5 of the best dog breeds for first-time owners – including super-loving pup that's super easy to train & loves kids
If you're looking to take the plunge and invite a furry friend into your family, there are several breeds worth considering - especially if you've never owned a dog or had experience taking care of one.
2
1. Labrador retriever
The most popular dog in Britain - and there are several good reasons why!
Labradors are known for being super friendly, full of energy, and easy to train, hence why they make a great first pet.
They also love to eat, and Vets4Pets recommend regular exercise as they are known to become obese.
Key facts:
Lifespan 10-12 years
Good with children
Easy to train
Susceptible to some inherited conditions, such as hip and elbow dysplasia
High exercise requirement
2. Shih Tzu
According to the PDSA, Shih Tzus were originally bred in Tibet to be companion dogs and were also used as watchdogs to announce the arrival of visitors.
They are known for having loyal, loveable natures, but many Shih Tzus are purebred which means they are more likely to develop certain health conditions.
Key facts:
Lifespan 10-16 years
They need regular grooming because of their long fur
Known to bark a lot
Don't like being left alone for more than 4 hours
'World's most expensive dog' sells for £4.4MILLION as breeder buys 'Wolfdog' that is 'half-pooch & half-wild beast'
3. Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain Dogs are sweet and gentle, and loyal to their families - this is why they make a popular pet.
But due to their size they need to live in a home with plenty of space.
Key facts:
Lifespan up to 10 years
Needs a minimum of 1 hour exercise a day
They have incredibly thick coats so be prepared for a lot of shedding, and regular brushing
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Kind, gentle and loyal dogs, Cavaliers are so popular, but they need constant company as they get very upset at being left alone, the PDSA says.
They are happy to live in either a city or the countryside, as long as they get plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
Key facts:
Lifespan 12 years+
Good around children
Need to be brushed daily
5. Poodle
2
Poodles are playful and adventurous, and generally get on well with other pets and kids.
But with their beautiful coats, they need daily grooming, and it also requires clipping and shaping by a professional groomer periodically throughout the year.
Key facts:
Should I get a professional dog trainer and how much does it cost?
IF you're wondering whether to get a professional dog trainer, here's all you need to know...
Benefits of Hiring a Professional Dog Trainer:
Expertise: Professional trainers have specialised knowledge and experience in handling various breeds and behavioural issues.
Personalised Training Plans: Trainers can tailor their approach to meet the specific needs and temperament of your dog.
Efficiency: A professional can often achieve results more quickly than an inexperienced owner might.
Behavioural Improvement: Addressing issues such as aggression, anxiety, or excessive barking can lead to a more harmonious household.
Socialisation: Trainers can help your dog learn to interact well with other dogs and people.
Cost of Professional Dog Training:
Private Sessions: Typically range from £30 to £100 per hour, depending on the trainer's experience and location.
Group Classes: Usually cost between £10 and £30 per session, often running as a course over several weeks.
Board and Train Programmes: These intensive programmes, where your dog stays with the trainer, can cost anywhere from £500 to £1,500 per week.
Online Courses: More budget-friendly options, ranging from £50 to £200 for a complete course, though less personalised.
