There’s nothing more thrilling than selecting your first family dog.
It’s crucial to conduct extensive research when picking your ideal canine to ensure it will blend seamlessly with your family and lifestyle. You also need to be prepared to commit to all the training the dog will require and the daily walks it will need.
Once you’ve made that commitment, you’ll start considering which breed is right for you – and that’s where dog trainer Ingrid, who posts on TikTok as @ingrid.pups, steps in, as she revealed the top five dog breeds she recommends for “first-time owners”.
The Golden Retriever was her first recommendation, and she said: “There’s a reason they’re one of the most popular breeds. If they’re well-bred, they’re gonna be just wonderful family dogs.”
According to the PDSA, Golden Retrievers “can be a great family dog for an active family due to their high energy levels, but also calm natures and intelligence. They can be easy dogs to train and can make good first dogs for new dog owners, as long as you know what you’re getting into taking on a larger breed dog.”
The Bernese Mountain Dog was next on her list. Ingrid warned potential owners to be “prepared for the size, the slobber, and the hair” of the dog, but she described them as “happy-go-lucky, very friendly, easy-going,” adding that their “exercise needs are actually fairly moderate”.
She also referred to them as a “big couch potato type dog,” so she said they were a “really good option”.
The PDSA highlights that Bernese Mountain Dogs are “known for their sweet, gentle personalities and loyalty to their families. This is why they are a popular choice for a lot of families; however, due to their size, they need to live in a home with plenty of space.”
Moving on, Ingrid suggested a Wheaton Terrier but warned potential owners to “be prepared to take on a dog with a terrier-type temperament,” which she characterised as “relatively high drive, high energy”. However, if you lead an “active lifestyle” and are seeking a “want a mid-size dog” to match your pace, this breed could be ideal.
Their fur is also ‘hypoallergenic,’ offering advantages for some households. The PDSA describes Wheaton Terriers as “affectionate, gentle and playful. They generally like to please their owners but can occasionally be a little stubborn and headstrong. They are friendly, trustworthy dogs that generally get on well with everyone and make great family pets, given the right socialisation as puppies.”
Lastly, for those who are “ready to take on a high energy, high-drive dog, it would be a poodle,” according to Ingrid’s recommendation.
She noted they “come in three different sizes, a bunch of different colours, and they’re really, really good dogs”.
The PDSA describes poodles as “playful and adventurous. They generally get on well with other pets and children, given the right socialisation as puppies, as with all breeds. They need daily grooming to keep their coat in tip-top condition and will often also require clipping and shaping by a professional groomer periodically throughout the year.”
Ingrid highlighted that while the Labrador Retriever is an expected choice, it’s crucial to avoid working line Labradors for family pets, advising prospective owners to seek out an “ethical breeder”. She noted that breeders might have puppies intended for service or therapy work that don’t make the cut, making them excellent family additions.
The PDSA adds: “Labradors are devoted, affectionate, loving dogs that will happily get along with everyone. They’re obedient, quick to learn and eager to please, so training should be fairly easy.”
However, they caution: “Labrador Retrievers are amongst a group of breeds classed as ‘Category Two’ by The Kennel Club. These are breeds of dog that have been highlighted as having ‘points of concern’ – visible features which, if exaggerated, might potentially affect the breed in the future and cause health and welfare concerns.”
Ingrid then highlighted that first-time dog owners should consider going to an ethical breeder as shelter dogs can sometimes be “unpredictable”. Moreover, she noted that shelter dogs can present a greater “responsibility”.
She voiced her belief that shelters should be emptied because “all dogs need loving homes,” yet warned that because you “don’t know their [the dog’s] history,” opting for a puppy might be a smarter choice for novices.
Also she pointed out with ethical breeders, the contract typically includes a clause stating if you must re-home the dog “for whatever reason,” the “breeder will take it back,” ensuring that “those breeders are not contributing to the shelter issue”.
Ingrid stressed the importance of thorough research before choosing a dog breed to ensure it fits into your lifestyle, reminding prospective owners that a dog is for life.