What's a good first time dog breed?

Question

I have been looking into getting my first dog. I don't know what breed would be best suited for me. I live by myself in an apartment, so it would have to live indoors, however, I like spending time outside.

Answer 1

Because I have bred, shown, trained and raced Siberian Huskies for 30+ years and been the Resource ("go to") person for two kennel clubs for many years, I love it when potential dog owners do their research to find out what breed or mix of dog would suit their lifestyle best.

Sounds like a lot of happy Lab owners out there ..... but they're not small and may have too much energy to do well in apartment living.

Go to your local library and begin reading up on the breeds in the AKC's book of dog breeds. What the dog was originally bred to do, what their "job" has been, will give you the best idea of the personality traits of your potential new companion. A lot of people saw "101 Dalmatians" and bought one before they realize that Dalmatians are VERY energetic as well as agressive because they used to run with and guard the coach (or fire wagon) and horses. A lot of herding dogs (Border Collies, Australian shepherds, etc.) are also very energetic because they have to run all day long to round up and move livestock.

Perhaps a first-time apartment dog would be a small to medium sized one that did not REQUIRE a lot of exercise (although I think all dogs enjoy a nice walk and bonding time with their owner) as well as one that didn't have a difficult of coat to groom. There a quite a few nice terrier breeds and mixes (although they are "varmint getters" and can be barkers) as well as hounds (independent and can howl) and toys. A lot of people seem to enjoy and own Pugs, and I see a lot of Dachunds out walking FAST (amazing how quickly those little legs can move!) with people.

My own personal favorites to suggest to first-time owners are Staffordshire Terriers and smaller Poodles because both are very intelligent companions, easily trained, easy to groom and keep tidy.

But DO your research as to what the dogs' original work was and you will be happy with the dog you get. Retiring after many years of owning and loving the difficult breed of Siberian Huskies, I got a Karelian Bear Dog for my companion two years ago and couldn't be happier!

Answer 2

Breeds are important but the dog itself is more important than the breed.

I'd start by visiting a local shelter or rescue. You can also search Petfinder and narrow it down by your area code. Look at their websites. Read their bios of the dogs. Pick a few that will let you visit.

Once you do that, tell that rescue you are interested in getting a dog and that you'd like help choosing. A good rescue or shelter has trained volunteers that will work with you to find the right match for your lifestyle.

I used to work with a Lab rescue. (Now I work with an all breed rescue that trains service dogs). We'd get labs and lab mixes. Normally, I'd say a lab is too much dog for an apt, but that's not always the case. There are some that are perfect for that environment. It just depends on the dog. An older dog (5ish and up) that has slowed down a little with perfect manners, completely trained, housebroken can be a wonderful addition to an apt. I've even seen younger pups that are calm.

Any good organization will help make the match. When you say outside, do you want a running partner? Do you just like to go for walks? Do you want a social butterfly? Do you want someone to carry everywhere? Do you want a lapdog or something that will offer a little protection? Do you plan to have kids? See where I'm going with this?

If you work with a shelter or rescue that doesn't ask these questions, move on to the next one. It's a lifetime committment for you and the dog. There are 1000's of dogs of all shapes, sizes, breeds and ages in shelters and rescues within 25 miles of you, I'd bet.

You can find your match with a little homework and persistence. It's fun too. Visiting all those doggies will help you narrow down your likes and dislikes. Don't be afraid to be a little picky. You want to be happy with your choice.

I am a labby person, but by no means believe they are right for everyone.

OH yeah, if you aren't sure, see if you can foster for a little while and "try on a dog for a week" to see how it goes. We do it all the time. You will be helping the shelter/rescue, giving the dog a field trip and learning about what you want. It's a win-win for everyone.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Do not consider any breeds that are high energy due to your apartment living.

Not Labs, NEVER a Border Collie, and not some of the other high energy dogs mentioned here. Only if you were out with the dogs all the time would those breeds be able to survive apartment living.

A REGULAR COLLIE (Lassie) is an awesome choice. If you do not like the hair, they come in a smooth version. They are generally a very low energy dog. The Collie Club of America has a wonderful information section on the page below.
http://www.collieclubofamerica.org/meet_the_collie.html

A retired racing greyhound would be an excellent choice, but Greyhound rescue (at least in my area) is very picky and would not allow their dogs to go to an apartment.

