Best Breed For Your Average First Time Dog Owner

[aussielover]

What are some of the better breeds for an average first time dog owner?

By "average" first time dog owner i mean someone who is responisble and reaosnable enough to consider going to a registered breeder, someone who is willing to train for basics but not compete in any dog sports and the dog will primarily be a companion animal. Having said all this, i do realise if a first time owner is extremely dedicated, well researched and well-matched for a breed (personality and lifestyle wise) then ay breed could potentially suit.

My question is more about what breeds first come to mind when your hear peopple wanting an "easy" dog, for their first dog.

Personally i think breeds like labradors and golden retrievers are "easy" breeds- they are intelligent, eager to please, extremely food motivated, have moderate exercise requirements (in comparison to other working breeds) and generally happy, friendly dogs with humans and other dogs alike.

I also think breeds like Cavaliers are good first time dogs as they are laid back, sweet and fairly easy to train.

Greyhounds also seem pretty laid back and easygoing dogs.

[mita]

For companion dogs, with access to house living alongside the owner...Tibetan Spaniel. A good tibbie from a good registered breeder is so easy to live with (typical buddhist!), that it's hard to stop at one. Very experienced groomer told me recently, she's observed over the years, that owners nearly always come in with 2 tibbies. Sure, many breed fanciers do the same. But she said it's very much so with tibs.

For companion dogs, living alongside their family and being reasonably active....Cardigan Corgi. Great, sensible all-round good dogs. At the bigger end of small dogs, so they've got some 'size'.

For a larger size dog with good all-round behaviours... Greyhound. A retired racer from a decent breeder/trainer (we live next door to one of these) or from one of the good Greyhound Adoption Programs.

Edited December 2, 2010 by mita

[Kaz]

Yeah - labs, goldies and cavs. I'm with you there!

For a first timer who is prepared to put the work in, I would say GSD's

And St Bernards seem like a relatively easy breed for the more enthusiastic newcomer.

[Kavik]

I don't think Labs are particularly 'easy'. I have seen many while working with dogs that are quite a challenge, very physically strong, pushy, mouthy, noisy and bossy with other dogs and personally I find Kelpies easier! I think the most suitable dog would depend on a number of factors

[pixie_meg]

Yeah - labs, goldies and cavs. I'm with you there!

For a first timer who is prepared to put the work in, I would say GSD's

And St Bernards seem like a relatively easy breed for the more enthusiastic newcomer.

are labs really that easy? i've heard mixed opinions. some say that when bored they're destructive. and that it doesn't take much for them to be bored. i'd say thats probably not good for a first timer. have i been told wrong about labs, afterall they are a gundog.

[SpikesPuppy]

I sold a Border pup to a family who was pretty much as you described (mum & dad both had dogs growing up but this was their first of their 'own', they also had a 6 yr old son) and so far, it's a perfect match

They did puppy school, found a good vet, listened to my recommendations etc.

As long as you understand that a Border is very smart and well behave but not always obedient... They are pretty much suitable for someone of any experience level IMO.

Easy enough for a first timer (especially one with a chilled temperament) but also challenging enough if you want to do more with them.

[SpikesPuppy]

I sold a Border pup to a family who was pretty much as you described (mum & dad both had dogs growing up but this was their first of their 'own', they also had a 6 yr old son) and so far, it's a perfect match

They did puppy school, found a good vet, listened to my recommendations etc.

As long as you understand that a Border is very smart and well behave but not always obedient... They are pretty much suitable for someone of any experience level IMO.

Easy enough for a first timer (especially one with a chilled temperament) but also challenging enough if you want to do more with them.

[Guest belgian.blue]

I think Pointers are a good first time breed, for someone who likes their dogs big.

It depends too much on the humans and I'd never give a first timer a Lab. The Golden Retriever would be a great first time dog!

[Miss B]

My first dog was a Cavalier and he was a very easy puppy to raise.

[Nevafollo]

I think Pointers are a good first time breed, for someone who likes their dogs big.

It depends too much on the humans and I'd never give a first timer a Lab. The Golden Retriever would be a great first time dog!

I would agree with this. I often suggest pointers to people who are considering labs if I dont think they are suitable.

I think cavs are great for young familys who are happy to groom or have thier dog groomed.

I also think well bred well socialised staffords can be perfect for a first time owner who is deicated to doing the right thing by their dog.

Alot of breeds would be fine with a dedicated first time owner, its the first timers that have no idea and arnt willing to learn whats right that are a worry!

[~Shepherd~]

I think Pointers are a good first time breed, for someone who likes their dogs big.

It depends too much on the humans and I'd never give a first timer a Lab. The Golden Retriever would be a great first time dog!

If they understand the breed requirements why not? The majority of dog owners experienced or not come across many challenges in the first few years. If you are dedicated, you will sort it out. I know first time GSD owners, Belgian Owners etc who have all been dedicated and possibly researched more on the breed and potential issues as they are desperate to make it work.

