You can tell a lot about somebody based off of the dog breed that they own. I spent 6 years working as a dog daycare attendant and have been a vet assistant for the last year and a half, so I’ve come across a lot …
This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Summer is officially here which means it is time for all of the summer activities to begin! As a kid my parents always filled my summers with incredible memories such as pool days, beach vacations, …
So you’ve decided to expand your family and get your first dog. Bringing home your first ever dog can be so exciting but also incredibly overwhelming. Between figuring out a new puppy shopping list and deciding on the best breed, there’s a lot of research that goes into getting your first pup. The perfect dog breed for you will vary greatly based on your lifestyle and what you’re looking for in a dog. However, some breeds are better for first time dog owners than others. Today, I’m sharing the 10 best dog breeds for first time dog owners.
If you’re looking for a small companion for your first ever pooch than a Bichon Frise might be the perfect pup for you. Bichon’s make great dogs for first time owners because of their loving and playful personality. They tend to be eager to please, easy to train and great with kids. Bichon’s are known for picking their “person” so if you want a dog that will truly be your best friend and shadow they’re a great choice.
Bichon’s do require an extensive amount of grooming. Regular baths, brush outs, and trips to the groomer are necessary to keep their coat in good condition. Their fluffy and curly coat is a lot of maintenance but it’s also hypoallergenic so they’re a great breed if you’re worried about allergies or shedding.
Boxers are a great choice for a first time dog owner that is looking for a larger breed dog. Boxers are guardians and their protective nature make them a popular choice for families. If you’re looking for a guard dog, a boxer is a wonderful choice.
They make great dogs for first time owners because they are such loyal and fun spirited dogs. They love to be with their people and are known to be very patient with children. They’re easy to train and generally happy go lucky dogs. They do require a fair amount of exercise but if you and your family live a more active lifestyle then a boxer will fit in perfectly.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (CKCS) was bred to be a companion dog for King Charles. They are super adaptable and easy to train making them perfect for first time dog owners. They also have an eagerness to please their people so they’ll make a great companion pup for everyone from kids to the elderly. CKCS are very gentle, athletic and intelligent dogs who will fit in to every kind of family.
For people and families looking for an active first dog breed, the English Springer Spaniel is the perfect choice. These dogs are beyond eager to please and are very happy to listen to and follow their humans. They’re sporting dogs so they’re a perfect choice if you spend lots of time hiking and swimming, but, they’re just as happy to curl up with you on the couch.
Golden Retrievers are America’s most beloved dog breed for a reason. They are some of the most loyal and friendly pups, never meeting a person that they don’t like. They’re known for being obedient and easy to train which is what makes them such a great first time dog breed.
Golden Retrievers make great family dogs. They’ll have a blast chasing kids in the backyard, swimming in the pool, and playing fetch.
Despite their impressively large size, Great Danes are really just gentle giants. Don’t let their large size fool you, these dogs are some of the best apartment dogs because they’re huge couch potatoes. Danes love to lounge on the couch with their owners and don’t require much exercise at all. They’re sweet and loyal dogs that will fit right in with any family, as long as they have a designated spot on your sofa.
The one major down side to Great Danes is their life span, as most only live 7-10 years.
Labs are the best of both worlds. These dogs love to be active just as much as they love to snuggle with their people. They make great first time dogs because they are loyal and easy to train! They’re great for families and are super outgoing pups. They’ve been the most popular dog breed in America for 30 years for a reason!
The Papillon is another good dog breed for first time dog owners that are looking for a small breed. Weighing in at about 10 pounds, these small pups are surprisingly athletic and love to play. They are an adaptable breed and can thrive anywhere from an apartment to a farm.
Standard, mini, and toy poodles all make fantastic dogs for first time owners. Poodles are known to be one of the smartest dog breeds, making training them a breeze. They love to be active and do well in dog sports such as agility. However, they’ll be happy with regular training and exercise as well. Because they come in 3 different sizes there’s one to fit every kind of dwelling. Their curly coats are hypoallergenic and non shedding but do require regular grooming and upkeep.
Whippets are known for being fast and athletic. These little dogs love to run. But as long as you’re giving them plenty of outdoor time they make great house pets, even in an apartment. They love their people and are happy to spend most of the day napping.
A great perk of this dog breed is that they rarely bark, and their short coats require very little maintenance.
What breed was your first dog?
This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Just like humans, dogs can experience carsickness, and it’s unpleasant for everyone involved when they do. Whether you’re planning a summer road trip with your pup or just need to be able to transport them …
Losing my dog has been one of my biggest fears since bringing her home. There have been several times over the last 3 years that she has managed to escape the backyard or get free of her collar while on a walk. Each time she …
If you ask me, there is no better summer snack than ice cream. The creamy, frozen treat is the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day and for our furry friends, cooling down in the heat is a must! If your dog is in need of a frozen treat to stay cool this summer then this 3 ingredient berry ice cream recipe for dogs is the perfect solution.
Giving ice cream to dogs is not a new phenomenon. For years, local ice cream shops have been serving “pup cups” to furry customers and it’s a common summer activity for people with dogs. However, is ice cream really safe for your dog?
I’ve done a whole post deep diving into this topic already which I will link here. But, the short answer is that ice cream is okay for dogs to eat in moderation. Ice cream is made with whole milk and sugar, two ingredients that likely won’t make your dog sick but aren’t necessarily the greatest for them either. An occasional small scoop of vanilla ice cream is okay for dogs, but if you want to make ice cream a regular treat for your pooch, you’re better off going the dog friendly route.
