Becoming a Dog Owner or a Dog Companion for the first time can be quite exciting. The day you bring home your first pup will be one that you will remember all your life. But you need to be sure that you are bringing home a pup that is best suited for you and your family.
I passionately believe all dogs are great. I also want first-time dog companions to find it easier to bring up a dog. For this reason, I have come up with a list of “easy to bring up” dogs for first-timers.
This is not a ranking because it would be stupid to come up with ranks for dogs.
I have considered factors such as Temperament, Trainability, Grooming requirements, Climate suitability, and Budget to come up with this list.
1. Labrador Retriever
When it comes to family dogs, the first dog that comes to our mind is the Labrador Retriever.
One of the most popular family breeds, Labradors, are especially good around kids and prefer to be around humans more than other dogs.
They are easily trainable and require very less grooming. Labradors have been living in India for decades now and are well suited to our climatic conditions as well.
They are a friendly breed. If you are looking for a dog to protect your family and property, then Labradors will surely disappoint you. It is one of those dogs that will wag his tail at a burglar and happily accompany him into the house; probably even show him where you keep all your cash.
Labradors are a working breed and they need regular exercise. A bored Labrador can become destructive. You need to take him for a walk at least twice a day. Ideally spending a minimum of 30-45 minutes each time.
Another issue that is common in most Labradors is obesity. It is hard to find food leftover in a Lab’s bowl. You need to be conscious of the kind of food and how much you feed.
When considering the space required for a Labrador, it would be ideal to have at least a small yard for your dog to run around. But I have seen Labs do quite well even in smaller homes if they get regular exercise/walks.
Overall, if you are looking for a kind, goofy, intelligent family dog, then Labrador is a great choice. Labradors are always in demand and for that reason, there are a lot of breeders out there. Always get your pup from a reputed dog breeder who understands the breed. Labradors can be purchased for anything between Rs. 12,000 – Rs. 30,000.
Considerations for choosing a Labrador Retriever
| Life Expectancy | 10 – 14 years |
| Temperament | Very Friendly |
| Trainability | Easy |
| Grooming | Low-Medium |
| Climate suitability | Prefers Cool or moderately warm climate |
2. Indian Pariah Dog
If you are looking for a dog that is almost invincible to the Indian summers, a dog that is loving and affectionate, a dog that is ready to guard you and your house with its life, then there are very few dog breeds that can beat the Indian Pariah dogs.
Over the last few decades, a lot of Indian indigenous dog breeds have lost their popularity. Probably because these are dogs that are usually termed “street or stray dogs”. They do not have the fluffy coat or the fancy blue eyes that you see in international breeds.
Indian Pariah dogs are like the Nokia phones of the bygone era. They may not look that great. But they serve the purpose better than most other breeds in the dog world.
These are tough dogs and they very rarely get sick. They are even known to be free from genetic disorders that are found in most breeds like Hip Dysplasia.
Grooming and maintenance requirement is almost nil. You do have to give him a bath every couple of weeks or so. They are intelligent and trainable. But they do tend to be stubborn at times. So, the earlier you start training and maintaining a routine, the better.
These are not the usual dogs that you choose from a breeder. These are usually homebred or adopted from a shelter and for this reason, you must be extra careful while getting a Pariah Pup.
Considerations for choosing an Indian Pariah Dog
| Life Expectancy | 13 – 15 years |
| Temperament | Friendly and Cautious towards strangers |
| Trainability | Easy |
| Grooming | Very Low |
| Climate suitability | Perfect for Indian Summers |
3. Golden Retriever
Friendly, intelligent, and extremely attractive: That is how you can describe the Golden Retriever. Yet another highly popular family dog, the Goldies, as they are fondly called, come from Scotland, America, and Canada.
It is a common belief that the Golden Retrievers are similar to the Labrador Retrievers and the only difference that one can find is their appearance or more specifically the long coat. I have had both the breeds and I believe the Golden Retrievers are a lot more confident and bit more “opinionated” than Labradors.
Unlike Labradors, they have stronger territorial instincts and are ready to guard if needed.
They are slightly more expensive than Labradors; cost ranging between Rs. 15,000 – Rs. 45,000/-
When it comes to grooming, they are high maintenance dogs and will need regular brushing and trimming.
Golden retrievers are extremely intelligent and are easily trainable. They prefer cooler climates and will surely need to be kept indoors if you live in places that get hot during summers. They like the company of humans and enjoys long walks if it does not get too hot.
Considerations for choosing a Golden Retriever
| Life Expectancy | 10 – 13 years |
| Temperament | Friendly, But Territorial |
| Trainability | Easy |
| Grooming | High |
| Climate suitability | Prefers Cooler climate |
4. Cocker Spaniel
If you are looking for a playful, kind, and inquisitive breed then the cocker spaniel could be for you. They are friendly and I have noticed that they adapt well to children and other pets if trained well from an early stage.
The first thing you notice about the Cocker Spaniel, other than its beautiful coat, is their long floppy ears. These ears make them extremely good at sniffing out things. With a gazillion smells around him, he can be easily distracted.
As a dog owner, you will need to understand this tendency and work towards engaging the dog with a lot of scent related games.
They do not require a lot of exercises. 45 minutes to 1 hour of walking and sniffing would keep a Cocker Spaniel incredibly happy.
Your expense when it comes to food will be lower when compared to a larger breed. Please be aware that if you are bringing a Cocker Spaniel home, then you need to be ready to deal with its coat. It will need to be brushed at least once a day.
Cocker spaniels are energetic and always ready to please. They prefer cooler climates and like to stay indoors as a result. They are a good fit for smaller households.
You can get a good-quality Cocker Spaniel for Rs. 25,000 – Rs. 33,000.
Considerations for choosing a Cocker Spaniel
| Life Expectancy | 12 – 15 years |
| Temperament | Friendly |
| Trainability | Moderate |
| Grooming | Very High |
| Climate suitability | Prefers Cooler climate |
5. Beagle
In recent years, Beagles have found a way to our homes and hearts. They are a loving breed and get along well with families with children and even other pets. Their short stature, playfulness, and intelligence make them easily lovable.
Beagles are low maintenance dogs and they tolerate high temperatures well.
They do well in smaller households. They have a lot of energy and will require at least one and a half hours to two hours of exercise every day. Taking him to places where he can sniff around can also make him tired and extremely happy.
They will need early training. They are quick learners. But it is up to you to make learning fun and the training regular.
They are highly curious and can easily wander off while chasing a squirrel. So be careful not to let him out of your sight while going on walks and when off-leash. They are extremely good at sniffing and, like Cocker Spaniels, can be easily distracted by scents around them.
Beagles are food motivated which means you can use this quality while training. You should also be careful about overfeeding because they can easily become overweight.
Finally, Beagles are extremely vocal, and their barks are loud. So, it would be ideal to let them stay indoors if you do not want your neighbours to come knocking on your door in the middle of the night.
Considerations for choosing a Beagle
| Life Expectancy | 12 – 15 years |
| Temperament | Friendly |
| Trainability | Moderate |
| Grooming | Low |
| Climate suitability | Prefers moderate climate |
Conclusion
Few other popular breeds are Dalmatian, Pomeranian, Lhasa Apso, Pug, Dachshund and, German Shepherd. These are all brilliant breeds. But the list above has been created by keeping an absolute novice in mind. Hope this gives you an idea of the different breeds that are available in India. It is up to you to decide which will suit you the best considering your need, expectations, budget, and lifestyle.
So, which one do you think is best suited for you?
