What are the most adorable puppy breeds for first-time owners?

If you are living in a small apartment, then a small breed dog would honestly be a better choice; in addition, smaller breeds don't need as much maintenance as a medium breed dog. You could consider a pug, a pekinese, a French bulldog, or even a chihuahua. These breeds need a minimal amount of exercise, and are very happy being lap dogs.

Hi there. I would suggest looking at a Labrador Retriever or Golden Retriever from a good breeder. Both of these breeds, in general, are tolerant and easy-going with kids, but are large enough to be intimidating to strangers.

I am not sure that it is a good idea for you to have a dog if you are afraid of them. Remember that cute, furry puppies grow up to be adult dogs. You must be willing to train a dog, and cannot back away in fear if he jumps on you or does something else (within the realm of normal dog behavior) to frighten you. I would strongly suggest a cat or other small, less-active animal for a pet. The worst thing for you and the dog would be for you to have to surrender it to a shelter or give it away. Best of luck with this!

Well, I am partial to a Cocker Spaniel! Mine just turned 15; she was the first dog that was all mine. I got her from a good breeder that wasn't breeding a ton of dogs (which could mean they are just doing it as quickly as possible rather than with intention). She has had only a few ear infections in her lifetime, and I am not sure if it is due to good genetics or the fact that I keep the hair on her ears trimmed so they don't get heavy, which could reduce airflow around the ear canals. I do not pluck ear hair either. Cockers are a great breed for a house companion. They can be taught basic commands, and more if you want! We did some basic agility training. I would say bulldogs aren't great for first-time pet owners. We like to say bulldogs keep vets in business! In my experience, they tend to have more than average health issues, and frequently they can be tricky to manage. They can have respiratory difficulties due to their anatomy. They can have skin issues from the folds in their

If you want a big, loving dog, a Labrador or Golden Retriever would be recommended. If a small breed is needed, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel makes a fantastic pet and companion. You should visit the local animal shelter and take a look at their offerings for adoption.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your potential dog. I recommend a labrador retriever. They are wonderful family dogs, highly trainable and very loyal. They have a high energy level so will require a considerable amount of exercise. They are happy go lucky dogs, but can be protective of their families. I hope this information helps!

Great question! This is a bit of a tough question in that a number of breeds of dogs who are good guard dogs are also difficult. For example, a German Shepherd. Good guard dogs, but require a lot of training and are not for a first time dog owner. If you don't know how to handle them, they can be aggressive to humans and small animals. They are also high energy dogs. Personally, I would recommend a Golden Retriever. They are absolutely lovely dogs, extremely loyal, very easy to train, excellent with humans and small animals, and if need be, could defend the owner. I had a Golden for 12 years, and she was honestly the best dog I have ever owned. So sweet and caring, but I knew that if I was ever in trouble, she would defend me. Goldens are a large breed dog, and large breed dogs can be intimidating to strangers. My Minnie would bark if someone came to the door and knocked, but otherwise didn't bark much. Sometimes a bark is enough to scare someone off. I would look into get

It sounds like you have done a good amount of research on getting a dog, which is great. In terms of separation anxiety, that isn't something you can determine by breed necessarily. Some breeds do tend to be more high strung than others, particularly if they are dogs that are high energy and a working breed (such as a border collie or aussie that is stuck in a house with no activity). Personallly for families with children I am a large fan of retrievers and retriever mixes if you are wanting a large dog. Meeting the dogs and the dog's parents will give you a better idea of temperment and if they are a calm, relaxed dog. You can also look at the AKC website to help decide the breeds good for you based on your lifestyle. You can read about separation anxiety at https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951949 and on how to help prevent it at https://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/developing-separation-anxiety-will-the-learn-to-earn-program/ . I highly recommend the

Great question and kudos to you for doing your homework before adopting a new puppy! :-) Some of my favorite smaller dogs breeds that bark a bit less include a Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Welsh terrier, or a miniature Australian Shepherd. Any dog will bark from time to time, but these breeds typically are quieter and have gentle temperaments. Another breed, a Shiba Inu, practically never barks but generally speaking, they tend not to be as agreeable. The AKC website has a tool that can help with "breed selection" based upon your lifestyle and needs, if you are exclusively looking for purebred dogs. Otherwise, there are plenty of rescues and shelters (even breed-specific rescues) that may be able to help you find a puppy if you are also open to mixed-breed dogs.

Toy poodles have some minor maintenance requirements for them, but overall they can be a great pet for any level experienced pet owner, especially a beginner as yourself. They typically require special attention to their ears (ear cleaning and hair plucking if applicable) and good at home dental care (brushing teeth at least 2-3 times a week or daily if possible). Here is also a website link that goes into detail this breeds personality traits and predispositions for certain disorders/diseases so that you can put everything in perspective. http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/poodle#/slide/1 The website also lists them as good dogs for novice owners as well. I hope this helps with your decision making. Thanks for visiting Boop by Petco and take care!