Best Dog Breeds for First-Time Owners

Coat & grooming — Short dense double coat; sheds seasonally and needs weekly brushing

Suits — Active families, children, first-time owners, working roles

Coat & grooming — Medium-length water-repellent double coat with feathering; sheds and needs regular brushing

Suits — Families, children, first-time owners, therapy and assistance work

Coat & grooming — Dense curly low-shedding coat; needs regular clipping and grooming

Suits — Allergy-conscious owners, families, active and dog-sport homes

Coat & grooming — A moderately long, silky coat that is straight or slightly wavy, with feathering on the ears, chest, legs, feet and tail. It comes in four recognised colours: Blenheim (chestnut and white), tricolour, black and tan, and ruby. Cavaliers shed moderately and need brushing several times a week to prevent the feathering from matting, with regular ear cleaning and occasional bathing; their coat needs little or no trimming.

Suits — An ideal choice for many homes, including families with children, first-time owners, older people and flat dwellers, thanks to their adaptable, easygoing nature. They are gentle and tolerant with children and usually friendly towards other dogs and pets. They form intense bonds and crave company, so they dislike being left alone for long. Their exercise needs are moderate, met by daily walks and play, though they happily enjoy more activity too.

Coat & grooming — Double coat with a soft undercoat and a harsh, wiry topcoat, plus the breed's signature beard and leg furnishings. It sheds very little, but needs regular upkeep: brushing or combing two to three times a week to prevent matting, especially in the beard and legs, and clipping or hand-stripping every six to eight weeks. The beard tends to collect food and water and benefits from regular cleaning.

Suits — An excellent choice for first-time owners, families with children and people in flats, thanks to its manageable size, adaptability and affectionate temperament. Miniature Schnauzers are sociable and trainable, but their terrier heritage means they can be vocal and may chase small pets, so early socialisation helps. They enjoy moderate daily exercise and dislike being left alone for long periods.

Coat & grooming — Short, smooth, fine and glossy single coat lying close to the body. Grooming is very easy: a weekly brush with a rubber mitt or soft bristle brush removes loose hair, and occasional baths keep the coat clean. Shedding is low to moderate, and the breed's facial wrinkles and prominent eyes benefit from gentle, regular wiping to stay clean and healthy.

Suits — An excellent all-rounder for first-time owners, families with children, older people and flat-dwellers, thanks to its friendly nature, convenient size and modest exercise needs. Bostons are typically sociable with people and other pets when socialised early. As a flat-faced breed they are sensitive to heat and over-exertion, so they suit owners who can keep activity moderate and avoid hot weather.

Coat & grooming — Long, soft, silky double coat that is light and slightly wavy, designed to insulate against Cuba's tropical heat. It needs daily brushing to prevent mats and tangles when kept long, though many pet owners opt for a shorter clip to reduce upkeep. The breed is very low-shedding, with loose hair staying in the coat, so regular grooming and occasional bathing are essential.

Suits — A superb companion for families, first-time owners, older people and flat-dwellers, thanks to its friendly, adaptable and people-focused temperament. Havanese are gentle with children and usually sociable with other dogs and pets when socialised early. Bred to be constant companions, they bond intensely and can suffer separation anxiety, so they suit households where they are not left alone for long stretches.

Coat & grooming — A soft, dense, curly double coat with a plush velvety texture, almost always pure white. The Bichon is low-shedding, as loose hair is caught in the curls rather than dropping, but this means it mats easily and needs daily brushing plus professional clipping and bathing every four to six weeks. The signature rounded 'powder-puff' trim is created by scissoring rather than nature.

Suits — An excellent, adaptable family pet, friendly with children, strangers and other animals, and well suited to flats given its small size and modest exercise needs. The affectionate, trainable Bichon is a fine choice for first-time owners, though grooming costs and time should be budgeted for. They bond strongly and dislike being left alone for long, so they suit households where they will have plenty of company.

Coat & grooming — Short, fine, smooth and close-lying coat in almost any colour or pattern. It is exceptionally low-maintenance, needing only an occasional wipe or quick brush, and sheds very little. The trade-off is poor insulation: with little body fat and thin skin, Whippets feel the cold keenly and often need a coat in winter, while their delicate skin can tear or graze more easily than that of thicker-coated breeds.

Suits — An excellent all-round companion, including for first-time owners and flat-dwellers, thanks to its quiet, clean, undemanding nature indoors. Whippets are gentle and affectionate with children and usually friendly with other dogs, especially other sighthounds, though their strong prey drive means cats and small pets are safest only if the dog is raised with them. They need a daily chance to sprint safely off-lead in a secure space, but settle remarkably calmly once exercised.

Coat & grooming — A single, long, fine, silky coat with no undercoat, lying flat with abundant feathering on the ears, chest, legs and a plumed tail; it is most often white with patches of any colour. Because there is no woolly undercoat, shedding is light and the coat is fairly easy to maintain with two or three brushings a week to prevent tangles behind the ears and on the trousers. No clipping is needed, and occasional baths keep the silky coat bright.

Suits — A lively, affectionate companion that suits families with considerate older children, singles, and flat-dwellers alike, as well as first-time owners willing to train. Being tiny and delicate, it is less ideal around very boisterous toddlers or large rough-playing dogs. Papillons are sociable with other pets when introduced well, and although small they are energetic and clever, needing daily walks, play and mental challenges to stay content.