--- title: "First Time Dog Owners Should Consider These Breeds" id: "211957" type: "post" slug: "first-time-dog-owners-should-consider-these-breeds" published_at: "2024-02-23T16:14:00+00:00" modified_at: "2026-02-27T19:43:15+00:00" url: "https://petlandmerrillville.com/first-time-dog-owners-should-consider-these-breeds/" markdown_url: "https://petlandmerrillville.com/first-time-dog-owners-should-consider-these-breeds.md" excerpt: "Are you considering adding a fur-legged friend to your family? If so, this blog is for you. We have handpicked our Top-5 dog breeds based on their personality, temperament, and social skills we feel is best for first time dog..." taxonomy_category: - "Tips & Tricks" --- [Home](https://petlandmerrillville.com/) / [Blog](https://petlandmerrillville.com/blog/) / [Community](https://petlandmerrillville.com/category/petland/) / **First Time Dog Owners Should Consider These Breeds** [Tips & Tricks](https://petlandmerrillville.com/category/blog/) # First Time Dog Owners Should Consider These Breeds February 23, 2024 · 3 min read · Petland Merrillville, IN [Stay connected via Google News Follow us for the latest pet updates and guides.](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=petlandmerrillville.com) Are you considering adding a fur-legged friend to your family? If so, this blog is for you. We have handpicked our Top-5 dog breeds based on their personality, temperament, and social skills we feel is best for first time dog owners. These pups excel in many K9 categories and have a long history of making marvelous family pets. The handsome Alaskan Klee Kais come in three sizes: toy, miniature, and standard. They have a thick double coat that requires regular grooming to prevent matting and shedding. While they may look like a miniature version of the Siberian Husky or Alaskan Malamute, they have distinct differences in temperament and size. This breed has a very warm and caring personality and they love to bond with family. Toy Alaskan Klee Kai are less than 13 inches tall and weigh just 6-12 pounds. Miniature Alaskan Klee kai are between 13-15 inches tall and weigh 10-18 pounds. Standard Alaskan Klee kai are 15-17.5 inches tall and weigh between 16-25 pounds. The Australian Shepherd is a highly intelligent and loyal dog breed that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Despite its name, the breed actually originated in the western United States in the 19th century, where it was used for herding livestock on ranches. It is believed that the breed’s ancestors were brought over by Basque shepherds who came to America from Australia. This dog loves to be around his family and craves your attention. Male Australian Shepherds stand 20-23 inches tall and weigh between 55-70 pounds and females stand between 18-21 inches tall and weigh between 35-55 pounds. Enjoying this read? You'll love our puppies. Adorable, vet-checked pups looking for their forever homes — available now. [Meet our puppies](https://petlandmerrillville.com/puppies-for-sale/) The Aussidoodle is a designer dog breed that is a cross between an Australian Shepherd and a Poodle. They are also known as an Aussiepoo or Aussiepoodle. This hybrid breed is becoming increasingly popular due to its intelligence, loyalty, and playful nature. They are quick to bond and eager to make you happy! They are a medium-sized dogs with curly or wavy coats that come in various colors such as black, white, blue merle, and red. The Aussiedoodle stands 14-25 inches tall and weighs in between 35-75 pounds. The Bichonpoo, also known as Bichpoo or Poochon, is a designer dog breed that is a cross between a Bichon Frise and a Toy Poodle. This breed was created in the 1990s to combine the best qualities of both breeds, resulting in an adorable and affectionate companion dog. Bichonpoos are small dogs that typically weigh between 6 to 18 pounds and stand at about 9 to 14 inches tall. They love to play and are not a high maintenance dog. They also tend to train with ease which is a plus for first-time dog owners. Who doesn’t love a Beagle? Beagles are a breed of small hound dogs that were originally bred for hunting. These adorable and lively dogs have a distinct appearance with their short legs, long ears, and pleading eyes. They are known for their friendly and affectionate nature, which makes them great family pets. Beagles are highly intelligent and require plenty of mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy. There are two Beagle varieties: those standing under 13 inches at the shoulder, and those between 13 and 15 inches. Both varieties weigh between 20-25 pounds. They can be found in pleasing colors as lemon, red and white, and tricolor. [Stay connected via Google News Follow us for the latest pet updates and guides.](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=petlandmerrillville.com) Available Now## If you loved this, you'll *love our puppies* Meet the happy, healthy pups ready to join your family today — browse the whole litter below. 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Posted on Google Earl Saverson,Jr Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Beautiful store.Have a nice selection of puppies to choose Posted on Google TekBuf Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Small pet store, great for grab and go. Friendly staff. I didn't need any real assistance. ```