Best dogs for first-time owners
Forgiving of mistakes, easy to train and eager to please — the breeds that set new owners up to succeed.
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The ranked shortlist
Hand-picked by our editors using breed trait profiles — scores are out of 5.
1. Labrador Retriever
5/5The world's favourite family dog.
2. Golden Retriever
5/5Gentle, patient, forever a puppy.
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
5/5A silky-eared lapdog with a spaniel's heart — sweet, gentle, everyone's friend.
4. Bichon Frisé
4/5A cheerful powder-puff — low-shedding, people-loving and endlessly merry.
5. Boston Terrier
4/5The 'American Gentleman' — a dapper, bat-eared charmer in a tuxedo coat.
6. Collie
4/5The storybook shepherd — grace, brains, and a heart tuned to children.
7. Standard Poodle
4/5Brilliant, and quietly low-shedding.
8. English Cocker Spaniel
4/5The merry cocker — a wagging tail with a bird dog attached.
9. Havanese
4/5Havana's silk-coated charmer — a small dog with a headline personality.
10. Miniature Schnauzer
3/5A bearded farm ratter turned family sentinel — small dog, serious opinions.
11. Coton de Tulear
3/5A cloud of cotton with a comedian's timing.
12. Papillon
3/5Butterfly ears, hummingbird energy, border-collie brain — in under five kilos.
What makes a good beginner dog
The best first dogs share three things: they're biddable (they want to work with you), tolerant (they forgive the fumbles every new owner makes), and predictable in temperament. Avoid the extremes — very high drive, strong independence or heavy guarding — until you have a dog or two under your belt.