30 Sep What Breed of Dog is Best for Me?

Bringing a dog into your home is a very big decision. There are many things to think about before adopting a pet, particularly when deciding on the breed of dog would be most appropriate for the owner’s living situation. Some breeds are better suited for a particular environment, it is important to find a dog that will be comfortable in the owner’s living situation for the benefit of both the dog and the owner. Whether you are getting your dog from a shelter, a rescue, or a breeder, you should discuss the type of living arrangement that you are currently in before bringing the dog home.

What type of dog is best for me? – Urban Living

While many types of dogs do well in an apartment setting, provided they obtain the proper amount of exercise and attention, some breeds tend to do better than others do. Dogs that live in a city must be walked regularly and given some space of their own within the home. The following dogs are well suited for apartment living and would be a great breed to have in an urban setting.

• Shih Tzu – The Shih Tzu adapts well to an urban setting. They must have daily walks, but beyond that, they are happy to play indoors. The Shih Tzu tends to weigh 12 or 13 pounds on average. Shih Tzu’s are consistently alert, lively, and tend to be quite bold at times; indoor toys and activities may help to release some of their energy.
• Pug – Pugs are a bit heftier when it comes to the small breed apartment dwellers, with an average weight of around 17 pounds. Pugs need mild to moderate exercise, including walking and some playtime. Too much exercise is not good for Pugs, as it may cause some breathing issues. Pugs are happy inside and are usually quiet and laid-back.
• Chihuahua – Chihuahuas are typically very small, coming in at approximately 4 pounds. This makes them a good breed for urban life. The Chihuahua is happy lazing around the apartment, but should be taken on daily walks, as well as receive regular play and interaction. Chihuahuas can be prone to neurosis if they are not allowed the exercise and attention that they need.
• Pomeranian – The average weight for a Pomeranian is approximately 5 pounds; so they do not take up much space. “Poms” are very smart and can be trained to keep quiet when necessary. They do not need a large yard space, and since they are small enough to be active indoors, they do not needs as much outdoor activity as other breeds.
• Dachshund – The dachshund likes activity; daily walks and even playtime at the dog park are a must with this breed. Some training may be needed to break the breed of negative behaviors, but they are considered a good breed and are very adaptable to different living environments

What kind of dog is best for me? – Suburban Living

Most breeds can adapt to a suburban setting. There is typically more square footage within a suburban area than you find in an apartment. Suburban homes usually have a yard where the dog can get plenty of exercise. The added space and opportunity for exercise makes suburban areas a great place to have dogs, but it is important to recognize any restrictions that might make the environment unsuitable for exceptionally energetic dogs. Fencing should also be taken into consideration if getting a larger dog that might be able to jump the fence.

• Golden Retriever – Golden retrievers are known for their loving and gentle nature. Averaging between 60 and 70 pounds, these dogs are wonderful for suburban living. They are very clever, do great indoors and out, and are typically friendly and affectionate. Most are “neighbor friendly”, and with proper training, extremely well behaved; this is important to consider if the dog will be living in a community with children.
• Dalmatian – Dalmatians are naturally energetic and enjoy the outdoors. Dalmatian cannot be alone for too long, as they like to dig and can ruin a well-manicured lawn, or even dig under a fence. They also like spending time inside with family and must interact in order to stay content. Dalmatians weigh-in at about 55 pounds.
• Beagle -The Beagle is a great neighborhood dog. Naturally loving, the Beagle is good with people and children. They are sociable and enjoy exploring new places and people. Since they like to wander, a house in the suburbs with a fenced in backyard is a good idea. Beagles range from 20 to 25 pounds.
• Collie—Collies are moderately active dogs. They enjoy spending time with people and they need plenty of exercise. Collies would make great pets for people with an active lifestyle and plenty of area to run. Collies average between 50 and 75 pounds. Collies are protective breed that enjoy the company of other people, but is wary of new people and has a knack for sensing any threat to their family.
• English Bulldog – The English Bulldog is a gentle breed. They are perfect for families with children and have a playful, yet protective, personality. They weigh approximately 50 pounds and are well suited for indoor living. Bulldogs can get cold very easily; people living in colder climates may want to have a fleece dog jacket at the ready when it comes to walking time.

