So, you are finally in that place of mind to be able to add a new member to your family. Or did you finally get the permission to have at least a dog in your home? Well, I guess the hard part of the job is done, so this part should be a breeze for you. Now, while focusing on just getting a dog as a pet, one might not realise the vast number of options to that that exists. On top of that, you’re probably doing this for the first time right? So, to help you narrow down that option list and get you a glimpse at a few of the best choices for a first-time dog owner to have, here we are.
Boxer
Seriously, while doing research for this blog, no other name came more than the Boxer when it comes to the ideal dogs for first time dog owners or pet owners. These funny, lovable dogs with their goofy personality can endear to just about anyone. However, Boxers still belong to the Work Dog group so yeah, they do more than just the fun acts and the happy-go-lucky lifestyle. Boxers have been known to serve as Hunting dogs, guard dogs, police dogs and some have even managed to distinguish themselves in the battlefields, especially during World War I. Boxers are also renowned for their patience and devotion, especially towards babies.
Boxers are intelligent and athletic, so they need a good amount of mental as well as physical stimulation, else they will assign a job to themselves like reassembling your sofa’s interiors or producing fresh new holes in your lawns. Basically, you wouldn’t want to leave one alone out at night.
It’s recommended that you bring home a Boxer puppy before they’re 8 weeks of age and stay close to their litter until its tenth week. They can be hyperactive but are trainable and in fact would live the attention they would get as you’re training them.
Labrador Retriever
A long stay at just about any Kennel Club across the globe, the Labrador Retriever is as friendly as a dog gets. A smart, athletic and easily trainable breed of canine, the Labrador is generally an easy dog to raise. They can be just as happy both high on energy the athletic dog body says it will be, or just be snoozing on the dog bed. They are good as both a companion and as an assistant dog because of their intelligent, sensitive and affectionate nature.
A Labrador is generally easy to train. They are also eager to please and have a love for having a job. Initially bred from being a fisherman’s dog to being hunting dogs, who retrieve the game shot down by their owners, the Labrador can carry out tasks that require not only intelligence but also concentration, decision-making and stamina. So if you’re consistent with your training and reinforcement, training a Labrador isn’t much of a hard task. This is one of the major reasons why this breed makes such a good companion for a first time pet owner. You should start socialising and training your Labrador ideally around when it’s 8 weeks old.
The Labrador Retrievers are known for their good-temperament and how they really get along with just about anyone. They are known to shower the whole family with affection and are gentle and pleasant around children, even tolerant to children’s behaviour to a good degree.
You would however need to watch their weight, as ebing a larger sized dogs that are also athletic and hence energetic, they do tend to overeat. This can lead to obesity and other health problems that this leads to over the years.
Bichon Frise
These white, smol, fluffy balls of love are one of a kind of breed. They don’t thrive on this love and human company, they need it. They are a happy, friendly and playful breed of pups that grow into a wonderful and charming companion. They’re easy to train and are great with the kids. Known for their fluffy white fur, they were originally bred as performing dogs, starring in circus shows.
The Bichon doesn’t shed as much of its coat like most of the other breed thanks to its curly coat. However because of the curly coat regular grooming is required in order knots and tangles. Daily brushing is a good way of making sure the skin and the fur of the bichon is in a fine condition, which also presents you with an opportunity to bond better with your dog on a daily basis. Add a professional groomer to the list every couple of months on a regular basis and you have the perfect setting. They also require a lot less daily exercise, so aren’t as much a daily commitment in that department.
Very affectionate and social, the bichon is a gentle breed that adapts well with its environment and enjoys learning, so it will pick up on the commands and training much quicker. It is important to put them in and let them experience as many different environments and situations before they reach the age of 12 weeks, as this is where, like all breeds, tend to approach any new experiences with caution. Its a good idea to introduce the young bichon with things like other dogs, people, livestocks and even common situations and environments like cars, parks and traffic.
Pug
The choice to have a Pug as the first pet you own is kinda situational despite what the title says. While a Pug does make for an excellent new family member to your growing family, it’s not for everyone. It literally lives the saying, “Big thing in a small package”. A stubbornness that will test your patience and understanding, yet very loyal, the breed is for those who can dedicate the patience into raising them.
Be sure to have some treats on hand while training them. Over their lifetime, A pug would generally bond strongly with one person. The extremely loyal and lovable dog makes that person, their person, following them around, everywhere and anywhere. But that doesn’t mean it won’t get along with other people. They bode well with children, as well as cats and dogs.
