When you’re deciding if you should get a dog to be part of your family, you should research different breeds. There are hundreds of dog breeds. Before you adopt, here’s what to check into:
- Dog’s history
- The energy level and exercise needs
- General health
- Nutritional needs
- Personality
If you’re adopting from a shelter or rescue, find out where the dog came from. Was it a stray or an owner surrender? Find out how much exercise the dog will need. Does it have a laidback personality, or will daily walks or extra playtime be necessary? Does the dog have any health concerns? You need to know specific nutritional needs and dog food preferences based on age, size, and breed.
Learn about the dog’s personality. Will your new friend get along with children and other pets? Is the dog a fast learner, or does it have a stubborn streak? You’ll have to know if a little extra training is needed. Adopting a dog should always be for life. It’s your responsibility to choose the dog that’s compatible with your family and lifestyle.
Article Summary
Choosing the Right Breed
All dogs are unique and have different personalities. Whether you adopt a pedigreed dog or one that’s a mix of two or more breeds, it’s important to choose a dog that will adapt to your family, your living space, and your lifestyle. One of the best ways to choose the right breed is to use an online breed selector regarding:
- Experience
- Exercise
- Appearance
- Breed Characteristics
- Behavior
- Personality
Questions about choosing the best dog breed may include:
- Are you a beginner or seasoned dog owner?
- How much training you’ll consider
- What kind of walks do you prefer? Slow-paced, active, or vigorous?
- How long should you walk your dog each day? 30 minutes, one hour, or longer?
- The size dog you prefer
- Amount of grooming involved
- Whether you prefer a low-shedding dog breed
- How vocal or quiet do you want your dog to be?
- Do you want a watchdog?
- Must the dog get along with children and other pets?
Based on your answers, the dog breed selector will provide a list of breeds that would be most suitable. You can browse through the list of dogs to learn about the characteristics of the breed and its size. The profile of each breed provides information about:
- Whether the dog is suitable for a novice or experienced owner
- The amount of training that’s required
- The amount of exercise the dog prefers
- Amount of grooming that’s required
- Whether the breed is hypoallergenic
- How vocal the dog is
- Is the dog a good guard dog breed?
- Is the dog good with kids and other pets?
When you learn about the different breeds, you can narrow down your search to breeds you prefer.
Dog Breed Groups
Dogs are often grouped according to what they are originally bred for or the tasks they perform for their humans. Here are some commonly known groups and other guides to breeds that do well in specific roles:
- Bird Hunting Dogs
- Working Dog Breeds
- Service Dog Breeds
- Herding Dog Breeds
- Emotional Support Dog Breeds
- Guard Dog Breeds
- Police Dog Breeds
Your Dog’s Needs and Your Lifestyle
Some dogs are easygoing and have laidback personalities. Other dogs, especially herding or working dogs, have an abundance of energy and love being outdoors and going on adventures with their owners. Do your research and learn about the behavior patterns of breeds that interest you. You should find out if the breed is prone to any medical conditions or has special dietary needs. Some dogs may have food allergies or may be inclined to digestive upsets. Your veterinarian can offer guidance about any potential issues.
Read through our dog breed guides based on this category:
- Top Dogs For First-Time Owners
- Dogs For Seniors
- Top Dogs For Apartment Living
- Hiking Dogs
- Hypoallergenic or Low-Shedding Dog Breeds
- Most Expensive Dog Breeds
Breed Types And Origins
If you are looking for specific breed types, it helps to get to know further the specific subtypes. Place of origins is also something pet owners consider. Here are some specialty breeds and breakdowns of common breed families:
- All Bulldog Breeds
- African Dog Breeds
- Black Mouth Cur
- English Lab Vs American Lab
- Russian Prison Dogs
- Silver Labrador
- Teacup Chihuahua
- Types of Pitbulls
Cross-Breeds and Mixed-Breeds
Crossbreed dogs are the result of breeding two pedigreed dogs. Crossbreeds may have the dominant personality traits and characteristics of either parent. Crossbred puppies are referred to as designer breeds. Crossbreeding is primarily done to protect the viability and health of the breed. Mixed breed dogs are usually the result of unintentional breeding. The similarities between cross and mixed breeds are that they produce hybrid breeds, and the characteristics of the offspring are beneficial to the breed. See our list of mixed breed dogs:
- Akita Mixes
- Australian Shepherd Mixes
- Beagle Mixes
- Bernese Mountain Dog Mixes
- Border Collie Mixes
- Chihuahua Mixes
- Chiweenie Dogs
- Dachshund Mixes
- German Shepherd Mixes
- German Shepherd Lab Mix
- Golden Retriever Mixes
- Great Dane Mastiff Mix
- Great Pyrenees Mixes
- Jack Russell Terrier Mixes
- Pitbull Mixes
- Pomeranian Mixes
- Poodle Mixes
- Pug Mixes
- Rottweiler Mixes
- Shiba Inu Mixes
- Siberian Husky Mixes
- Shih Tzu Mixes
Breeds According To Sizes And Looks
A lot of times a dog’s size matters too depending on pet owner’s lifestyle and pet ownership experience. When it comes to appearance, most owners look for distinctive characteristics as seen in coat colors and patterns, eye colors, ear sizes and shapes, among other quirks. Here’s are some you can check out:
- Extra Large Dog Breeds
- Tiny Dog Breeds
- Most Beautiful Dog Breeds
- Dogs That Look Like Wolves
- Breeds With Blue Eyes
- Dogs With Webbed Feet
- Dogs With Floppy Ears
- Fluffy Dog Breeds
- Curly-Haired Dogs
- Big White Dogs
- Black and White Dog Breeds
- Brown And White Dog Breeds
- Black And Brown Dog Breeds
- Brindle Dog Breeds
- Merle Dogs
- Spotted Dog Breeds
- Sable Dog Breeds
- Hairless Dogs
Breeds Based On Personality Traits
Choices and Flexibility
With so many dog breeds from which to choose, there’s a lot of flexibility when it comes to choosing your furry friend. It’s best to choose a dog with the personality traits and energy level that fits in with your family and lifestyle [1]. Remember that adopting a dog should be for life.
FAQs
What is the easiest breed of dog to own?
A variety of breeds are easy to own. You can determine which breed is best suited to you by using an online breed selector. Here are a few more suggestions:
- Bichon Frise
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Greyhound
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
- Maltese
- Mixed Breed
- Papillon
- Shih Tzu
How do I choose a dog?
Choose a dog based on your lifestyle. If you aren’t sure about the breed to adopt, consider your home environment, whether you have children and other pets, and how much time you have to devote to your dog. If you’re interested in specific breeds, research each one to choose the breed that will fit into your family.
What is the #1 dog breed 2021?
According to the AKC, the #1 dog breed in the country for the 30th year is the Labrador Retriever.
Which is the most human-friendly dog?
The most human-friendly dog is the Golden Retriever, one of the friendliest and most gentle of all dog breeds.
Local shelters always have dogs waiting for that special person to give them a second chance. Visit your shelter, and you can meet mixed breed, crossbreed, and pedigree breed dogs all waiting for a forever home and a family to love.
