Dog Breeds to Avoid As A First Time Dog Owner

First time dog owners should do extensive research before welcoming any breed into their home. Should they avoid large breeds? Or should they avoid barkers? Read on to discover the worst breeds for first time owners.

Are you getting your first dog? Congratulations! When you get a dog, you are actually getting more joy into your life.

Still, owning a dog is a real-lifer commitment that will make you think about your dogs’ health, need, and happiness for years.

So, unless you are 100% percent sure that you ready to dedicate your time, money, and energy to a dog, you might want to wait a bit longer because dogs (animals in general) aren’t test-and-toss objects but living creatures.

Getting A Dog

If you ready to commit to a dog, brace yourself for a major learning curve. Getting a dog is all about the learning. Your dog will learn as much as you do.

Some dogs are more intelligent than others, others need high energy outbursts daily, and some will try to train you.

So, as a first time dog owner, you will learn that proper research is everything. Both you and your dog will have a lot of learning to do. That’s the main reason why new dog owners should always choose a dog who’s easy to train.

Dog experts believe that there aren’t any bad dogs or dog breeds, just bad training. In other words, with proper training and early socialization, any dog can become a well-behaved dog.

Still, dog experts admit that some breeds are more challenging than others. Therefore, they discourage first time dog owners from choosing a specific challenging breed.

After all, it’s hard to provide necessary training skills and show confident leadership when you’re still trying to figure it all out for the first time.

Now, check out the dog breeds that experts say you might want to think twice about if you’re a first time dog owner.

Airedale Terrier

When it comes to the terrier group, the Airedale Terrier is the largest among them. They are active and smart dogs who tend to be stubborn and try to get things their way.

Having a mind of their own is their ultimate trait, which can make it challenging to train them well if you are a first time dog owner. This breed needs a firm and patient owner who will use a lot of positive reinforcement.

To have a happy and busy Airedale Terrier, physical and mental stimulation are mandatory.

If their intense need for the outdoor and excitement is neglected, it will lead to troubling or even destructive behavior. The most common issue in this breed is digging.

They are passionate diggers, so it may be a problem if you have a garden. Overall, this is a friendly dog, who still needs supervision around children and other pets.


Originally from Japan, Akita is one of the best guards dogs alive today.

They were bred as guard dogs and big-game hunters – this is the main reason why these dogs are so powerful with strong prey-drive. Akita is one of the most independent dog breeds, which can be challenging and exhausting to control.

Akita is so powerful physically that they can overpower any leach holder to chase small animals, which is why it’s important not to let children walk this dog.

Akita needs daily outdoor exercise and early socialization, next to firm obedience training. When with pets and children, they need supervision.

Since they are super protective, Akita can be aggressive toward strangers.

Their origin is still in dispute, but they were probably bred for a combination of dogfighting, bear hunting, and guard dog work, which is why they have a high level of suspicion with strangers and aggression toward dogs and people.

When well trained, in the hands of an experienced owner, Akitas are great companions.

They have a long and thick coat, which is why they need a lot of brushing, and from time to time, professional grooming. They can weigh up to 130 pounds.

Border Collie

Border Collie is one of the smartest, if not the most intelligent dog alive. They were initially bred for all-day farmwork. This means that they don’t get tired as other dogs do.

They are so active, that experienced owners must be into hiking, jogging or every day swimming to keep them active and happy.

This dog is an extra commitment if you can’t meet the breed’s training and exercise needs.

This breed is just energetic, and they need an above-average amount of daily exercise to let out its energy.

Border Collie will love any open space, and they may have tendencies for digging and barking when bored. They also need mental stimulation, which is why new tricks are mandatory.

In general, a dog needs five repetitions to learn a new command, but Border Collie needs fewer than five repetitions.

They are great with other dogs and children, but they should be supervised due to their energy outbursts.

Belgian Malinois

Belgian Malinois are fantastic dogs to watch. They are fast, elegant in moves, and super smart. They were originally bred for dangerous work, making them a logical choice for army, police, and search and rescue teams.

They are beautiful and terrible for most homes if not kept right. This breed was bred to track bombs and drugs and jump on trees when needed… It should be clear that this breed is no couch potato and definitely not a good choice for a first time dog owner.

Belgian Malinois thrives on activity, mental stimulation, and when there is a job to be done.

When not trained, properly socialized, or proper exercise, Belgian Malinois will become destructive.

They come with extremely high energy, a protective mind, and a willingness to bite fast and often to keep the strangers away. They can master a new trick between 5-15 repetitions.

Their coat is easy to groom, and they can weigh up to 80 pounds. Not to be mixed with German Shepherd.

Cane Corso

Cane Corso is mostly known for being a huge dog. They can be up to 280 inches and can easily have over 100 pounds. They are excellent guard dogs who tend to be suspicious of new things and strangers.

This is the main reason why Cane Corso shouldn’t be the first choice for first time dog owners.

They tend to attach to one person, which often comes at the expense of aggression toward strangers.

Luckily, they enjoy training and are willing to listen and obey as long as they see the owner as the pack leader. Since they are massive in size, children and smaller pets shouldn’t’ be left alone with Cane Corso.

Training and early socialization are mandatory, just like with any other dog. If you miss training your Cane right, you can expect many house accidents and destructive behavior.

Their coat is short and very easy to groom. This giant dog is a very alert breed.

Again, due to their stubborn streak, size, and dominant nature, it’s best if first time dog owners avoid taking this breed on as a family pet.


To many, Dalmatian is considered a Disney darling, which probably makes it unusual to see this breed here. However, Dalmatian was bred to as coach dogs, meaning that have an enormous amount of energy.

Coach dogs had a simple task: their job was to run along beside carriages of horses, warding off stray dogs as well as alerting coachmen of others approaching.

They were also busy working as traditional firehouse dogs, responsible for keeping the streets clear when horses pulled fire engines.

Dalmatian has incredible endurance and speed, and they are extremely alert on top of that. They have an almost endless capacity for exercise and tend to be destructive when bored.

They are good family pets but may be jealous of children and other pets. With a strong need for energy and a tendency to bark, this breed is notoriously difficult for even experienced owners and can be a nightmare for first time dog owners.

Their coat is short, but they do shed a lot.

German Shepherd

German Shepherd is globally-known for being an excellent search dog, a great guide dog, and an amazing family pet. They do shed a lot, but nothing beats their ears-shape and loyalty.

German Shepherd wants to be busy, and they need professional training to thrive. This breed asked for a firm leader and positive reinforcement.

They tend to have hip issues, which is why exercise is so crucial for their health. To avoid behavioral problems, you need to give them enough time and energy.

Since the German Shepherd is so loved and a loyal pet, why is it on this list? German Shepherd needs a lot of training, exercise, and dedication to keep their minds stimulated while training them.

With the right training, there’s little this breed can’t do. They are great with children, but they do need supervision with other pets.

Unless you have a long experience as a dog owner, skip this breed for now.

If you want to know more about German Shepherd breeds, check it here.

The Bottom Line

Welcoming a puppy, an adult dog, or a senior dog is such an exciting moment. Getting a dog comes with many responsibilities, including feeding, walking, and properly training the dog.

Since owning a dog is a serious responsibility, not every breed is a good choice for first time dog owners.

Not that you aren’t fit to guard and Rottweiler or Doberman, but just like with everything in life – there is a learning process that should be respected.

With that in mind, always double-check the breed’s characteristics before welcoming a specific breed into your home.