Pugs are a breed that are very eager to please, however have a very strong will. Consistency is a must when it comes to properly training this breed of dogs.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
I mean, just look at it. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a gentle, graceful breed that also happens to be high on energy and spirit. A relatively new breed, they are very sweet and adaptable but have spurs of separation anxiety when left alone too often, especially as puppies.
Having those bright round eyes that let them have almost human like expressions, these Spaniels are known for their fuzzy feets, that’s lovingly referred to as the Grinch feet. When with people this breed is affectionate and easy-going as they have been bred for companionship, but they still retain that spaniel grit that brings them desires like chasing squirrels and moving vehicles, so remember to keep them secured and safe. This also means they require a good amount of attention, if it wasn’t obvious up until now. The love and need that attention, which makes them the ideal companion for elderly owners who have the time required to dedicate that attention.
Golden Retriever
A classic family dog, the golden retriever is known for their warm and loving nature. This loyal and obedient dog is easy going and you don’t need to be a seasoned dog trainer to get your Golden Retriever to obey your commands. This breed of dog is always eager to learn and quick to pick up on any kind of obedience training.
The Golden Retrievers are known for their patience when around children. If you have children in your house the retriever is an ideal companion to add to the household. They thrive on affection and attention, so they literally go by the more the merrier.
The other thing that a Golden Retriever is really known for is this high energy. Enough so that they are to be kept in check. You’d probably spend an hour or two playing with them just to get all that energy out. Now if its a good thing or bad is all on you. You could spend your weekends hiking, or hunting or just splashing in a good ‘ol lake or the beach, a Golden Retriever would just fit right in.
Labradoodle
Often described as big teddy bears, a Labradoodle is a designer breed and a cross between two pure breeds, namely the poodle and a golden retriever. The breed is a newer kind, first bred in the 1980s to be an intelligent dog that’s somewhat hypoallergenic than its labrador parent.
A Labradoodle generally possesses a friendly temperament combined with an ever-tempered intelligence. They are generally considered to be easy-going and get along well with children and the other pets. They are also known therapy dogs, hence being calm and affectionate enough to be visiting schools and hospitals as well as rehabilitation centres. There they offer psychological as well as physiological support to those in need.
An ideal breed for families that love the outdoors, the Labradoodle loves to run.They are known to have a personality and need a lot of exercise, and also occasional trips to the groomers. They are of the entertaining kind, with mischievous behaviours that can be countered with some training but they are still capable of being there for the children and adults alike with special needs.
Poodle
The OG fluffy, a Poodle is a well-recognized breed with its signature pillow-like fur, its remarkable intelligence and athleticism. Due to its positive features this breed has been bred with a multiple of other breeds to get designer breeds like labradoodle, groodle, spoodle, and cavoodle.
These playful, loyal and loving dogs are a good fit for an active household. High on energy they crave a good amount of attention and time and just love being in the spotlight. Also, you’d need some regularity with those visits to the groomer’s place. Poodles are known to have elaborated haircuts after all, so have fun with that too.
Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu, which translates to Lion Dogs from Chinese are an adorable breed of dog. The breed was precious to the Chinese royal families and are often seen depicted on paintings originated there.
The general public didn’t even know about this breed until the 1930s and now look at how far it has come. The Shih Tzu are very affectionate and people-pleaser that can charm adults and children alike. They are even good for apartment dwellers needing the minimal exercise and also because they’re like, really small.
Possessing a sturdy build and a stunning coat the Shih Tzu is the epitome of a toy dog. They love being a lap dog and are easily trusting of people. They are quite content with remaining indoors most of the time, although occasional walks on a daily basis is a welcome treat. The luxurious coat of a Shih Tzu needs daily brushing to take care of the tangles so be sure to use a good brush. They thrive on human company so this should be a good occasion to bond quite well with them, just be sure not to spoil them too much.
Pomeranian
You won’t believe the amount of focus I had to keep to not get distracted by these cute little fluffs while making this. The Pomeranian are a breed that’s hard to resist. Ideal for people especially living in apartments, this little pack of soft fur packs quite the personality and the energy in that small package that has to keep all that electricity it has contained.
They love to cuddle, and since they’re so small, they’ll want to be on your lap, all the time. But they still need to be trained, and you’d need to bring some supply of patience with you because these sweet little pups can be stubborn. But with the right kind of approach, it shouldn’t be too much of a task as these are some smart little pups. Use positive reinforcements and try your best to keep their attention while at it, as it might be difficult but it’s never impossible.
While a Pomeranian might be small, they still have a guard dog’s instincts and will be alert at any and all noises and movements that they detect.
Now, while these are some ideal dog breeds for first time pet owners, they’re not the only ones that can possibly be the best fit for you. So, remember to do your own research too, after all its a big commitment. And remember to enjoy the moments.
