooming visit so that its hair won’t grow too long for it.

11. Pomeranian

A Pomeranian is a breed that is good with people but bonds deeply with one person. It has a big fluffy coat that doesn’t need too much maintenance but is already okay with a good amount of regular brushing. Also, it needs a regular exercise so its stubborn side won’t come out and just remain happy.

12. Brittany

Brittany is the smallest of the sporting dogs. Regardless of its tiny frame, its energy matches that of a Labrador Retriever. It is a good pick as a first dog to own for amateur pet owners.

13. Shetland Sheepdog

A Shetland Sheepdog is one of the most intelligent breeds out there. Since it is a genius and has an adorable eagerness to please its owner, it is good with following commands.

14. Great Dane

Great Dane is known for its almost horse-like appearance because it is really large. Now, regardless of that, they are docile couch potatoes. They are super friendly with people they are familiar with but will bravely defend their family if they sense a threat around.

They are low maintenance because they don’t need too much grooming, so it is indeed a perfect first dog to own for new fur parents.

15. Boxer

Boxer is one of the best watchdogs which combines the ability to have a great companionship as well as to protect. They are so goofy around people they know, and they are especially playful towards kids. At the same time, they will guard its owners like their life depends on it. Because of its innate high energy nature, a boxer requires a good amount of regular exercise and mental stimulation.

16. Yorkshire Terrier

A Yorkshire Terrier has an affectionate personality. Its fur is hypoallergenic, so it is a plus for pet owners who have or are prone to allergies. Most of the time, its coat has two colors. Sometimes, it has three. It grows long fast, so it needs to have a regular grooming once a month and be brushed daily to avoid tangles.

At the same time, this breed may be overwhelmed with the presence of new, unfamiliar dogs. They need to be trained to socialize well.

17. Havenese

Havenese is Cuba’s national dog. It has an outgoing personality that is why it needs regular exercise which can usually be done indoors. Its coat needs to be groomed daily to avoid matting and tangles as well as needs to be brushed at least 2-3 times a week. In the face of the maintenance that it entails, its loveable nature will win you over.

18. German Shepherd

If you are thinking about finding a good protection dog as your first dog to own, a German Shepherd is a brilliant pick! This breed is very much known to take guarding seriously. It is alert to any sense of threat or danger looming around the corner. It is incredibly strong. On the other side of its brooding quality, it is the sweetest with its owners and family.

Their intelligence is admirable as well. If you will introduce them to a friend, they will remember. They can store memories of people who are nice and people who are mean. So if they encounter someone again who doesn’t belong to the family, they will act accordingly as to how they remember that person.

Remember that if you decide to get a German Shepherd, you should have it trained.

19. Newfoundland

If you can stand a lot of slobber, you may want to try getting a Newfoundland. You will definitely forget all that drool with their intense trusting and sweet nature. They are large, but they are very friendly.

20. Basset Hound

This breed is known for its scent hound heritage that is why they will follow anything they get their nose on and bark repeatedly at the same time. They are lazy dogs with droopy ears and stubby legs, but they can be playful too especially with children and when you take them outside. Thus, you may need a leash when you go out because its lively side suddenly shows up when it goes out in the open.

21. Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound was historically bred to hunt wolves, but now, they are cherished for their docile behavior and calm personality. Furthermore, its coat doesn’t need too much brushing but just the right amount to maintain its good appearance and to take away dirt. Just remember that if you are taking it outside, make sure you put it in a leash because it has a strong inclination to chase down any prey.

22. Leonberger

A Leonberger can weigh as much as to the size of a full-grown human. Even if it is that large, it is a docile breed. Hence, it only needs short walks or brief exercises to maintain its physical and mental well-being. Additionally, it is intelligent and also really gentle with kids. Its thick fur needs daily brushing, but it is certainly worth it!

23. Collie

Another one of the best first dogs to own is a Collie which is known to be really fond of kids. Also, they love to play fetch which shows that they really respond well to training. At the same time, this breed comes in two varieties: smooth and rough collies. Both of them only shed once a year despite their long coat and only need brushing for twice a week.

24. Bernese Mountain Dog

If you can deal with a lot of shedding, you may want to consider getting a Bernese Mountain Dog. Despite its big size, it is gentle and exceptionally sweet towards children. They are lazy but still needs a little walk here and there.

25. Whippet

Last but definitely not the least among the best first dogs to own is this one. A whippet is a great companion for apartment living, despite it being bred for racing, because it is a couch potato! They are small but leggy and indeed a good pick as first dog to own for new dog lovers.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE BEST FIRST DOGS TO OWN

Once again, these are the best dog breeds to own for new fur parents. Small or big, short or tall, docile or playful, fluffy or not, low maintenance or high maintenance, you will soon find the one for you.

You may indeed be flexible with things as you think about the kind of dog that you will take home. Bringing a new member to the family is a big deal, so looking for the right breed that will complement you and the conditions of your household is necessary. Of course, all dogs are lovable. You may be saying that any will do because you will love whatever ends up in your lap. But also think about that you will surely have a preference on size, coat type, energy level, friendliness, and more. Those factors will really matter because that dog will live with you for years.

Lastly, you may also resort to mixed-breed dogs. Just remember that such kind requires you to be more caring because you need the knowledge of both the breeds combined into one in order to give the dog the care that it deserves.