"Easy" dog breeds

[Romy]

Agree with everyone who is saying the best starter dog is one that matches your energy level, lifestyle, and needs.

That said, I think a retired greyhound would be an excellent first dog for anybody. They're all sent through foster homes and learn basic house manners before going to their new homes, so that in itself is a huge plus. They're not particularly pushy, and very soft tempered so they're a good for people to learn to regulate themselves and actually think about how they training the dog vs. knee jerk reacting to the dog, as they will shut down if you start yelling and flailing your arms.

There's also such a wide variety, people who like to jog can find higher energy ones, people who like to sleep can find couch placement holders, people who have cats can find low prey drive washouts, etc.

 

[frostfell]

Oh man, the irony.

Considering I dont own bulldogs and never will, your rudeness isnt warranted. **** off.

 

[Raegan]

I don't really believe in the "first time dog owner breed".

If you get an "easy" dog that doesn't match your personality at all, you are going to have a hard time.

Instead, I think it is much more important to look at individual dogs of breeds that match your wants and desires, and your own personality.

Leo is my ideal "first time dog owner" dog. Perfect! He would not necessarily be the perfect dog for another first time dog owner. My needs are different from other peoples.

Leo is "easy" because he has an extremely good off switch in the house, and he doesn't have major issues. He is extremely easily trainable and doesn't destroy anything. Every body he meets dotes on what an amazing dog Leo is.

Leo is "hard" in that he is an extremely active, high energy dog who NEEDS a good run (walks do nothing) every day. He also would not do well with a dominance based trainer, because he is not easily intimidated. He is "soft" in that he really really cares about what I think...but he can be "hard" in other ways. There is no doubt in my mind that he would bite if he was regularly scruffed or alpha rolled. He doesn't get scared by physical violence at all, and his reaction is much more "You stop that right now". Now, that doesn't bother me at all because I don't use negative physical corrections, but a different unknowledgable first time dog owner could definitely get bit by him.

I think Leo is a GREAT first time dog . For me. He would not necessarily be a great first time dog for certain other people. The same thing applies for many other dogs.

This. I always think of Equinox and Trent. You should get the dog you want, because you'll be more invested when issues of any sort arise.

 

[StompinT]

I agree that many of the toy, companion breeds are great first time owner breeds. Not to say they are "easy", as I'm with all of you - there aren't any easy breeds. All need training, boundaries, time spent with you, proper and thoughtful exercise, etc.

Shih Tzus would be right up there as best first time owner breeds. Happy, friendly, confident little nut balls.

 

[Annabell]

I don't really believe in the "first time dog owner breed".

If you get an "easy" dog that doesn't match your personality at all, you are going to have a hard time.

Instead, I think it is much more important to look at individual dogs of breeds that match your wants and desires, and your own personality.

Leo is my ideal "first time dog owner" dog. Perfect! He would not necessarily be the perfect dog for another first time dog owner. My needs are different from other peoples.

Leo is "easy" because he has an extremely good off switch in the house, and he doesn't have major issues. He is extremely easily trainable and doesn't destroy anything. Every body he meets dotes on what an amazing dog Leo is.

Leo is "hard" in that he is an extremely active, high energy dog who NEEDS a good run (walks do nothing) every day. He also would not do well with a dominance based trainer, because he is not easily intimidated. He is "soft" in that he really really cares about what I think...but he can be "hard" in other ways. There is no doubt in my mind that he would bite if he was regularly scruffed or alpha rolled. He doesn't get scared by physical violence at all, and his reaction is much more "You stop that right now". Now, that doesn't bother me at all because I don't use negative physical corrections, but a different unknowledgable first time dog owner could definitely get bit by him.

I think Leo is a GREAT first time dog . For me. He would not necessarily be a great first time dog for certain other people. The same thing applies for many other dogs.

I totally agree with this.

A lot of people are shocked when I tell them Fable is my first dog because she is so well behaved and knows so much language. I definitely think cattle dogs would not make good first dogs for a lot of people, but I am such a big "dog person" that she is perfect for me.

 

[Jenne]

My dog is a cocker/springer mix who was an amazing dog for a first time dog owner. He has some timidity issues but he was easy to house break, has great house manners, is amazingly intuitive with me and is very easy to train. I really lucked out on what was basically an impulse buy. So of course I'll say spaniels, but 2nd dog is going to be a poodle which I've also heard is a good breed for new dog owners.