Dogs are man’s best friend not only in speech. They actually are! They listen. You always have fun with them and also a lot of exercise. If you are sick, they cuddle you back to health. And at the same time, some breeds also eat the hair off your head. Nevertheless, it’s simply that once you’ve acquired a taste for them, you definitely want to have a dog of your own.
But wait: Surely one has a favorite among the dog breeds. A race, which one would like to win most for itself. Unfortunately, however, not all dog breeds are equally suitable for the beginner dog owner. Therefore, you should be clear about some things BEFORE you take over the dog. Because one thing is for sure: everything is easier in theory.
What are the requirements for a dog owner?
Before discussing the dog breeds under consideration, one should answer some questions for oneself, calmly. Only if the result of this little questionnaire is in order, you should find the dog that belongs to you.
Can I keep a dog in my apartment, in my house at all?
In rental properties, always consult the landlord before buying a dog. Often it is not allowed. Sometimes, however, it is the personal living situation itself that prohibits keeping a dog. This would be the case, for example, if you live in an apartment block, in a small apartment and nowhere nearby is a suitable opportunity for walking and romping with the dog.
How many years do I want to commit to a dog?
This question is particularly important. After all, especially when purchasing a puppy, it is important to remember that some dog breeds can live up to 15 years. Are you willing to take care of the dog for this long period, without ifs and buts. In a sense, for better or for worse? So literally in wind and weather?
Am I healthy and fit enough to go out in the wind and weather with the dog?
Please be honest, every dog needs to get enough exercise every day, preferably in the fresh air. Depending on the breed, a walk could be half an hour or it could be an hour or two at a time. Can you accomplish this task?
How much time can I devote to the dog per day?
If you are actually dedicated to your job, you should immediately put the thought of a dog aside if you don’t have family at home who would have time for the animal all day. Of course, this is equally true if you are actually at home of the evening on the party circuit. They say that a dog should never be left alone for more than four to five hours.
What if I go on vacation?
Are there friends or family members who would take the animal in case of a vacation trip where he cannot be taken? Would I be willing to put him in a boarding kennel during that time?
Who can spontaneously take care of the animal in case of an emergency?
Something can always happen once in a while. Who could quickly take over the dog for an hour or two or even a day or two, for example, in case of illness? Family, friends, neighbors or a trusted dog sitter would be useful at this point.
What is my allergy status?
Unfortunately, it happens again and again that you get a dog and only find out afterwards that you yourself or a family member suffers from a dog hair allergy. In the case of a general susceptibility to allergies, this should be tested in advance by the allergist.
How well can I already handle dogs or what previous experience with dogs do I have?
No, experience as a child with the neighbor’s dachshund is not enough. Perhaps you have regularly petted dogs or had friends with dogs that they often cared for. If not it can be useful to visit a dog school with the “new” dog to learn by yourself. Because unfortunately it happens again and again that a dog is given away as “untrainable”, “difficult to handle” or with similar reasons in the shelter. Mostly, however, it is the problem of the owners who are simply overwhelmed with this dog.
Covering the running costs?
As unattractive as it may sound, the running costs can sometimes be the undoing of financially poorly off persons. In addition to food costs, veterinary visits and possibly pet liability insurance need to be budgeted for. Not to mention, the fees to plan for dog school.
Do my own recreational activities match those of a dog?
Yes, it sounds strange, but past recreational activities were designed to NOT have a dog on board. Now, however, he is part of it. So you need to find activities where the dog can come along or even be the main person, such as dog sports or dog school and dog walking in general.
How clean can it be in the apartment with a dog?
No, you definitely shouldn’t want to eat off the floor if you own a dog. And how clean it will actually be, well that depends on your individual cleaning zeal. Basically, though, you can of course expect dirt to be left lying around than it would be without a pet. The best thing to do is just get used to it.
It’s supposed to be a puppy. But do you actually have enough time for him?
