Choosing the right breed of dog

.... but if you want the relationship between you and your new pup to be a long and happy one, then you need to make sure that you choose a breed that is a good fit for your personality, living environment and lifestyle!

but the one that you should be asking is - "what do I want in a dog?"

....... that's because every chubby, fluffy little puppy will eventually grow into a dog with it's own personality, quirks and characteristics.

Each and every dog breed is a furry bundle of strengths, weaknesses, inclinations and contradictions - even if it is in the cutest package you've ever seen!

If you want to make sure that you've found the best dog breed for YOU, make sure you choose a pup whose specific breed traits (such as size, temperament, activity level, grooming needs and so on) will mesh with your expectations and abilities.

But when you're choosing a dog breed, it's good to remember that the bright-eyed, cuddly pup in your arms could be a 70lb 'teenager with attitude' in a few short months.

Be careful what you wish for!

But if you don't understand the type of dog your puppy will grow into, it can end up being frustrating and disappointing instead.

Some important things to think about include whether you live in a large house or an apartment, or something inbetween; whether you're an active 'outdoors' type family or more quiet and home-loving; whether or not you have children; whether any family member has allergies.. and so on.

When you've narrowed it down, do some more in-depth research on the dog breeds that you're most interested in before making a commitment.

For help with choosing a dog breed, and to find out which ones are likely to work best for your family and lifestyle, take a look at the categories below.

Then use the Dog Breed Selector Quiz which will factor in the practical elements of your choice. Combine the results of considering both these areas and you'll have a pretty good idea of which breeds are most likely to give you the 'happy ever after' ending you're hoping for. Have fun.....

Choosing the right breed of dog - The 'Lovers'

If you think one of these dogs might fit the criteria you're using when choosing the right breed of dog, you may want to consider one of these breeds.... Labrador Retriever, the Golden Retriever, the Labradoodle or Goldendoodle, the Dalmation, the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Cocker Spaniel, the Boxer, most Mastiffs, the English Bulldog, the Shih Tzu, the Maltese, the Italian Greyhound, the Dachshund or the Beagle.

Obviously these dogs come in all shapes and sizes and when you're choosing the right breed of dog for your situation and lifestyle, remember to take into account the size of the dog and the other breed characteristics.

Many of the 'Lovers' are medium to large-sized dogs, so make sure your sofa (and your lap) can support a 90lb lap-dog!

Choosing the right breed of dog - The 'Heroes'

Many of the 'Heroes' also make fantastic family companions and excel at sports and activities such as tracking, obedience and agility.

They're generally large dogs, often with high activity levels and are extremely intelligent. Bear in mind that the bigger the dog, the bigger the financial cost of keeping him/her. Luckily, big dogs don't always need a lot more space (indoor or outdoor) than their more average-sized cousins, but they do need regular exercise and training.

Here are a few dog breeds that fit into this category... the German Shepherd, the Rottweiler, the Doberman Pinscher, the Belgian Malinois, the Anatolian Shepherd, the Cane Corso and the Airedale Terrier. These dogs all make good personal body guards!

When you're choosing the right breed of dog for your family and want a 'heroe', but are short on space or prefer a small dog, it is possible to find them.

Some small dogs THINK they're guard dogs (eg the Chihuahua or Yorkshire Terrier), and if all you need is the 'bark' you may want to take them into consideration.

Choosing the right breed of dog - 'Teacher's Pet'

If this is important when you're choosing the right of breed dog, take a look at the Border Collie, the German Shepherd, the Golden Retriever, the Poodle, the Teruvian Shepherd, the Australian Shepherd or the Shetland Sheepdog.

Any dog that was bred to work under human direction (such as a sheepdog/herder, a hunting dog, a service dog, or a search and rescue dog for example) is likely to fit this role well.

This type of dog is very smart, eager to please and very focused on their owner. The downside is that some of them have high energy levels, can be a bit 'nippy' (herding dogs are notorious for this) and may need a lot of exercise both mental and physical.

However, if you want to compete in sports or obedience, to teach 'tricks' or to hunt etc., then one of these breeds could be just what you're looking for.

Choosing the right breed of dog - 'Jogging Partner'

The Border Collie, the Australian Shepherd, the Siberian Husky, the Greyhound (or a Lurcher), the German Short-haired Pointer, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, the Flat Coated Retriever, the Boxer, the Labradoodle, the Weimeraner or the Irish Setter.

If you think you may be overestimating your athletic potential, but still want to keep your options open, you could also look at the Schnauzer, the Jack Russell Terrier or the Labrador Retriever.

The smaller breeds here won't be able to go as far, or as long, as the larger ones but they may surprise you with just how much energy they actually have!

Choosing the right breed of dog - 'Silent Partner'

Perhaps you live in an apartment, or duplex with thin walls, or maybe you work from home, simply can't tolerate a lot of noise, or just have very tetchy neighbors!

Whatever the reason if you're choosing the right breed of dog for this scenario consider one of these.....

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Beagle, the Greyhound (or Italian Greyhound, Whippet or Lurcher), the English Bulldog, the Maltese or the Pekingese.

The Basenji doesn't bark at all (but it 'yodels' instead).

Bear in mind that even though these breeds tend to be quieter, and less yappy, than many others - they will still bark. As a warning, in play, to complain and so on.

Puppies tend to be more vocal than adult dogs and when you're crate training, or playing with them, there can be quite a bit of noise.

Choosing the right breed of dog - Your 'BFF'

These breeds are often great for families with children. For more information on the breeds generally considered best for children, check out our Best Dog Breeds for Children page.

For a good all-round family companion, you should also take a look at the Best Dog Breeds for Families page. There's lots of valuable tips and advice to help you find the perfect family pooch.

A little extra help....

Exceptional Canine: Breed Match

Information on this page is meant to be used as a general guide and you'll probably notice that several dog breeds overlap in some areas.

When choosing the right breed of dog, it's also useful to know that breed-specific traits and behavior are also only general guidelines.

Dogs come in a bigger variety of sizes and types than any other animal on the planet! They're all special and there's something for everyone that's for sure.

If you love beautiful dog photos, check out this page to see some stunning portraits of popular dog breeds (and where they fall in the AKC Popularity stakes)... Different Breeds Of Dog

Not every dog within a certain breed will show exactly the same blend of behaviors and personality. Dogs are like people in that every individual is unique (and special!), with their own little quirks, strengths and weaknesses.

When you're looking at choosing a dog breed, and the individual puppy itself, it's a good idea to ask the breeder about the parent's temperaments and personalities. Also ask for their input on what they've observed about any particular puppy you're interested in.

If you follow the above guidelines you'll stand a good chance of finding the perfect puppy who'll grow up to be the dog of your dreams!

The effort you put into choosing the right breed of dog for you will be totally worthwhile. Here's to many years of 'togetherness' for you and your new puppy.

Choosing A Dog Made Easy
Providing excellent friendly guidance in finding the perfect doggy friend for your family. Pure breeds, puppies, rescue dogs, and mutts. We will help you choose the right dog for your lifestyle and avoid the pitfalls along the way.

Best Dog Breeds For Children

Best Dog Breeds for Families

Dog Breed Information

Dog Breeds Groups

Hypoallergenic Dogs

Extra Large Breed Dogs

Types Of Small Dogs

Different Breeds Of Dog

Choosing A Healthy Puppy

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