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Last Updated on February 15, 2023
Dogs are wonderful companions. Some dogs are known to be loyal, attentive as well as intelligent. Some owners regard them as the perfect substitute for children. Indeed, there are hospitals that employ dogs as a form of therapy. However, before you jump in and get a dog as a pet, you have to know that not all dogs are suitable for first-time owners. For example, getting a Pitbull as your first dog might not be that suitable, especially if you are unfamiliar with dogs who are known to be aggressive. Then, what are the best dogs for first-time owners?
What Are The Best Dogs For First Time Owners?
If you are a first-time dog owner, we will generally advise you to get a dog that is docile and low in maintenance. You should really get the hang of having an additional member in your family first before you consider dogs who are more aggressive in nature. We say this because we wouldn’t want you to have a negative experience of owning a dog when the first dog that you have destroys your furniture. Read on to find out what are the best dogs for first-time owners.
Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is one of the best dogs if you are a first time owner. They are known to be docile, and they are extremely intelligent as well as affectionate.
Indeed, the Labrador Retriever is one of the most beloved dogs in America itself. Although the maintenance of the dog can be a little on the high side, given the Labrador Retriever’s size, they are still very adorable! They require little training, and as such the owner can have an easier time with dogs.
Shih Tzu
Ths Shih Tzu is also commonly chosen as a dog for first-time owners. This is due to the fact that Shih Tzu is indeed lazy dogs, and hence they require little exercises. Perhaps lazy is too strong a word to use; inactive should be a better word.
Shih Tzu is well known to be docile in nature, and they require little maintenance too. This is because of their body size, and hence they require lesser food. As for training, there isn’t much training to be involved as the Shih Tzu does not require much exercise. Of course, regular walks are still needed to bond the dog and the owner.
Poodle
Poodles are also commonly chosen for first-time dog owners too. Perhaps this is due to their nature, as poodles are known to be extremely affectionate as well as being easy to maintain.
In terms of walking the dog, you wouldn’t need to worry too much as Poodles do not require much walking. They can jump pretty high, hence you might want to be wary of the poodle jumping high to grab extra treats off the shelf!
What To Take Note Of Before You Get Your Dog
Dogs are can be a wonderful addition to the family. Studies have shown that dogs do help humans to develop traits such as empathy, and this is something that is important in our daily life. But having said that, while we all love how dogs can be a wonderful addition to the family, not all dogs will be suitable for you and your family. There are many factors that will determine which is the right breed of dog for your family.
Here are some of the factors that will help to guide you through the dog breed selection process.
1. Experience With Dogs
Your level of experience with dogs will greatly influence the dog breed that you choose. Typically, there are three levels of experience that anyone can have.
- New to dogs
If you are new to dogs, then you would want to select dog breeds that are easier to manage as it will take time for you to get the hang of having a new dog. This is important, as you wouldn’t want to be caught in a situation where the dog that you choose is too challenging for you to choose. For example, we wouldn’t recommend new dog owners to choose a Boxer as a dog breed as the Boxer does require owners to have a certain level of experience in order to be able to train and control them.
- Currently have a dog
If you currently have a dog, you will need to decide the social level of your dog as well as the next dog that you choose, since the dogs will be living together. Also, since you have a dog, you might have relevant experience too. Hence, it may be a good opportunity for you to get another dog that is a little tougher to train but can still be a wonderful addition to your family.
- Owned a dog in the past
For new owners who used to have a dog, you would have the relevant experience in having a dog in the family. As such, you should be more accustomed to the tips and tricks, hence you can consider getting dogs that are tougher to train up!
2. Type Of House That You Live In
The type of house does make a difference, as a smaller unit will probably be more suitable for smaller dog breeds, while houses with yards will be suitable for breeds that require a little bit of space to run about.
3. Do You Have Kids?
Having kids in the house will greatly influence the type of dog breed that you choose. You would want to choose dog breeds such as the Poodle, Husky, Labrador Retrievers or any other dog breeds that are docile and mild-mannered. You will want to have a dog that has a gentle temperament yet at the same time loyal and protective over the family. If you do not have kids, then getting a dog with a high activity level might be suitable as you can provide more attention to the dog.
4. Do You Or Your Family Have Allergies?
This is perhaps the most important question that you should be asking. There are some dogs that may cause an allergic reaction in humans, and hence they might not be suitable for you and your family. If this is the case, you can consider getting hypoallergenic dogs like the Shih Tzu or Poodle as these dogs do not shed and hence will not cause an allergic reaction in your family.
5. Tolerance To Noise
This may be a surprise to some, but you will need to figure out your level of tolerance towards noise. You see, there are some dogs that can bark a lot, and their barks can be loud too. For example, do you know that the barks from Chihuahuas can go up to 90 decibels? That is the sound level that the lawnmower makes. If you are able to tolerant this high level of noise, then, by all means, get a dog that is a loud barker. But if you are like me, who really cannot appreciate noise, then you might want to get a dog that does not bark that much.
6. How Active Are You
Your level of activeness will influence the breed of dog that you choose. You see, if your dog is an active dog that requires much exercise, yet you are pretty inactive, then it probably means that you will not have the motivation or energy to bring your active dog out for their daily dose of exercise. For this example, having a lazy or inactive dog like the Shih Tzu will be much suitable. Some dogs do not require many exercises too, so it will be suitable for inactive owners!
7. Level Of Commitment: Are You Ready?
Having a dog does mean you will need time to take care of it and maintain their wellbeing. This includes maintaining the dog’s hair and grooming it, either by yourself or by the professional groomer. And all of these means you will need to dedicate some time to the dog. If you are a full time working professional that cannot commit too much time in taking care of a dog, we suggest that you either drop the idea altogether, or you choose a dog that is inactive and requires little maintenance.
8. Budget
Having a dog is more than just forking out money for its daily necessities. You will need to pay money in order to buy the dog in the first place. And just so you know, some dog breeds are more expensive than others. For example, a Chow Chow will cost more than a Shih Tzu. Also, do consider if you have the money to pay for the upkeep of your dog, as some dogs may require more care than others.
Indeed, as dogs grow older, they will inevitably suffer from diseases. Visitation to the vets can be costly these days, so if you are constrained on your budget, you might want to consider having a dog that does not have hereditary diseases,
Conclusion
As a first-time dog owner, choosing the right breed is important. Consider your lifestyle and the time you have to devote to your furry friend. The breeds listed above are all great choices for first-time owners and will provide you with years of love and companionship.
