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10 Best First-Time Dog Breeds (2026): Beginner-Friendly & Easy to Train

Choosing your first dog? These 10 breeds are famously forgiving with beginners - easy to train, great with kids, and built for apartment or house life. Compare temperament, size, and yearly cost.

1

Belgian Tervuren

Courageous · Alert · Devoted

Large · 45-75 lbs · 12-14 yrs

2

Labradoodle

Friendly · Intelligent · Sociable

Medium · 30-65 lbs · 12-14 yrs

3

Belgian Sheepdog

Versatile · Bright · Watchful

Large · 45-75 lbs · 12-14 yrs

4

Portuguese Water Dog

Affectionate · Athletic · Adventurous

Medium · 35-60 lbs · 11-13 yrs

5

Miniature American Shepherd

Smart · Versatile · Loyal

Small · 20-40 lbs · 12-13 yrs

6

Flat-Coated Retriever

Cheerful · Optimistic · Active

Large · 60-70 lbs · 8-10 yrs

7

Rough Collie

Devoted · Graceful · Proud

Large · 50-75 lbs · 12-14 yrs

8

Papillon

Friendly · Alert · Happy

Small · 5-10 lbs · 14-16 yrs

9

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Friendly · Devoted · Trainable

Medium · 50-70 lbs · 12-15 yrs

10

White Swiss Shepherd

Alert · Loyal · Gentle

Large · 55-88 lbs · 12-14 yrs

11

English Springer Spaniel

Friendly · Playful · Obedient

Medium · 40-50 lbs · 12-14 yrs

12

Brittany

Bright · Fun-loving · Upbeat

Medium · 30-40 lbs · 12-14 yrs

13

German Shorthaired Pointer

Friendly · Smart · Willing

Large · 45-70 lbs · 10-12 yrs

14

Shetland Sheepdog

Playful · Energetic · Bright

Small · 15-25 lbs · 12-14 yrs

15

Golden Retriever

Friendly · Intelligent · Devoted

Large · 55-75 lbs · 10-12 yrs

16

Labrador Retriever

Outgoing · Active · Gentle

Large · 55-80 lbs · 10-14 yrs

17

German Shepherd

Loyal · Confident · Courageous

Large · 50-90 lbs · 9-13 yrs

18

Poodle (Standard)

Intelligent · Active · Elegant

Medium · 40-70 lbs · 10-18 yrs

19

Australian Shepherd

Smart · Work-oriented · Exuberant

Medium · 40-65 lbs · 12-15 yrs

20

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Intelligent · Outgoing · Affectionate

Medium · 35-50 lbs · 12-14 yrs

21

Vizsla

Affectionate · Energetic · Gentle

Medium · 44-60 lbs · 12-14 yrs

22

Border Collie

Energetic · Smart · Tenacious

Medium · 30-55 lbs · 12-15 yrs

23

Dutch Shepherd

Loyal · Athletic · Alert

Medium · 42-75 lbs · 12-15 yrs

24

Spanish Water Dog

Playful · Loyal · Hardworking

Medium · 31-49 lbs · 12-14 yrs

25

Irish Water Spaniel

Playful · Brave · Hardworking

Large · 45-68 lbs · 12-13 yrs

26

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Loyal · Affectionate · Smart

Small · 25-38 lbs · 12-15 yrs

27

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Faithful · Dependable · Family-oriented

