10 Best Dog Breeds for First-Time Dog Parents

So you want to bring a pup into your home for the first time? Congratulations, it’s a big decision to make — but so is the kind of dog you choose to adopt. This is important because certain dog breeds and mixes are better suited for first-time pet parents than others. Below is a list of 10 dog breeds — small, medium, and large-size — that are good for first-timers.

These dogs are smart, adaptable, affectionate, trainable, friendly, and require a little-to-moderate amount of exercise. All of these qualities should set you and your dog up for success.

Key traits of a great first-time dog

When it comes to choosing a dog, especially for first-time pet parents, look for traits such as an easy-going nature, a manageable size, their grooming needs, and their energy level. It’s about finding a pet that fits perfectly into your unique lifestyle. Don’t look for a dog to fit your idealized concept of pet parenthood; focus on finding a pup that speaks to your current lifestyle.

• Easy-going temperament: A great first-time dog has an adaptable temperament and gets along well with people and other pets, so they can fit seamlessly into many types of families.

• Fits your lifestyle: A first-time pup should also neatly fit into their pet parent’s lifestyle (although it goes without saying that all pets will cause some chaos and alter your daily routine). If you are an outdoorsy person who takes hikes every weekend, you’d benefit from having a pup who will love that activity. On the other hand, if you’re a homebody, then you’d be a perfect match for a dog who likes to be around their pet parent at all times.

• Manageable size: If you feel more comfortable with small dogs, opt for a small breed. Conversely, if you like larger dogs, look for a size that suits you. If you're uncertain, visit the shelter and walk some dogs to determine the size that fits you best.

Note: Just because a breed is supposed to exhibit certain qualities doesn’t mean that every single dog of that breed necessarily will. But considering common breed characteristics can be a starting point.

Top dog breeds for first-time pet parents

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1. Mixed-breed dog

Naturally, we’re kicking things off with the best dogs out there — the mixed breeds. Crossbreeds and mixes from rescues or animal shelters can make great companions to first-time pet parents. And if you adopt a dog when they’re already an adult, rather than a puppy, they have settled into their personality. The staff or their foster parent(s) can often advise you on what your new pup needs in terms of food, water, and exercise because they have gotten to know their pups and generally want what’s best for them. After settling into their new home (follow the 3-3-3 rule), a rescue pup will start to relax and might become more energetic and playful.

Traits

• Height: 5 to 30 inches

• Weight: 5 to 190 pounds

• Best trait: One-of-a-kind

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2. Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is a charming dog with curly white hair, who aims to impress. Extremely intelligent and trainable, Bichons love to learn new tricks and show them off to anyone who will watch them. They are good first dogs because they are affectionate and have low-shedding coats. Some people consider these dogs hypoallergenic, but that doesn’t mean the dog parent is off the hook for grooming — they still need to be brushed and bathed regularly. Bichons are apartment-friendly pups and don’t mind living in a more compact space (if anything, they probably prefer being closer to you). They do need regular exercise and playtime, however.

Traits

• Height: 9 to 11 inches

• Weight: 6 to 16 pounds

• Best trait: Highly affectionate

• Considerations: Potential pet parents should keep in mind that this breed is prone to separation anxiety and doesn’t like to be left alone, so they’re best suited for homebodies.

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3. Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers (nicknamed “Labs”) are sweet, friendly, energetic companions. Labs are large-breed dogs with yellow, chocolate, or black coats. They are great pets for first-time dog parents because they are easy to train, eager to please, and patient. These pups often have jobs on search-and-rescue teams or as service dogs. They’re happiest when they have a job to do and are mentally stimulated, so they need toys and games to keep them from becoming bored and destructive. Their coats warrant weekly brushing, even though their water-resistant, double-layer fur does not shed a lot.

Traits

• Height: 21 to 24 inches

• Weight: 49 to 77 pounds

• Best trait: Fiercely loyal

• Considerations: Although Labs have the perfect temperament for first-time dog parents, they require about two hours of exercise per day.

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4. Papillon

The Papillon, a toy dog with big butterfly-like ears, is lovey-dovey, good with kids, and adaptable. Papillons only weigh up to 12 pounds, but they can sometimes be a little overconfident despite their size. So pet parents will need to keep an eye on them around bigger animals and young children who are still learning how to interact with dogs. Despite their diminutive stature, these pups need plenty of exercise and playtime, both indoors and outdoors. Their silky, long fur needs to be monitored for matting. But their fur is only a single coat, so they don’t need as much brushing and grooming as other breeds.

Traits

• Height: 8 to 11 inches

• Weight: 4 to 12 pounds

• Best trait: Charmer

• Considerations: Papillons like to be around their humans all the time and are prone to separation anxiety.

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5. Border Terrier

The Border Terrier is a small, wiry pup who can weigh up to 22 pounds. Known for having an “otter face,” the Border Terrier is characterized as a warmhearted, athletic explorer. This breed requires a half hour of exercise each day and should be walked on a leash due to their strong prey drive, which might entice them to take off. This sweet pup has a wiry outer coat and soft undercoat. In addition to requiring regular grooming, this breed does have heavy shedding seasons, so you will need to set aside extra time for brushing.

Traits

• Height: 11 to 12 inches

• Weight: 9 to 22 pounds

• Best trait: Tenacity

• Considerations: The Border Terrier enjoys digging, so if a pet parent has a fenced-in backyard, the fence should go down at least one and a half feet.

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6. American Cocker Spaniel

The American Cocker Spaniel has a long, silky coat and expressive puppy-dog eyes. If this breed looks a little familiar to you, it’s because Lady from Disney’s Lady and the Tramp is modeled after them. Weighing up to 30 pounds, the American Cocker Spaniel is a small but loyal companion. They’re highly affectionate, adaptable, patient, and gentle around children and other pets, so they’re a great pick for first-time pet parents. First-time dog parents should opt for a puppy haircut for this breed because when their hair is long, it requires a lot of specialized care.

