Every dog is the ideal dog to somebody. With over 150 dog breeds acknowledged by the American Kennel Club, and countless hybrids and mutts, there is sure to be a perfect puppy match for everyone. Use the below list of dog categories to help narrow down your search, as breeds are arranged based on size and personality, skills or attributes. If you are looking for an adventurous, energetic dog, but want one that is small and independent, maybe the Jack Russell Terrier is for you. Likewise, if you want a gentle giant who will roll around with the kids, but protect them from any intruder, you may consider the Bernese Mountain Dog or Saint Bernard. Whatever your chose, each dog will need good training and socializing in a positive and safe environment to reach his own maximum potential.

Large Dogs

Siberian Huskies, German Shepherds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Mastiffs, Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, German Shorthaired Pointers, Standard Poodles, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, Saint Bernards, Newfoundlands, Doberman Pinschers, Weimaraners, Old English Sheepdogs, Great Pyrenees, Moscow Watchdogs, Airdale Terriers, Boerboels, Anatolian Shepherds, Tibetan Mastiffs are among the preferred big dog breeds.

Medium Dogs

Australian Terriers, Beagles, Boston Terriers, French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Spaniels, Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Wire Fox Terriers, Shetland Sheepdogs, Australian Cattle Dogs, Hamilton Hounds, Sharpeis, Border Collies, most Spaniel Breeds, American White Shepherd Terrier,   Swedish Laphund, Icelandic Sheepdog, and Basset Hounds are some of the popular medium-sized dog breeds.

Small Dogs

Bichon Frises, West Highland White Terriers, Shih Tzus, Scottish Terriers, Pugs, Toy/Mini Poodles, Pomeranians, Pekinese, Papillons, Mini Schnauzers, Malteses, Jack Russell Terriers, Havanese, EnglishToy Spaniels, English Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, Chinese Cresteds, Chihuahuas, Cavalier King Charles, American Eskimo Dogs (Toy), and Yorkshire Terriers are a few popular small dogs.

Family Dogs/Dogs for Children

Many families opt for reliable yet spunky breeds like Golden or Labrador Retrievers, Beagles, Boxers, Bull Terriers, Bulldogs/French Bulldogs, Dachshunds, Saint Bernards, Sheepdogs, Irish Setters, and Mutts etc. Other classic family dog options are Newfoundlands, Collies, Standard Poodle mixes, which are known to be both intelligent and have low-key demeanors.

Active, Athletic, & Adventurous Dogs

Dogs such as Golden or Labrador retrievers, German Shepherds, Border Collies, Dalmatians, Rottweilers, Greyhounds, Siberian Huskies, Standard Poodles, Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, Vizslas, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, are great companions for all strenuous adventures. Many terrier breeds, such as Jack Russell Terriers are also known to be small yet enthusiastic and vivacious explorers.

Intelligent Dogs (Highly Responsive to Training)

Identified by their ability to recognize and respond to commands, breeds like Border Collies, Poodles, German Shepherds, Labrador retrievers, Doberman Pinschers, Shetland Sheepdogs, Rottweilers, and Australian Cattle Dogs are ranked as some of the world’s smartest dogs.

Hypoallergenic Dogs (low shed)

Bichon Frises, Schnauzers, Wheaten Terriers, Kerry Blue Terriers, Maltese, American Hairless Terriers, Chinese Cresteds, Peruvian Inca Orchids, Shih Tzus, Yorkshire Terriers, Portuguese Water Dogs, Poodles/Poodle mixes, and Irish Water Spaniels all shed less than other dog breeds and produce fewer allergens in their coats.

Guard Dogs

Ferocious and intimidating breeds like Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Collies, Bullmasiffs, Giant Schnauzers, Molossers, Bandogs, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Saint Bernard, Mountain Dogs, and Irish Wolf Hounds, are all natural guard dogs.

Herding Dogs

Many beloved dog breeds such as Collies, Sheepdogs, and Shepherd breeds tend to be the most reliable herding dogs. Other good herders can be anything from Welsh Corgis, Komondors, to Shetland Sheepdogs, Australian Shepherds, Anatolian Shepherd, and Old English Sheepdogs are good herders.

Hunting Dogs

All Retriever breeds, Spaniels, Foxhounds, Bloodhounds, Water dogs, Setters, and Pointer Breeds prove to be superior hunting comrades. Other breeds include Coonhounds, Whippets, Greyhounds, LongDogs, Curs, Lauikas, Fox Terriers and Fell Terriers. Hunting dogs are usually broken up in two categories: 1] Sight hounds and Trackers (who identify prey with their sight or through smell, so the human hunter can find and kill the prey) and 2] Hunter/Terrier dogs that will not only track the prey, but will kill and retrieve it.

Working Dogs

Sled dogs like Huskies, Eurohounds, German Spitz, and Eskimo dogs are excellent breeds for pulling heavy loads across rough terrain. German Shepherds, Boerboels, Newfoundlands, and Retrievers, Collies, Corgis, Terriers are also a few breeds that can handle a variety of tasks and jobs.

Companion Dogs

Whether someone is looking for a cuddly lapdog, or a comedic entertainer, breeds like Toy poodles, French Bulldogs, Collies, Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, Pomeranians, Bichon Frises, Malteses, Yorkshire Terriers make great companion pets. Other breeds such as German Spitz, Great Danes, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Havanese dogs are known for their low-maintenance and comforting presence.

Independent Dogs

Sharpeis, Russian Wolfhounds, Akitas, Jack Russell Terriers tend to keep themselves occupied. Tibetan Mastiffs and Alaskan Malamutes are happy to be left alone, while most other breeds may cope well in solitude as long as they have another canine friend nearby to play with.

Special Needs Dogs

Golden retrievers, Labradors, Dalmatians, and German Shepherds are often used as service/therapy dogs.