[WolvenDreamer]

WolvenDreamer,

I just wanted to say that I admire all of the research you are doing now BEFORE bringing home your first dog. Of course, you can't plan for every contingency. After all, dogs are living creatures, each with his or her own personality. But, the more you prepare yourself for the experience, the better off you and your new dog will be.

Aw thank you SusanLynn.

I think my worst fear would be to take on a dog, and find myself terribly unprepared. As you say, you really cannot plan for every eventuality, but I at least want to have taken into account the things I read about here.

Aside from that, I'm really refreshing my old childhood dream - I wanted a dog so, so badly as a kid, though my parents didn't want one. I spent all my pocket money on dog books, and I had this huge beast of a dog breed encyclopedia I'd read constantly. I also bought a bone-shaped dog toy, knowing full well I'd not be able to put it to any use!

Then, when I was older, I wasn't financially capable enough for years, and now, at 27, unfortunately it's my health that is holding me back (I suffer from depression), which is also impacting my finances. So it may well be another long, long wait until I'm completely ready, but meanwhile it's at least very useful (and enjoyable!) to do as much research as I can. The information in those old dog books is very out of date by now anyway! XD

 

[SusanLynn]

Have you considered fostering a dog?

 

[pkelley]

OMG, I am laughing, the vizsla I dog sat was indeed, how you say, whacko!

 

[WolvenDreamer]

Have you considered fostering a dog?

Yes, although it's difficult finding one that seems it would accept me. There are many things set out in terms which exclude me: experienced dog owners only, only people with gardens, only people with transport who can drive to the sanctuary to pick the dog up (I don't drive). I also do worry about getting overly attached to a foster dog, to see it be rehomed.

That said though, it is something I want to look further into. I haven't looked about as much as I could for fostering, so could be hope yet.

 

[kelly528]

You could always take a cab if the dog kennels.

 

[SusanLynn]

Yes, although it's difficult finding one that seems it would accept me. There are many things set out in terms which exclude me: experienced dog owners only, only people with gardens, only people with transport who can drive to the sanctuary to pick the dog up (I don't drive). I also do worry about getting overly attached to a foster dog, to see it be rehomed.

That said though, it is something I want to look further into. I haven't looked about as much as I could for fostering, so could be hope yet.

What about volunteering at a local shelter or contacting a rescue group to see what kind of assistance they need? (help at adoption events, dog-walking, etc.)

And, if you fall in love with a dog, you fall in love and make it happen.

 

[techigirl78]

That thing (that I've seen) with labs is this: The healthy ones are a handful and a half. But they are also statistically the most obese dog in America. So while I do know a lot of under-exercised, under stimulated ones that are quite mellow, it is because they are overfed, fat and lethargic.

I think the key here is overfed. My other 2 dogs could self feed if it wasn't for my dang lab. He will eat whatever food is put out and if I didn't monitor the food he would easily be extremely obese. It isn't hard to manage their weight, but you need to manage their intake unlike a lot of other breeds. People who self feed a lab are almost guaranteed to have a fat one.

The original question though makes me think. I guess it depends. I have recently recommended a husky to someone looking for a first time dog and in most cases I would say that would be crazy. It was definitely a unique situation. I think my reasoning was that they were a cat person, but wanted a running and biking companion. I indicated at times I feel my cat experience helps me more with my husky then my dog experience. They were fine with hair and spent a lot of time doing things outdoors and at home. They didn't care for the typical dog cause at first I did recommend a lab until we talked more. There was more to it then that but I did end up saying a husky may be a good fit.

 

[kelly528]

People who self feed a lab are almost guaranteed to have a fat one.

...yupp! And unfortunately I think they are the dog that people free-feed the most because Well gee, he just always seems so hungry!!!

 

[avietar]

My father has an acquaintance who lives on a farm and owns a lab. The lab has free reign on the property and you know where he likes to amble about most? The horse stables. He eats horse kibble all the time and omg that dog is so obese. A sausage on legs. I don't think that dog eats because he's hungry. I think he eats just because he can.

 

[NannerPudding]

Any dog can do well with a first-time owner if they plan accordingly. However, my list will cater to those who know nothing about dogs and those who will not put extensive effort into meeting their dog's needs.

