17 Best Dogs For First Time Owners: Easy To Take Care & Less Shed

I know it’s very challenging to find the best dogs for first time owners as it needs guidance & personal suggestions.

I have a German Shepherd who loves me more than my mom & from my experience, I’ll recommend you 17 best dog breeds for first time owners.

List Of The 17 Best Dogs For First Time Owners: Avg. Prices

Here is the list of 17 best dogs for first time owners with their average prices in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia & India.

Breed	USA	UK	Canada	Australia	India
Labrador Retriever	$800	£700	$1,000	$1,500	₹25,000
Beagle	$600	£500	$800	$1,200	₹20,000
Golden Retriever	$1,000	£800	$1,200	$2,000	₹30,000
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel	$1,200	£1,000	$1,500	$2,500	₹40,000
Poodle	$1,500	£1,200	$1,800	$3,000	₹45,000
Bichon Frise	$800	£700	$1,000	$1,800	₹30,000
Shih Tzu	$900	£800	$1,100	$1,800	₹35,000
French Bulldog	$2,500	£2,000	$3,000	$4,000	₹80,000
Cocker Spaniel	$800	£700	$1,000	$1,600	₹25,000
Maltese	$1,000	£900	$1,200	$2,000	₹40,000
Boston Terrier	$800	£700	$1,000	$1,600	₹30,000
Pug	$800	£700	$1,000	$1,800	₹35,000
Dachshund	$800	£700	$1,000	$1,500	₹25,000
Border Terrier	$700	£600	$900	$1,300	₹20,000
Australian Shepherd	$800	£700	$1,000	$1,600	₹30,000
Boxer	$900	£800	$1,100	$1,700	₹35,000
Whippet	$1,000	£900	$1,200	$1,800	₹40,000

Labrador Retriever

You’ll love Labrador Retriever because of its friendly nature, and smartness & they try to make their owner happy. You can have a Labrador Retriever as a family pet & it can be the best dogs for first time owners.

• Origin: Newfoundland, Canada

• Size: Medium-Large

• Weight: Male (55-80 kg), Female (25-32 kg)

• Height: Male (21.5-24.5 inches), Female (21-24 inches)

• Lifespan: 10-12 years

• Temperament: Friendly, Intelligent, Energetic, Gentle

Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is a popular dog in India because they have golden fur which makes them unique. They are gentle & loving dogs & can be good dogs for first time owners.

• Origin: Scotland, United Kingdom

• Size: Medium

• Weight: Male (30-34 kg), Female (25-32 kg)

• Height: Male (23-24 inches), Female (21.5-22.5 inches)

• Lifespan: 10-12 years

• Temperament: Gentle, Friendly, Intelligent, Playful, Loyal

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a silky fur & they are sweet.  They are very friendly dogs & will be good dogs for first time owners.

• Origin: United Kingdom

• Weight: 13-18 pounds (6-8 kg)

• Height: 12-13 inches (30-33 cm) at the shoulder

• Lifespan: 9-14 years

• Temperament: Gentle, Affectionate, Playful, Adaptable, Patient

Poodle

The poodle has curly coats & cute eyes. They are smart, can learn quickly & do not shed much which makes them the best first time dog owner breeds.

Poodle dog available in three different sizes: Standard, Miniature & Toy

• Origin: Germany

• Size: Standard (Over 15 inches), Miniature (10-15 inches), Toy (Up to 10 inches)

• Weight: Standard (45-70 pounds), Miniature (15-17 pounds), Toy (4-6 pounds)

• Height: Standard (Over 18 inches), Miniature (14-18 inches), Toy (Up to 10 inches)

• Lifespan: 12-15 years

• Temperament: Intelligent, Active, Loyal

Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise has a fluffy white fur. They can be your best friend & you can have them if you live in apartments or have less space which makes them the best first time dog breeds.

• Origin: Mediterranean

• Size: Small

• Weight: 12-18 pounds (5-8 kg)

• Height: 9.5-11.5 inches (24-30 cm) at the withers

• Lifespan: 12-15 years

• Temperament: Friendly, Cheerful, Playful, Affectionate, Alert

Beagle

The Beagle has the best sense of smell. You can keep them as a pet because they are loyal energetic & easy to take care of as a beginner which makes them the best dogs for first time owners.

