If you are considering getting a dog, you might be wondering what dog breed is right for you. After all, they come in different sizes, personalities, susceptibility to certain diseases, and many more characteristics. In order to choose the right kind of canine, you need to learn about the different dog breeds and align their characteristics to your own personal life circumstances. This article will help you to do just that.
Breeds for People with Allergies
Wanting to own a dog can feel quite disheartening to people with dog allergies. However, it’s not hopeless. Most people with dog allergies can still own a dog by carefully selecting the right breed. The American Kennel Club (AKC) says that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, but there are dog breeds which are less allergenic than others. They are considered less allergenic because they overall just shed less. However, there still a chance that your allergies may be triggered. But, if you have allergies and still want the love of your own dog, it is a good idea to consider talking to your doctor or an allergist to figure out how you can best live with one.
Here are some good dog breeds listed in alphabetical order than are considered good for people with allergies:
- Afghan Hound
- American Hairless Terrier
- Bedlington Terrier
- Bichon Frisé
- Chinese Crested
- Coton de Tulear
- Giant Schnauzer
- Irish Water Spaniel
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- Lagotto Romagnolo
- Maltese
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Peruvian Inca Orchid
- Poodle
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Spanish Water Dog
- Standard Schnauzer
- Xoloitzcuintli
On the other hand, here are dogs breeds that are not recommended for people with allergies:
- Basset Hound
- Boston Terrier
- Bulldog
- Doberman Pinscher
- German Shepherd
- Labrador Retriever
- Pekingese
- Pug
- Saint Bernard
- Siberian Husky
If you decide to get a dog while being allergic, here are some tips for you to suffer less:
- Clean your carpets and rugs regularly (use a damp cloth on hard floors)
- Don’t let your new friend into your bedroom
- While handling your dog for long periods of time, make sure to change your clothes to prevent any allergic reactions.
- If you are allergic to pollen, it is also recommended you give your dog regular baths to wash off any pollen that may have gotten them while being outside.
Breeds for People who Live Alone
People who live alone may want a dog for several reasons. A dog can serve as a companion, provide protection, or provide the energy and entertainment which can brighten up an otherwise quiet and dull home. Perhaps you just need a loyal companion who will always be there for you, and are craving unconditional love. If you live alone, there may be no one there for your dog when you go to work. If you elate to any of these, then take a look at these dog breeds with lots of character and personality:
Guard Dogs
- Dobermann
- Bullmastiff
- Appenzeller Sennenhund
- Giant Schnauzer
- Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Dogo Argentino
Companionship Dogs
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Maltese
- Chihuahua
- French Bulldog
- Shih Tzu
Energetic Dogs
- Border Collie
- German Shepherd
- Australian Shepherd
- Jack Russell Terrier
- Siberian Husky
- Labrador Retriever
Dog breeds that do well alone
- Basset Hound.
- French Bulldog.
- Chihuahua.
- Shar Pei.
- Pugs.
- Bull terrier.
- Chow Chow.
- Akita Inu.
Breeds of Different Sizes
You may be someone who is picky with the size of their dog, which is totally ok. Small dogs can be yappers, while larger dogs may seem intimidating. Let’s not forget the obvious thing too…larger dogs produce larger amounts of poop. Your housing situation may be such that it’s hard to handle the “output” of your dog if its large as in most communities you must remove your dog’s poop. For some individuals, this unpleasantry worsens as the poop quantity increases. It’s perfectly fine to be picky about a dog because you never want to regret your decision. Therefore, it’s best to do your homework on a breed before you actually commit to one!
Small Dogs
- Pomeranian
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Boston Terrier
- Chihuahua
- Border Terrier
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Bichon Frisé
- Pekingese
- Maltese
Medium-sized Dogs
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Australian Cattle Dog
- Australian Shepherd
- Basset Hound
- Beagle
- Bearded Collie
- Border Collie
- Boykin Spaniel
Larger Dogs
- Afghan Hound
- Akita
- Alaskan Malamute
- Anatolian Shepherd Dog
- Azawakh
- Beauceron
- Belgian Laekenois
- Belgian Malinois
- Belgian Sheepdog
- Belgian Tervuren
- Berger Picard
- Bernese Mountain Dog
Breeds for Cat Owners
What if you already have a cat and want a dog as well? It’s a bold, yet admirable decision. It shouldn’t be an issue as long as both animals can tolerate, or even enjoy, each other’s company. There are some breeds of dogs that don’t mind cats at all, and that actually like them. A little variety in your house may just be the thing you need and are missing. Here are some ideas to get started with:
- Basset Hound
- Beagle
- Bulldogs
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Collies
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
- Papillon
- Pug
Of course, it’s recommended you check with the breeders or the shelter of the dog first.
Low Maintenance Breeds
Here are some calm and low maintenance options for those who need one. Low maintenance means that the dog should be relatively easy to take care of and that don’t need constant attention. Recommended people who may need low maintenance dogs include seniors and disabled folks, but it is totally up to their own preferance. If you need an easy-to-care-for dog, take a look at this list:
- Chihuahua
- Dachshund
- French Bulldog
- Havanese
- Maltese
- Pug
- Shih Tzu
- Whippet
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Poodle
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Greyhound
Breeds Great for Kids
This usually only refers to smaller and younger kids less than eight years of age. The reason some dogs may not be good with kids is that there are dogs who consider a child as a nuisance and will become aggressive around children. Alternatively, an older, non-energetic, dog (or even one who simply sin’t in the mood for your little hyper offspring) will lose his or her patience with a child. In these cases, a dog can be a danger to a child as they may bite or otherwise harm a child.
Of course this is not true with all breeds. Above all else, never think of a dog as a babysitter! Consider these dogs who are typically better with kids:
- Beagle
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
- Pug
- Bichon Frisé
- Bulldog
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Newfoundland Dog
- Boston Terrier
Breeds for Apartment Living
Living in an apartment may be defeating to the thought of getting a dog, but if your apartment in not pet-free, it still may work out. Here are some good dog breeds which are relatively quiet and adapt well to confined spaces.
- Bichon Frisé
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Boston Terrier
- Bulldog
- French Bulldog
- Poodle
- Greyhound
- Basenji
- Pug
Breeds for People with Cynophobia
For people with cynophobia (fear of dogs), these dog breeds are great at helping reduce fear and anxiety by presenting natural comfort zones. These dogs are easy-going and friendly, whatever the situation is.
- Bearded Collie
- Beagle
- English Springer Spaniel
- Newfoundland
- Icelandic Sheepdog
- Field Spaniel
- Sealyham Terrier
- Old English Sheepdog
Bonus Material
How do you know what bed to get for your dog? Well, it should of course fit your dog confortably in the bed, without any limbs hanging out. The bed should be of material which doesn’t dampen easily, and should hold your dog’s weight. It also should be easily washable without you giveing up too easily. It is recommended you get a dog bed which is sturdy and supportive, so that it cushions your dog yet also relieves any pain in the joints. This is good for senior dogs and just older dogs in general who have age-related health issues.
Another Bonus
Thank you for Reading!
And that’s about it! Thank you for your time, and I hope this article did you well. If you found the information helpful, consider liking this post and sharing it to others who may be in need of some good advice.
Here is another resource on good dog breeds to give you an even better understanding: The Best Dog Breeds of all Time, Ranked
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