If you have never had a dog and you want to make yourself a nice Christmas present to enjoy for many years forward, then you need to make quite a mindful decision. Selecting the right breed for your tastes can prove to be quite challenging, especially since you’ve never done it before. Luckily, you have all the needed means to research your next pet, even if at times it can be time-consuming.
But it’s worth the mini effort, trust me. Better to spend your life with a dog that is fit for your lifestyle than regret choosing the wrong way. Naturally, there’s no such thing as a wrong dog, because they are all God-sent.
What we mean by that is that some require way more exercise and training, while others have a significant series of grooming requirements. The average pet parent might not have the time to train, groom, and exercise their dog. If you’re looking for an easygoing dog, you should keep reading this until the end to make sure you avoid the wrong ones.
Are you a first-time dog owner?
Beginner pet owners should never adopt a pup without thoroughly researching what they need in order to feel the best. This can also include their physical and mental traits, eating requirements, and grooming needs. You should also consider your dog’s mental stimulation level and the training they should get in order to stay fit.
The worst dog breeds for a first-time dog owner
Every dog is a lot different within a breed, which means that you can’t really categorize an individual as the worst or best breed. But some of them prove to be more challenging than others. Here are some of the worst dog breeds for you if you’ve never had a pup before!
Border Collie
Border Collies are extremely powerful dogs that are always ready to run miles for you or just for the sake of using their relentless energy. These farm dogs are very energetic, which is exactly why you will always see them running, playing, and also looking for something to stay as busy as possible.
Border Collies are known to be the most intelligent dogs, especially because they require less than five repetitions to understand any command, no matter how hard. But they are independent dogs.
You need to prepare to keep the newly adopted pet entertained to prevent them from fully engaging in harmful activities. For example, they could start barking, digging, and nipping out completely out of nowhere.
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is one of the happiest, most independent dogs that adores cold environments. He thrives in them! They are very energetic, so you need to keep them as busy as possible with all kinds of exercises to maintain their happy mood. After all, they were made to pull the sleds. Siberian Huskies also need a lot of space to move around and run freely.
They can’t live in an apartment. They are very vocal and could keep you and your neighbors on your toes. Their double coat requires extensive grooming to stay clean and untangled. Considering how smart they are, Huskies can learn a new command just by repeating it 40 times.
Dalmatian
Who doesn’t know about the Dalmatians? Dalmatians are basically working dogs packed with plenty of energy. They were bred in such a way that makes them extremely capable of running lengthy distances, which makes them one of the fastest breeds out there.
As a matter of fact, they used to run alongside horses and fire engines. However, their energy reserves make them quite a challenge for dog owners. Dalmatians can become destructive and bark endlessly, especially when not given the desired stimulation.
Despite having a short coat, Dalmatians shed heavily, so you might have to use a vacuum cleaner more often than you thought. On top of everything, it’s also worth mentioning that they need 15 to 25 repetitions to understand a new command. That’s impressive!
Chow Chow
Despite looking like giant teddy bears, it’s worth stating from scratch that they definitely don’t act like them. They do have an adorable face and that funky purple tongue that makes them stand out among other breeds, but their cuteness oftentimes surpasses their intelligence.
What do we mean by this? Well, let’s just say that they need around 80 to 100 repetitions to learn a new command. That’s mostly due to the fact that they tend to be quite stubborn during training.
Chow Chows aren’t fans of strangers. They might display this aggression towards other animals, including dogs. They don’t need more than an hour of exercise, but they do require more training than other breeds. The huge downside of owning a Chow Chow is that it can become dangerous. For some reason, they are easily irritated.
Cane Corso
The Cane Corso is a big, beautiful, and strong dog that loves to be in charge of everything. At first, they were bred to be protective dogs, and they can be quite intimidating. They are also extremely suspicious of new people, so you might, in fact, struggle to get along with them, especially as a first-time owner.
Cane Corsi can also turn aggressive when presented to strangers. That’s because their main purpose in any given situation is to protect their owners, which is adorable. Cane Corsi doesn’t need too much exercise compared to other larger pups, but they adore playing games with their owners, like fetch.
Akita
The Akita is yet another famous Japanese dog with impeccable guarding characteristics. Apart from their attractive features, Akitas are quite popular these days because of the “Tale of Hachi.” Even if there is still no clear lead about their origin, it is considered that Akitas were bred for fighting, bear hunting, and protection purposes.
Akitas are incredibly suspicious of strangers. They might show aggression toward new people as well as other dogs. Naturally, you can train your Akita for socialization to turn them into the best life companions. The question is if you have enough patience for that!
Rottweiler
Rottweilers are quite large, intimidating dogs, but the way they express their affection for their owners is simply unmatched. Yes, they are very stubborn, especially during training, and yes they need a lot of exercise.
If these two are something you aren’t willing to offer and make room for in your schedule, make sure you don’t go with a Rottweiler back home. The general behavior of Rottweilers differs. You can find them being playful with you, but they can also become aggressive toward strangers and other dogs the next second. Their size can also represent a challenge for first-time dog owners.
Airedale Terrier
Airedale Terriers are extremely strong-willed but also stubborn. However, don’t worry, they possess this sweet and friendly nature that makes them great company. They are extremely fun to be around, but if you’re gone, they experience some of the most severe separation anxiety out there.
They suffer from stress and start engaging in destructive behavior, like digging holes in the mud, chasing other pets, as well as tearing up furniture. Airedale Terriers are also the largest Terriers, and they’re not great for families with small children. They love to think for themselves, which makes them amazing hunters, but also quite challenging to train. They’re a challenge, but a fun one!
If you found this article useful, we also recommend checking 6 Ways to Prevent Motion Sickness in Dogs During Travel
