15 Best Dog Breeds for First-Time Owners

“What’s the best dog breed for first-time owners?” I get asked this all the time. If you want a dog that’s eager to please, relatively easy to train, good with children, and generally forgiving while you’re learning… start simple. A Labrador Retriever A Golden Retriever Or if you want something a little different, a Flat-Coated Retriever They’re not perfect — no breed is — but they tend to be biddable, social, and far more accommodating of first-time mistakes than many others. Breed choice won’t