First dog: the easiest breeds to live with

Easy to train, good-natured, few problem behaviors: these breeds forgive beginner mistakes. Positive training from the day the puppy arrives is still essential.

Ranked using our 1 to 5 ratings on 20 criteria, up to date as of October 13, 2026.

Refine with your own criteria

Golden Retriever

Scotland · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs

Large · high energy · average coat care

Struggles when left alone
Labrador Retriever

Great Britain · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs

Large · high energy · low coat care

Struggles when left alone
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

United Kingdom · Companion and toy dogs

Small · moderate energy · average coat care

Struggles when left alone
Shih Tzu

Tibet / China · Companion and toy dogs

Very small · calm · very high coat care

High-maintenance coat
Coton de Tulear

Madagascar · Companion and toy dogs

Very small · moderate energy · very high coat care

Struggles when left alone
Havanese

Cuba · Companion and toy dogs

Very small · moderate energy · high coat care

Struggles when left alone
Miniature Poodle

France · Companion and toy dogs

Small · high energy · very high coat care

Struggles when left alone
Bichon Frise

Belgium / France · Companion and toy dogs

Very small · moderate energy · very high coat care

Struggles when left alone
Boston Terrier

Boston, Massachusetts, United States · Companion and toy dogs

Small · moderate energy · minimal coat care

Struggles when left alone
Medium Poodle

France · Companion and toy dogs

Medium · high energy · very high coat care

Struggles when left alone
Löwchen

France · Companion and toy dogs

Small · moderate energy · high coat care

Struggles when left alone
English Cocker Spaniel

England · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs

Small · high energy · high coat care

Struggles when left alone
Brittany

Brittany, France · Pointing dogs

Medium · boundless energy · low coat care

Struggles when left alone
Chihuahua

Mexico · Companion and toy dogs

Very small · moderate energy · low coat care

Struggles when left alone
French Bulldog

France · Companion and toy dogs

Small · calm · low coat care

Struggles when left alone
White Swiss Shepherd Dog

Switzerland · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs

Medium · high energy · average coat care

Struggles when left alone
Eurasier

Germany · Spitz and primitive types

Medium · moderate energy · average coat care

Struggles when left alone
Pomeranian

Germany · Spitz and primitive types

Very small · moderate energy · high coat care

Sheds a lot
Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire, England · Terriers

Very small · moderate energy · very high coat care

High-maintenance coat
Shetland Sheepdog

Shetland Islands, Scotland · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs

Small · high energy · high coat care

Struggles when left alone
Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Pembrokeshire, Wales · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs

Very small · high energy · low coat care

Sheds a lot
Whippet

England · Sighthounds

Medium · moderate energy · minimal coat care

Avoid with cats
West Highland White Terrier

Scotland · Terriers

Very small · high energy · high coat care

High-maintenance coat
Pug

China · Companion and toy dogs

Small · calm · low coat care

Struggles when left alone

Breeds not advised for a first dog

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