Five of the worst dog breeds for first-time owners including aggressive canine

Daily Record

03-07-2025

If you've never owned a dog, these breeds may be too troublesome for you to handle.
Getting a dog for the first time is the start of an exciting new chapter in your life, but it's far from easy. Training a dog to obey your commands, as well as possible toilet training and adapting your lifestyle to their needs is a tough gig.
The breed of dog you choose can have a huge impact on your success as a pooch parent. Some breeds require extra attention due to grooming needs, health problems, or exercise requirements, making them a handful for inexperienced pet owners.
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Experts at Dogster have rounded up some of the 'worst' dog breeds to own for first-time dog parents, whether they're known for their aggression, their difficulty to train or other challenges.
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The experts say on their website: "Beginner pet owners should never adopt a dog without thoroughly researching them. This includes their physical and mental traits, eating requirements, and grooming needs. You must also consider your dog's mental stimulation level and the training they need to stay fit.
"Some dogs require more exercise and training, while others have significant grooming requirements. The average pet parent may not have the time to train, groom, and exercise their dog."
So, if you're looking for a new dog for the first time, you may want to avoid the following breeds.
Dog breeds first-time owners should avoid
1. Border Collie
These energetic pups are independent, and so it's important to keep an eye on them as they may start barking, digging, or nipping out of nowhere.
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Border Collies have a reputation for breaking house training, chewing furniture, and scratching walls, and they need 1.5 to two hours of exercise a day.
There are also different types of Border Collie -farm, show line, or sport, which all have different needs, so it's important to know which type you're taking home.
2. Siberian Husky
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Due to their strength and size, Siberian Huskies require stricter training than other breeds. They are energetic, so you must keep them occupied with plenty of exercise, and they need a lot of space and so shouldn't be living in a flat.
They are known to be quite vocal, so be aware of this if you have grumpy neighbours. Their double coat needs extensive grooming to stay clean and tangle-free, making them more challenging for first-time owners.
Oh, and if you have small animals in the house like hamsters or small birds, definitely don't go for a husky - they love to hunt!
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3. Dalmatian
Their high energy levels make Dalmatians quite a challenge for dog owners, and they can become destructive and bark endlessly when bored.
Despite having a short coat, Dalmatians still shed heavily, so owners might have to use a vacuum cleaner often. Dalmatians are reasonably smart, but they're better for experienced owners due to their exercise and training requirements.
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4. Chow Chow
They may look like teddy bears, but they certainly don't act like them. Chow Chows can be stubborn during training, and are not a fan of strangers.
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They may show aggression toward other animals, including dogs, and while they don't need more than an hour of exercise daily, this grumpy breed requires more training than most.
Chow Chows can even be dangerous and irritating in new hands, and so are an absolute no-go for new dog parents.
5. Cane Corso
These large, strong dogs like to be the boss, and they were deliberately bred to be protective and intimidating. First-time owners would particularly struggle as they are highly suspicious of new people.
They can also become aggressive toward strangers, and mainly attack intruders to show loyalty to their owners. A Cane Corso needs trained as soon as they have a new owner, as they must see their parent as the 'alpha'.
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