A few good ideas for a first-time owner

* Cavaliers. My goodness they are sweet. They are not too small or too big and tend not to need a lot of grooming.
* Dachshunds. IF one gets it from a good breeder, and it is a pet-bred animal, they are very sweet and biddable. They don't need too much exercise either.
* Greyhounds, aka the world's fastest couch potato. Lovely dogs.
* Saint Bernards/ English mastiffs. They are just big, tolerant babies. Neither require too much exercise and again are very tolerant.

A few very bad ideas:

* Jack Russels. Terrible idea unless someone wants an energetic (read: hiking, running, very long walks) but small companion.
* Border Collies. Horrible idea. Will need way more than most can reasonably handle
* Belgian Malinois. Same as Borders. Need waaaay more than the average owner is equipped to provide.
* Pit bulls. High drive + terrier willpower + 50 or more pounds of pure muscle = waaaay more than most people can handle. It's a terrier with some real power behind it.
* Labs. Yeah, I'll say it. 2 years of unholy high energy and chewing. At least. They are more tolerant than a lot of their needs are ignored but again, 2 years of intense puppyhood. Not a good plan.

Also, whatever mix my pup is! He would be an unholy terror in the wrong hands.

 

[techigirl78]

Also, whatever mix my pup is! He would be an unholy terror in the wrong hands.

That made me laugh, but lots of mix pooches seem to be that way too. :rofl:

 

[akodo1]

Here is my list.

Medium-small, Medium, Large, or Very Large



1. Golden Retriever and it's close kin, the Labrador Retriever (Note, avoid 'sporting' lines) Even regular ones will need a lot of exercise. If you can't handle giving your dog a LOT of exercise, look further down the list. Also, tend to take longer to move out of the 'puppy' stage mentally.

2. Poodle, standard or mini

3. Shetland sheepdog aka Sheltie - can be a barker (note, avoid lines being developed specifically for agility competitors or flyball people, some of those can be more intense than normal)

4. Greyhound, Whippet, Italian Greyhound. (large, medium, small) Tend to be laid back and indoors are quite the couch potato. Don't seem to have big alpha issues, happy to please. They aren't super lovey-dovey like a lab though. Also, being sighthounds if they see something dash they will chase it, be it a rabbit, cat, or blowing shop bag. Chase is better than any treat you can offer them. When chasing, will be deaf to your commands and many have met death chasing something onto a road and not noticing oncoming traffic.

5. Newfundland/Landseer

6a Beagle Can be a barker

6b Pug absolute great personality and mindset for a first dog, however blindness is a problem, the bug eyes cause easy injury and can pop out, the smushed face causes breathing issues which causes it to snore, have a hard time getting enough air during exercise, and can cause death.

6cPuggle Not a breed, a 'mix' passed off as a 'designer dog' but does effectively cure many of the pug's physical problems

7 Spitzen Clan - Erasure, Keeshond, American Eskimo, German Spitz Large, German Spitz Medium (same as American Eskimo, name changed during WW 1 due to anti german sentiment) German Spitz Small, Japanese Spitz, Volpino Italiano, Alaskan Klee Kai

8 Boston Terrier

9 Bull Terrier, regular or mini Clown of the dog world, but I don't approve how far downward the skull has morphed due to selective breeding for looks rather than health.

10 Dachshund, standard or mini be aware their structure makes them inclined toward back problems.

Actually, best from this list is go down to the local pound and find a mix that is composed of any two of these breeds.


Lap Dog subset - as a group, lap dogs have been breed for companionship traits more than most other breeds. They have also been bred to each other a lot, and sometimes the differences are minor, more related to AKC standards regarding color or size. They are not my dog type of choice, but for many people they are absolutely the right choice. Here are the best lapdogs for first time owners

Toy Poodle

Yorkie

Bishon Group (Bichon Frise, Maltese, Havanese, Coton de Tulear) - grooming will become a big part of your time and/or budget.

