Fetch FinderThe best first dogs are eager to please, forgiving of mistakes and easy to train. Labrador and Golden Retrievers top most lists, but plenty of small breeds are just as beginner-friendly.
Breeds rated 5/5 for first-time owners
Large · 55–80 lb👪 Great family dogLabrador RetrieverFriendly, eager to please and easy to train. Labs are one of the best all-around family dogs, as long as they get daily exercise.
Large · 55–75 lb👪 Great family dogGolden RetrieverGentle, patient and famously friendly. Goldens are great with kids and other pets, but bring a lot of hair and energy.
Small · 13–18 lb👪 Great family dogCavalier King Charles SpanielSweet, gentle and adaptable. Cavaliers are happy in an apartment or a house and get along with almost everyone.
Small · 12–25 lb👪 Good family dogBoston TerrierFriendly, funny and easy to live with. Boston Terriers are a top pick for apartments and first-time owners.
Small · 9–16 lb👪 Good family dogShih TzuA calm, cheerful lap dog bred purely for companionship. Shih Tzus are easygoing and great for first-time owners.
Small · 14–18 lb👪 Great family dogPugFunny, loving and happy to nap all day. Pugs are excellent apartment dogs but their flat faces need careful handling in heat.
Small · 7–13 lb👪 Great family dogHavaneseOutgoing, gentle and eager to please. The Havanese is one of the best small breeds for families and first-time owners.
Small · 12–18 lb👪 Great family dogBichon FriseA cheerful, fluffy companion that gets along with everyone. Bichons are low-shedding and easy for beginners.
Small · 5–10 lbBetter with adults or older kidsPapillonA tiny, butterfly-eared toy dog that's smart, athletic and easy to train. Great at agility.
Small · 4.5–11 lb👪 Good family dogRussian Tsvetnaya BolonkaA fluffy, colorful lap dog from Russia, newly AKC-recognized in 2026. Gentle, happy and easy to live with.
Small · 8–15 lb👪 Great family dogCoton de TulearA cotton-soft, white companion dog from Madagascar. Happy, gentle and wonderful with families.
Small · 15–25 lb👪 Good family dogShetland SheepdogA small, Lassie-look herding dog that's bright, eager and very easy to train. Devoted to family.Breeds to think twice about for a first dog
Some breeds are wonderful but harder for beginners because they're very independent, very high-energy or very protective. Examples include the Alaskan Malamute, Cane Corso, Chow Chow, Border Collie and Shiba Inu. They can still work if you're committed to training, but expect more of a challenge.
Tips for your first dog
- Pick for your lifestyle, not looks. Energy level matters more than appearance.
- Sign up for a training class in the first few months.
- Budget for the first year. It often costs $750–$5,200 more than later years. See how much a dog costs.
- Consider an adult rescue dog. Many are already house-trained, and their personality is easier to judge than a puppy's.
Find your best match with the breed quiz and choose "This would be my first."