When choosing a dog breed that suits you and your lifestyle, there are a lot of things to consider. From their size to their exercise needs- every breed of dog is slightly different and they have their own requirements of care.
Today we want to help you with some top tips to choose the right dog for you, by looking at different types of dog and their personalities. Every dog will bring a different value to your life and we want to take a look at which type of dog will work best for you!
Herding dogs
We will start off this list with some of the most energetic dogs you will ever meet. Herding dogs are bred to have a lot of energy and muscle so that they are able to work on farms and in other settings to round up cattle and sheep.
Some of the most common of this type are:
- Border collie
- Old English Sheepdog
- German Shepherd
- Belgian Sheepdog
- Australian Cattle Dog
Exceptionally smart and active – if you are to get one of these breeds and bring them into your home you must be prepared for lots of exercise. Ideally these dogs need to live in the countryside with lots of access to the outdoors, and with people who enjoy being in the great outdoors exploring often. If this is you, one of these breeds is the perfect addition to your adventurous family.
Gundogs
Gundogs, as you may gather from the name, have been bred to live alongside hunters and will help them to rustle up prey as well as collect them once shot down. These dogs are incredibly clever and are natural puzzle solvers. They enjoy mental stimulation and will often take very well to being trained. They have long snouts and are incredibly good at sniffing out items as well as animals so be aware when you go out on a walk that they may come back with a present or two!
Some great examples of gundogs are:
- English springer spaniels
- Cocker spaniel
- Golden retriever
- Irish setter
- Hungarian Vizsla
- German pointer
- Weimaraner
- Labrador
Of these breeds the golden retriever as well as Labrador are very popular pets and they are both loving and friendly and do great with kids.
Hounds
Hounds are known for being great sniffer dogs and are often used to sniff out a multitude of things. These wonderful animals have very long abouts and they have lithe bodies allowing them to run with superhuman speed. Hounds have been bred in two different ways – for hunting by smell or by sight, and depending which type you get you’ll end up with a family pet who will always be on the hunt when out and about. Common examples of this type of dog are:
- Beagle
- Greyhound
- Whippet
- Irish wolfhound
- Bloodhound
- Basset hound
Terriers
These little dogs with big personalities are sweet and kind and excitable to measure. Many terriers have the biggest personalities and they are incredibly clever and independent. A lot of terriers are busy bodies and they are always looking for things to do and play with. If you want to get a terrier make sure you keep them occupied and play with them a lot. Some common examples of terriers are:
- English bull terrier
- Yorkshire terrier
- Staffordshire bull terrier
- Border terrier
- Jack Russell terrier
- Fox terrier
- West Highland white terrier
In particular, Jack Russells are known to be great for chasing down rats and ridding them from homes so by having a Jack Russell in your house you will be safe in the knowledge that you will never see a single rat!
Toys
A lot of us think about toy breeds as little happy creatures that sit in the handbags of spoilt rich women. But this is not the case and toy breeds are some of the most intelligent dogs of all. Chihuahuas in particular are incredibly smart and they will challenge you every day and show you how brilliant they are.
These breeds are ideal for people who aren’t able to get out and exercise as much because they do not require as much exercise as working breeds. A small toy dog might only need 30 minutes a day to be happy and this is ideal for those working full time. Be aware that they can be a little nippy and suffer from Napoleon complex – often using their voice to make up for their lack of size. But they are also very loving and gentle when with the right person.
Common examples of this dog type are:
- Chihuahua
- Pomeranian
- Maltese
- Cavalier king Charles spaniel
- Pug
Working Dogs
Working dogs are often bigger breeds and they take on some of the most important jobs of any dog breed. These gentle giants are often used for search and rescue missions as well as in tough terrains and are the sweetest boys in the world. They are gentle when they love you but it is important to note that they can be scared easily if they are met with someone new. Be careful with introductions but once this is out of the way they are the best dogs you could ever have. Bigger dogs like this need a large space to live in so only consider these if you have a sizeable home. Common examples of this type are:
- Husky
- Alaskan Malamute
- Boxer
- Great Dane
- Mastiff
- Doberman
- Rottweiler
- Newfoundland
Miscellaneous Utility
For dogs who have not been bred for a specific job, they are classified as utility dogs and they are fit and active breeds. These are ideal for young families and active ones who like to be out and about a lot. This is the most diverse group because every breed has a different purpose and they all have their own set of skills and personality.
- Dalmatian
- Akita
- Poodle
- Shar Pei
- Bulldog
- Schnauzer
- Shih Tzu
Muts
As well as breeds that have been given pedigree status – lots of dogs out there are crossbreeds of two or more different breeds. Muts can be the most loving and loyal dogs of all and often bring a combination of the best qualities of each of the breeds they are made from. It is important to note though that sometimes the mix might be negative in terms of the medical conditions the dog might become vulnerable to. Be aware of this and make sure you do your research.
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