Before deciding on the perfect dog name and bringing home your furry friend, it's important to consider whether you have the time, patience and motivation to care for them in the long term. Whether you're after a family dog or want to steer clear of the most popular dog breeds, all dogs require a high level of love and care and while different breeds have varying behavioural tendencies, each one is still unique.
It is, however, worth bearing in mind that some breeds may be easier to care for than others. For example, some breeds require shorter walks and less grooming, while others might respond best with added cognitive stimulation and regular training. If it will be your first experience of having a pup, you may also find it helpful to know the best dogs for first-time owners in the UK.
We caught up with Pets4Homes, the UK’s largest pet rehoming website, to find out which breed is best for you as a first-time dog owner before bringing a four-legged friend into the family.
The best dogs for first-time owners UK
Labrador
Labs have been seen as the perfect family dog for a long time. With their commendable levels of patience and tolerance, labradors can be the perfect addition to the family and are excellent with children of all ages. Labradors have a laid-back temperament, and their intelligence makes them easy to train. And, despite their somewhat lazy tendencies, labs possess the stamina to run and play for long periods - a true friend for people of all ages and activity levels.
Golden retriever
Known as great family dogs, golden retrievers are generally outgoing and good-natured dogs. Their keenness to play makes them a popular choice amongst families. However, their excitability and larger size means that they are a better choice for families with older children, rather than toddlers. Golden retrievers also need plenty of time outdoors, so make sure to be ready for plenty of walks.
Cocker Spaniel
Cocker spaniels are known for being high maintenance in the grooming department but are also an extremely popular breed amongst first-time owners. To keep cocker spaniels looking their best, added effort will be required to maintain their gorgeous coats. Despite being on the medium side, cocker spaniels are active dogs that require greater levels of exercise, but on the flip side, they are eager to please and easy to train.
Labradoodle
When you cross a labrador and poodle you get a labradoodle. Due to their high levels of intelligence, the labradoodle is considered one of the easiest dogs to train. They often pick up new things by taking note of their surroundings and learning through other dogs and humans. Labradoodles are very affectionate, easy going and always wanting to make a new friend. Labradoodles are known to be good family pets but can grow to be quite large (unless specifically bred with a breed of miniature poodle), so be sure to check your dog's lineage, either with the vet or breeder, to ensure they’ll have plenty of space within your household.
Whippet
They say that great things come in small packages, and this very much so applies to whippets. This breed tends to be less vocal than other dogs, although they will still make themselves heard on occasion. Their short coat is low maintenance and requires weekly brushing, however, they do need daily exercise. Also, be aware, whippets love to chase, so are not good at sharing a space with smaller animals.
Once you've settled on your dog breed of choice, now's the time to find your forever friend and pick up everything you need as a new dog owner.