Just as potential pet parents come in all shapes and sizes, dogs can be vastly different physically and in personality. There are many factors that should go into deciding on the pawr-fect dog for you. If you are looking at getting a dog for the first time, you should research your choice carefully to be sure they’ll fit your lifestyle.
Consider the dogs’ needs, like which breeds will be happiest sharing your home or joining you in activities. In this guide, you'll get insight into what breeds you should avoid if you’ve never been responsible for a dog before. Remember that you may find the ideal dog among these breeds, but it's good to know what you may be in for.Â
The Akita is a powerful dog with both Japanese and American roots. Bred for guarding, they are extremely loyal dogs that resist training for their territorialism, and they may create problems with strangers or service people coming to your home. A first-time pet parent needs to establish themselves as the “boss” of an Akita.
The German Shepherd is a bright, stately and confident doggo that needs intense training to control their guarding instincts. If their bark isn’t enough to dissuade someone from coming into your home, their menacing stance and facial expressions will. Though they’re cream puffs when their favorite human is rubbing their tummy, their aggression may be daunting for a first-time pet parent.
Many have said the Pit Bull is too dangerous to have around, and while many are really cuddlebugs, the “Pitty” has been known to show aggression and even attack their humans. In general, they can be loyal and loving if the first-time pet parent has the time and insight to really bond with the pupster and provide socialization with other people and animals when they’re puppies.
Despite their reputation as helpers of people in danger, the Saint Bernard, by nature of their size, can be difficult to control. A favorite activity is chewing things like your socks, and intense training needs to attempt to control this habit. They also drool copious amounts on your floors. Unless you love mopping up after them, pass on the Saint Bernard.
Unless you live on a farm, you might have trouble providing the Treeing Walker Coonhound enough exercise for their active nature. Bred as a “sight” hunting dog, this pupster will travel far to help hunters bag their prey. When it comes to restraint, this dog is a failure. Once they see a small animal, they will run after it despite commands to stop.
The Siberian Husky was bred in a very cold environment, and as a result grew an extremely thick double coat of hair. Keeping them comfortable can be a challenge, not to mention the amount of grooming needed to keep ahead of the massive amounts of shedding. They also have a very high energy level that requires exercise, or they will get themselves into trouble.
The Chow Chow is a cute, soft, cuddly looking pupster, but the reality is they’re not very fur-iendly and they don’t like to be cuddled. Lots of training may enable them to develop a bond with you, but it will take lots of patience that some first-time dog parents don’t have.Â
Bullmastiffs are large dogs that can easily exert their will if they believe they’re the alpha dog. They’re stubborn and destructive if left alone for very long. Unfortunately, they also require a lot of mopping up because they’re one of the “droolers.” Unless the first-time pet parent has the time to see that this pup has plenty of exercise and socialization, problems will ensue.
As cute as this breed can be, this is a handful of a dog for first-time Pet Parents. Besides the grooming that’s needed to keep them looking neat and spiffy, Skye Terriers don’t like people or other animals unless they know them well. They want to be the boss at all times, and may be difficult to easily bond with.