Best Breed for Beginners?
- Thread starter Georgygirl
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Ohh ok.. I think I still stand by my choices.
Shelties, in the "wrong hands" (not meaning abusive owners, but just owners who dont understand how to socialize) can become EXTREMELY skittish.
Belgians are definately not a 1st owner type of breed. They require overly extensive socilization and a gentle hand but firm voice. If you speak to harsh to them, they literally turn on you, or just turn their back to you lol
Labs would be possibly a good "first dog" BUT they can be extremely hyper as puppies, this is possibly why so many you Labs end up in the shelter.
Shelties, in the "wrong hands" (not meaning abusive owners, but just owners who dont understand how to socialize) can become EXTREMELY skittish.
Belgians are definately not a 1st owner type of breed. They require overly extensive socilization and a gentle hand but firm voice. If you speak to harsh to them, they literally turn on you, or just turn their back to you lol
Labs would be possibly a good "first dog" BUT they can be extremely hyper as puppies, this is possibly why so many you Labs end up in the shelter.
I totally encourage all first-timers to find a rescue & adopt an adult dog whose personality fits them, regardless of breed. A first-time owner and a puppy, of almost any breed, usually equals tons of frustration & confusion for both dog and owner... and can easily end up with the dog in a different home or in a shelter. With an adult dog, you know what you are getting, and through a good rescue, they will tell you exactly what the dogs needs are and if you are suitable.
I normally would say no way to a first time dog-owner who wanted a Border Collie, but there are exceptions to every breed. I have met plenty of adult BC's in rescue who were well-trained, laid back, good with all people & animals and just waiting for a loving home who would hang out with them and take them on a long walk every day. But a first-timer getting a BC puppy would not be advisable at all, in most cases.
I normally would say no way to a first time dog-owner who wanted a Border Collie, but there are exceptions to every breed. I have met plenty of adult BC's in rescue who were well-trained, laid back, good with all people & animals and just waiting for a loving home who would hang out with them and take them on a long walk every day. But a first-timer getting a BC puppy would not be advisable at all, in most cases.
Why Chocolate Labs, not yellow or black?
Most Labs & Goldens seem mellow, but they are supposed to be bred to work for hours on end, and have plenty of drive & energy if they are well-bred. Lab puppies are a huge handful, and so are Goldens! They're very big and very boisterous. IMHO, older shelter dogs would be a much better choice.
Most Labs & Goldens seem mellow, but they are supposed to be bred to work for hours on end, and have plenty of drive & energy if they are well-bred. Lab puppies are a huge handful, and so are Goldens! They're very big and very boisterous. IMHO, older shelter dogs would be a much better choice.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are supposed to be mellow.
Pugs.
What I've read about Clumber Spaniels made me think they would be good for the first time owner, but they're not a breed that's easy to find.
Basset Hounds are supposed to be very easy-going, but they might be a little challenging to housetrain.
Pugs.
What I've read about Clumber Spaniels made me think they would be good for the first time owner, but they're not a breed that's easy to find.
Basset Hounds are supposed to be very easy-going, but they might be a little challenging to housetrain.
Mutt... Like everyone's said, yes of course there are breeds that are known for their stubborness or energy etc. But there are always exceptions so it's not safe to say that if you get X breed of dog it won't be this way because of it's breed....
Mutts are great.
None of this purebloodedness poop. LOL j/k
Mutts are great.
None of this purebloodedness poop. LOL j/k- Joined
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To me a dog is a dog and there is no "begginer" breed. Now I'm not saying a first time owner should run out and get a CMT, now that would be a disaster . It all depends on what you can handle and resources available for you to help you through training To me it depends on your mentality as well. I have no problem correcting my dog, but some people (especially first time owners) make the mistake of letting the dog get away with things because they are "cute" or they feel guilty for correcting. Caza was MY first dog (my family has had many but my father trained them, he's gone now ) and he is very stubborn and hard. But I knew how to handle him. And had no problem correcting and realizing the more freedom he had the more phycotic he was. What I am trying to say is no dog is a beginner breed. They all require work and you have to handle your dog to the best of your ability. Its more of what kind of person you are rather than the breed of dog. Can you be firm when needed? Are you manipulated easily? Do YOU understand dog behavior? And questions of that nature should be asked before getting any dog.
. It all depends on what you can handle and resources available for you to help you through training To me it depends on your mentality as well. I have no problem correcting my dog, but some people (especially first time owners) make the mistake of letting the dog get away with things because they are "cute" or they feel guilty for correcting. Caza was MY first dog (my family has had many but my father trained them, he's gone now ) and he is very stubborn and hard. But I knew how to handle him. And had no problem correcting and realizing the more freedom he had the more phycotic he was. What I am trying to say is no dog is a beginner breed. They all require work and you have to handle your dog to the best of your ability. Its more of what kind of person you are rather than the breed of dog. Can you be firm when needed? Are you manipulated easily? Do YOU understand dog behavior? And questions of that nature should be asked before getting any dog.
It's hard to say, it varies from person to person so much. Let's say Person A gets a cocker spaniel as a first dog and everything turns out wonderfully. Person B may also get a cocker as a first dog, and it doesn't work out so well. You can't really say breed X is great for first-time owners because it depends so much on the individual person.
Lucy, my bichon/poodle mix, is really MY first dog. I have never had a puppy before and I hadn't trained a dog in any way before I got her. I like her, she really isn't too bad, considering she is still just a pup. I could say she has been great as a first-time puppy/dog, because I honestly think she has been. But I won't tell everybody that bichon/poodle mixes are great for first-time owners, because Lucy is incredibly stubborn and only listens when she feels like it. It is something I am willing to deal with and correct, but I think the majority of first-time dog owners would not want to deal with that.
So um, yeah...JMO. There are definitely dogs that are probably more suited for first-timers, but there is no breed X that is right for everyone.
Lucy, my bichon/poodle mix, is really MY first dog. I have never had a puppy before and I hadn't trained a dog in any way before I got her. I like her, she really isn't too bad, considering she is still just a pup. I could say she has been great as a first-time puppy/dog, because I honestly think she has been. But I won't tell everybody that bichon/poodle mixes are great for first-time owners, because Lucy is incredibly stubborn and only listens when she feels like it. It is something I am willing to deal with and correct, but I think the majority of first-time dog owners would not want to deal with that.
So um, yeah...JMO.
There are definitely dogs that are probably more suited for first-timers, but there is no breed X that is right for everyone. 
"My" first dog was a Chow mix... we did wonderfully together. Of all the dogs I've had, the supposedly easiest breed (Papillon) has been by far the most challenging. He beat out my extremely strong-willed Chow mix, my aggressive and destructive wolf mix, and my super drivey Border Collie. Choosing the right breed does matter, but you have to remember that there are oddballs in every breed. More important is picking the right individual.
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