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10 Best Dog Breeds for First-Time Owners

Easy to train, forgiving, and low-maintenance dogs ideal for first-time dog owners.

1

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Friendly · Devoted · Trainable

Medium · 50–70 lbs · 12–15 yrs

2

Miniature American Shepherd

Smart · Versatile · Loyal

Small · 20–40 lbs · 12–13 yrs

3

Portuguese Water Dog

Affectionate · Athletic · Adventurous

Medium · 35–60 lbs · 11–13 yrs

4

Belgian Tervuren

Courageous · Alert · Devoted

Large · 45–75 lbs · 12–14 yrs

5

Labradoodle

Friendly · Intelligent · Sociable

Medium · 30–65 lbs · 12–14 yrs

6

Belgian Sheepdog

Versatile · Bright · Watchful

Large · 45–75 lbs · 12–14 yrs

7

Flat-Coated Retriever

Cheerful · Optimistic · Active

Large · 60–70 lbs · 8–10 yrs

8

Rough Collie

Devoted · Graceful · Proud

Large · 50–75 lbs · 12–14 yrs

9

Papillon

Friendly · Alert · Happy

Small · 5–10 lbs · 14–16 yrs

10

English Springer Spaniel

Friendly · Playful · Obedient

Medium · 40–50 lbs · 12–14 yrs

11

Brittany

Bright · Fun-loving · Upbeat

Medium · 30–40 lbs · 12–14 yrs

12

German Shorthaired Pointer

Friendly · Smart · Willing

Large · 45–70 lbs · 10–12 yrs

13

Shetland Sheepdog

Playful · Energetic · Bright

Small · 15–25 lbs · 12–14 yrs

14

Golden Retriever

Friendly · Intelligent · Devoted

Large · 55–75 lbs · 10–12 yrs

15

Labrador Retriever

Outgoing · Active · Gentle

Large · 55–80 lbs · 10–14 yrs

16

German Shepherd

Loyal · Confident · Courageous

Large · 50–90 lbs · 9–13 yrs

17

Poodle (Standard)

Intelligent · Active · Elegant

Medium · 40–70 lbs · 10–18 yrs

18

Australian Shepherd

Smart · Work-oriented · Exuberant

Medium · 40–65 lbs · 12–15 yrs

19

Vizsla

Affectionate · Energetic · Gentle

Medium · 44–60 lbs · 12–14 yrs

20

Border Collie

Energetic · Smart · Tenacious

Medium · 30–55 lbs · 12–15 yrs

21

Newfoundland

Sweet · Patient · Devoted

Large · 100–150 lbs · 9–10 yrs

22

Gordon Setter

Bold · Confident · Loyal

Large · 45–80 lbs · 12–13 yrs

23

English Setter

Gentle · Merry · Willful

Large · 45–80 lbs · 12 yrs

24

Border Terrier

Affectionate · Happy · Plucky

Small · 11–16 lbs · 12–15 yrs

25

Welsh Terrier

Friendly · Spirited · Game

Small · 20 lbs · 12–15 yrs

26

Boston Terrier

Friendly · Bright · Amusing

Small · 12–25 lbs · 11–13 yrs

27

Spanish Water Dog

Playful · Loyal · Hardworking

Medium · 31–49 lbs · 12–14 yrs

28

Irish Water Spaniel

Playful · Brave · Hardworking

Large · 45–68 lbs · 12–13 yrs

29

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Loyal · Affectionate · Smart

Small · 25–38 lbs · 12–15 yrs

30

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Faithful · Dependable · Family-oriented