When considering a professional dog trainer, weigh the benefits against the costs to determine what works best for you and your furry friend.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Medical News Today
8 minutes ago
- Medical News Today
The secret to weight loss? Opt for minimally processed foods
People whose diet contained fewer processed foods lost more weight than people who ate more ultra-processed foods, a recent study both groups lost weight, those eating less in the way of processed foods shed twice as many key to weight loss in both groups was likely that they both consumed a well-balanced diet, with the only difference being the amount of ultraprocessed foods they who ate a diet of minimally processed foods lost twice as much weight as other people consuming ultra-processed foods in a new randomized crossover groups shed pounds during the weight-loss trial, in which all participants followed a diet based on the UK Eatwell Guide. The only difference between their diets was the proportion of processed foods they people in the minimally processed foods group lost twice as much weight as those in the ultra-processed foods group, suggesting that eating less processed foods can better help one maintain a healthy on a minimally processed foods diet consumed 289.9 fewer calories per day, and lost 2% of their body weight on average. According to the study authors, this could amount to as much as a 13% weight loss for men and 9% for women over a period of 1 eating ultra-processed foods reduced their daily calorie intake by less, 119.5 calories, and lost 1% of their weight over the course of the study appears published in Nature processed foods linked to fewer cravings, more weight lossAt the outset, the authors of the study ran a battery of tests on all 55 participants, capturing measurements for a comprehensive suite of health were divided randomly into either the minimally processed or ultra-processed foods group, and followed the corresponding diet for 8 the individuals could choose what to eat, they chose from food delivered to them by the researchers that matched both the Eatwell profile and the minimally processed foods/ ultra-processed foods group to which they had been food they received contained more calories than they needed, and they were instructed to eat as much as they wanted. Participants regularly responded to questionnaires on which they reported their food Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, a preventive cardiology dietitian at EntirelyNourished, who was not involved in the study, commented to Medical News Today that 'the free-living setup makes the findings more realistic but also introduces variables that are hard to control, so while the results seem compelling, they should be interpreted with caution.'Individuals on the minimally processed foods diet reported greater success at resisting cravings, although they were the group that turned out to be losing the most 8 weeks, a 4-week washout period took place, during which participants returned to their normal diet. This was followed by a 2-week baseline period in which the researchers performed additional health tests to observe the effects of individuals' 8-week minimally processed foods or ultra-processed foods this break, participants switched sides, with the individuals in the minimally processed foods group moving to the ultra-processed foods diet and vice versa for another 8 the end of those 2 months, the researchers once more assessed both groups' health metrics.'The study's crossover design and use of a washout period strengthened its internal reliability, and coaching likely improved adherence,' noted Routhenstein.'However,' she said, 'reliance on self-reported food diaries and the exclusion of certain dietary groups limit generalizability.''Unusual' finding: Ultra-processed foods may not increase bad cholesterolUnexpectedly, the researchers found that the ultra-processed foods diet was associated with a lower LDL ('bad') cholesterol level. Ultra-processed foods are often criticized for adding unhealthy elements into a person's described this finding as 'unusual,' saying that it 'doesn't align with most existing research.' She noted, however, that 'it may reflect the specific types of ultra-processed foods consumed, such as those lower in saturated fat or fortified with cholesterol-lowering ingredients.''This underscores the importance of considering the full dietary context rather than judging foods by broad categories alone,' Routhenstein a balanced diet can aid weight lossIt is likely that the reason both groups lost weight is that they both ate to Routhenstein, 'a balanced, nutrient-dense diet, such as the one outlined in [United Kingdom] guidelines, helps to support weight management, metabolic function, heart health, and healthy aging by providing the essential nutrients the body needs.''While ultraprocessed foods are often linked to poor outcomes,' she said, 'what we choose to include in our diet may matter even more than what we avoid.'MNT also spoke with Mir Ali, MD, medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, who was not involved in this told us that:'What we recommend to our patients, and what is the basis for most successful diets, is reducing carbohydrate and sugar intake and emphasizing protein and non-starchy vegetables in the diet. Minimizing carbohydrates and sugars helps direct the body towards burning fat.''Ultraprocessed foods,' he cautioned, 'tend to have additional additives that can be detrimental, so it is better to minimize these foods as well. Therefore, having the proper nutrients and a good source are both important.''It's also,' added Routhenstein, 'important to consider the nutritional quality of individual foods, as not all [ultra-processed foods] are the same, and broad labels can miss meaningful differences in the nutritional composition, and therefore health impact.'How do ultra-processed foods affect weight loss?'While ultra-processed foods may not directly hinder weight loss, prior research has linked them to poor metabolic health, increased cardiovascular risk, higher mortality, and negative impacts on gut health,' Routhenstein told us.'Their engineered flavors, low satiety, and high palatability can lead to overeating, and they often contain additives, preservatives, or contaminants with unknown long-term effects,' she ultra-processed foods still afforded study participants a measure of weight loss, the trial 'did show a benefit of minimally processed foods over ultra-processed foods,' Ali further shakes are one type of processed food that may be of value in healthy dieting — with some caveats — said Ali. They 'can be helpful for weight loss, provided they have the right ingredients.' He cited 'smoothies with a lot of fruit, though not ultraprocessed.''Low-sugar shakes that are high in protein can be beneficial, but not ultraprocessed [shakes, which] will not help weight loss due to sugar content,' he added.
