Best dog breeds for first-time owners
Breeds suited to people who have never had a dog: easy to train and forgiving of mistakes.
Your first dog teaches you as much as you teach it. That is why it helps to start with a breed that forgives mistakes: one that learns quickly, doesn't need an expert hand to stay balanced, and has no care or exercise needs that are hard to sustain.
This list prioritises trainability and tolerance of a novice owner. No breed is "easy" without work: the difference is how much room it leaves you while you learn.
Top 24 breeds
- 1. Norfolk Terrier 90%
- 2. Poodle 90%
- 3. Chi-Poo 85%
- 4. Doberman Pinscher 85%
- 5. Goldador 85%
- 6. Goldendoodle 85%
- 7. Maltipoo 85%
- 8. Papipoo 85%
- 9. Sussex Spaniel 85%
- 10. Belgian Tervuren 80%
- 11. Bordoodle 80%
- 12. Estrela Mountain Dog 80%
- 13. Frenchton 80%
- 14. Labrador Retriever 80%
- 15. Pembroke Welsh Corgi 80%
- 16. Pomapoo 80%
- 17. Poochon 80%
- 18. Schnoodle 80%
- 19. Sheepadoodle 80%
- 20. Welsh Springer Spaniel 80%
- 21. American Eskimo Dog 75%
- 22. Auggie 75%
- 23. Aussiedoodle 75%
- 24. Bearded Collie 75%
The percentage shows how well each breed matches the criteria of this guide, not how "good" the breed is.
Want something more precise? The test lets you weigh every trait yourself, not just the ones in this guide.
Take the testOther guides
- Best dog breeds for apartment living Breeds that cope well with a flat: moderate size, moderate energy and little barking.
- Best dog breeds for families with children Breeds that are affectionate with the family, tolerant with children and sociable with other dogs.
- Dog breeds that shed very little Breeds with minimal shedding and little drooling, for people who don't want hair everywhere.
- Dog breeds that tolerate being left alone More independent breeds, for people who are out of the house during the day.
- Calm, quiet dog breeds Low-energy breeds that bark little, ideal where neighbours are close.
- Best dog breeds for older people Manageable size, low energy and a docile temperament for easy day-to-day living.
- Best dog breeds for runners and active people Breeds with the energy and stamina for running, hiking or dog sports.
- Easiest dog breeds to train Breeds that learn quickly and respond well to training.
- Dog breeds that handle hot weather well Breeds adapted to hard summers.
- Best guard dog breeds Territorial, protective breeds suited to guarding with an experienced owner.
- Dog breeds that get on well with other dogs Sociable breeds, for homes that already have a dog or for regular dog-park visitors.