If you are looking for your first dog, it means you are a newbie. Obviously, you still don’t have the skills needed to raise a dog properly. Yes, you will develop those skills and all the knowledge needed. But, not all dog breeds are suitable for beginners. Some require a high level of skills and also knowledge.
Others don’t. If you choose one of them, you will have fun and you will learn useful things every single day. Your dog will enjoy it more as well.
10 Best Dog breeds for First Time Owners UK
1. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are a stunning choice and probably the best dog for newbies you can get. They like families and they like spending time with their owners. Add the fact goldens are also happy and loyal and you can deduce why this dog breed is so popular and so recommended in this case scenario.
They are family dogs which makes them ideal for, obviously, families. They love children of different ages and will play with them all the time. Goldens are smart dogs and as such, training is easy and simple. Keep in mind that training is highly recommended but far from mandatory.
As we have mentioned earlier, they are smart and you can teach them all sorts of things.
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Keeping this dog breed is as easy as it gets. They need physical activity to maintain their health and body weight. This is also the best way to prevent boredom which is common among the golden retrievers.
Don’t forget that brushing should be done on a regular basis to make sure there are no hairs all over the house. It also keeps their coat tangle-free and makes your dog even more beautiful.
Due to all of this, we can see that goldens will thrive in almost any household and have fun with their owners. They are an excellent choice if you are not a first-time owner.
If you would like to learn more about Golden Retriever, check out my new article Everything You Need to Know about Golden Retriever
2. Papillon
Papillon is a small, amazing, and very desirable dog breed that has been popular among first-time dog owners. It loves physical activity but at the same time, it can be your lap dog. It depends on you. Don’t forget that this breed loves to run around and they do need plenty of physical activity on a regular basis.
When it comes to training, they are smart and they can learn a few things. Training is relatively easy and successful. Most owners like to train Papillon by themselves and it is more than just possible.
The breed is able to adapt to most conditions and most households without any issue. They love children and will become best friends. It is mandatory to add that children must be gentle with this particular dog breed.
They are petite but highly active. When it comes to grooming, moderate attention is all your new dog will need. An interesting fact is that most owners use these dogs as exercise partners.
Learn more about Papillon, 10 Things to Know Before Getting a Papillon here.
3. English Bulldog
English Bulldogs are a common choice for first-time owners. They are one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners UK simply because they look spectacular, they have a strong bark and they have a great reputation. These dogs love to sit back and relax but also love to run around and they need plenty of activity.
However, they don’t have high requirements for exercising. What they need more is bond with the owner and attention. Yes, you can use them as a watchdog as well and they are actually, very popular for this very reason.
In the past, English Bulldogs were known for their aggressive behavior. This time is long gone and today they are known more like a calm dog breed than an aggressive one. If you are considering this dog breed, you need to know two things.
First of all, training is very difficult and it should be done by a professional. Secondly, you need time, energy, and finance to keep this dog. They are expensive dog breed to keep and they need strong owners who have plenty of energy.
Last but not least, this is a brachycephalic breed. What this means is that they have smushed face which limits the airflow to the airways. As such, they must not exercise when it is hot and they must rest after any type of physical activity.
4. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are commonly known as labs and they are excellent dog to keep. This dog breed is smart, loves to play, and can enjoy any household. However, they prefer active households where they can run around all day and play.
They can get bored easily which means they will act out. This is the case with younger dogs. Older ones are even easier to keep. Food is no problem for labs. They will eat anything and they can grow to remarkable sizes. But still, this is a medium-large breed.
Training them is super-easy and you can teach your new dog almost anything. Play fetch is the first thing most owners teach their labs within days. When you simply want to lie down on a couch, your lab will be close to you and you two can relax.
Grooming is simple as well. You need to brush it occasionally and that’s it. There is no need for complicated grooming processes or anything similar. They do need plenty of physical activity. If you are considering adopting a lab, make sure you can provide this to him or her.
Another thing to remember is that they love to eat and they can become overweight in no time. Make sure this doesn’t happen. They also like having close bonds with their owners and the whole family so try to give them that.
If you are interested about Labour Retriever, check out 10 Crucial Things You Need To Know About Labrador Retriever Before You Adopt One.