Large · 85-140 lbs · 8-11 yrs

28

Cavapoo

Gentle · Affectionate · Playful

Small · 9-25 lbs · 12-15 yrs

29

American Eskimo Dog

Playful · Alert · Smart

Small · 6-35 lbs · 13-15 yrs

30

American Staffordshire Terrier

Confident · Smart · Good-natured

Medium · 40-70 lbs · 12-16 yrs

31

Kooikerhondje

Friendly · Alert · Lively

Small · 20-30 lbs · 12-15 yrs

32

Bedlington Terrier

Gentle · Loyal · Energetic

Small · 17-23 lbs · 11-16 yrs

33

Kerry Blue Terrier

Smart · Alert · People-oriented

Medium · 33-40 lbs · 12-15 yrs

34

Norwich Terrier

Affectionate · Alert · Curious

Small · 12 lbs · 12-15 yrs

35

Japanese Spitz

Playful · Loyal · Smart

Small · 10-25 lbs · 12-14 yrs

36

Danish-Swedish Farmdog

Lively · Friendly · Attentive

Small · 15-25 lbs · 11-13 yrs

37

Elo

Friendly · Family-oriented · Balanced

Medium · 25-75 lbs · 13-15 yrs

38

Lagotto Romagnolo

Keen · Loving · Undemanding

Medium · 24-35 lbs · 15-17 yrs

39

American Hairless Terrier

Curious · Alert · Playful

Small · 12-16 lbs · 14-16 yrs

40

Eurasier

Calm · Confident · Reserved

Medium · 40-70 lbs · 12-14 yrs

41

Bolognese

Affectionate · Devoted · Docile

Small · 9-14 lbs · 12-14 yrs

42

Black Russian Terrier

Intelligent · Calm · Powerful

Large · 80-130 lbs · 10-12 yrs

43

Lowchen

Affectionate · Outgoing · Positive

Small · 15 lbs · 13-15 yrs

44

Norwegian Buhund

Agile · Alert · Cheerful

Medium · 26-40 lbs · 12-15 yrs

45

Stabyhoun

Gentle · Patient · Willing

Medium · 40-60 lbs · 13-15 yrs

46

Swedish Vallhund

Friendly · Energetic · Watchful

Small · 20-35 lbs · 12-15 yrs

47

Maltipoo

Affectionate · Lively · Smart

Small · 5-20 lbs · 10-15 yrs

48

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Faithful · Alert · Even-tempered

Large · 85-140 lbs · 8-11 yrs

49

Pyrenean Shepherd

Lively · Brave · Devoted

Small · 15-30 lbs · 15-17 yrs

50

Welsh Terrier

Friendly · Spirited · Game

Small · 20 lbs · 12-15 yrs

51

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Brave · Affectionate · Loyal

Medium · 24-38 lbs · 12-14 yrs

52

Leonberger

Friendly · Gentle · Playful

Large · 90-170 lbs · 9-12 yrs

53

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Happy · Friendly · Devoted

Medium · 30-45 lbs · 12-14 yrs

54

Keeshond

Friendly · Lively · Outgoing

Medium · 35-45 lbs · 12-15 yrs

55

Airedale Terrier

Courageous · Clever · Friendly

Medium · 50-70 lbs · 11-14 yrs

56

Irish Setter

Outgoing · Sweet · Active

Large · 60-70 lbs · 12-15 yrs

57

Weimaraner

Friendly · Fearless · Obedient

Large · 55-90 lbs · 10-13 yrs

58

Bichon Frise

Playful · Curious · Peppy

Small · 12-18 lbs · 14-15 yrs

59

Newfoundland

Sweet · Patient · Devoted

Large · 100-150 lbs · 9-10 yrs

60

Cocker Spaniel

Gentle · Smart · Happy

Medium · 20-30 lbs · 10-14 yrs

61

Boston Terrier

Friendly · Bright · Amusing

Small · 12-25 lbs · 11-13 yrs

62

Havanese

Outgoing · Funny · Intelligent

Small · 7-13 lbs · 14-16 yrs

63

Bernese Mountain Dog

Good-natured · Calm · Strong

Large · 70-115 lbs · 7-10 yrs

64

Miniature Schnauzer

Friendly · Smart · Obedient

Small · 11-20 lbs · 12-15 yrs

65

Boxer

Fun-loving · Active · Loyal

Large · 50-80 lbs · 10-12 yrs

66

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Gentle · Affectionate · Graceful

Small · 12-18 lbs · 12-15 yrs

67

Border Terrier

Affectionate · Happy · Plucky

Small · 11-16 lbs · 12-15 yrs

68

English Setter

Gentle · Merry · Willful

Large · 45-80 lbs · 12 yrs

69

Gordon Setter

Bold · Confident · Loyal

Large · 45-80 lbs · 12-13 yrs

70

Giant Schnauzer

Loyal · Alert · Trainable

Large · 55-85 lbs · 12-15 yrs

71

Curly-Coated Retriever

Confident · Proud · Wickedly Smart

Large · 60-95 lbs · 10-12 yrs

72

American Pit Bull Terrier

Loyal · Confident · Affectionate

Medium · 30-65 lbs · 12-16 yrs

73

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Bold · Affectionate · Smart

Small · 25-30 lbs · 12-13 yrs

74

Finnish Lapphund

Friendly · Alert · Agile

Medium · 33-53 lbs · 12-15 yrs

75

Entlebucher Mountain Dog

Loyal · Smart · Enthusiastic

Medium · 40-65 lbs · 11-13 yrs

76

Coton de Tulear

Charming · Happy · Playful

Small · 8-15 lbs · 15-19 yrs

77

Cockapoo

Friendly · Outgoing · Happy

Small · 12-25 lbs · 12-16 yrs

78

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Affectionate · Bright · Sensitive

Large · 55-80 lbs · 10-13 yrs

79

Appenzeller Sennenhund

Lively · Reliable · Fearless

Medium · 48-70 lbs · 12-15 yrs

80

Briard

Loyal · Confident · Smart

Large · 55-100 lbs · 12-14 yrs

81

Bouvier des Flandres

Affectionate · Courageous · Strong-willed

Large · 70-110 lbs · 10-12 yrs

82

Old English Sheepdog

Adaptable · Gentle · Smart

Large · 60-100 lbs · 10-12 yrs

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