Owning a dog is extremely rewarding and can even change your life. The companionship, loyalty and unconditional love offered by dogs (not to mention the health benefits of taking more regular exercise) are transformative. Not all dogs are suitable for first time owners, though, so if this is your first pet it’s worth considering these breeds.
Golden Retrievers
There’s a reason that Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. They might even be the friendliest breed you’ll find. They’re ideal with children, are fantastic if you often have visitors and will get along with everybody they meet. Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them easy to train. Despite their luxurious coat they aren’t huge shedders either and will fit seamlessly into any family. Golden Retrievers do require a lot of exercise, though.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Ideal if you’re looking for a more laid back breed, a King Charles Spaniel is the ultimate cuddle buddy. These dogs don’t need to be walked often, and their innate desire to please their owners makes them exceptionally easy to train. King Charles Spaniels are extremely calm so they’re fantastic with kids and can handle quite a boisterous household. They are prone to health problems though (specifically in their knees and skulls) so it’s recommended that owners research pet suppliers and vets in their area using a specialized tool like exceptionalpets.com. This ensures that you have everything you need already in place, should your furry friend develop any problems.
Shih Tzu
These pocket sized dogs were bred specifically for the laps of Chinese royalty in bygone eras. Far from making them spoiled and bratty, though, this history ensures that they’re the perfect family pet. An angry Shih Tzu is almost unheard of, so they’re safe with children and absolutely adore cuddles. Shih Tzus are famous for the strong bonds they form with their owners, making them perfect companion dogs. Better still, they’re easy to train and don’t require enormous amounts of exercise – perfect for a first time owner!
Bichon Frise
Bichon Frises are as close as you’ll get to a fully hypoallergenic dog, so they’re perfect if you or anyone else in the family suffers from allergies. They’re one of the most adaptable breeds on the list, making them perfect for nearly any kind of lifestyle. Eagerness to please is another well known Bichon Frise trait, and that helps enormously when it comes to training. They’re emotionally attentive too, and will always be on hand to comfort you if you’re having a bad day.
Mixed breed
Last but not least, mixed breeds are usually found in animal shelters. Rescue dogs are a great choice because you’ll never be taking a leap into the unknown. Shelter owners study their dogs carefully to determine their personality traits, how easy they are to train and whether they have any health conditions. Most rescue dogs are also fully house trained, making it much easier to slot them into a first time owner’s home.