• Origin: United Kingdom

• Size: Medium

• Weight: 20-30 pounds (9-13 kg)

• Height: 13-15 inches (33-38 cm) at the shoulder

• Lifespan: 10-15 years

• Temperament: Friendly, Energetic, Curious, Playful

Shih Tzu

You can have a Shih Tzu as a pet if you want a small dog breed that is loyal & they are also easy to take care of.

• Origin: Tibet, China

• Size: Toy

• Weight: 9-16 pounds (4-7.5 kg)

• Height: Up to 10 inches (26.7 cm) at the withers

• Lifespan: 10-16 years

• Temperament: Friendly, Playful, Adaptable, Alert

French Bulldog

If you want a small size dog which is fun, you can have a French Bulldog. They are friendly which can be good for the families.

• Origin: England

• Size: Small

• Weight: 28 pounds (13 kg) or less

• Height: 11-13 inches (28-33 cm) at the shoulder

• Lifespan: 10-14 years

• Temperament: Playful, Friendly, Adaptable, Alert

Cocker Spaniel

The Cocker Spaniel is gentle, intelligent & funny. They both are medium-sized dogs which earlier they used for hunting.

They come in two types: 1: American Cocker Spaniel. 2: English Cocker Spaniel.

• Origin: United Kingdom

• Size: Medium

• Weight: Male (30-35 pounds), Female (25-30 pounds)

• Height: Male (15-17 inches), Female (14-16 inches) at the shoulder

• Lifespan: 11-14 years

• Temperament: Playful, Energetic, Gentle, Intelligent

Maltese

Maltese has a long & white fur. You can have them as your first pet dog because they are gentle & do not shed much which makes them the best dog breeds for first time owners.

• Origin: Central Mediterranean region

• Size: Toy

• Weight: 4-7 pounds (2-3 kg)

• Height: Up to 8 inches (20 cm) at the shoulder

• Lifespan: 12-15 years

• Temperament: Gentle, Playful, Alert, Adaptable

Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier is a small dog breed that can be suitable for your apartments or if you have less space. They are smart, loyal, easy to train & loving nature. Although, they need some exercise & daily walks.

• Origin: United States (Boston, Massachusetts)

• Size: Small

• Weight: 12-25 pounds (5-11 kg)

• Height: 15-17 inches (38-43 cm) at the shoulder

• Lifespan: 11-15 years

• Temperament: Friendly, Intelligent, Playful

Pug

The Pug is a small dog breed that has a wrinkled face & curly tail. They have muscular bodies & because of their lovely nature, they are the best dogs for your families & children.

• Origin: China

• Size: Toy

• Weight: 14-18 pounds (6-8 kg)

• Height: 10-13 inches (25.5-33 cm) at the shoulder

• Lifespan: 13-15 years

• Temperament: Friendly, Playful, Gentle, Alert

Dachshund

The Dachshund is a German Breed dog which has a long body & short legs. They love outdoor activities so much & that’s why they need regular exercise to be healthy & happy.

Dachshunds can have some health issues like intervertebral disk disease and obesity. So, it is important to have regular check-ups.

• Origin: Germany

• Size: Standard, Miniature, Kaninchen

• Standard: Weight (16-32 pounds), Height (8-9 inches)

• Miniature: Weight (11-16 pounds), Height (5-6 inches)

• Kaninchen: Weight (Under 11 pounds), Height (Less than 5 inches)

• Lifespan: 12-16 years

• Temperament: Friendly, Loyal, Intelligent, Courageous, Playful

Border Terrier

The Border Terrier is a small breed of dog. They have high energy levels & they are friendly towards people & other dogs.

Normally, they’re healthy but face some health issues like hip dysplasia & heart defects. So, you have to give them regular exercise.

