There is an old saying that goes, “Different strokes for different folks.” Every person has different tendencies, behaviors, and personality traits that make them unique and more likely to suit one breed of dog over another. A highly athletic marathon runner would not want a toy Pomeranian as his running buddy, just as a quiet elderly couple would not be well matched with an exuberance and exercise-hungry Vizsla. Before purchasing a dog, careful consideration about the type of breed is imperative. Below are some factors to weigh when thinking about the perfect canine companion to match your preferences.
What is your lifestyle and living situation?
Before purchasing a pet, be sure to analyze your own daily schedule, and residence to help narrow down what kind of dog would be best for where you are in life. Are you an early riser, or someone who comes home late at night? How active is your lifestyle? Do you prefer to stay home on the weekends, or enjoy time outdoors? What kind of house do you live in, what sort of yard space can you offer a pet? Do you have other animals that the dog would need to be compatible with? Does anyone else live with you, who can provide a companionable presence while you are away? Do you travel often, and does your schedule afford basic and consistent routines for your pet? Are you planning to stay in your home, or are you going to upgrade in a year or two? How might your future residence accommodate a dog?
What do you expect/prefer in a pet?
Consider whether you want a lap dog to snuggle with, a work out buddy, a good family dog, a reliable guard/watch dog, or a hypoallergenic breed. How long are you willing to exercise your pet daily, and will you take your dog outside in all seasons? Are you happy to provide regular and professional grooming, or do you need a more low-maintenance dog? Are you looking for a large gentle dog, a small energetic dog, or vice versa? Do you want a dog that will alert you of anyone approaching; will be protective of strangers, a playful “talker, “ or an independent comrade that is mostly silent? How much money are you willing to spend on purchasing the dog?
Personality/Lifestyle matching
For those who want to narrow down the breeds based on lifestyle and personality preferences, below are some of the more popular dog breeds categorized by how compatible they would be with an owner’s specific personality type.
Owners who are Active/Athletic/Prefers to be outdoors: The owner that welcomes activity and adventure would be well suited to: Australian Shepherds, Schnauzers, German Shepherds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Rottweilers, Vizslas, Border Collies, Doberman Pinschers, Labradors, and Boxers. Herding breeds and hunting breeds also tend to have great agility and stamina.
Spontaneous and Social/Playful and Curious/Fun-Loving: A fun and outgoing pet-owner might find companionship in vivacious Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Dachshunds, Maltese, entertaining Bulldogs/French Bull dogs, Beagles, Terriers, Shih Tzus, Bichon Frises, Hazanese, as well as terriers, setters, retrievers, spaniels, and poodle mixes.
Organized and Methodical/Steady/Intelligent: These people tend to be drawn to reliable dogs that have consistent temperaments, are intelligent and easy to train. Hound dogs, or herding dogs like Border Collies, Airedale Terriers, Welsh Corgis, German Shepherds, Retrievers, and Schnauzers etc, are a good fit.
Quiet and simplistic/Calm/ Homebody that prefers to stay indoors: Saint Bernards, French Bulldogs, Pugs, Basset Hounds, Havaneses, Bichon Frises, Cocker Spaniels, Great Danes, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Shih Tzus, Pekineses all tend to have lower energy levels and are comforting companions to their inside-loving owners.
Anxious/Stressed/Busy and demanding lifestyle: Some larger dogs can bring a peaceful soothing presence, such as Saint Bernards, Great Danes, Old English Sheepdogs, Sharpeis, Bloodhounds and Bulldogs. A variety of Bulldog mixes also typically bring comedy and stress-relieving entertainment to their owners. For those that want smaller pets, lap dogs like Pekineses, Shih Tzus, Pugs, and Malteses can be a great option.
Health Conscious/Neat-Freaks/Environmentally Aware: These types of people usually adopt their pets, or do a considerable amount of responsible research before buying from a breeder. They are often drawn to hypoallergenic breads that don’t shed, and tend to be quiet, respectful of neighbors and easy to care for. These could be Poodle mixes, Bichon Frises, and Maltese, or larger breeds like Sharpeis, and Bull Mastiffs which tend to be on the quiet side.
Well-rounded/Low-maintenance/Moderately balanced lifestyle: This type of owner may prefer a low maintenance breed, both in appearance and activity, with steady and consistent personality. Both Labrador and Golden Retrievers are a dependable low-maintenance breed, and all around crowd-pleaser. Beagles have been called the “American favorite” and herding dogs and spaniels are easy to care for. Terrier breeds are also a great option, as they tend to keep themselves occupied.
If you are unfamiliar with a particular dog breed, and would like to know more, going to a dog show or calling a breed club and asking questions can be a great way to educate yourself about the specific dog. This way you can talk to an authority to find out about the emotional, physical and medical needs often associated with that breed. It is most important to consider that your new pet will be a family member for many years, so find the right choice to suit your life for the next decade and beyond.