I prefer to make ice cream for my dog from home with ingredients that I know won’t upset her tummy. Dogs are not designed to consume dairy, so large amounts of milk and cream can cause GI upset. Sugar isn’t great for dogs to eat regularly either. Dog friendly ice cream cuts out the processed white sugar completely. Instead, ingredients such as fruit, peanut butter, or honey are used to sweeten the dessert. And while dogs aren’t really meant to consume dairy, some dairy products are easier on their tummies than others. Replacing the whole milk or heavy cream with plain greek yogurt makes ice cream easier for dogs to digest.
When it comes to dog safe ice cream recipes, the options are endless. Using plain greek yogurt as your base, you can mix in just about any dog friendly ingredient to make a delicious frozen treat. My two favorite doggy ice cream recipes are a peanut butter and pumpkin ice cream and the berry ice cream recipe that I’m sharing today.
To make dog friendly ice cream, you’re going to combine your yogurt and other ingredients into a blender and blend until it’s well mixed. You then have the option to put the whole batch in the freezer, portion it into bowls and freeze, or even pour it into silicone molds and freeze for bite sized ice cream treats.
The best part about this treat is that it stays well in the freezer for several weeks, so you can make a large batch and keep it frozen until you’re ready to serve!
While dogs were not designed to consume dairy products, plain greek yogurt does have some benefits for your pup.
Yogurt is full of calcium, protein and probiotics. It’s often recommended to add to your dogs meals if they’re having diarrhea or other upset stomach symptoms. Greek yogurt is made with less sugar and more protein, making it the better choice for your dog compared to regular yogurt.
You should always give your dog plain yogurt rather than flavored yogurt as flavored yogurts are full of sugar that isn’t good them. Flavored yogurts can also contain xylitol, a sugar substitute that is toxic for your dog.
Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries are all healthy snacks for your dog. Berries are full of vitamins and minerals such as: vitamin C, fiber, vitamin K, and antioxidants. They are the perfect ingredient to sweeten doggy ice cream while being beneficial to your furry friends health.
To make this berry ice cream for your dog, simply combine plain greek yogurt, frozen mixed berry medley, and peanut butter in a blender and blend. From there you can pour the mixture into silicone molds, portion it into bowls, or dump it into one big container and freeze for a few hours. Since the berries were already frozen, the ice cream will be mostly frozen already.
This ice cream can be stored in the freezer for weeks and is ready to serve on those super hot summer days!
If you make this ice cream for your dog, send me a picture over on Instagram @thatonedogmomblog!
With summer right around the corner, it’s time to start planning those vacations! While traveling with your dog can be a blast, our furry friends can’t always come on vacations with us. If you’re planning a summer trip that doesn’t include your pup, don’t forget …
May the 4th be with you! Today is May 4th, also known as the unofficial Star Wars Day. If you’re a huge fan of the increasingly popular Star Wars movies, then you may want to consider naming your dog after the hit series. Today, I’m …
This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own.
With Mothers Day being only one week away, it’s time to start shopping for all the moms who have made an impact on your life-this includes dog moms as well! If you’re stumped on gift ideas for the dog mom in your life then you came to the right place! Today, I’m sharing 8 Mothers Day gift ideas for dog moms.
Bath time isn’t just for the pups! Spoil the dog mom in your life this year with special luxury gifts so that she can take the ultimate bath after a day of bathing dogs and kids. Bubble bath, bath bombs, and fancy soaps make for the best luxury spa day. Bath tub pillows or trays are great gifts as well to enhance anybody’s bath time.
I have yet to meet a mom, dog moms included, who didn’t enjoy a nice glass of wine after a long day of taking care of everyones needs. Fancy wine gadgets such as an electronic wine opener and an aerator pourer are great gifts for wine lovers. To make this gift more dog mom specific, a cute wine glass with her dogs name or breed on it would be a special addition.
As a dog mom, cozying up with my pup after a long day is my favorite. The gift of a cozy blanket is perfect for any dog mom who’s favorite downtime activity is snuggling with her fur child. You can go with a generic, super plush sherpa blanket or spice it up with a personalized blanket featuring her dogs portrait.
If you know a dog mom who loves to hike with her dog, then some new hiking gear is the way to go this Mothers Day. New hiking shoes or a hiking backpack big enough to fit all her dog hiking essentials will make great gifts for someone with an active dog breed.
The brand Yeti is popular for their tumbler cups that are known to keep drinks super hot or cold for hours but did you know they make dog bowls too? If you know a dog mom who plans to spend the summer with her dog out by the pool, on the beach, or sitting in the sun then Yeti for her and her pup would be the perfect dog mom gift!
You can’t go wrong with gifting a mom some new candles. Dog moms in particular are always trying to keep their home smelling fresh, so a new, dog friendly candle will make a great Mothers Day gift for dog moms! My favorite brand of dog friendly candles is Sand + Fog’s Sand + Paws line which is full of beautiful, pet odor neutralizing candles.
Every dog mom is painfully aware of the amount of fur that follows them everywhere they go. If you know a dog mom with a particularly heavy shedding pup, then a new vacuum would make a great Mothers Day gift.
A new blender is a perfect gift for those extra dog moms who are obsessed with making treats for their dog. If you know a dog mom who is constantly trying out new popsicle and ice cream recipes for their pup, a brand new blender would make an awesome gift.
What is one present you would love to get for Mothers Day as a dog mom?