Dog Trainer Lists 2 Breeds She Never Recommends for First-Time Pet Parents
So you've decided to get a dog. Congrats! This is without a doubt the best decision of your life. But before diving in to the wonderful world of pet ownership, you might want to take heed of the wise words of Ingrid of Sonoma County, California. The pet trainer has some strong feelings about what breeds of dogs you shouldn't get as a first time pet owner. So we should all listen up.
Ingrid shared her knowledge so that every potential pet owner will make the right choice for their family.
Now you might be thinking, "Hey, as long as I give my pup a good home, does it really matter what breed my dog is?" Well yes and no. It's not that you can't get these breeds, but Ingrid made a really case why getting them is not the best idea.
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As Ingrid explained, she often will see a lot of the same breeds popping up into animal shelters. And to her the reason is that "those breeds are going into homes that are unprepared."
The first breed on her list might break some hearts. But Ingrid had very good reason for saying that Australian Cattle Dogs are not for everyone. "Similar to the Border Collie and the Aussie, the herding instincts and their genetics are so ingrained into the Cattle Dog because they were bred to work, so if they go into a pet home where they are not given a job, it's a recipe for that dog to end up back in a shelter in a re-home situation," she said.
The other breed on her list: Great Pyrenees. Despite the fact that these good boys often are confused for Golden Retrievers, Ingrid warns that you shouldn't confuse the two. Great Pyrenees were bred "to guard their space; whether that's goats, sheeps, livestock, or their humans in their house," she explained. Meaning they "will literally bark at literally everything. So Pyrenees are loud."
Ingrid is speaking from experience, she has a Great Pyrenees and she said that she spends a lot of her time managing his or her barking.
Best Dogs for First Time Pet Parents
So what types of breeds should a person consider when becoming a first time pet owner? Here are some good recommendations.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are known for being gentle, affectionate, adaptable, and good with a variety of ages. These pups are very trainable and are good to strangers. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do need regular grooming and some regular exercise, but overall these pups are very low-maintenance.
Boxers are another great choice. They're both very protective of their owners and love to be with them too. They love human affection, including affection from kids. Speaking of kids, they have a reputation for being patient and gentle with them. As far as grooming goes, they're also very low-maintenance. Just make sure you take them out for regular walks!
Poodles are another great first-timer dogs. Poodles are extremely smart and come in three different sizes; Toy, Miniature, and Standard and can adapt a variety of different living quarters. Poodles also have a nearly-hypoallergenic coat, which makes them good choices for people with allergies. However you will need to groom them.
No matter what kind of breed you like, make sure you're getting them from a reputable breeder or reach out to your local shelter to adopt. So there you have it — the perfect pup for first time owners is out there!
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