Papillion

Shih Tzu

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - lots of health problems


COMMON breeds new owners may be drawn to but should steer clear of. (if I add exotics the list becomes too long)

Border Collie

German Shepherd Dog - too many 'regular' ones have health problems, and the 'healthy' working lines is too much dog for a new person

Malinois

Siberian Husky/Malamute/Samoyed

Akita

Dalmatian

Jack Russell Terrier and kin

 

[akodo1]

I'd put 2 honorable mentions on the list

Honorable Mention 1 - Boxer

Honorable Mention 2 - Collie

 

[murnah]

Any dog can be ruined if the owner is too inexperienced. Narrowing the list down to just 5 breeds in both best and worse is pretty impossible to do. There are so many breeds that shouldn't be in inexperienced hands though there are throw backs from those breeds that don't fit the typical steriotype they're labeled with.

I'd say..

Best first time dog choice:

Non hyper
short haired
non agressive tendecies
a breed with few health issues
non yappy breed

Worst first time dog choice:

Hyper, active dogs you have to keep entertained all the time
Long haired dogs that requires extensive grooming
a breed known for agression for obvious reasons
a breed known for many health issues that may/will cost big $$ later
a breed known for being a yapper, very annoying to even the experienced dog owner.

 

[kelly528]

Short hair/long hair is something I try to avoid judging by. The lab I walk sheds like crazy, she gives my pomeranian a run for his money! The pom takes about 20 minutes to do a good, thorough brush with no need to ever go to the groomer's for a clip or a wash. I could brush the lab for an hour and still not be done. The furminator helps but sometimes I think she just needs a good wash and a blowout at the groomer's.

 

[murnah]

Short hair/long hair is something I try to avoid judging by. The lab I walk sheds like crazy, she gives my pomeranian a run for his money! The pom takes about 20 minutes to do a good, thorough brush with no need to ever go to the groomer's for a clip or a wash. I could brush the lab for an hour and still not be done. The furminator helps but sometimes I think she just needs a good wash and a blowout at the groomer's.

This is very true, I spend 20 to 30 min brushing my pom out every 2 to 3 days and he never goes to a groomer. every 6 weeks he gets a bath, condition and blow dry. it takes about 90 minutes. I was thinking more along the lines of the matting issue rather then shedding. My pom doesn't shed very much but the chow is a seasonal shedder and sheds in clumps. I know short hair'd breeds can shed like crazy. There is a lab that lives down the street that comes to visit occationally and every time I pet her I get a handful of fur.

 

[kelly528]

Yeah, I wish poms and the smaller spitz were more popular for that reason. They're such lovely dogs but everyone takes one look at the hair and goes 'oh, I can't afford a groomer!'

 

[murnah]

I groom both of mine myself because I like knowing what is being used on them. When I got my chow she had several large bald spots and her fur was coarse and brittle. It took me 2 years to get her coat to come in. Now she is glossy and soft the way she should be. It's hard for me relinquish control, lol

Yesterday was bath time for both the chow and pom. Nails, ears, bath, blow dry. It took about 4 hours for the both of them. Now I have 2 fresh smelling dogs

 

[zo2fan]

I totally agree that some bully breeds are not good for first time owners. To own a American Pit Bull you should have some training with them and have had one in the past. This will be our 5 in the last 22 years.
They are great family pets IF they are trained correctly and socialized.

 

[GAdogs]

For this topic I am more in the "it depends on the dogs breeding, bloodlines, and the type of owner a person is going to be" then identifying certain breed camp. As an example, as you guys know, I'm a Belgian owner and they are one of the breeds that become a big focus for this type of topic. I have been fortunate and have met a lot of Belgians, in all their varities, from all different breeding programs. I would never suggest a first time owner get a Belgian from a working/IPO/protection focused breeder. I would, with proper research, suggest that a breeder focused to conformation/pet/sport (agility,obedience,rally,herding) for a first time owner could be the way to go. That being said, I think for this topic it's also important to continue to push future owners to educate themselves, do the research, be honest about what they want, their lifestyles, to be realistic, and utilize places like Dog Forum to learn the little things about breeds that you don't find on your basic "About the Breed" website.

As an example to that, some of you brought up grooming. I am lucky, my girl has a very correct coat, and I do all of her grooming at home. This is out of coat and just a bath and blow out. Three hours. Would a first time owner want to handle this? Maybe, maybe not.