How suitable a dog breed is for a new owner depends on several factors.
Research shows that some breeds are genetically more aggressive and have a higher prey drive due to the structure of their brain – amygdala and hypothalamus (5, 6).
Similarly, studies also found that certain breeds are harder to train than others because of their behavioral traits, boldness, reactivity, and sociability (7, 8).
These two breed factors are important for first-time owners because a dog will be more restless, more impulsive, and less easy to control.
They will require far more skills, experience, and patience from the dog owner. And if this is your first time adopting a dog, you may not have the necessary qualities to prevent accidents to yourself, the dog, and those around you.
For example, in a 2018 study that focused on the trainability of specific breeds, scientists found how Borzoi, Chow Chow, and Saint Bernard, among other breeds, were much harder to train and have control of, while some other breeds, like Collie, Whippet, and German Shepherds, among others, scored very high on trainability and how good they were at listening to owners and following commands.
Pairing both of these factors – how easy a breed is to train and how aggressive or reactive they are – alongside how stubborn a breed is and their energy requirements (is it a very active dog, working breed that needs a lot of exercises?) helps us figure out which dogs are less suitable for first-time owners.
Below are ten of the worst dog breeds for first-time owners that would be harder for you to care for (but not impossible) if you're inexperienced, have less patience and time, and don't have the means for the dog to release energy constantly.
1. Skye Terrier
Skye terriers are great little dogs, but they like to have things their own way and can be really stubborn.
This breed of dog does need regular exercise and will require lots of walks to stay fit and happy.They also need regular grooming as their coat can get very long and end up covering their eyes.
Skye Terriers will also need regular baths and brushing, as they are prone to matting. They are fairly high-maintenance dogs, making them one of the worst dog breeds for first-time owners.
2. Cane Corso
This breed of dog was originally a watchdog and was used for hunting wild boar in Italy. They are huge dogs and are quite stubborn too. They really can end up ruling the home as they do like to have things their own way.
Cane Corso`s will build strong bonds with their owners, and they really will become special friends.
They are very territorial dogs and are also extremely protective of their owners. That being said, if you’re a new dog owner, this breed is probably best avoided.
3. Treeing Walker Coonhound
This breed of dog really isn’t the best option for a first-time dog owner. They are highly athletic and will need a lot of exercises to stay fit and content.
They are also very competitive and are known for their endurance. Walkers were originally bred to track and tree raccoons living in the wild.
If you lead an active lifestyle, then they may be fine for you, but if not, you should definitely avoid this breed. Keep in mind that they will also need a big area outside to run and burn energy. This is not just one of the worst dog breeds for first-time owners but also a terrible choice for city dwellers or folks living in small apartments.
They love chasing the small game, and if you aren’t prepared for this, this breed isn’t for you.
4. Border Collie
Border Collies are great dogs, and they are working dogs. They are highly energetic and are always willing to please. Border Collies are highly intelligent too, and this breed thrives on human contact. They have a job to do, and they do it so well. Where would we be without the Border collie?
They love having jobs, and they are pleased as long as they please their owners. This breed needs to be mentally and physically challenged and will need a great deal of exercise.
If you cannot guarantee that you will provide lots of exercises, then this breed is best avoided.
5. Bloodhound
The bloodhound is a lovable dog, and they love their owners. However, they do like being in control and are very stubborn.
They have a powerful sense of smell, making them great hunting dogs, and if a Bloodhound picks up a scent they want to follow, they will, and you’ll be dragged along behind them.
Bloodhounds are prone to chasing other animals, so if you’re a new dog owner, the Bloodhound may be too much to handle. This is a very active breed that needs a lot of stimulation both mentally and physically.
They may pick up some naughty behaviors to entertain themselves if they don't get enough interaction, which is why we've added them to the list of the worst dog breeds for first-time owners.
6. Tibetan Mastiff
This breed of dog originated from the Himalayan Mountains and was used to protect families. They were kept inside during the day but used to be let out at night to protect the families flock and act as a watchdog.
For this reason, Tibetan Mastiffs are an independent breed of dog, and they are also brilliant.
They can be very aggressive to strangers because they were bred to be watchdogs. This breed will need obedience training, and they will need to be well socialized when they are puppies.
This breed is definitely one to avoid if you’re a first-time owner.
7. Australian Cattle Dog
This is a very loyal breed of dog, and their job originally was to herd. They are a very stubborn breed of dog as well.
Australian Cattle Dogs can become very restless if they haven’t got a job to be getting on with. They are brilliant and very athletic, so they will need a great amount of exercise to keep them happy and stress-free.
We added them to the list of the worst dog breeds for first-time owners because these canines can be very wary of strangers, which could be a problem if you get lots of visitors to your home. This breed will take over, as they do like to have things their own way.
8. Akita
The Akita is such a powerful dog, and it originated from Japan. It’s a large dog and is very strong, with strong instincts to guard.
Akitas are great as guard dogs, but they do like to be in control and need a lot of training. Their temperament can also change very quickly – one minute, they can be calm and restful, and the next minute they can become aggressive.
This breed should be carefully watched if you have children or other pets at home. They need to be well socialized when they are puppies to ensure they are used to people and other animals.
This breed will require a great amount of commitment, and if you cannot guarantee that, this breed should definitely be avoided.
9. Siberian Husky
This breed of dog is stunning to look at, but they are huge dogs and will need a lot of grooming and exercise to stay fit and healthy and an accurate Husky diet.
Huskies are working dogs and aren’t happy unless they are out and about exercising. They were bred to pull sleds in snowy climates and always lookout for something to do. A short walk won’t do with this breed. They can walk for hours and will need a lot of exercise throughout the day. You'll have to have plenty of space for this large breed and watch out for other pets in the house too.
Huskies are predatory dogs, and you can never be sure about their temperament from one minute to another, which is why they are one of the worst dog breeds for first-time owners.
10. Rottweiler
A Rottweiler is a huge dog, and for a first-time dog owner, it’s probably best avoided. They may look like scary dogs to some people, but they can be a loving and affectionate breed if properly socialized. On the contrary, Rotties also love being in control and can be very stubborn.
They can quickly take over if you let them, and they are mighty dogs. Rottweilers are very protective of their people too.
They are so loyal and will be a great guard dog for you and your property if you have experience dealing with this type of dog.
They are big, though – weighing up to 135 pounds, and a lot of that is muscle. That’s why they are so strong!
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