Would you suggest the breed of dog you own for the first time dog owner?

Well, Luke is a mixed breed -- Lab/Shepherd -- and on a whole I think it's a great cross.
 
Any breed recommendation would depend entirely on the type of person who was asking.  Many, many people remark to me how much they would like a dog like mine, but then I stress to them how much WORK I've put into him over the last three years and tell them just how much exercise it takes to maintain that happy-go-lucky attitude of his.  I have run his butt off since day one -- If I didn't, he would have turned into a menace and annoyed the heck out of everyone.  If someone is willing to put that sort of time & effort into their dog then sure, I would recommend one like mine.  I just make sure that they know what they're getting in to.
 
Rather than trying to disuede someone from any particular dog breed, I think the more important thing to do is stress that they enroll in training classes ASAP -- starting with puppy classes and continuing on through *at least* basic obedience.  Depending on the breed, I might strongly recommend that they continue doing classes through advanced obedience or agility, depending on the type of dog.  Most breed "faults" can be overcome with training.  Training gives you the tools to work through any issues that might come up.  And the socialization your dog gets from attending classes is priceless.
 
The biggest mistake first time dog owners make is thinking they can do it all on their own.

I don't think there are any breeds that absolutely couldn't be placed with a first time owner. But there are many I wouldn't suggest if someone asked for a recommendation. With all breeds, much depends on lifestyle.
 
What I would suggest for most first time owners is an adult dog, a minimum of three years old, that has lived in foster care long enough to be thoroughly evaluated. Although I'd lived with many dogs growing up, my first adult dog was a stray puppy. Granted, we'd done no research, but we had a very large learning curve and I wouldn't have done as well if DH weren't an absolute prince of patience with dogs.

People who think it's funny to have slobber on the ceiling and are saavy enough to realize you can't physically overpower a dog that size so you have to train from day one would probably do ok with a great dane as a first-time dog.

I think shelties should be fine for a first time owner, provided they do a little bit of research, as any breed would require. Shelties are easy to train, exercise requirements are moderate, and well bred shelties are gentle and fairly calm. They need to be brushed often, but don't need professional grooming and clipping like alot of breeds do. Any sheltie owner should be aware though that they do bark and shed, and they can be shy if they are not well socialized.

Has anyone ever noticed that whatever breed of dog someone owns they tend to tell everyone else they shouldn't own them? I think it's their way of saying, "Unlike me, you are not superb enough to own this dog." I think there's a lot of snobbery with purebred dogs.

I see this a lot at the shelter I volunteer for.  The professional staff each have their "breeds" so when we have one of those available for adoption, people get really picky and chosey and we end up having the dog in the shelter for months. 

I really hate this attitude towards first time dog owners.  People have given me such crap already about Chopper.  No, I've NEVER had a GSD of my own before, but who cares?  I work at a shelter, I've grown up around large dogs (relatives and friends had GSDs, labs, and rotties), I spent a year and a half researching dogs and breeds in general before settling on a short list of breeds, then I spent a year researching GSDs specifically.  Also, the dog I'm getting is being given to me by a well respected breeder who's been in the "business" for 30 years, her husband is a vet, and she owns a training facility.  THEY convinced ME that I was the right match for the dog.  I know I'm getting something I probably don't deserve, but it ticks me off that people give me attitude like I'm going to fail before they even know me or see me interact with dogs.

Also, for every person that has told me "This breed of dog is NOT good for a first time family", I've been able to find multiple families that prove it to be untrue.

As long as people understand the breed they are getting and are commited to dogs in general AND the more specific needs of that breed, I don't see what the big deal is.  I guess I'd just rather give people the benefit of the doubt and try to give them solid information (pros and "cons") of the breeds instead of saying "Oh, I don't think this dog is right for you!"  When you say that, they never learn b/c they don't figure out WHY that dog doesn't fit or what they should be looking for in a dog.

For me, it's not so much the breed but the person who wants the dog. If the person has done a lot of research, has spoken to various owners and breeders, maybe spent some hands on time with the breed and has decided that that particular breed is right for them then I don't see why that particular breed couldn't be right for them. We all have to start somewhere. In my family, and I'm including extended family here, the breed of choice was Dobermans. This was a breed that was a first dog for a lot of folks,  it's a breed that is dear to their hearts and not only is it a breed they've owned through the years, it's the only breed they'll ever own.
 
I own Boston Terriers and a Rottweiler. When people who are on the hunt for either of these breeds ask for my opinion, I make a point to tell them the good and the bad. I make a point to tell them about the breed characteristics, temperament and health issues. I'll even go so far as to suggest that there are many of these dogs in rescue and if they aren't interested in the rescue route, I'll suggest a responsible breeder and I'll explain why they should go the responsible breeder route.
 
