Best dogs
Best dogs for first-time owners
The breeds rated most forgiving for people who have never owned a dog, and the easiest to train.
A first dog is easier when the breed is forgiving: willing to learn, tolerant of mistakes and not too much to handle. These breeds are rated best for first-time owners in the profiles.
The list
| # | Breed | Size | Typical weight | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Labrador Retriever | Large | 55 to 80 lb | 10 to 12 years |
| 2 | Golden Retriever | Large | 55 to 75 lb | 10 to 12 years |
| 3 | Poodle | Medium | 40 to 70 lb | 12 to 15 years |
| 4 | Miniature Schnauzer | Small | 11 to 20 lb | 12 to 15 years |
| 5 | Papillon | Small | 5 to 10 lb | 14 to 16 years |
| 6 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Small | 13 to 18 lb | 10 to 14 years |
| 7 | Boston Terrier | Small | 12 to 25 lb | 11 to 13 years |
| 8 | Havanese | Small | 7 to 13 lb | 14 to 16 years |
| 9 | Collie | Large | 50 to 75 lb | 12 to 14 years |
| 10 | Coton de Tulear | Small | 8 to 13 lb | 14 to 16 years |
| 11 | Border Terrier | Small | 11 to 16 lb | 12 to 15 years |
| 12 | Australian Terrier | Small | 14 to 16 lb | 12 to 15 years |
| 13 | Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka | Small | 7 to 9 lb | 12 to 14 years |
| 14 | French Bulldog | Small | 20 to 28 lb | 10 to 12 years |
| 15 | Shih Tzu | Small | 9 to 16 lb | 10 to 16 years |
About the breeds
1. Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is a sturdy, water-loving gun dog with an easygoing nature, widely kept as a family pet and a working guide and service dog. Read the Labrador Retriever profile.
2. Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a friendly, feathered gun dog from Scotland, known as a patient family companion, a bird retriever and a frequent service dog. Read the Golden Retriever profile.
3. Poodle
The Poodle is an intelligent, athletic water retriever in three sizes, known for a curly non-shedding coat and strong trainability. Read the Poodle profile.
4. Miniature Schnauzer
A sturdy, bearded German terrier-type dog with a wiry coat, a quick mind, and a loud voice, popular as a small family companion and watchdog. Read the Miniature Schnauzer profile.
5. Papillon
The Papillon is a small, intelligent toy spaniel named for its butterfly-like ears, quick to learn and unusually athletic for its size. Read the Papillon profile.
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a gentle English toy spaniel with a silky coat and an affectionate nature, prone to inherited heart and neurologic disease. Read the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel profile.
7. Boston Terrier
The Boston Terrier is a compact, short-nosed American companion with a tuxedo coat, known for its friendly, lively and sociable nature. Read the Boston Terrier profile.
8. Havanese
The Havanese is a sturdy little Cuban companion with a long, silky, wavy coat and a bouncy, people-loving temperament that suits families and apartments. Read the Havanese profile.
9. Collie
A graceful, gentle herding dog from Scotland, famous for its flowing coat and loyal nature, in both rough-coated and smooth-coated varieties. Read the Collie profile.
10. Coton de Tulear
The Coton de Tulear is a small, cheerful white companion from Madagascar with a soft, cotton-like coat and a lively, affectionate temperament. Read the Coton de Tulear profile.
11. Border Terrier
A small, rough-coated working terrier from the English and Scottish border country, valued as a friendly, sturdy, adaptable family dog. Read the Border Terrier profile.
12. Australian Terrier
A small, sturdy terrier from Australia with a rough blue-and-tan or sandy coat, a friendly, active nature, and a distinctive topknot. Read the Australian Terrier profile.
13. Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka
The Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka is a small, curly-coated Russian lapdog in many colors, developed in the Soviet era as an affectionate and intelligent companion. Read the Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka profile.
14. French Bulldog
The French Bulldog is a small, muscular, bat-eared companion from France and England, popular in cities for its easygoing nature and limited exercise needs. Read the French Bulldog profile.
15. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is a small, long-coated companion from imperial China, bred purely to keep people company and known for its friendly, outgoing nature. Read the Shih Tzu profile.
How this list was made
Breeds rated 4 or 5 for first-time owners, ordered by that rating and then by trainability. The ratings come from the breed profiles on this site, which rate each breed as a whole. Individual dogs differ, so use the list to decide which profiles to read, then meet the breed before you choose.