Dog breed lists
Best Dog Breeds for First-Time Owners
First-time owners do best with a dog that learns quickly, forgives mistakes and settles at home. These breeds rate high for trainability and calm, without the extreme energy that can overwhelm a new owner.
-
1
Non-Sporting
Poodle
A water retriever in a showy haircut.
- Quick study
- Calm indoors
- 40–70 lbs
-
2
Herding
Shetland Sheepdog
A Lassie in miniature.
- Quick study
- Calm indoors
- 15–25 lbs
-
3
Sporting
Labrador Retriever
Born to retrieve, built to befriend.
- Quick study
- Calm indoors
- 55–80 lbs
-
4
Sporting
Golden Retriever
Part retriever, part sunshine, all family.
- Quick study
- Calm indoors
- 55–75 lbs
- 5
-
6
Hound
Bloodhound
A detective wearing too much skin.
- Quick study
- Calm indoors
- 80–110 lbs
-
7
Toy
Papillon
A butterfly-eared athlete in a toy body.
- Quick study
- Calm indoors
- 5–10 lbs
-
8
Designer
Sheepadoodle
The panda bear of dogs.
- Quick study
- Calm indoors
- 50–80+ lbs
-
9
Designer
Goldendoodle
Golden Retriever cheer with Poodle curls.
- Quick study
- Calm indoors
- 15–90 lbs
-
10
Herding
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Short legs, big herding brain.
- Quick study
- Calm indoors
- 22–30 lbs
-
11
Terrier
Miniature Schnauzer
A bearded farm ratter with big-dog confidence.
- Quick study
- Calm indoors
- 11–20 lbs
-
12
Sporting
English Cocker Spaniel
Bred for woodcock, built for joy.
- Quick study
- Calm indoors
- 26–34 lbs
-
13
Designer
Mini Goldendoodle
Golden heart, apartment-size frame.
- Quick study
- Calm indoors
- 15–35 lbs
-
14
Working
Great Pyrenees
A polar bear on the night shift.
- Quick study
- Calm indoors
- 85–115+ lbs
-
15
Non-Sporting
Keeshond
The smiling Dutch barge dog.
- Quick study
- Calm indoors
- 35–45 lbs
-
16
Herding
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
The Corgi with the tail.
- Quick study
- Settles well
- 25–38 lbs
-
17
Working
Cane Corso
Italian mastiff with a bodyguard's poise.
- Quick study
- Settles well
- 90–120+ lbs
-
18
Working
Bernese Mountain Dog
A tri-colored teddy bear with farm-dog roots.
- Quick study
- Calm indoors
- 70–115 lbs
-
19
Designer
Bernedoodle
The living teddy bear.
- Quick study
- Calm indoors
- 10–90 lbs
-
20
Working
Newfoundland
A lifeguard in a bear suit.
- Quick study
- Calm indoors
- 100–150 lbs
How we picked
A breed makes this list if it rates 8 out of 10 or better for trainability and calm at home, and not more than 8 for energy. We rank the most trainable first. We rate every breed on four things: how trainable it is, how much daily energy it has, how calm it is at home, and how much it sheds. We also use each breed's size, daily exercise need and lifespan. Training still takes consistent work with every breed.
Questions people ask
What should a first-time dog owner look for?
A dog that learns quickly, settles indoors and has an energy level that matches your lifestyle. Size, grooming needs and your daily schedule matter too. The Dog Twin quiz can help you weigh them.
Is an easy-to-train breed the same as an easy dog?
Not always. Trainable breeds learn fast, which helps, but they still need exercise, socialization and daily attention. A trainable dog with too little to do can still find trouble.
Are puppies or adult dogs better for first-time owners?
Both can work. Puppies need constant supervision, housetraining and socialization. Adult dogs often come with some manners already, but still need time to settle in. Choose based on how much time you can give.