Large · 85–140 lbs · 8–11 yrs

31

Cavapoo

Gentle · Affectionate · Playful

Small · 9–25 lbs · 12–15 yrs

32

American Eskimo Dog

Playful · Alert · Smart

Small · 6–35 lbs · 13–15 yrs

33

American Staffordshire Terrier

Confident · Smart · Good-natured

Medium · 40–70 lbs · 12–16 yrs

34

Bedlington Terrier

Gentle · Loyal · Energetic

Small · 17–23 lbs · 11–16 yrs

35

Kerry Blue Terrier

Smart · Alert · People-oriented

Medium · 33–40 lbs · 12–15 yrs

36

Norwich Terrier

Affectionate · Alert · Curious

Small · 12 lbs · 12–15 yrs

37

Japanese Spitz

Playful · Loyal · Smart

Small · 10–25 lbs · 12–14 yrs

38

Danish-Swedish Farmdog

Lively · Friendly · Attentive

Small · 15–25 lbs · 11–13 yrs

39

Cocker Spaniel

Gentle · Smart · Happy

Medium · 20–30 lbs · 10–14 yrs

40

Lagotto Romagnolo

Keen · Loving · Undemanding

Medium · 24–35 lbs · 15–17 yrs

41

American Hairless Terrier

Curious · Alert · Playful

Small · 12–16 lbs · 14–16 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

Swedish Vallhund

Friendly · Energetic · Watchful

Small · 20–35 lbs · 12–15 yrs

46

Bichon Frise

Playful · Curious · Peppy

Small · 12–18 lbs · 14–15 yrs

47

Weimaraner

Friendly · Fearless · Obedient

Large · 55–90 lbs · 10–13 yrs

48

Irish Setter

Outgoing · Sweet · Active

Large · 60–70 lbs · 12–15 yrs

49

Airedale Terrier

Courageous · Clever · Friendly

Medium · 50–70 lbs · 11–14 yrs

50

Keeshond

Friendly · Lively · Outgoing

Medium · 35–45 lbs · 12–15 yrs

51

Bernese Mountain Dog

Good-natured · Calm · Strong

Large · 70–115 lbs · 7–10 yrs

52

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Happy · Friendly · Devoted

Medium · 30–45 lbs · 12–14 yrs

53

Leonberger

Friendly · Gentle · Playful

Large · 90–170 lbs · 9–12 yrs

54

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Brave · Affectionate · Loyal

Medium · 24–38 lbs · 12–14 yrs

55

Havanese

Outgoing · Funny · Intelligent

Small · 7–13 lbs · 14–16 yrs

56

Miniature Schnauzer

Friendly · Smart · Obedient

Small · 11–20 lbs · 12–15 yrs

57

Old English Sheepdog

Adaptable · Gentle · Smart

Large · 60–100 lbs · 10–12 yrs

58

Bouvier des Flandres

Affectionate · Courageous · Strong-willed

Large · 70–110 lbs · 10–12 yrs

59

Briard

Loyal · Confident · Smart

Large · 55–100 lbs · 12–14 yrs

60

Appenzeller Sennenhund

Lively · Reliable · Fearless

Medium · 48–70 lbs · 12–15 yrs

61

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Affectionate · Bright · Sensitive

Large · 55–80 lbs · 10–13 yrs

62

Cockapoo

Friendly · Outgoing · Happy

Small · 12–25 lbs · 12–16 yrs

63

Coton de Tulear

Charming · Happy · Playful

Small · 8–15 lbs · 15–19 yrs

64

Entlebucher Mountain Dog

Loyal · Smart · Enthusiastic

Medium · 40–65 lbs · 11–13 yrs

65

Finnish Lapphund

Friendly · Alert · Agile

Medium · 33–53 lbs · 12–15 yrs

66

Boxer

Fun-loving · Active · Loyal

Large · 50–80 lbs · 10–12 yrs

67

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Gentle · Affectionate · Graceful

Small · 12–18 lbs · 12–15 yrs

68

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Bold · Affectionate · Smart

Small · 25–30 lbs · 12–13 yrs

69

American Pit Bull Terrier

Loyal · Confident · Affectionate

Medium · 30–65 lbs · 12–16 yrs

70

Curly-Coated Retriever

Confident · Proud · Wickedly Smart

Large · 60–95 lbs · 10–12 yrs

71

Giant Schnauzer

Loyal · Alert · Trainable

Large · 55–85 lbs · 12–15 yrs

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