Traits

• Height: 14 to 15 inches

• Weight: 19 to 36 pounds

• Best trait: Family-friendly

• Considerations: Cocker Spaniels are part of the sporting group; they need up to an hour of exercise a day.

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7. Bernese Mountain Dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog weighs up to 123 pounds and even looks friendly thanks to built-in smiles on their faces. These are dedicated, easygoing pups with high levels of patience and trainability. They’re good with kids and other dogs, which makes them a great pick for first-time parents. These intelligent, family-friendly dogs are generally obedient, and despite their status as working dogs, they require a moderate amount of exercise. They should ideally have a yard to run around in, but are also happy being taken on hiking adventures, long walks, or playing a rousing game of fetch for a minimum of 30 minutes a day.

The most high-maintenance part of owning a Bernese Mountain Dog is taking care of their double coat. They shed a lot, especially when it gets hotter — so they’ll need to be brushed once a week.

Traits

• Height: 23 to 26 inches

• Weight: 70 to 123 pounds

• Best trait: Friendly temperament

• Considerations: Compared to many other dogs, Bernese Mountain Dogs tend to have shorter lifespans — around seven to eight years, which means your time with them will be shorter too.

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8. Basset Hound

Basset Hounds are doting dogs famous for their sad, puppy-dog eyes, long ears, keen sense of smell, and low-slung bodies. They’re also famously good dogs for first-time dog parents. Eager to please and relatively chill, the Basset Hound doesn’t require as much exercise as other breeds on this list. They prefer low-speed, longer walks with many opportunities to use their tracking abilities. Their short coat is also low-maintenance, but they will need regular brushing to keep their shedding under control.

Traits

• Height: 11 to 15 inches

• Weight: 49 to 77 pounds

• Best trait: Super sniffer

• Considerations: The main thing to consider with a Basset Hound is that they can be difficult to train, so first-time pet parents might want to invest in obedience classes.

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9. Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is a pint-size pup, only weighing up to seven pounds, who is devoted and loving. Chihuahuas prefer to spend all of their time with their pet parents, so it’s perfect that they fit easily in purses, backpacks, and bags. This pup loves to play, but it’s important for pet parents not to overexert them with long walks. Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes make a good first-time pet for small-space dwellers. Chihuahuas can be either short- or long-haired, which require different levels of grooming.

Traits

• Height: 6 to 9 inches

• Weight: 2 to 9 pounds

• Best trait: Low maintenance

• Considerations: Tiny Chihuahuas are too small to interact with small children, so they’d be happiest in a family without toddlers and little kids.

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10. Cavapoo

The Cavapoo is a mix of the Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, weighing up to 20 pounds and boasting a curly coat. This affectionate, healthier Cavalier mix has a temperament that makes them a great choice for first-time dog parents. They are easy to train, aim to please, and are relaxed when not in play mode. Some Cavapoos can have the Poodle’s low-shed, nearly hypoallergenic fur. This breed enjoys regular walks, fetch, and other play, but they should be supervised around young children — because these dogs are small and can be easily injured.

Traits

• Height: 9 to 14 inches

• Weight: 8 to 18 pounds

• Best trait: An easy BFF

• Considerations: A Cavapoo’s curly coat requires regular brushing, or painful mats can occur.

Should you adopt a puppy or an adult dog?

We all agree that puppies are adorable, but they are also a ton of work. Puppies may not be a good choice for first-time dog parents, because they’re demanding, need training, and require socialization.

• Pet parents might struggle with house training, teaching them to sleep in their crates, barking, biting, and obedience.

• Puppies often get into the things you don’t want them to get into — shoes, clothes, toilet paper, and trash. Think of them as toddlers: cute but destructive.

• Training a dog can be challenging, especially if they are a more stubborn or independent breed. If you aren’t able to train your dog at home, you may have to invest in obedience classes.

There are a lot of benefits to rescuing an adult (or adopting a senior) dog from a shelter. Because your dog has spent time in a shelter, they may have received some training and might even be house-trained.

Breeds to avoid as a first-time dog parent

Getting a dog can require a big adjustment to your daily routine. Walks, playtime, and feeding times are now on the agenda. Some of the most challenging dog breeds for first-time pet parents include high-energy, working dog breeds such as Huskies, German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Aussies, Cattle Dogs, and Border Collies.

These are all great breeds, but they require multiple hours of exercise a day and grow disruptive and destructive if they don’t get the activity they need. They’re also independent-minded and can be very stubborn, so they are better for experienced pet parents.

Ready to adopt? 

Adopt a Pet allows you to specify the size and breed you’d like, as well as the distance you’re willing to travel to meet a dog. You can even search specific shelters and rescues to research their pets before traveling to them. Once you’ve found the dog you would like to adopt, check out our must-read adoption checklist. 

References

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‌Marinelli, Lieta, et al. “Quality of Life of the Pet Dog: Influence of Owner and Dog’s Characteristics.” Applied Animal Behaviour Science, vol. 108, no. 1-2, Dec. 2007, pp. 143–156, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2006.11.018.

‌“The New Complete Dog Book 23rd Edition.” AKC Shop, 2025, shop.akc.org/products/proshop-the-new-complete-dog-book. Accessed 12 June 2025.

‌“Selecting the Right Dog for Your Lifestyle.” Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), apdt.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/selecting-a-dog.pdf.

Klopfenstein, Michael, et al. “Life Expectancy and Causes of Death in Bernese Mountain Dogs in Switzerland.” BMC Veterinary Research, vol. 12, no. 1, 25 July 2016, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-016-0782-9.