What type of dog to get for a first time pet owner?

Question

I've always had cats when I was a kid, but was thinking of getting a dog in the future. What breeds tend to have the most friendly personality, are easiest to train and don't need constant attention since I live alone and work during the day?

Answer 1

Best bet for you is to sit down and research different breeds! Every breed has different needs such as excersis and Vet needs. You may also want to go through the local pound there are great dogs there just waiting for someone to take them home! Remember the only one who can pick the best dog for you is YOU!!

Hope this helps

Answer 2

there are numerous dogs you can choose from. If you live in an apartment, I would definately recommend a small dog. If you have a house with a yard of some kind, a big dog will work as will a small. If you don't have a lot of time to spend on the dog as far a maintance, brushing, training, . . . you should look for a short haired dog so you don't have to worry about brushing and bathing alot! A good low maintance breed for example is any where from chihuaha to a shih tzu. Shih tzu's are non shedding, very intellengent and wonderful with children, say that is basically saying they are tolerant of alot.
If you like big and have a house, I would not under any circumstances get a lab or retriever of any kind. They are very hyper, high maintance dogs. They are in the puppy stage until the ages of 4 or 5. I would recommend a spaniel or some type. A cocker which is like a medium dog, basenji which is a medium dog, short hair, and barkless. They yodal instead! Grayhounds or whippets are not a personal favorite but they are very nice and tolerable dogs. They are actually wonderful pets. I just don't care for the look personally. If you would like me to help you narrow down, I would be happy to. I just need somemore details to fit the right dog to you and your needs and wants

Answer 3

What you need to do is start researching different breeds. If you ask people what breed you should get, they're always going to reccomend their favourite breed which may be completely inapproproate for you.

The most important thing when selecting a breed is ensuring the dogs energy levels match yours.

You won't find a dog that's easy to train.....that's a lazy comment. You enrol in puppy school and then onto obedience classes which will require your time and committment.

Answer 4

Sounds ike a cat would be the best bet for you. Sorry! Most dogs do not do well if left alone all day long. You may try going to your local shelter to see if they have an adult dog that fits your needs. Being alone all day would be very hard on a puppy of any breed.

Answer 5

I personally think that a calm golden retriever would be good for you or maybe a yellow lab (not a black one). These dogs tend to be calm and loyal and are fairly easy to train. For a first time owner though, I would NOT recommend getting a puppy. Also, since you work, you should consider daycare/obedience training for the dog since most dogs don't like to be left alone with nothing to do all day.

Answer 6

Dogs need more attention than cats: If nothing else, they need someone to walk them.

You might want to go to the animal shelter and see if there are any dogs there that might work with you, though. If you've got the space, you could put up a cable run and set up a dog house and water bowl for the dog while you're at work.

Good luck!

Answer 7

siezures could be led to through many stuff some canines have some seizures for no obvious medical reason and in no way have them back your vet would be waiting to shed greater gentle on what is going on with your dogs on monday it somewhat is impossible to declare what ought to be incorrect with out doing the neccessary medical assessments the final element to do in the journey that your dogs has a siezure back is try to offer the dogs as little stimulus as obtainable as this looks to end the siezure swifter e.g turn lighting fixtures furnishings and tv off stay quiet and calm dont touch him if the siezure lasts better than 10 minutes ring your vet yet different than that only watch for him to come again around.

Answer 8

well i have a goldendoodle (golden retriever poodle mix) and he is left alone from about 7:45 to about 3:15 all day and he is fine but it depends what size u want and how long youll b gone all day bcuz if u want a small dog goldendoodles are not for u and if ur gone fromlike 6:00 in the morning to like 6-7 pm the dog isnt good for u .... i recomend a small dog, goldendoodle, or another cat...
hope i helped!! ☺☻☺☻
♥♥

Answer 9

Are you going to keep it inside or outside? Will it be an inside dog or outside dog? Or will it be both an inside and outside dog. I.E. stays outside when you are at work and inside when you are home?
Is it going to be primary a watch dog? Or is it going to be a companion? Is it going to be inside when you are having company over? Or; or you going to put it outside when company is over? Is it going to be around kids a lot? Is it going to be expected to play with said kids?

Those are questions you need to ask yourself first before deciding on which dog to get. And it does not have to be a Pure breed dog either as long as you and it get along and are right for each other..

My suggestion to you is like Shannon said in her answer. You need to go to your local animal shelter after you have answered all of the above questions. Tell the person there what your answers to the above questions are. Then get her or him to help you settle on which dogs there is best suited to being adopted by you.

They might not be Pure breds. But some of the best and most intellegent dogs I have ever had were mixed breed mutts that just wondered up to the house after someone threw them out on the side of the road.

Again do like Shannon says. Do yourself and a deserving dog a favor go to the animal shelter and get the attendent to help you pick out a dog to adapt. They might not have the status symbol of being a pure breed. But then who cares about status symbols anyway. So what if he or she is a Hienz 57 American like the rest of us.

Answer 10

i sugest a cat too because dogs are pack animals and need love and ettintion all the time and cats are solitary creatures that does not mean that if you get a cat that it will not like you-well kind of it depends on the cats purrrrrrsonality-it just means it won't need as much attetion tough they will be happy to ecept it!

hope it helps