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Good Breeds for New Dog Owners

Good Breeds for New Dog Owners

You have decided to take the big step and own a dog. However, you are at a loss for how to choose one. You may have flipped through dog magazines or dog breed books, but are overwhelmed by the vast array of breeds. This article is a guide to help you narrow down your search to choose a breed that is suitable for you.

First-time dog owners may have difficulties training their dog at first because they are still learning how to read and understand their dog’s body language. Therefore, it might be easiest to choose a breed that is easy to train. All dogs can be obedience trained, but some are more willing to learn new things and are eager to please. Some people do not have the time to devote to training but would like to be able to teach the dog simple commands. Other people easily get discouraged if they do not see results within a short period of time, so for beginners, an easily trained dog may be helpful. The following breeds have a reputation for being easily obedience trained;

- Collie
- Labrador Retriever
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever
- English Springer Spaniel
- Standard/Miniature Poodle
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Doberman Pinscher
- Australian Shepherd
- German Shepherd

New puppies are often brought home to families with children because it is the children who ask for the pet. Many adults bring home an animal completely unaware of the breed’s characteristics and how well they can get along with children. After all, every puppy looks adorable and harmless sitting in the pet shop. Certain breeds have a tendency to snap at children because they were either bred for particular characteristics or have dominance issues. Breeds that have a lower chance of snapping at children include;

- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
- Newfoundland
- Bloodhound
- Basset Hound
- Collie
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever
- Beagle
- Vizsla
- Brittany Spaniel
- Australian Shepherd

Due to the novice training capabilities of most new dog owners, many would benefit from a dog that is more submissive, so even the most mild-mannered, unassertive owner can handle the dog. Dogs that have a tendency to be more dominant retain an ancestral drive to be ‘top dog’ in the pack. These dogs must have an assertive owner that is capable of reinforcing consistent training in order to make acceptable pets. Therefore, for the novice dog trainer, the following dog breeds have a lesser tendency to show dominance:

- Australian Shepherd
- Golden Retriever
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Collie
- Brittany Spaniel
- Bloodhound
- English Springer Spaniel
- Labrador Retriever
- Standard Poodle
- Bichon Frise
- Vizsla

New dog owners are often unfamiliar with the natural behaviours of some breeds, such as barking. Some people are mildly affected by such noise, but others are very sensitive to it and cannot tolerate it in an apartment setting. Therefore, depending on your current housing, barking can be an important consideration when bringing home a new dog. Barking depends not only on breed disposition, but also on the demand for attention, excitability, and training. The following breeds have a tendency toward being quieter;

- Bloodhound
- Golden Retriever
- Newfoundland
- Akita
- Rottweiler
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
- Australian Shepherd
- Great Dane
- Old English Sheepdog
- Alaskan Malamute

Please note that this is just a very basic guide that lists common behavioural tendencies for certain breeds. Obviously any individual dog can vary from the descriptions listed here based on that individual dog’s genetics as well as the environment that the dog grew up in. Regardless of which dog breed that you end up choosing, it is important to know that obedience training is HIGHLY recommended because under the supervision of a professional, it allows your dog to socialize with other dogs. The importance of socialization in general cannot be overstated. Your dog will learn that YOU are the leader and you’ll have the ability to ask a professional trainer common questions that always come up for first time dog owners. Ask your vet for a reference if you don’t already know of a good dog trainer in your area.

One Response to this Article, So Far

  1. Avatar Yana says:

    This article is frankly quite terrible and I hope new owners refrain from following this advice and get a Doberman or a border Collie as their first pet. Both of these breeds are not suitable for first time owners as they are high maintenance, high energy dogs who need specific mental and physical stimulation in order to lead a happy, content life. If you are going in with little experience, you will run into problems. This article just makes me angry. ‘Living in an apartment and want a dog that doesn’t bark as much? – get an Akita or Alaskan Malamute as your first dog! Or better yet a Rottie!’ Your advice is sooooo frustratingly bad, it’s beyond ridiculous. Almost 85% of these are NOTTTTTT good breeds for new dog owners.

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