5. Basset Hound
Basset Hound was known as a hunting breed and they were extremely popular in Europe for a long period of time.
Today, they are better known as the ideal dog breed for first-time owners. Basset Hound likes to stay relaxed as long as possible and they are loving dogs. You will have fun with one and you two will become best friends.
They are also well-mannered dogs which makes them ideal for people who need this kind of dog. Size is small so they can adapt well to small apartments and houses. They still need physical activity almost on a daily basis.
Luckily for some of you, running around your apartment or the house will meet the requirements your new friend has.
An additional reason why you may want to consider this dog breed is if you are planning to get another dog in the near future. Basset Hound plays well with other pets and other dogs. They simply love spending time with the entire family and you can see this in their eyes.
Sadly, they also drool so this is something you will have to get used to it.
6. Bichon Frise
Bichon Frise is another dog breed that is ideal for small apartments and small houses. They need a moderate level of activity per day and they need regular grooming. As you may know, this dog looks like a big cotton ball.
They have curly hair and it must be trimmed on a regular basis.
To make things easier, you can keep the hair short which will decrease the cost of keeping the dog and you will need to trim the hair less frequently.
This is a small dog breed that is extremely easy to train and they love children. They are actually commonly chosen as first pets for children and teenagers. They can adapt to any lifestyle and won’t require a lot from you.
The bottom line is simple. Bichon Frise is easy to keep, doesn’t ask much and they are great friends with adults and children. The breed looks appealing and amazing.
7. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu was a royal dog in ancient China. They are not used for hunting and they don’t have any herding skills. But, they are loving dogs that look like no other dog breed and they love their owners.
They don’t need much and they can adapt to any family. Playing is something all dogs of this breed love and something you should provide as much as you can.
When we are discussing Shih Tzu, you do need to know one thing. They need to know you are the alpha and you are in control. If you are too ‘’gentle’’ with your dog, he will become hard to control, which isn’t something you can easily change and it will require plenty of time to correct.
Other than that, there are no other complications and Shih Tzu is an excellent choice for any first-time dog owner.
8. Pug
This particular dog breed is very common in the United Kingdom and almost always considered by first time owners. Obviously, it must be on the list. They are small to medium dogs that have plenty of energy for a short period of time.
In other words, they will be extremely active and then they will need rest. This makes them easy to keep dogs and ideal for people who don’t have much time to spend with their new friend. Pubs won’t have a hard time adapting to any apartment or a house, but having a backyard will make them much happier.
Their fur is short so you can groom it all by yourself. It needs occasional grooming and nothing more. Also, this dog breed is quiet so they are ideal for households that share the same virtue.
Training is moderate to difficult. Pubs are not known for their intelligence so you will need professional help to train your dog properly. Don’t forget that they are heavier than they look!
9. French Bulldog
French Bulldogs should be considered by first-time owners. They are a loving dog breed that is also easy to train, but not that easy as some other breeds. Most people find them extremely appealing and good with other pets.
You can keep all kinds of other pets (canine or not) and your French bulldog won’t have a hard time with any of those animals. They need a moderate amount of exercise and very little grooming. This breed is amazing with children and they will probably become very good friends.
Some things you should know before you opt for this dog breed. Many of them come with health issues and almost all of them can suffer from separation anxiety. In other words, you will need more time to spend with your dog than you may think. Training them is very important and highly recommended.
10. Boxer
Boxers are considered as some of the best dog breeds for beginners and extremely desirable in the UK. This dog breed is medium to large in size and requires very little grooming. They are ideal for families and they love children. Walking them is important but children can do that by themselves.
Training is a must in this case scenario. We are referring to obedience training when your dog is young and small. This will teach him, well obedience and how to behave properly. Training isn’t the simplest but far from the hardest.
They do need plenty of physical activity. Ideally, you will keep them in your backyard, but they can be kept in an apartment, with daily walks around the park.
The final word
Now you know which the best dog breeds for first-time owners UK are. At the end of the day, it is all about the balance and lifestyle you have. You need to choose a dog breed that will match your lifestyle and your capabilities.
By making the correct choice, you will have a happy dog that will be your best friend. But, making a mistake will give you a completely opposite outcome! Don’t forget that having a dog is the best thing you can do and don’t forget to treat your new dog as a family member, which he is.
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