In short Novices do best with breeds that are easy to train, forgive mistakes and are low-maintenance. Topping the list are the Labrador, Golden Retriever and Poodle — obedient, people-oriented and patient with an inexperienced owner.
How we rated
Scored on ease of training, tolerance of owner mistakes and overall low upkeep. A high score = the breed suits a first dog.
1
Labrador Retriever
Training 5.0
Family 5.0
Barking 2.5 ↓
Health 3.5
5.0
2
Golden Retriever
Training 5.0
Family 5.0
Barking 2.5 ↓
Health 3.0
5.0
3
Medium Poodle
Training 5.0
Family 5.0
Barking 2.5 ↓
Health 4.0
4.5
4
Toy Poodle
Training 5.0
Family 5.0
Barking 3.0 ↓
Health 4.0
4.5
5
Cesky Terrier
Training 4.0
Family 5.0
Barking 2.5 ↓
Health 4.0
4.5
6
Cavapoo
Training 4.0
Family 5.0
Barking 2.5 ↓
Health 3.5
4.5
7
Alopekis
Training 4.0
Family 5.0
Barking 3.0 ↓
Health 4.5
4.5
8
Little Lion Dog
Training 4.0
Family 5.0
Barking 3.0 ↓
Health 4.5
4.5
9
Odis
Training 4.0
Family 5.0
Barking 3.0 ↓
Health 4.5
4.5
10
Havanese
Training 4.0
Family 5.0
Barking 3.0 ↓
Health 4.0
4.5
11
Coton de Tulear
Training 4.0
Family 5.0
Barking 3.0 ↓
Health 3.5
4.5
12
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Training 4.0
Family 5.0
Barking 3.0 ↓
Health 1.5
4.5
13
Mi-Ki
Training 3.5
Family 5.0
Barking 1.5 ↓
Health 4.0
4.5
14
French Bulldog
Training 3.0
Family 5.0
Barking 1.5 ↓
Health 2.0
4.5
15
Pug
Training 2.5
Family 5.0
Barking 2.5 ↓
Health 2.0
4.5
16
Wäller
Training 4.5
Family 5.0
Barking 2.5 ↓
Health 4.5
4.0
17
Continental Toy Spaniel (Phalène)
Training 4.5
Family 5.0
Barking 3.0 ↓
Health 4.0
4.0
18
Labradoodle
Training 4.5
Family 5.0
Barking 3.0 ↓
Health 3.5
4.0
19
Rat Terrier
Training 4.5
Family 5.0
Barking 3.5 ↓
Health 4.5
4.0
20
Continental Toy Spaniel (Papillon)
Training 4.5
Family 4.5
Barking 3.5 ↓
Health 3.0
4.0
Labrador Retriever
Training 5.0
Family 5.0
Barking 2.5 ↓
Health 3.5
5.0
2
Golden Retriever
Training 5.0
Family 5.0
Barking 2.5 ↓
Health 3.0
5.0
3
Medium Poodle
Training 5.0
Family 5.0
Barking 2.5 ↓
Health 4.0
4.5
4
Toy Poodle
Training 5.0
Family 5.0
Barking 3.0 ↓
Health 4.0
4.5
5
Cesky Terrier
Training 4.0
Family 5.0
Barking 2.5 ↓
Health 4.0
4.5
6
Cavapoo
Training 4.0
Family 5.0
Barking 2.5 ↓
Health 3.5
4.5
7
Alopekis
Training 4.0
Family 5.0
Barking 3.0 ↓
Health 4.5
4.5
8
Little Lion Dog
Training 4.0
Family 5.0
Barking 3.0 ↓
Health 4.5
4.5
9
Odis
Training 4.0
Family 5.0
Barking 3.0 ↓
Health 4.5
4.5
10
Havanese
Training 4.0
Family 5.0
Barking 3.0 ↓
Health 4.0
4.5
11
Coton de Tulear
Training 4.0
Family 5.0
Barking 3.0 ↓
Health 3.5
4.5
12
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Training 4.0
Family 5.0
Barking 3.0 ↓
Health 1.5
4.5
13
Mi-Ki
Training 3.5
Family 5.0
Barking 1.5 ↓
Health 4.0
4.5
14
French Bulldog
Training 3.0
Family 5.0
Barking 1.5 ↓
Health 2.0
4.5
15
Pug
Training 2.5
Family 5.0
Barking 2.5 ↓
Health 2.0
4.5
16
Wäller
Training 4.5
Family 5.0
Barking 2.5 ↓
Health 4.5
4.0
17
Continental Toy Spaniel (Phalène)
Training 4.5
Family 5.0
Barking 3.0 ↓
Health 4.0
4.0
18
Labradoodle
Training 4.5
Family 5.0
Barking 3.0 ↓
Health 3.5
4.0
19
Rat Terrier
Training 4.5
Family 5.0
Barking 3.5 ↓
Health 4.5
4.0
20
Continental Toy Spaniel (Papillon)
Training 4.5
Family 4.5
Barking 3.5 ↓
Health 3.0
4.0
How the ranking is built
order: Beginners → Training → Family → Barking → Health → breed · list composition as on the site, order by this rule
FAQ
Which dog is best for a first-time owner?
Labrador, Golden Retriever and Poodle — easy to train, patient and forgiving of a beginner’s mistakes.
Which breeds should a novice avoid?
Independent, strong-willed or high working-drive breeds (Husky, some terriers, shepherds) — they need experience and consistency.
Is caring for a dog hard for a novice?
Basic care is simple; training and walks demand the most time and consistency.