That’s right, a puppy is still far too small to spend hours on walks. But for that he needs company on the one hand and a good education on the other. And especially the education costs a lot of time. Not every puppy can learn the basic concepts within a week and also still implement them correctly. You will need patience and a lot of time.
What about my skills to keep a dog?
Remember, it’s about the decision to take a real, live dog into the family. It requires love, patience, rigor and empathy. Dogs are like little children. They try everything. They fool around and want to play and cuddle all the time. A regular chore wouldn’t be bad either. And 24/7/365, as today’s youth would say. Every day, around the clock, it may occur to him that you are on duty. No, not only as a can opener, but also as a companion, doctor, nurse and and and. A dog loves the company and support of his humans. In return, he will go through fire for you, if you have done it right.
… and – are you done with your homework and have passed the test? Then let’s now take a look at which dogs are suitable for beginners.
The best dog breeds for beginners
What qualities should this dog bring?
If we assume that the beginner must first get used to the characteristics of the dog, the following characteristics should definitely be found in the dog to be selected:
- good-natured
- easy to handle
- friendly
- balanced
- patient
- calm
- cheerful
- easy to care for
Especially for the beginner it is important to get into the role of the pack leader as soon as possible. In this task for the dog owner it is irrelevant which dog it is. He must ALWAYS be the pack leader, because otherwise the dog will take over this task without batting an eye. Yes, and then it becomes difficult for dog and owner.
In families with children, it is also important to make sure that the dog is suitable for children. This is especially true for working parents who are away from home for long periods of the day.
Puppy or “ready trained” dog?
The education of the dog is the be-all and end-all. If you educate your puppy yourself, you also create a special relationship between the dog and yourself. You will also learn about your dog’s strengths and weaknesses during puppy training. However, self-performed education is time-consuming and can be full of misunderstandings. But that’s what you have your dog trainer for. He will provide more understanding.
If a “second-hand” dog is adopted, it may already be fully trained. But some still need some education as well. In both cases, a refresher course at the dog school can keep things in order.
The optimal beginner dogs
- Maltese: this little ball of wool can live anywhere. For him, the main thing is to have his favorite human around. He gets by with surprisingly little exercise. As much as he loves to play and romp around, he is very affectionate with people who need an extra dose of love. This includes children and seniors, as well as the sick or bedridden. As a family, companion and also therapy dog he is almost unbeatable. You can do absolutely nothing wrong with this dog as a beginner.
- Havanese: The dog with the sunny disposition is a wonderful beginner dog. Just 29 cm tall and weighing no more than 7 kg, he is a good option for young and old. But be careful – this dog is extremely curious and somehow constantly busy. Even when he seems to be sleeping peacefully, his mind is wide awake. The dog can live up to 14 years, so it is the perfect dog to grow up with the kids. Certainly, he loves all the people and other animals that are around him. His main caregiver, however, he will cling to like a piece of Velcro! Don’t screw it up! He is one of the most loyal souls in this world.
- Golden Retriever: If you choose the Golden Retriever, you’ll be right on trend, as he’s one of the most popular dogs in the country. Devoted, loyal, obedient, fond of children and eager to learn as he is, he can forgive the novice dog any mistake and accept corrections. With children he usually shows infinite patience. However, because of his great dispositions, he needs exercise in the form of mental and physical activity. He especially likes the challenge to become a rescue or guide dog. Taking responsibility for his own is exactly his thing. One thing, however, should be considered: The Golden Retriever needs space and a garden so that he can also get exercise himself. And for relaxation he likes to cuddle!
- Poodle: You consider yourself fit and active? The Poodle will put this statement to the test. Like no other, he not only needs plenty of exercise, but also just as much mental and physical activity. No wonder he even trains to be a disaster dog. For the family, he is definitely an enrichment due to his love for people and his prudence. Due to the fact that he hardly sheds, he is also suitable for allergy sufferers. Even though he is actually very easy to train, it is important to teach him the consequence, but also the necessity of education. Because when walking or doing dog activities, it could be crucial in a stressful situation. It should also be mentioned that grooming is time consuming. And one more thing: never underestimate the intelligence of a poodle. It can teach you the fear, because it often seems to be smarter than you, the owner.
