©Scott Sheaffer, CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, USA Dog Behavior, LLC

“Growing up with dogs is great, but it provides no real experience in dog ownership.”

Dog breed is not the ultimate predictor of how well a specific dog will fit into your life, but breed types do have disposition tendencies that need to be considered. Picking the right breed, or breed mix, is especially important for first-time dog owners.

First-Time Dog Owners and Breed Selection

A common mistake I see in first-time dog owners is selecting the wrong breed for them and their family. And by “first-time dog owner” I’m speaking of people who have never owned a dog as an adult. Growing up with dogs is great, but it provides no real experience in dog ownership. The reason for this is obvious; mom and dad take care of everything associated with the dog. This is analogous to thinking that living in your parents’ home while you were growing up would prepare you for owning your first home.

Dog Breeds First-Time Dog Owners Should Avoid

It’s human nature to sometimes go for the gold when we decide to try something new - like dog ownership. This thinking frequently gets first-time dog owners in over their heads when selecting a dog breed that is beyond their experience level. The following dog breeds are examples of some challenging breeds to own when it comes to physical issues, training challenges and behavior problems. These breeds are frequently too much dog for first-time dog owners. Dogs that are not adequately handled, managed and challenged in this group can sometimes develop undesirable habits such as unruly behaviors, aggression, separation anxiety and resource guarding.

German Shepherd: My favorite breed, but for a number of reasons including dog and human reactivity, this is normally not a good first dog. See German Shepherds are the Second Most Popular Dog in America. Why do you Rarely See Them in Public? for more information.
English Bulldog: A high maintenance dog when it comes to physical issues. Behavior consultants and behaviorists see a lot of these in our practices too because of behavior issues.
Mastiffs (all types): Strong-willed, independent and very large.
Border Collie: Extremely athletic and intelligent dog that gets bored quickly. As a behavior consultant, I see a lot of these dogs with all types of issues.
Akita: Strong, powerful, independent and intelligent breed. Think German Shepherd with a cat’s personality.
Australian Cattle Dog: See Border Collie above.
Australian Shepherd: See Border Collie above.
Jack Russell Terrier: See Border Collie above.
Rottweiler: See German Shepherd above.
Siberian Husky: Think of this breed as an independently minded Border Collie.
Belgian Malinois: Yes, I know the military and law enforcement use them, but they are a poor choice for a first-time dog owner and can be difficult as pets. Too intelligent and athletic for most mere mortals to manage and keep stimulated.

Good Choices for First-Time Dog Owners

The following five breeds of dogs are good for first-time dog owners. They are normally fairly easy to train, compliant and friendly to other dogs and humans. I infrequently see these breeds as a dog behavior consultant. While these breeds can have behavior issues such as aggression, separation anxiety and resource guarding, the frequency of these behaviors in these breeds is notably lower than in other breeds.

I have two cautionary notes about this list, 1) an individual dog’s unique personality can frequently trump breed dispositions, and, 2) this is a subjective list based solely on my opinion after years of observing and working with many breeds.

Golden Retriever: I rarely see this breed for behavioral reasons - that’s a good thing. They’re not perfect and they have issues just like every dog breed, but what a great overall family pet if you’re looking for a larger dog. Be careful to avoid puppy mills when purchasing this highly desirable breed. See Puppy Mills 101 for more information.
Labrador Retriever: See Golden Retriever above. The same cautionary note about puppy mills applies with this breed and all the breeds on this list for that matter.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: I see this breed every single day - not because they are clients of mine, but because I own one as a personal pet! Technically classified as a toy breed, they can weigh up to 20 pounds and beyond. A smart, loving and easy dog to own. They have some genetic health issues (primarily heart related) from poor puppy mill breeding practices. Be careful to buy from a legitimate breeder and you’ll have a wonderful dog.
Havanese: For some reason this is an overlooked and wonderful small breed of dog. They are also quite beautiful in my opinion. Similar in personality in some respects to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel noted above. Havanese owners rarely seek out my services as a behaviorist.
Bichon Frise: This dog was literally bred to be a pet and the originators of the breed did a good job. Easy to own, loves his or her family, small and cuddly - you get the idea. This breed rarely shows up with behavioral problems. As always, pay attention to the breeder.

Closing Thoughts

Rescue shelters almost always have a rich mix of different dog breeds and mixes. You can, and probably should, start your search for a breed of dog that you want at a local shelter or rescue organization.

The five breeds mentioned above may not be the biggest, “baddest”, sexiest, etc. dog breeds out there, but you’re likely to have a good first-time dog ownership experience with any of them. Even though dog breeds can be associated with certain behavioral inclinations, each specific dog has its own personality and, in some cases, this can render breed type traits less significant.