I’m a pet expert – here are the five best dog breeds for first-time owners

An animal expert has weighed in on the top dog breeds to consider when getting a pooch as a prospective first-time owner.

TikTok user Elle, who works in the veterinary field, shared her thoughts on dog breeds, listing what she would recommend new owners should look at.

Having treated her fair share of pooches, Elle, who is from Maine, made note of the breeds she'd recommend.

Her TikTok, which was posted in 2022 but has since resurfaced, started with a Havanese: a small teddy-bear looking toy dog with a round face and floppy ears, known for their cheerful demeanor.

Animal expert Elle (pictured) shared her top-five favorite dog breeds for first time dog owners

She loves the Havanese breed: a small teddy-bear looking toy dog with a round face and floppy ears, known for their cheerful demeanor

‘They are sweet,' Elle suggests. ‘They don’t shed, they’re just the best.'

According to Pet MD, Havanese are great dogs for families and attach to humans quickly. However, they can be a little needy and get separation anxiety if left alone for too long.

The next is the Bernese mountain dog which Elle describes as ‘floofy and goofy, gentle and loveable.'

Pet MD rates the animals as great family pets, but noted they are predisposed to some health issues, saying owners may have to look out for gut, hip and elbow conditions, as well as some cancers which they are prone to.

Next comes a Portuguese water dog, which is known as being spirited, athletic, and intelligent.

‘They're very good family dogs,' she explains. ‘They're very sweet, they're very smart.'

Elle's next recommendation is a springer spaniel.

Elle says that the pooches are ‘trainable, incredibly loyal, [and] just great dogs – I love them.'

Her next picks for prospective dog owners were springer spaniels (left) and the Bernese mountain dog (right)

Her ultimate recommendation was to go to a shelter and adopt a rescue dog that needs a home 

Lastly, she went to share her to pick of the bunch – rescue dogs.

‘Some of the best dogs on this planet are ones that have been given a second chance at life,' she explained.

‘They love their owners so unconditionally, and I highly, highly recommend you adopt a rescue dog,' she urged.

TikTok viewers weighed in with their thoughts about the breeds.

‘Love my rescue doggies. Thanks for putting them on your list!' one user responded enthusiastically.

‘I was skeptical until you got to number one,' gushed another.

‘My aunt has two Havanese. One of them is scared of everything and they’re both VERY barky,' replied another dubious TikTok user.

Elle has previously revealed the five dog breeds she would never own. 

TikTok users weighed in on Elle's recommendations, many saying they love their rescue dogs and wouldn't have it any other way

‘Coming in at number five, we have the husky. They are escape artists. Unless you are willing to run for seven miles a day with your dog – and that won't even tire them out – do not own a husky.'

Number four on the list is the ‘good old chihuahua', 99 per cent of which are ‘demons' according to the veterinary expert.

Her third dog to avoid owning is ‘any brachycephalic pets out there' – which means any breeds with short-noses or flat-faces like the pug, French bulldog or Boston terrier.

She said: ‘They literally cannot breathe, they cannot breathe and they get a lot of skin issues, but they are very sweet dogs.'

Number two on Elle's countdown is one of the most distinctive breeds, the Great Dane.

She said: ‘Listen, they are gentle giants, but they have incredibly sensitive stomachs and that dog will have diarrhea on your carpet at 3am and it will be bigger than if a horse went.'

Lastly Elle revealed that the number one dog to avoid is the Belgian Malinois.