Every dog owner no matter how experienced constantly needs to educate themselves. A step by step procedure on every possible challenging situation breed specific is not written in a manual.

Edited December 2, 2010 by Chewbacca

[Sandra777]

We had many of those ''easy'' Labradors owned by novices in the boarding kennels we had over the years - all noisy, destructive, untrained and often extremely dog aggressive (and the odd one pretty dodgy with people too).

Nope, I wouldn't recommend a Labrador to a first time owner unless they understood that a Labrador is just a dog, they don't come pre programmed, they are dogs and need training.

Worst thing for the breed IMO is the perception that they all behave like little guide dogs when they come out of the womb. (And this is not necessarily a compliment anyway - I have worked with Guide Dogs, the only dog which has ever bitten me and meant it was a Labrador Guide Dog)

First time owners should choose a breed which suits their own temperament. Some people love the focus and constant challenge of a Border Collie, others can't stand them. Some people love the love-sponge idiot which is the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, others can't stand them.

If a novice owner asked me for an easy breed I would direct them to the nearest garden ornament shop.

[bullyfan]

Oh I'd say a whippet, not a lot of hair to maintain, not much doggy smell, and won't be too pushy for first time owners. Can take a lot of exercise or a little. Not to big or to small. Also good value for money! Generally a lot cheaper than those designer cross breeds.

Or a Griffon, very easy to train, hardy and funny. Cavaliers always come to mind, but I still can't go past a whippet.

[Bjelkier]

We had many of those ''easy'' Labradors owned by novices in the boarding kennels we had over the years - all noisy, destructive, untrained and often extremely dog aggressive (and the odd one pretty dodgy with people too).

Nope, I wouldn't recommend a Labrador to a first time owner unless they understood that a Labrador is just a dog, they don't come pre programmed, they are dogs and need training.

Worst thing for the breed IMO is the perception that they all behave like little guide dogs when they come out of the womb. (And this is not necessarily a compliment anyway - I have worked with Guide Dogs, the only dog which has ever bitten me and meant it was a Labrador Guide Dog)

First time owners should choose a breed which suits their own temperament. Some people love the focus and constant challenge of a Border Collie, others can't stand them. Some people love the love-sponge idiot which is the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, others can't stand them.

If a novice owner asked me for an easy breed I would direct them to the nearest garden ornament shop.

I agree with this

[fuzzy82]

Poodles. They are intelligent, biddable, and generally easy to get along with.

[55chevy]

Yeah - labs, goldies and cavs. I'm with you there!

For a first timer who is prepared to put the work in, I would say GSD's

And St Bernards seem like a relatively easy breed for the more enthusiastic newcomer.

I think Labs and Goldies are excellent for a first timer, they are naughty pups generally, keep you on your toes and teach you how to raise train and handle dogs properly from their wide range of drives and behaviours. GSD's I think are easier to raise and more work willing, but are daunting for the first timer especially with dominant males that have an aggression component in their make up. A female GSD on the submissive side can be a nice dog for the first timer who enjoys a lot of interaction with their dog.

[~Shepherd~]

Yeah - labs, goldies and cavs. I'm with you there!

For a first timer who is prepared to put the work in, I would say GSD's

And St Bernards seem like a relatively easy breed for the more enthusiastic newcomer.

I think Labs and Goldies are excellent for a first timer, they are naughty pups generally, keep you on your toes and teach you how to raise train and handle dogs properly from their wide range of drives and behaviours. GSD's I think are easier to raise and more work willing, but are daunting for the first timer especially with dominant males that have an aggression component in their make up. A female GSD on the submissive side can be a nice dog for the first timer who enjoys a lot of interaction with their dog.

You shouldnt get an aggressive component in a GSD if you do your research.

[55chevy]

Yeah - labs, goldies and cavs. I'm with you there!

For a first timer who is prepared to put the work in, I would say GSD's

And St Bernards seem like a relatively easy breed for the more enthusiastic newcomer.

I think Labs and Goldies are excellent for a first timer, they are naughty pups generally, keep you on your toes and teach you how to raise train and handle dogs properly from their wide range of drives and behaviours. GSD's I think are easier to raise and more work willing, but are daunting for the first timer especially with dominant males that have an aggression component in their make up. A female GSD on the submissive side can be a nice dog for the first timer who enjoys a lot of interaction with their dog.

You shouldnt get an aggressive component in a GSD if you do your research.

Some don't research or understand the results of their research or have the experience to raise a dominant pup to avoid aggression surfacing until the dog is beyond their control. Many first timers end up with GSD's they can't handle and I have lost count of the amount of these situations I have assisted people with over the years.

[indigirl]

Goldens are great dogs but arent easy as puppies. They can be very destructive and willful. They can dig like you woudlnt believe and if bored can cause massive destruction to their surroundings.

[waffle]

Don't mean to hijack but what do people think about maltese, poms or chihuahuas for first dogs? A lot of people I know seem to get them as their first dog.