Welcome to the Dog Owners Club! Now that’s one of the best decisions you have ever taken. While there are a lot of bright sides to welcoming your first furry friend, there are some scary parts too.
If you have come across a stray dog in your neighborhood and you’re planning to take them home with you, we would advise you against it. Especially if that’s your first time owning one. We all have a soft corner for the stray dogs around the streets. But if you really want the best for them, we would suggest you take them to your nearest animal shelter. However, if you’re feeling a particular attachment to the stray fellow, you may also take them to the veterinary and get their screening done to determine their breed. If the breed seems suitable to your lifestyle, and we say this because some dog breeds are too high maintenance, then go ahead!
Before you take the puppy home, there are some of the questions that you must ask yourself first. Are you an active person who can provide enough exercise for your dog? Or do you just want a lazy lap dog who would just enjoy your company while you’re being a couch potato? Also, ask yourself, do you have enough time in a day to fulfill the daily needs of raising a pup?
Each and every dog is unique and their personality will highly impact your lifestyle. Therefore, choose a dog that best fits your personality and household. As a first-time owner, it’s natural if you are looking for a breed that is easy to care for. Out of more than 300 breeds, we have shortlisted the best 7 breeds to make your life a little easier.
If you have never owned a pet before, fret not. Here are some of the best dog breeds that we would suggest to you as a first-time dog owner:
Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier, or as you can lovingly call them Yorkie, is quite full of themselves, and why not? With their long silky coat and perky topknot, your Yorkie is going to be the most gorgeous representative of your friends’ dog club, being the center of attraction wherever they go! If you are looking for a little lap dog, Yorkie is certainly a great starter choice.
Brush and trim their hair often and you are good to go. With their moderate level of energy and need for very basic exercise, they will enjoy fetching their toys indoors, rather than having the need of going outside to play!
Quick fact: Did you know? Yorkies are the second most popular dog breed in the US today. We’re sure they are, with their glamorous coat, spirited personality, and never-ending loyalty towards their “hooman!”
Check out our guide on the Best Dog Food for Yorkies.
Bichon Frise
Bichons are small, white dogs with black eyes and nose often called white puddles, are wonderful family dogs. If you are suffering from some kind of allergies, Bichons are the best breed for you since they don’t shed like other breeds. Plus, your Bichons love your company a bit too much. They will adjust well to any type of lifestyle as long as you don’t leave them alone. Intelligent and their strong willingness to learn, your Bichon will learn anything you teach them provided that you’re gentle. Yelling at them will shatter their heart! If your neighbors also have pets, doesn’t matter whether cats or dogs, they are going to be buddies.
Pomeranian
Or you may call them Poms, are a living cotton ball. These cute furry babies are independent, bold, and have a mind of their own. But don’t let their cuteness fool you. They make excellent watchdogs with their ability to bark loudly at creeps. Ranging from a wide variety of solid colors, they weigh only from three to seven pounds making it easier for you to carry them here and there (pet-friendly places of course!).
If you have small children at your house and you’re planning on adopting a Pom, be careful. Poms are highly active and may hurt your kid accidentally, so even if you get one, keep them under strict supervision. Make sure to take your Pom for walks to drain these highly overactive little creatures. Cute, feisty, and furry, Pom might be the right choice for you if you’re staying at an apartment or alone. Be prepared to give and receive lots of love and affection with your Pom!
Take a look at our article on the Best Dog Food for Pomeranians.
Golden Retriever
We can already tell that a Golden Retriever is definitely going to be your next new best friend. Golden retrievers are smart and adaptable, medium-large dogs. As a first-time owner, you’ll never have trouble training them as they are good-natured love dogs. If you’re an outgoing person who loves going jogging, take your Golden retriever to accompany you and they will absolutely love you for it. They need a good amount of exercise and physical activity to keep them busy and at good physique.
You sure won’t be disappointed with your Golden, as they love to learn and be trained to do quite a number of things. Being one of the best breeds in the world, Golden Retrievers love spending time with their humans. Planning on going for a summer vacation with your family and friends? Need not to worry about where to keep your Golden. Take them with you and they’ll turn out to be great playmates!
Head over to our review of the Best Dog Food for Golden Retrievers.
Poodle
There is no reason why you shouldn’t get a poodle if you’re actually adopting a dog! Poodles have it all – brains, beauty, and versatility. You can be relaxing at home and your poodle will be by your side. Poodles are great imitators and will probably make a good yoga mate. How cute is that?
Check out our article on Yoga for Dogs: The Ultimate Doga How to Guide.
The best part is they don’t shed. Yes, you read that right, they don’t. That is because they are not furry. What they have is hair, which makes them very photogenic. Your Instagram feed is sure to get that complete look with your cute, little dog posts in it.
No more being forever alone. Poodles love to snuggle with you at night in your bed after a long, active day. As first time owners, they’ve got the whole deal for you right here.
See our round-up of Dog Food for Poodles.
Papillon
This cutie can adjust both an active lifestyle as well as being a lazy lap dog. They are very fun-loving, beauty with brains and great companionship. Fret not if you don’t have any prior experience. Papillon sure will not cause much trouble to you. They don’t need much exercise, neither do they need a lot of grooming. Just play, pet, and give them all your attention and they’ll become the happiest bundle of joy. They are little bursts of energy can run around your house just to entertain themselves. But do keep it in mind they really appreciate going out for walks. Have some patience with your Papillion, they may be slow learners at the beginning but once you train your champ properly, they will never break your house rules.
Labrador Retriever
In one word, Labradors are awesome. They are always ready for some action. If you love going to the beach, swimming, and fishing, Labrador retriever is going to be your best bud. In case if you ever find yourself drowning in the water, your Labrador will come running to save your life. That’s how selfless and kind they are. Just like that, Labradors love to help out their owners.
Considering the fact that this is your first time owning a dog, don’t get deceived by the looks of a Lab, they are extremely easy to train and will be good with your children and other pets in your house. Labradors might be the best fit for your family as they are neither too big nor too small.
You may also like our article on the Best Dog Food for Labs.
Conclusion
Of course, dogs are an amazing addition to your family and make your family portrait complete. Take some time to analyze your needs and find out which is the best breed for you and your lifestyle. These are some of the best dogs that will make sure your pet-owning experience is full of excitement. All you have to do is be patient, persistent, and playful along with your furry friend in order to become the best of friends. As first time owners, you have a lot of researching to do as owning a pet is a great responsibility but we wish you the best of luck!
Related Post: 8 Must Know Facts About the Feist Dog Breed
Sources:
- Dr. Lynn Buzhardt, Factors to Consider in Pet Selection – Dogs, VCA Hospitals
- Selecting a Pet Dog, American Veterinary Medical Association