- French Bulldog: Believe it or not – an actor is lost on this dog. He understands like no other how to get along in an apartment in the best way. It is also good to play with balls there. Attention, this dog overheats quickly. Give him as rather a break more. Heat is not his thing. As low-maintenance as he seems to be otherwise, he can be quite stubborn. And then it’s important to remain the pack leader and assert yourself. But don’t panic – it doesn’t happen that often.
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: The King Charles is a great family dog and loves children. Even though he can be a real bundle of energy, most representatives of this breed are rather calm and balanced. One thing he can’t stand at all – when left alone. Unbalanced, however, he is a small, miffed little dog that is quick to think about what mischief he can get into. No matter how well this dog has been trained, he should not be let off the leash as he has a strong hunting instinct. Recall training should not be neglected throughout his life.
- Labrador Retriever: The perfect beginner dog for a sports-loving family. With him you can do many sports together. In addition, it is a great job for him to prove himself as a therapy or rescue dog. You notice – he needs a lot of exercise! In all other respects he is totally uncomplicated and will do everything to spend his time together with his family. Even if he has to wait once for that. However, it is best to have an apartment with a garden for him, as he does not like to be indoors during most of the day. For him, you just have to have the time he needs.
- Bichon Frisé: It grows to a maximum height of 30 cm and weighs a maximum of 10 kg. A life span of 10 – 12 years can be expected. His favorite activity is cuddling. Quickly you will not be able to take a step by yourself. He is quite easy to care for, but needs regular grooming. Attention – he absolutely needs the company of his family. Otherwise it can happen that he develops into a rowdy barker. Since there is nothing more important for him than to please his master / mistress, his education is quite simple. Gladly this dog will prove itself in a dog sport.
- Bulldog: The Bulldog has a maximum shoulder height of 36 centimeters and a maximum weight of 25 kilograms. Even though the Bulldog looks quite grumpy, it has the mischievousness in its neck, so you will always have your pleasure with this cheerful and affectionate dog. She is not one of those dogs with whom you have to move a lot. Rather, you can do unusual things with her out loud, such as teach her to skateboard and the like. Basically, she is easy to take care of, if you can overlook her tendency to drool a lot and shed a lot of hair. They also snore and fart more than other dogs. Be careful when feeding – their food is sacred to them!
- Papillon: This dog needs exercise to be well. It is recommended to enroll in a dog sport with this dog from the beginning to ensure adequate balance. Hiking and long walks are also conceivable, as they are absolute sportsmen. All in all, they are absolutely easy to take care of, friendly to everyone and, due to their size and light weight, they are happy to carry in the worst cases. Unfortunately, they have a tendency to bark. However, as long as they pamper and occupy the Papillon sufficiently, nothing can happen. The time, however, should be taken.
- Pug: The Pug is an optimal beginner dog, presenting itself cheerful, playful, obedient, almost humorous, but also self-confident. Up to 15 years the Pug can feel comfortable with his owners. Children are not a problem for him at all. Yes, he can be a little stubborn. However, this is a good exercise in showing him that you are the pack leader. A little loving consistency is all it takes with him to get his way. He does not need much exercise. But be careful: he tends to be overweight. And another thing – he snores.
- Miniature Spitz: Like all Spitz, the Miniature Spitz is a real sweetheart and a wonderful family dog. Yes, he does shed a little. He is absolutely loyal to his family, to his owner. Even though they don’t need extreme exercise, they can be convinced to accompany you on a jog. They do require intensive coat grooming. But the coat leads them to prefer the shade in the summer. Unfortunately, they tend to bark and shed. They can reach the old age of 16 years.
