Best breed of dog for first time owner

[puppyplans]

I'm finally going to be in a position to have a dog next year! I haven't had a dog before so concerned that a rescue would be too much.
I also have cats so no terriers or sighthounds.
I was thinking of a small poodle - are they a good first dog or would you recommend a different breed?

Maltese are tiny and might be bullied by the average cat. Also easily stepped on.

Working upwards a bit in companion dog size, you have Bolognese, Havanese, bichon, Coton de Tulear, Shih Tzu and Tibetan 'terrier' as well as poodles and some oddities like the Chinese Crested.

Dog trainer here - sounds like you're thinking about all the right things. I second the advice of not to get a dog that has strong working instincts (and I don't include miniature or toy poodles in that). A significant amount of challenges we see in our training classes is working dogs ending up in well intentioned homes that can't meet their needs - a working dog without a job quickly goes self employed. I would also avoid cavaliers, poo crosses, pugs and French bulldogs due to the potential for horrendous health issues.

From my experience, something like a miniature/toy poodle, shitzu or lhasa apso would all be good for you

Miniature schnauzer. Fab breed!

I haven't read all of the replies so apologies if I am repeating, but if you go onto The Kennel Club website there is lots of useful info on buying the right dog for you.
I think as long as you do your research into the breed, are honest with what time you can commit to walks, training, costs etc then there are a lot to choose from. My first ever dog was a hunting Hound breed, not the easiest of breeds but we did LOTS of research, met breeders, etc etc. Best dogs we've ever owned & many would say they aren't a first dog... but we knew (pretty much) what we wanted, what the breed was like, what they needed too.

It is so important to find a good breeder (KC registered and pedigree doesn't always mean a good breeder). I would go online to the Champdogs website as they list many breeds, a little bit about each breed including owners and breeders. It may be helpful for you to contact breed clubs too, to arrange to meet the breed you are interested in. Crufts is also another good place to visit, they have lots of people to speak to.

Good luck 😊

I know plenty of sighthounds and terriers who live with cats too - but ultimately it is more of a risk than if you go for a less prey-driven breed. I can understand why OP is hesitant.

We have cats and a beagle and they get along famously but I know other beagle owners who have struggled much more.

Havanese, bichon frise, papillon, coton du tulear, or Norfolk terrier. All happy, easily trained dogs that get on well with people and pets. I strongly advise puppy classes. Especially Puppy School, which is a franchise backed up with Gwen Bailey. I find poodles too neurotic personally

Whippets are great first time dogs, hardly shed at all. Lazy sleep a lot of the day don't need any grooming. Hours run a day is enough. Like cuddles and are calm after being a puppy. I have a cat and mine is fine with the cat, she was here first the cat is the boss. You won't really be able to pick it up though but I don't understand why people want to pick dogs up. Poodles are highly intelligent and need to be stimulated I don't think a good first pet unless you have a lot of time to give and keep them fulfilled.

How sweet, my whippet is allowed to sit near the cat but she's the boss it's all on her terms! I have caught them very close on the sofa a few times. They often fight over the sun spot and the cat will always get the spot and she will refuse to move for him. Very much like siblings!

Labrador!

We've had one for 13 years and she's still here. Adore her she is absolutely amazing. Very energetic when she was younger - not so much now she's older. She just enjoys eating sleeping and cuddling up to you now. She's so cheeky too she likes to squeeze her very large self in my mums washing basket! Doesn't bark 24/7 like most dogs too as that's something that annoys me about my DP mums small dogs. She's so super loving and cuddly

Mini poodle sounds like a good fit?
Whippet might work too if you are getting from a puppy and they can grow up with your cats.

There is a saying that a labrador is born half trained and a spaniel dies half trained

Can I ask what this saying means, I never get it!! (Owner of half trained spaniel here!!!)

@Elderlydogsrus

aww I have a 17 year old bichon, and yes sometimes her little poos just seem to pop out of her bottom when she is walking whether that is in the living room or in the park. Fortunately they are small and firm and non smelly !
( and picked up right away for those that are now thinking I have a living room full of poo ! )

but you've posted your question on someone's thread re getting a dog, so you may not get many responses ?

I love most dogs and have many over the years, of different breeds, and all equally loved. But my lab is the soppiest, most loveable idiot I've ever had. Easy to train really because they'll do anything for food. Slight caveat - he was a nightmare puppy and nearly drove me to within an inch of my sanity. 🤣

We had two lurcher puppies when we had 2 adult cats in the house. The puppies were terrified/in love with the cats. Never gave chase!

You might find your cats will blame you for ruining their life especially if they are older, set in their ways and not used to dogs.

@OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon

thanks! I realised as I posted, trying to do too many jobs at once.
I thought I had edited my post to answer the OP question and started my own thread.

thanks again x

My son and family have a lovely Bedlington x Whippet. They also have two cats and nine geese which she positively ignores.

She has a mad run round for about 10 mins then she curls up under a blanket and snoozes for the rest of the day. No barking either.

I like a big dog - always had flatcoats but she's a delight and has made me rethink my next dog when my age and exuberant flatties don't mix! 😬

@puppyplans - I would suggest not completely ruling out rescues as the staff can often tell you if a particular dog gets on with cats or not.

Re: Poodles - an aged relative had one when I was a child and it was super yappy, (although devoted to her). Another relative has one now and it just wees everywhere all the time when people come round. (I had no idea that this was ‘submissive weeing’ but it makes total sense, so thanks for that info @Killingoffmyflowersonebyone ).

I know poodles are very clever and can make great pets, but there’s no guarantee with any dog of being trouble free.

The number one priority, as I think others have said, is that any dog gets on well with your cats. Also, do your cats like dogs? (I seem to remember a recent thread where cats had not taken well to the introduction of a dog.)

Having said that, another relative adopted two farm collies - could have been a disaster but they are adorable and the already resident cats just exist side by side - no friendliness, but no aggro either.

Good luck with your search.

PS: With resident cats, I would avoid any type of dog with a strong prey drive - even the nicest natured of these might begin to see kitty as a tasty snack or at least a fun toy to chase 🙀

Dogs raised with cats are fine. Rescue pointy hound or terrier with resident cat... No.

I bred working whippets and terriers for years. Never had an issue.

My cats have never met a dog! So definitely think a puppy would be best - hopefully wouldn't be so much of a threat.
I will also put in a stair gate so the cats have upstairs to themselves.

Yeah our cockerpoo is the same. Super easy family dog. Can pick him up easily if we need to (someone comes to the door). Doesn’t do crazy puppy (like a lot of labradoodles), hypo allergenic, doesn’t bark, easily trained.

i grew up with big dogs and loved them but the cockerpoo is a great family dog.

I must admit - cockerpoos do look lovely! We have a huge shedding very odd husky!

We have recently got a toy poodle. He is so easy compared to our previous dogs and great with the cats.

He’s not really a fan of romping through the fields when it is wet so if you were looking forward to long muddy walks then maybe choose a different breed!

It means that labradors are half trained at the start of their life (meaning you have only a small job and plenty of time to finish training them) whereas you spend a spaniel’s whole life training it and they are only half way there at the end!

Essentially labradors are naturally easily trained and spaniels will never be!

We cut our miniature poodle the same all over. Many people ask if she’s a cockapoo or a cavapoo. People don’t realise how cute poodles look if you don’t give them a stupid haircut. We have a really cute looking dog, without the hyper, stupid brain the crosses end up with.