Golden retriever
Labrador retriever
More people in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand own Labrador retrievers than any other breed. That's been true for more than 20 years. If you are planning to be a first-time dog owner, you wouldn't be unwise to jump on the bandwagon. In fact, chances are good that even if you've never owned a dog of your own, you've known someone's Lab at some point in your life, so their friendly dispositions are probably familiar to you. Do be aware that Lab puppies are notorious for chewing everything in sight, so careful puppy-proofing of your home will be a must.
Brittany
The Brittany makes a terrific first dog for owners and families with very active lifestyles. This is a high-energy breed that requires frequent exercise and stimulation, which is perfect for an owner who also likes exercise and a lot of time spent outdoors. These dogs are happy, friendly, and eager to please, and they do not require a great deal of grooming, which makes them uncomplicated for first-time owners to handle (other than their need for activity). They are also highly sensitive to discipline, so it takes only a stern look or a quick, sharp word to let them know they're in trouble. No harsh discipline or punishment should be necessary.
Papillon
Papillons are friendly, smart, and easy to train, which makes them a good first dog for new dog owners. However, if you adopt one, you've got to know that the papillon's small size is very deceptive. These dogs have big, big personalities, and they'll think of themselves as big dogs if you let them. That's why they're not great for kids; a papillon needs a strong-willed owner to let it know who the pack leader is. But otherwise, they are excellent and easy-to-handle companions that can adapt to living in an apartment or a wide-open rural area.
Greyhound
Long, lanky, and lightning fast, you'd think that these racing dogs would be more full of energy than just about any other breed, and would require a constant exercise. Ironically, greyhounds are incredibly mellow and laid-back. Even the most inexperienced or lazy dog owners could take decent care of a greyhound. They're quiet, clean, don't suffer from any particular health problems, and their short coats are extremely low-maintenance. If you are nearly clueless about what it's like to own a dog, you couldn't do better than to learn with a greyhound.
Puggle
Pugs are such a good choice for beginner dog owners that this mixed-breed dog (half pug) makes our list, too. Puggles are crosses between pugs and beagles. Beagles are friendly and sociable, and popular family dogs, but they have a lot of curious energy, and without owners who are really on the ball and knowledgeable about how train a dog, beagles can fall prey to behavior issues. However, when you cross a beagle with a pug, you end up with the best-of-both-worlds puggle. A puggle's pug half takes some of the edge off the beagle's learning curve, while their beagle half gives them a little more pep in their step than the layabout pug.
Poodle
Poodles are considered one of the most intelligent dog breeds, and thus are exceptionally easy to train, but their intelligence does not necessarily make them willful, which means they shouldn't be too much to handle for beginners. Poodles are very friendly dogs, and get along well with children, so they make an ideal choice for families. They are well-behaved as long as they get enough exercise, but like papillons, they will respect their owners only when shown authority. Otherwise, they may try to take over.