What kind of dog should I get? – Country Living

When a person lives in the country, there are different considerations that need to be taken when it comes to bringing a dog into the family. Countryside living often means wild animals and plant life. It also means that unless a dog is fenced or chained, there is plenty of room to run. A family living in the country should consider a dog that tends to stick close to home, is easily trained, and is protective.

• Rottweiler – Rottweilers are very smart dogs. They are extremely loyal, docile, and typically easy to train. The average weight range for a “Rottie” ranges between 85 and 130 pounds. They can be trained to stay within the boundaries, although they should be observed as they have a tendency to be sidetracked if the owner does not give the dog their full attention. A Rottweiler does not like to be alone, they are very people-oriented; so if the dog wanders off, and the chances are they will come home on their own.
• St. Bernard -The St. Bernard is another breed that likes to live close to its family and can adapt well to country life. A St. Bernard should be exercised daily, because of their eventual size (100 to 200 pounds), but for short periods of time until they have reached full growth; this is to make sure there is no additional stress on bones that are still forming. These dogs are mild mannered and obedient, they are naturally protective and tend to stay close to home.
• Australian Shepherd – The “Aussie” is a very playful dog. They are great with kids and protective of their loved ones. They are extremely active and do great living in the country, particularly if they have animals to herd. At their full size, weight range from 40 to 65 pounds.
• German Shepherd -The German Shepherd is a very intelligent breed. They enjoy many types of activities, including sheepherding, flyball, and agility. They do very well when they have a lot of space to play, train, and run. German Shepherds are very protective of their family members in need to be socialized in order to accept friends of the family and new people. An adult German Shepherd weighs in at approximately 80 pounds.
• Newfoundland -A Newfoundland is a large breed of dog weighing in between 100 and 150 pounds. They are a calm breed and very social. Newfoundlands can sometimes be hard to train but with a patient owner, they can easily become a wonderful addition to any family.

What type of dog should I get? – Personality Traits & Lifestyles

A person’s living situation is not the only factor that needs to be taken into account when deciding on which breed of dog to bring home. For instance, a person that does not have time for a lot of physical activity would not want to adopt a dog that needs a significant amount of exercise. Likewise, a family with young children would not want to take the chance of adopting a dog that is not very social, as this could lead to risky behavior such as snippiness.

• Sporty – The following list of dogs are great for owners that are athletic and would enjoy the companionship of having a dog along during their adventures. These dogs love a vigorous workout and would much prefer running alongside their owner, following along on a bike ride or even taking a nice long swim:
  • Airedale Terrier
  • Spanish Water Dog
  • Great Pyrenees
  • Greyhound
  • Briard
• Workaholic -Most dogs enjoy human companionship. However, some breeds will do well even with an owner that works 40 or more hours each week. Keep in mind that dogs can become destructive without the proper amount of attention and exercise, so it may be wise to hire a pet sitter that can swing in once or twice per day to spend a half hour taking the dog for a walk and giving them some needed attention. Dogs that are alone all day may enjoy the background noise of a radio or television to keep them company. Adult dog will typically do better in a situation such as this, because they are usually less energetic or destructive than a younger dog. The following dogs do better than others when left for extended periods of time:
  • King Charles Cavalier
  • French Bulldog
  • Bichon Frise
  • Scottish Terrier
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgi
• Family – If your family includes young children, then you certainly want a dog that gets along well with kids. Many dogs will tolerate children, but some breeds are not known for their ability to live around children. There are several dog breeds that do well around children. The following list of dogs would be grateful to have a child to guard and love.
  • Irish Setter
  • Brittany Spaniel
  • Schipperke
  • Havanese
  • American Eskimo
• Single – Some dogs are more suited for a one-person household. These dogs enjoy the extra praise and attention that they receive when their owner is home. They make wonderful companions, but may be prone to a separation anxiety should the owner be gone for an extended period of time. The dogs listed below enjoy living with a single owner and love undivided attention:
  • Jack Russell Terrier
  • Boxer
  • Min Pin
  • Chow Chow
  • Labrador Retriever

Owners should consider adopting a mixed breed dog from a shelter. These are loving dogs that want nothing more than to be a part of a family. If you do decide to go with a full breed dog, do some additional research on the breed, along with the breeder’s reputation, to make sure that the dog’s temperament, exercise needs, and dependence level will mesh well with the living situation.