6 Dog Breeds That are Not the Best Choice for First-time Owners

It would be fair to say that dogs are usually only "bad" because they have not be socialised well enough or received the right type of training to suit their breeds. However, there are some dog breeds which are so intellingent, maybe a little wilful or like being "top dog" which are best suited to people who have experience in raising, training and handling them otherwise their pets could become a real handful.

This does not mean these particular breeds are "bad dogs" in fact, the opposite is true because all too often, they are just a little too clever. This includes many breeds which were specifically bred as working dogs. When they find themselves in a family environment, their instinct to work are still there and as such their owners need to know how to keep their pets happy both physically and mentally or they could end up developing some serious unwanted behavioural problems.

A breed originally bred to be a guard dog when in a family situation would need to be well socialised and trained at a young age to curb their instincts to protect. Throughout their lives they would need to be handled with a gentle but firm hand. Their training would have to continue and it would have to be consistent so they understand who is top dog in a household. There are quite a few dog breeds that are not the best choice for first-time owners, 6 of which are listed below:

The Airedale Terrier

Airedale Terriers are very independent characters, they are intelligent and tend to be a little stubborn which is why they need to be handled with a firm yet gentle hand. They are real clowns and will keep owners thoroughly amused with their antics. However, they adore digging and if allowed, they will help themselves to any food they find within their reach. Airedale Terriers are not particularly good around other dogs and need a tremendous amount of physical exercise and mental stimulation. The breed is known as the "King of Terriers" and are a little too clever for their own good!

The Saint Bernard

Although incredibly lovable characters and glorious gentle giants, the Saint Bernard can be quite a handful. Keeping one of them happy, healthy and fit is a lot of hard work. Another downside is that Saint Bernards drool and they drool a lot. They also like to eat just about everything they come across and this includes tea towels, socks and other items commonly found around a home. These lovely dogs are enormous and can weigh in at anything from 130 to 180 lbs or more. They also boast thick coats which means they have a tendency to suffer from heat stroke so leaving your pet in the garden on a hot day could end up being a disaster. In fact, a Saint Bernard prefers to be an indoor dog where they can snuggle up on comfy sofas in a nice cool place.

The Dalmatian

Dalmatians were original bred as working dogs to run alongside coaches and carriages, in fact they are known as "carriage dogs" and their task was to protect the people from highwaymen and to make sure stray dogs didn't get too close. Dalmatians have endless energy and need to be kept busy both mentally and physically. If they get too bored it can lead to all sorts of unwanted behavioural problems which includes becoming rather destructive around the home. The other thing about the breed is they shed a lot so be prepared for a hairy home if you own a Dalmatian.

The Weimaraner

Also known as the "Grey Ghost", the Weimaraner is one very intelligent canine but they are not the ideal choice for everyone because they don't tend to have an "off" button. Weimaraners don't like to be left on their own either which usually ends up with them becoming stressed and anxious. The other things you need to be aware of is that these lovely grey dogs are not particularly fond of cats or any other small pets. They need a ton of exercise and really do enjoy taking part in obedience and agility classes which they really do benefit from. For the first time dog owner, a Weimaraner might be just too much of a handful.

The Rottweiler

Rottweilers are gentle giants but in the hands of the wrong people can be a very scary dog indeed which is why they are not a good choice for first-time owners. These magnificent canines need to know who is boss and if you don't take the place of the "alpha dog" in your household, then your dog will which could be a real problem. Rottweilers are powerful dogs and they have a strong instinct to protect. They are extremely loyal and will not let any strangers anywhere near a property and because they can weigh in at up to 135 lbs most of this is pure muscle, they are pretty intimidating canines that will back up their growl if they have to.

The Akita

Bred to hunt big, ferocious game, namely bears, boars and elk, the Akita is a powerful dog that can weigh in at anything up to 115 lbs (sometimes more!). Their instinct to hunt is strong which means they really do need to be kept on a lead when out on a walk – even in a park or countryside. They boast gorgeous coats, but they do shed a lot which can be an issue around the home. These lovely dogs are magnificent but can be quite a handful to train which means they really are not the best choice for first-time dog owners.

Conclusion

As previously mentioned, no breed of dog should be classed as a "bad breed" but there are some which are better suited to experienced owners because they need to be well handled, trained and socialised. They need to know who is the "boss" around the household and should never be allowed to become the "alpha dog". If you are thinking about getting a dog, there are hundreds to choose from and if you are a first-time owner, then you might need to do a lot of research to make sure you choose a pet that's easy to train and which would make a perfect first time pet.