These 4 breeds are excellent choices for beginners

Choosing the right companion is not an easy task, as everyone wants a dog that will be a joy to spend the next 10-15 years with. That's why it's important to choose carefully, not only for your own sake but also for the sake of your future pet.

Dog ownership has been breaking unprecedented records in recent years, with more and more people (first-time owners and “seasoned” owners likevise) committing to one (or more) puppies every year. On the one hand, this is great, because it brings a lot of happiness, gives you many opportunities and encourages you to lead a more active, healthier lifestyle. But it also has its difficulties, which unfortunately many people don’t take into account. After all, what is the image of dog ownership on social media? It’s all fun, games, easy training… It’s just that people often forget to mention how much work goes into building a relationship at this level. That’s why it’s important to do your own research when you make the decision: we want a dog. After all, 15 years is a long commitment, however, it is a lifetime for our chosen dog.

This is one of the reasons why we talk a lot about the needs and well-being of dogs and how to give them a more fulfilling life. After all, if we want to adopt a dog responsibly, our decision is for life, just not our own. We want to make that decision easier by occasionally compiling a selection of breeds ideal for novice owners, with a reputation for being easy to train and having a balanced temperament, so you don’t have to jump straight into the dog world.

Be sure to take these into account

First of all, we would like to clarify that the above lines are in no way intended as a deterrent. Nevertheless, it is very important to understand the responsibility that comes with adopting a dog, and we would like to emphasise that not everything is easy in the world of dog ownership. There are potential sacrifices involved in taking on a dog, but the extent of these is far from uniform. If we make the “wrong choice”, i.e. over-indulge by not looking at the temperament and needs of the breed, it will be difficult to settle in (especially as a novice owner) and rise to the task of raising a “harder” dog.

There is no good or bad dog. But there are bad choices that will not make a dog what it could be, and that will frustrate the owner. And I’ m not talking about the pranks and challenges of puppyhood and young adulthood, because those are a completely different matter and can arise with the most manageable breeds of dog. It’s important to consider your circumstances and your capabilities, which we have detailed in this article, with some additional breeds recommended for novice dog owners. Before we get to the recommended dog breeds, it is worth noting that all dogs need to be handled and all dogs are time-consuming. But there are breeds that will be super companions with less effort, and there are dogs that need more work to achieve ideal results.

Which dog to choose?

Many of us choose a dog based on looks. Or we see a well-trained, exemplary dog and generalise the behaviour of that individual to the breed as a whole. There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as we are flexible, realistic in our expectations and willing to put in the time and effort that the dog we choose requires. For example, Huskies, Border Collies, German Shepherds or even small terriers of all sizes are in fashion at the moment. There is no question that these dogs are delightful and can be used to do amazing things. But they are not necessarily recommended for novice owners, either because they require a lot of exercise and energy and therefore need a lot of exercise, or because they can be very independent and stubborn, making it very difficult for the owner.

A dog needs to establish a new routine and it is not always easy to change the current routine. This is not to say that a novice dog owner should not have such a dog, nor is it to say that one cannot have a successful first dog (or similar) to the above, because any dog can be a wonderful companion. We are simply trying to emphasise that we should look into the breed and decide if we can take on the challenge. And so, we come to the breeds recommended for novice dog owners.

English Springer Spaniel

Kind nature, charming breed, who likes to please his owner, can be a good choice for beginners. Very similar in temperament to a golden retriever or a labrador retriever, they are a people-oriented, happy breed. Easy to train, loves his family, gets on well with other dogs and can be socialised with other pets. With daily exercise, they adapt well to an apartment environment but will thank you for a garden to run around in. Recommended for active owners, that’s a fact, but anyone who wants a dog will usually accept longer daily walks.

Whippet

It may seem strange that a greyhound would be a good first dog, but it is. The whippet is sweet and peaceful and loves being with his family. Friendly, very quiet and a real handful, they are easy to train. They do require daily exercise, that’s true. But if exercised properly they should have no problems, making them a good choice for novice dog owners. The only problem is with cats and other small pets, they need to be very carefully trained.

Bolognese

It’s no coincidence that these little cloud-like dogs were so popular at one time. The Bolognese is generally friendly, requires minimal effort and learns new tricks relatively easily. They are playful, and lovable and find common ground with everyone very quickly. They can be a little stubborn at times, but not to the point of making training impossible. A real pet, affectionate and loyal. Room cruisers like them, such as the Bichon Havanese and Maltese are also recommended for novice dog owners.

Cairn terrier

It is true, as mentioned above, that terriers are not necessarily a good choice for a first dog. But there are differences between breeds. If you want a challenge, don’t mind if your pet is a bit stubborn and you want to try terriers but feel inexperienced, a Cairn Terrier could be a good start. They are friendly, loyal and gentle companions, adaptable to almost any situation in life. Cheerful, gets on well with children, other dogs and pets (hunting dogs, so familiarisation is important). Easy to train, but it is worth starting to work together early for ideal results. Doesn’t require too much exercise and is not impossible to tire out, so can be well integrated into a daily routine. By the way, Toto (the little terrier from the Wizard of Oz ) is also a Cairn Terrier.

Adopted dogs

Adopted dogs are generally known to be extremely affectionate and eager to please their owners. If you’re not sure about the breed of dog you want or don’t know which dog to choose, you may want to check out shelters and rehoming centres. Of course, for a first dog, it is not recommended to choose the most traumatised of the rescued ones, as they require special dedication and a sufficient amount of experience. But with the help of the animal care workers, you can choose a dog that suits your lifestyle. They are sure to give you lots of love and will be grateful for the new opportunity. If you do decide to adopt, it’s important to be prepared for what to expect in the early days and what your puppy needs. An expert can help you with this.