Any dog can be challenging for a first-time owner if they are one of the more stubborn or high-strung breeds.
This is especially true for certain large breed dogs, as their sheer size and strength can make it difficult for first-time owners to establish themselves as the master instead of vice versa!
However, many large breed dogs have gentle and loving temperaments and are easy to train. Here are nine of our favorite big dogs for first-time owners. You’re almost guaranteed to have a wonderful ownership experience with any of these lovable big pups.
The only caveat to this is the short life span of some of the larger breeds, so be sure to take that into consideration when choosing your first big dog.
1. Golden Retriever
These dogs are well known for their good personalities and because of that, they are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States.
Golden Retrievers are easy to train and like to please their masters. This means teaching them basic commands is usually quite easy.
Goldens do have longer coats and shed. You need to brush them about once a week and you should be prepared to brush them more in the spring and fall when they are going through their shedding season.
This breed is outgoing and fun-loving. They need exercise and love taking walks with their owners.
2. Standard Poodle
If you are looking for a big dog that doesn’t shed and is smart and gentle, then a Standard Poodle is a very good bet. Standard Poodles are much bigger than their miniature and toy cousins and can grow up to 28 inches tall.
Standard Poodles are known for being great family dogs and are excellent with little kids, but they only get along with other dogs moderately well.
This breed has a coat that is hair, rather than fur. That means they don’t shed and often people that are allergic to other dogs can tolerate a Standard Poodle. However, they still must be groomed. Many people tackle this job themselves or you can hire a professional dog groomer.
When considering a Standard Poodle make sure you budget for their grooming costs because it can get pricey.
Poodles are athletic dogs and Standard Poodles need regular exercise to stay happy and healthy.
3. Goldendoodle
We’ve never met a Goldendoodle that isn’t stunningly beautiful. These dogs are a cross between a Standard Poodle and a Golden Retriever and they typically have the kind of easy-going personalities of both breeds.
Goldendoodles are smart and easily trained. They also have coats that shed far less than other dogs because they are half Poodle.
That said, you will probably have to have your Goldendoodle groomed or be prepared to groom the dog yourself.
Like Golden Retrievers and Poodles, Goldendoodles need plenty of physical activity to stay at their best.
4. Irish Wolfhound
If you want a truly large dog and don’t have young children, then an Irish Wolfhound can be an excellent choice.
These dogs clock in at 105 to 120 pounds and they were bred to hunt wolves, so they make a great guard dog and companion. If you are walking an Irish Wolfhound, then you are very likely to feel safe and not have anyone bother you.
Irish Wolfhounds will do just as well with a single person as a family, and they are relatively good with other dogs.
They like “their people” but can be a little stand-offish around strangers.
One of the nice things about Irish Wolfhounds is that they don’t bark a lot. That makes them good dogs for apartments or in cities, but if you do have them in a place where they can’t run you do need to make sure you take them for regular walks.
They don’t have boundless energy like a herding dog, but they do need regular physical activity to stay healthy.
5. Labrador Retriever
There is a reason that the Lab is one of the most popular dogs in America. They have a friendly demeanor and don’t know strangers.
Labrador Retrievers are also typically well behaved and easy to train. They love to make you happy.
Because they are so sociable, they bond well with their families and other pets that the family might have.
Labradors have a short, shedding coat. They benefit from an occasional bath and brush.
But just because Labs are easygoing, don’t think that they don’t need a lot of exercise. They love to play fetch for long periods of time, go swimming, and go on walks with their people.
6. Scottish Deerhound
Originally bred to hunt deer, the Scottish Deerhound is another dog that is large – even for large breed dogs. This dog can get up to 110 pounds and has a handsome, wiry coat.
They are great with families as well as other dogs and do moderately well with young children.
Scottish Deerhounds only require brushing and bathing, but they do shed so you need to be prepared to vacuum or sweep up dog hairs.
These dogs don’t bark a lot, which many owners really like.
They need regular, but not extensive exercise. If you schedule a daily walk with your Scottish Deerhound they should remain healthy and happy.
7. German Shepherd
German Shepherds make wonderful pets, but they need attention, and they are very smart. In some kennels, they have cages that are specifically made for this breed because they can let themselves out of ones that hold the other dogs!
This breed is very loyal and makes a wonderful watchdog. They are also very easy to train, which is why they often end up serving in the police force. Because they like to guard by nature you must train them properly.
If you have a German Shepherd, you need to know that they will want a lot of attention and need a good deal of exercise.
Their coat is easy to manage. You only need to brush it and bathe the dog once in a while.
8. Great Dane
Great Danes are known as gentle giants. They are very large dogs and can weigh up to 175 pounds.
This breed is known for being good-natured and patient and they bond with families quickly and well. Great Danes are extremely loyal and make a good watchdog.
Because of this breed’s tremendous size, they do benefit from having professional obedience training. After all, if a Great Dane jumps on you out of enthusiasm, they are likely to knock you down!
Great Danes have short, easy-to-care-for coats. They also drool a lot.
Because of their size, they do have a shorter lifespan than most dogs and only live about 7 to 10 years.
Danes need a moderatge amount of exercise, which you can meet with a good daily walk.
9 Irish Setter
A beautiful dog with a flowing red coat, the Irish Setter is lovable and friendly.
If you are looking for an extremely outgoing dog that will stop and talk to every person on a walk, then the Irish Setter is a good dog for you.
Irish Setters are extremely playful, so you’ll need to keep them very active for them not to get bored.
They do need to be brushed more often than other breeds. Twice a week is usually enough to keep their beautiful coats in good shape.
Overall this friendly, playful dog can make a good pet for an active person or family.