Best Dogs for First-Time Owners
Forgiving, straightforward breeds for anyone taking on this kind of pet for the first time.
← All dog breeds (65)28 entries
Labrador Retriever
The world's most beloved family dog — loyal, playful and endlessly gentle.
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 55–79 lb (25–36 kg)
- Lifespan
- 10–12 years
Golden Retriever
A sunshine-coloured companion with a heart of gold.
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 55–75 lb (25–34 kg)
- Lifespan
- 10–12 years
French Bulldog
Big personality, small package — the urban dog that charms everyone.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 18–29 lb (8–13 kg)
- Lifespan
- 10–12 years
Poodle
Brilliant, elegant and hypoallergenic — the dog that surprises everyone.
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 7–71 lb (3–32 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Beagle
Nose-first and heart-led — the scent hound that fits any family.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 20–24 lb (9–11 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
English Bulldog
Wrinkled, stubborn and utterly loveable — the original couch companion.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 40–55 lb (18–25 kg)
- Lifespan
- 8–10 years
Dachshund
Long on personality, short on legs — the bold little badger dog.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 9–33 lb (4–15 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–16 years
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Short legs, long body, enormous opinions — a herding dog in a compact package.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 22–31 lb (10–14 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Shih Tzu
Bred for palace laps and entirely aware of it.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 9–16 lb (4–7.2 kg)
- Lifespan
- 10–16 years
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
A spaniel heart in a lapdog body — sweet-natured, adaptable and endlessly affectionate.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 12–18 lb (5.4–8.2 kg)
- Lifespan
- 9–14 years
Cocker Spaniel
A working nose with a wagging tail attached — cheerful, busy and never off duty.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 26–35 lb (12–16 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Pug
Comic, affectionate and utterly people-focused — with a face that demands honest care.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 14–18 lb (6.3–8.1 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Miniature Schnauzer
Bearded, bold and endlessly busy — a proper terrier temperament in a manageable package.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 11–20 lb (5–9 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Whippet
Explosive on the field, horizontal at home — the most apartment-friendly sighthound there is.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 20–42 lb (9–19 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
English Springer Spaniel
A tireless working gundog with a wagging tail and a nose that runs the show.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 40–55 lb (18–25 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–14 years
Bichon Frise
A cheerful powder puff with a sturdy body and a coat that never stops growing.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 11–18 lb (5–8 kg)
- Lifespan
- 14–16 years
Maltese
An ancient toy breed in a flowing white coat — gentle, devoted and surprisingly bold.
- Size
- Toy
- Weight
- 4–9 lb (2–4 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Havanese
Cuba's national dog — a sociable, clownish companion with a silky coat and springy step.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 7–13 lb (3–6 kg)
- Lifespan
- 14–16 years
Boston Terrier
The American gentleman — compact, tuxedo-marked and full of good humour.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 11–24 lb (5–11 kg)
- Lifespan
- 11–13 years
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
The older Corgi — long tail, steady head and a working dog's common sense.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 24–37 lb (11–17 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Muscular, fearless and soft-hearted — a people-loving dog in a compact, powerful frame.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 24–37 lb (11–17 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–14 years
West Highland White Terrier
A bold little white terrier with a big personality and a big opinion of itself.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 13–22 lb (6–10 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–16 years
Border Terrier
A scruffy, otter-headed working terrier — tough, game and good-natured.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 11–15 lb (5–7 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Cairn Terrier
A shaggy, fearless little digger — cheerful, curious and endlessly busy.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 13–18 lb (6–8 kg)
- Lifespan
- 13–15 years
Cockapoo
A cheerful Cocker–Poodle cross — friendly, clever and very popular, with variable coats.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 11–24 lb (5–11 kg)
- Lifespan
- 13–16 years
Greyhound
The 70 km/h couch potato — gentle, quiet and happiest on a soft bed.
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 60–88 lb (27–40 kg)
- Lifespan
- 10–14 years
Papillon
Butterfly ears and a sharp mind — one of the brightest toy breeds.
- Size
- Toy
- Weight
- 7–11 lb (3–5 kg)
- Lifespan
- 13–16 years
Flat-Coated Retriever
The Peter Pan of retrievers — cheerful, glossy and forever young at heart.
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 55–79 lb (25–36 kg)
- Lifespan
- 8–10 years