BBC News
9 minutes ago
- BBC News
Derby care home residents playing darts to stay sharp
Residents at a care home in Derby say they are enjoying playing darts to keep themselves active and lounge at Heatherton House care home in Littleover was transformed into a friendly darts competition, which has now become a monthly Hindle, 88, was crowned darts champion of the first event, and told BBC Radio Derby she was amazed to have won."I was absolutely gobsmacked. It was a bloomin' miracle. I was delighted to win. If my husband was here, he'd have fainted." The game involves people throwing a dart, with different topics around the board to land on, including history, faces and player then has to answer a question to gain Day, 44, the general manager of the home, said: "We always look for activities that are stimulating and fun, and darts ticks every box. "Residents are practising coordination and even strategy, all while having a laugh with each other."Researchers have previously used darts to study the mental health of older people, and found a link between cognitive decline and someone's balance when throwing a Ward, 91, who won one of the events, said she was surprised to have done so well."I didn't think that I could ever do this. I've never done it before. I did enjoy it."I feel shocked and amazed. I'm going to treasure my trophy." Marjorie Tucker, 94, added: "It was really enjoyable. Someone said 'Are you coming to play darts?' and I thought, 'No way'."I thought it would be a good giggle if nothing else and a bit of exercise and I've really enjoyed it, it's been fun. You don't realise you're doing exercise."The care home staff say playing darts has multiple benefits for the residents, including physical coordination and emotional Masamba, 24, a care assistant at the home, said: "It's brilliant to see the residents getting involved and having fun."To see them compete with each other is wonderful. People think they just sit and do nothing. It's nice to see them do things and they speak about it throughout the day."Ms Day added: "It benefits both physical and psychological because they're up and moving around. Even when they don't think they can do it, they manage to do it and it brings back memories from many years ago for them."These residents are still living. They deserve to have fun and be happy."
BBC News
9 minutes ago
- BBC News
Nottingham body donation centre receives 'record' inquiries
A body donation centre in Nottingham has received a record number of inquiries after a donor's husband shared their story. The National Repository Centre, based at the City Hospital, accepts donors who wish for their bodies to support medical education, training, and research when they die. On Tuesday, the BBC shared the story of Alan Shawyer, whose late wife became a donor when she died in January, and who hoped others would consider the University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust, which runs the centre, said it has since received "record" inquiries from potential donors. 'Something to think about' The centre, established in 2015, is one of a number that accept body donations in the UK, which are licensed by the regulator, the Human Tissue Curwood, senior anatomy technologist, said about two people made inquiries about body donation at the centre each month. "On Tuesday, from 08:00 BST until 10:30, we had about 12 [inquiries]," Mr Curwood said. By Thursday, a record 30 people had contacted the centre making inquiries about becoming body donors, he added. "We were excited. It doesn't sound like a lot but it is quite significant."It's given people something to think about," he added. People can choose to donate their bodies to the National Repository Centre, based at City Hospital, by filling in a consent form which covers the length of time a donor will support medical education, where they might be transferred and their funeral arrangements. Ann Shawyer, became a donor when she died of cancer in January, aged 82. The former nurse had worked at City Hospital, where she was also born, before returning there to continue "helping people" in death. Her husband Mr Shawyer, who is also on the donor list, said donating their bodies had "never been a question". "She became a silent teacher," Mr Shawyer said of his late added it was "brilliant" more people had enquired about body donation, adding that he wished he could tell Mrs Shawyer of her impact."I just wanted people to consider it and that's what's happened," he said.