• Origin: England and Scotland (Anglo-Scottish Border)

• Size: Small

• Weight: Male (30-34 kg), Female (25-32 kg)

• Height: Male (11-16 inches), Female (10-15 inches) at the shoulder

• Lifespan: 12-15 years

• Temperament: Alert, Intelligent, Playful, Loyal, Independent

Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog breed that has a strong body. They are intelligent & can learn things very easily which makes them the best dogs for first time owners. 

You can have them in many colors: Black, Red, Blue merle & Red merle.

• Origin: United States 

• Size: Medium

• Weight: 40-65 pounds (18-29.5 kg)

• Height: Male (20-23 inches), Female (18-21 inches) at the shoulder

• Lifespan: 13-15 years

• Temperament: Intelligent, Active, Loyal, Protective, Playful, Adaptable

Boxer

The Boxer is a medium to large dog. They have a muscular body, square-shaped head, strong jaws & a short, shiny coat. They are very loyal, intelligent & playful, making them the best dog for first time owners. 

• Origin: Germany

• Size: Medium-Large

• Weight: Male (27-32 kg), Female (25-29 kg)

• Height: Male (53-63.5 cm), Female (51-61 cm) at the shoulder

• Lifespan: 10-12 years

• Temperament: Intelligent, Friendly, Energetic, Cheerful, Playful

Whippet

The Whippet is one of the fastest dogs which can run up to 35 mph. They are intelligent & social dogs which makes them the best dog breeds for first time owners.

You can have them in many colors: Fawn, Cream, Black, Blue, Red & Brindle.

• Origin: England

• Size: Medium

• Weight: 28-40 pounds (13-18 kg)

• Height: Up to 20 inches (51 cm) at the shoulder

• Lifespan: 12-15 years

• Temperament: Gentle, Affectionate, Playful, Intelligent, Quiet, Adaptable

Should A First Time Dog Owner Get A Male Or Female?

When choosing your first dog’s gender, there are many things to think about, but there is no clear answer on whether a male or female dog is best for new owners.

At my time, I also got confused, but I’ve written some points that I need to follow before getting a pet dog which I mentioned below.

• Temperament: Some male & female dogs have different personalities, which can be affected by breed & how they were raised. Some male dogs are more loving & obedient, while female dogs are more independent & protective. So, choose according to your needs.

• Training: Male & female dogs can both be trained well. However male dogs can show more dominant behaviors like marking territory. But, you can give them some training to be calm.

• Compatibility with Other Pets: If you have other pets at home, think about how they get along with dogs of the opposite gender. Some dogs like being with the opposite gender, while others prefer the same gender.

• Size & Breed: The type & size of the dog can affect your choice. Some dog breeds may have some behaviors based on their gender, so it’s important to know which dog breed will be the best for you.

• Personal Preference: In the end, your choice should be based on what you like & how you live. My suggestion would be that you can spend some time with both male & female dogs to see which one will be the best for you.

Is It Hard To Be A First Time Dog Owner?

For someone who has never owned a dog before, it can be exciting but also difficult. Every person’s experience is different. 

When I first got my German Shepherd as a pet, it was difficult to balance my work, meals, & rest. But with time, things got easier. Here are some tips I’ve learned.

• Time Commitment: Taking care of a dog is a big commitment. You need to feed, exercise, train, groom, and spend time with your dog. A survey found that dog owners spend around 2.5 hours every day on their pets.

• Financial Responsibility: Owning a dog can be expensive because you’ve to pay for their food, vet visits, grooming & training. The average cost of owning a dog each year is between $1,400 and $4,300, depending on how big & what breed your dog is.

• Training & Socialization: Training & socializing your dog is important for them to behave well & feel comfortable. Some new dog owners might have difficulty training their dogs properly. A survey by AKC found that 35% of dog owners struggle with training their dogs.

• Behavioral Issues: Sometimes your dog can bark, chew, dig, or be aggressive, and this can be tough for new dog owners to handle. A survey found that 60% of dog owners have had to deal with these issues.

• Health Concerns: Your dog can get some health issues like dental problems, ear infections, skin issues & stomach troubles. So, you’ve to take care of them.

You Can Also Read:

German Shepherd Bite Force PSI

Can German Shepherd Kill Pitbull?

Where Does a Dog Live Kennel or Den?

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10044414/

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