When you decide on the type of purebred that is suited to your lifestyle, then I would suggest you go to the purebred rescue of your breed of choice and get a mature dog.

Each breed has a parent club and most of them have a section letting you know if that breed would fit into your lifestyle.

Good luck on the search for your dog.

Answer 4

In my revel in, the puppy breeds that are the least prone to increase human aggression problems are the Pug, Beagle, English Bulldog, and Boston Terrier. I have not relatively obvious an illustration of any of the ones breeds that I might say had a major aggression trouble, even though I have met various apprehensive Beagles. Well-bred Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Pit Bulls, and Greyhounds might be correct up there as good. On the opposite hand are the breeds that are absolutely to be competitive. I have by no means had a first-class revel in with a Yorkie. In reality, of the 50 or so Yorkies that I have encountered, I might say all 50 had a few variety of aggression trouble. Chow Chows, Akitas, and Chihuahuas are correct up there as good. But, I might say that probably the most competitive puppy breeds are the more than a few breeds of Terrier from Scotland, the Scottish Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, and Skye Terrier. Scotties and Westies in designated are very bitey puppies.

Answer 5

For an inside dog a toy poodle or a miniature schnauzer would be great as they do not shed. Most any dog would love to spend time outside as well. I recommend however, that you research the pros and cons of any breed before making a selection. Sometimes the very best choices are made from your local animal shelter or breed rescue. These babies desperately need homes and mixed breeds often times don't have the health problems that pure breeds tend to have. Good luck!

Answer 6

I see this question a lot and it is really hard to say. Do research into puppy training and socialization and if you feel you can do that then choose a breed that matches your energy level. You can find a lot about that on the Internet many medium and large breed dogs require a lot of exercise and don't tire quickly on average smaller breeds still require a lot of exercise but tire more quickly only because it takes more of their energy to keep up with you. Or at least that is what I have been told. Labs are the friendliest dogs in the world it seems to me but they have endless energy and are puppy like for years most herding breeds have lots and lots of intense energy and a walk won't do for them unless it is very long.
I am so glad you are asking questions before you get a dog just continue to do research and you will find the puppy that is right for you

Answer 7

For an indoor dog look to something like a Chihuahua, Yorkie etc. One of the toy breeds. They can happily live inside, but they are also happy to go on walks with you too.

My 4 Chihuahua's are indoor dogs because I'm disabled and sometimes have trouble getting out and about, but when i can get out nothing pleases them more than to be outside too.

Answer 8

A mutt . Stay away from sporting breeds such as labs, goldens, weimerianers etc...... unless you have never ending energy and would enjoy walking your dog for several hours a day. With out proper mental stimulation these dogs are prone to nuerotic, destuctive, and aggressive behaviors. Personally I would choose a dog from the working or non sporting groups.(see www.akc.org to see which breeds fall under these catagories) Although I own, breed, and show Great Danes I recommend that if you are a first time dog onwer that you stay away from the giant and more powerful members of the working group such as danes, mastiffs, and akitas these dogs require good training, high quality foods, and are in general more expensive to care for than there smaller counter parts. If you decide to get a mutt try to get one that is not several mixes of sporting dogs.

Answer 9

I would recommend looking at the dogs in the toy and non-sporting categories of the AKC. Most of these dogs are small and were bred as either lap/companion dogs, watch dogs (i.e. they barked to alert the big dogs), or small fowl herders/retrievers (i.e. poodles retrieve ducks, havanese "herd" chickens). Most of them will fit easily into an apartment lifestyle with the occasional time outside. I have mini poodles, so I am partial to them, but they are not for everyone. Check out the breed descriptions and talk to breeders/owners when you make a small list.

Answer 10

hi, depending on the amount of space and time you have there are many great choices. small dogs are naturally the first choice but they can be very much more demanding and noisey than a bigger dog. if you can spend a good amount of time outside then consider a labrador, they are a little large but ever so mello and easy to train. but they DO need a lot of excercise. check out a lot of websites as far a family pet breeds. and again it really depends on your situation and goals of ownership. the more research you do the better educated you can be!!!