Dogs for first-time owners

Breeds that are easier without experience: biddable and not too demanding.

62 breeds

• Pugalier 4.5–9 kg · 10–12 years A pug and Cavalier King Charles spaniel cross: a good-natured, affectionate, calm home companion. Crossbreed
• Cavachon 4–9 kg · 10–12 years A Cavalier King Charles spaniel and bichon cross: a sweet, calm apartment companion. Crossbreed
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 4–8 kg · 10–16 years A gentle family companion that does well in apartments and usually suits first-time owners.
• Cavapoo 5–10 kg · 13–15 years A Cavalier King Charles spaniel and mini poodle cross: an affectionate, clever family companion. Crossbreed
• Golden Retriever 29–34 kg · 10–12 years A very gentle, family-oriented, highly trainable companion that needs activity and space.
• Boxador 22–44 kg · 12–15 years A boxer and Labrador cross: a friendly, energetic, and highly trainable family companion. Crossbreed
• Beagle 6–8 kg · 12–15 years A friendly, moderately active family companion, but noisy and with a strong hunting nose.
• Bichon Frise 3–5 kg · 12–15 years A compact, friendly, low-shedding apartment companion if you're ready for regular grooming.
• Bolognese 3–4 kg · 14–17 years A small white bichon from Bologna: calm, affectionate and barely sheds.
• Chinese Crested 5–6 kg · 13–15 years A small, affectionate, barely shedding apartment dog that is very attached to its owner.
• Chipoo 2–9 kg · 12–15 years A Chihuahua and toy poodle cross: a tiny, clever apartment companion, but fairly yappy. Crossbreed
• Chug 4.5–9 kg · 10–13 years A Chihuahua and pug cross: a small, cheerful apartment dog that sheds and barks a fair bit. Crossbreed
• Cock-A-Chon 7–13 kg · 10–14 years An English cocker spaniel and bichon frise cross: a gentle, affectionate, easygoing companion. Crossbreed
• Cockapoo 5–10 kg · 14–18 years A cocker spaniel and poodle cross: an affectionate, smart, low-shedding family companion. Crossbreed
• Coton de Tulear 4–6 kg · 14–15 years A small, gentle apartment companion that barely sheds but needs long-coat care.
• English Cocker Spaniel 13–14 kg · 11–12 years An active, affectionate family spaniel that needs regular walks and ongoing coat care.
• Eurasier 18–32 kg · 12–14 years A calm, even-tempered, family-attached medium-sized spitz that is quiet at home.
• Finnish Lapphund 15–24 kg · 12–14 years A fluffy Finnish herding spitz: friendly, great with kids, and loves the cold.
• French Bulldog 8–14 kg · 10–14 years A popular apartment companion: compact, calm, and not too demanding about exercise.
• Goldador 27–36 kg · 10–15 years A golden retriever and Labrador cross: a calm, kind, very trainable family dog. Crossbreed
• American Hairless Terrier 5–7 kg · 14–16 years A small hairless terrier: smart, playful, and nearly shed-free, a good choice for allergies.
• Goldendoodle 15–40 kg · 10–15 years A golden retriever and standard poodle cross: a friendly, smart, and very family-oriented companion. Crossbreed
• Havanese 3–6 kg · 13–15 years A small, gentle, trainable apartment companion that needs constant contact with people.
• Japanese Spitz 6–7 kg · 12–15 years A small snow-white spitz: cheerful, affectionate, and quieter than its cousins, good for apartments.
• Keeshond 18–25 kg · 12–14 years A fluffy, cheerful medium-sized spitz, deeply attached to family and a good watchdog.
• King Charles Spaniel 3–6 kg · 10–16 years A small, very calm, affectionate flat-faced spaniel for a quiet apartment.
• Kromfohrlander 9–16 kg · 10–15 years A wire-coated German companion: affectionate, attached, and great for families.
• Labradoodle 10–40 kg · 12–15 years A Labrador and poodle cross: a friendly, smart, trainable dog for an active family. Crossbreed
• Labrador Retriever 29–36 kg · 10–12 years A reliable family companion, friendly and very trainable, but needs plenty of activity.
• Lhasapoo 5–9 kg · 10–15 years A Lhasa apso and mini poodle cross: a calm, loyal, low-shedding companion for apartment life. Crossbreed