And yes, there have been times when I have felt that there aren't people suitable to own my breeds and I have been vocal as to why, particularly when it comes to a Rottweiler. When some flapjack tells me he/she wants a Rottweiler so they can chain it in the yard so it can protect the house or because they want a bad ass dog to walk down the street to intimidate people then I will explain why that's not a good idea and I cringe at the thought of people like that getting involved with the breed I own because I know their actions will hurt the breed I own and their actions will hurt me, in the form of BSL, as the owner of that particular breed.

well amelia and sydney are both mixed breeds.... so yes and no. depends on the mix and the individual dog's personality.

amelia is a boxer/?? mix. she is laid back and doesnt require a lot of exercise. is that typical of a boxer? probably not. however she is mistaken for a pit bull mix quite often. so we have to deal with those stereotypes when we are out with her. it took us a while to overcome her shyness, and a lot of it is still there. so is she the ideal dog for first time owner? probably not, but she was our first dog. (my first since i was living at my parent's and my wife's first in many years)

sydney is a siberian husky/lab mix (by our best guess). he has energy to burn. he requires a good deal of exercise or he antagonizes amelia. he turned out to be a somewhat larger dog than we thought when we adopted him (85 lbs in april). he is very much a people dog. but can be overly excited when meeting new people. he also likes to pull on the leash when we walk. both things we have been working on, but havent overcome yet. i would say he definitely isnt a dog for a first time owner.

emma our newest pup is a rottie. she has been sick since we got her. she was malnourished and covered with fleas when we brought her home. then she came down with parvo on the 3rd day we had her. so far i would say she isnt a dog for a person not willing to pay extensive vet bills! otherwise i reserve comment about her until she is older. []

I wouldn never recommend a Jack Russell to a first time dog owner! NEVER

I do not recomend a dog stronger than the person as a 1st time dog  ----- this can and usually does include standard poodles (surprising?)
 
a full grown man, in good health, can have problems with the strength of many of the "large" breed dogs - research, reasearch, research

Me neither!!!

(about the JRT...)

I would absolutely recommend a retired racing greyhound assuming they heed the advice and information given by the rescue regarding their special needs of never being let off lead due to their preydrive and understand that most things are totally unfamiliar to a greyhound and so they need patience.

Greys require almost no training, are quiet, people pleasing and make wonderful house dogs. They are a good way to break a responsible person into dog ownership because they are such easy dogs.

Siberian Husky & Alaskan Malamute- No & No, not for a first time owner unless they really do their research and are willing to deal with an independent, highprey driving, fence climbing, hole digging, coat blowing, no recall, only on lead, high energy dog. I wouldn't trade my dogs for the world but they can be a lot of work. But I knew that going into it.

Samoyeds, a qualified yes. They have the northern breed traits of independence, roaming, digging, and prey drive, but not to the degree that other northern breeds have. They are also more people oriented and eager to please. (but still notably more independent and less eager to please than your average european breed.) If the first time owner is fine with the grooming and shedding, and really wants a dog that will be part of the family then a Samoyed can work out just fine.
 
I think that the most important thing in matching up a person with their first dog is to avoid major personality clashes. A very strong willed person would be too much for a sensitive Sheltie but would probably do great with a Rottweiler. A less confident or outgoing person would do great with a Sheltie but may not be able to control the Rottweiler.
 
Personality requirements to be happy with a Samoyed include having a good sense of humor. Must also love to play games with their dog because Sammies remain playful into old age. They need people who want to interact with them. Their aggression level is lower than most breeds and generally not a problem for a novice. Their dominance level is probably medium. If the owner is a door matt then a Samoyed may try to take over. On the other hand, controlling people don't like Sams because they can be very "inventive." Their training requirements are medium, while paying special attention to pulling on the leash. So a perfect Samoyed owner is a leader, but philosophical about it, with a sense of humor and fun.
 
Hey, maybe that's why the Samoyed national is always so much fun. We are a fun bunch of people!

I own two Parson Russells and anyone who has them OR Jacks would agree with this, I think.  No, I would NOT recommend them as first time dogs.  They take a great deal of discipline, entertaining and (FOR THE LOVE OF HEAVEN) exercise!  That is unless you LIKE having a dog stare expectantly at you at 3 a.m. in the morning with a chewy or ball in their mouth!  I mean, they are the best dogs in the world for my husband and I but we knew what we were getting into with these guys having read an awful lot before we got one.  STILL we were not prepared for what was upon us when we got them.  I wouldn't trade a moment of it... not one precious moment but MAN OH DAYS are they a lot of work.  All I could say to someone who is a first time dog owner who does have a Jack or a Parson is obedience training... DEFINITELY obedience training.  I remember a shelter worker once told me years ago that Jack/Parson Russells are one of the highest returns and/or surrenders because when they are little, they look SOOO cute and tiny but when they get older they are just a lot to handle and people do not understand the energy level they have and how to direct it.
 
I think I would probably recommend a pom or Shih Tzus or something to that effect for first time owners.

German shepherd?  Not likely.  I've always had dogs and my first two really took me by surprise.  I didn't research because DH grew up with gsds and I figured he'd be a good guide.  Not so much.

And for me, I'm the opposite of Glenda.
 
If someone is an active person who is willing to train, I would absolutely recommend a GSD as a good first time dog.  Strauss and Ranger have frustrated me to tears, but it's not because they're hard to train, it's because they're SMART, and sometimes I don't understand why they're doing what they're doing.  The answer is because they're usually 329408320480932 steps ahead.
 
But overall, I find the breed exceptionally easy to train and live with.  The object is to find the right line (East German working, west german show, american show, czech, etc), and realize the different needs and potential of each.
 
If one looked at me on paper, I'm a crappy candidate to own a GSD.  I'm lazy, I hate the outdoors, I don't like being challenged, I 'd rather just lounge around the house in the AC and do nothing.  And yet look at all the things I do with my dog.  Schutzhund, agility, obedience, rally....we're BUSY!
 
Don't get me wrong, it hasn't changed my actual nature in the least.  I'm still lazy and hate the outdoors.  I'd still rather enjoy the cool central air of the house than bake in the sun.  But I'm committed to my dog, and so he gets the attention he needs.  I see no reason for that not to be the case for any other person who gets a GSD.
 
Take care of the dog's needs and then lounge all you want xD