• Lowchen 5–8 kg · 12–14 years The "little lion": a cheerful, friendly, easy-to-train long-haired companion.
• Malshi 2–6 kg · 12–14 years A Maltese and shih tzu cross: a tiny, very calm, and affectionate companion for home life. Crossbreed
• Maltese 3–4 kg · 14–17 years A tiny, calm apartment dog that barely sheds but has a long coat that needs care.
• Maltipoo 2–9 kg · 10–15 years A Maltese and toy poodle cross: a tiny, affectionate, barely shedding apartment companion. Crossbreed
• Miniature Poodle 5–6 kg · 14–16 years A very trainable apartment companion with minimal shedding, but demanding grooming needs.
• Miniature Schnauzer 4–8 kg · 13–15 years A compact, smart, low-shedding companion, but vocal and in need of regular grooming.
• Morkie 1–5 kg · 10–13 years A Maltese and Yorkshire terrier cross: a tiny, loving, barely shedding companion, but yappy. Crossbreed
• Pomchi 1–4 kg · 12–18 years A Pomeranian and Chihuahua cross: a tiny, feisty apartment dog, but very loud and vocal. Crossbreed
• Pomeranian 1–3 kg · 12–16 years A very small, trainable apartment dog with a fluffy coat, but rather yappy and loud.
• Poochon 2–8 kg · 12–15 years A bichon frise and toy poodle cross: a small, affectionate, barely shedding companion. Crossbreed
• Whippet 9–14 kg · 12–14 years Calm at home, moderately active and easy to care for.
• Boston Terrier 7–11 kg · 13–14 years A compact, sociable city companion that's easy to train but handles heat poorly.
• Pugapoo 4.5–11 kg · 12–14 years A pug and toy poodle cross: a calm, affectionate companion for apartments and families. Crossbreed
• Puggle 6–14 kg · 10–15 years A pug and beagle cross: a cheerful, friendly, curious dog that's great with kids. Crossbreed
• Pugzu 3.5–10 kg · 9–14 years A pug and shih tzu cross: a very calm, affectionate apartment companion that does shed. Crossbreed
• Rough Collie 18–30 kg · 12–14 years A large, gentle, highly trainable herding dog that suits a family with children.
• Schnoodle 2.5–4.5 kg · 10–15 years A miniature schnauzer and mini poodle cross: a smart, loyal companion that barely sheds. Crossbreed
• Shichon 4–7 kg · 15–18 years A shih tzu and bichon frise cross: a small, very calm, affectionate companion that looks like a teddy bear. Crossbreed
• Shih Tzu 4–7 kg · 10–16 years A small home companion for a relaxed lifestyle, especially good in apartments.
• Shihpoo 3–9 kg · 12–15 years A shih tzu and toy poodle cross: a small, calm, low-shedding apartment companion. Crossbreed
• Shorkie 3–7 kg · 12–15 years A shih tzu and Yorkshire terrier cross: a tiny, spunky, affectionate apartment companion. Crossbreed
• Smooth Collie 20–30 kg · 12–14 years A short-coated collie: smart, gentle, very trainable family dog with easy care.
• Spanador 14–30 kg · 12–15 years A cocker spaniel and Labrador cross: a friendly, trainable, active family dog. Crossbreed
• Springador 22–40 kg · 10–14 years A springer spaniel and Labrador cross: an energetic, affectionate dog for active families. Crossbreed
• Sprocker 14–20 kg · 10–14 years A springer and cocker spaniel cross: a tireless, loving, trainable dog for an active family. Crossbreed
• Sproodle 22–31 kg · 10–15 years A springer spaniel and miniature poodle cross: a smart, active, low-shedding family dog. Crossbreed
• Sussex Spaniel 23–25 kg · 10–12 years A low-set golden-liver spaniel: calm, affectionate and vocal.
• Swedish Lapphund 19–21 kg · 9–15 years A fluffy Swedish herding spitz: affectionate, smart, and good with kids, but vocal.
• Tibetan Spaniel 4–8 kg · 13–14 years A small Tibetan companion: calm, smart, and independent, a good apartment watchdog.
• Toy Poodle 2–5 kg · 14–16 years The smallest poodle: a smart, affectionate, low-shedding apartment companion.
• Westiepoo 11–15 kg · 13–15 years A West Highland white terrier and mini poodle cross: a lively, friendly, low-shedding companion. Crossbreed
• Pug 6–8 kg · 12–14 years A compact, good-natured apartment companion, but sensitive to heat and exercise, and sheds a lot.