Choosing a dog breed is one of the most exciting parts of introducing a new canine companion to your home. With hundreds to choose from, finding the perfect match can be so rewarding.
But if you’re sniffing around the market for a new best friend, you might be wondering where to start.
Breed determines a lot about your pup—from appearance and size to temperament. Learning what each breed was bred for can provide helpful insights as you make your decision. Plus, the factors you might need to consider anyway (such as your future dog’s size and activity level) will likely be informed by breed.
Read down for a breakdown of exactly why breed matters and how to go about choosing the right dog breed for you and your family.
Does Breed Really Matter?
If you’re looking to adopt a pup and are in the process of choosing a breed, you might be wondering just how much breed actually matters. At the end of the day, aren’t all dogs balls of energy with hearts of gold?
While it’s true that dogs generally share some common traits, you’d be surprised just how much breed affects their temperament and whether they’re a match for your family.
Beginnings of Breeds
Research shows that humans and canines have been best friends since as early as 130,000 years ago,1 and dogs were domesticated pets as early as 40,000 years ago. There are traces of these ancient dogs in our pets’ genetics now, but the dogs we know today have split into a tree of over 400 different dog breeds.
The selective breeding process began thousands of years ago (evidenced by the fact that herding dogs originating from Northern and Southern Europe instinctively use different herding strategies). But the breeding boom didn’t truly begin until a century and a half ago, during the Victorian Era.
Selective Breeding
Around the mid-1800s, selective breeding to achieve the “ideal version” of a dog became a popular practice. Dogs were bred for specific jobs and purposes, as well as for certain traits that prevailed over time.
One perk of this selective breeding process is that we can now generally predict the physical and personality traits of certain popular dog breeds.
This means that, although dogs certainly have individualized personalities (especially with modern breeding, which skews in favor of physical traits),2 you can get a general sense of whether a pup is a match for your family just based on their genetic background.
Breed Groups
It’s not uncommon to find a sweet dog from a breed labeled “aggressive,” or a hyper dog with a “lap dog” label. However, since dogs have been bred in different groups and for different jobs over time, their genetics do determine some behaviors to which they might be predisposed.3
The most commonly predictable traits according to breed are things like trainability, attention-seeking from humans, aggression towards strangers, and whether they’ll chase perceived prey.
With these characteristics, the AKC recognizes the following breed groups4:
- Sporting Group – Bred to help hunters capture game, often by swimming or traversing grass (i.e. Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Cocker Spaniel).
- Hound Group – Bred to track and chase prey (i.e. Dachshund, Greyhound, Basset Hound).
- Working Group – Bred to do a variety of jobs for ancient humans, from guarding homes to pulling sleds (i.e. Rottweiler, Tibetan Mastiff, German Shepherd, Siberian Husky).
- Terrier Group – Bred to pursue rodents underground (or, unfortunately, for dog sports like bull-baiting) (i.e. Bull Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, “Westie”).
- Toy Group – Bred to be affectionate, lap-sized companions (i.e. Chihuahua, Pug).
- Herding Group – Bred to move livestock, ranging from sheep to cattle to reindeer; smart, highly trainable, and fulfilled by having a job (giving them a job will also deter them from herding humans) (i.e. Corgi, Border Collie).
- Non-Sporting Group – A miscellaneous group for all other breeds, most of which were bred as companions or to do a breed-specific job (i.e. Dalmatian, Poodle).
It’s a good idea to look into your pup’s breed group upon adoption to best understand and “parent” them, as well as to help them meet their psychological and physical needs.
Choosing a Breed: What to Consider
When choosing a breed, certain factors are crucial to consider. For instance, while you might be fond of the Siberian Husky, your home might be more Yorkie-sized. And, while you might love the look of Bichons, a Beagle might better suit the time and budget you have for grooming.
Let’s take a closer look at the four most important breed factors to consider before adopting your new furry friend.
Size
Size is one of the first aspects you should consider when choosing a breed. The largest dog breeds can approach 200 pounds and three feet tall,5 while the smallest stay in the single digits when it comes to both pounds and inches.6
A large dog is a large commitment. You may have to contend with weight limits for flights, apartment sizes, and even bigger vet bills. Plus, extremely large dogs require extremely large beds, bowls, and toys. However, if you have the indoor space (as well as an outdoor space for your pup to stretch their legs), large dogs make beautiful and protective companions.
On the other hand, a small dog typically comes with smaller vet bills and can easily be comfortable in even a shoebox apartment. However, smaller dog breeds can be fragile and often have more anxious personalities, meaning they might not be the best choice for a family with small children.
Energy Level
Choosing a dog with an energy level that matches yours is paramount. If you’re looking for a companion to join you on long hikes, runs, or bike rides, a sporting dog or terrier may be the perfect fit. Not to mention, if you have kids, having an energetic dog that will play with them well beyond puppyhood is ideal.
However, if you live a slower lifestyle or are a senior yourself, choosing a toy or non-sporting breed (and/or adopting a senior dog) may be your best option. Many dogs are content without much exercise and will be happy to keep you company indoors with the occasional short walk or game of fetch in the yard.
Plus, only 25% of senior dogs get adopted compared to 60% of their younger counterparts, so you’d be giving a pet in need a second chance.7
Temperament
Consider your dog breed’s temperament. If they’re a dog who loves to work (i.e. a herding or working dog), will you be able to provide them with that fulfillment through a sport or farm job? If they’re a dog who’s affectionate and hyper-attached (i.e. a toy breed), will you be home enough to fulfill their quality time needs?
In other words, ask yourself how much time you can devote to training your pet, and how your family’s lifestyle aligns with what your dog was originally bred to do.
Grooming Needs
Grooming needs are also an essential consideration. If someone in your family has an allergy, it might be necessary to choose a hypoallergenic dog, like a Shih Tzu or Goldendoodle.
It’s also important to evaluate how much shedding you’ll be able to keep up with, and how often you’ll need to visit a groomer. If you don’t have the time or means, it might be worth considering a short-haired dog as opposed to one with a luxurious, maintenance-demanding coat.
Choosing a Breed: Your Lifestyle Factors
Your future dog is not the only member of this relationship—it’s important to take stock of your own lifestyle and habits as well! When narrowing down your breed choices, be realistic about your current daily routine and what changes you’re willing and/or able to make.
Living Situation
The size of your home and whether you have outdoor space are extremely important factors to consider when it comes to choosing a breed.
However, other considerations are worth noting as well. For instance, do you have roommates, and are they on board with co-parenting or dogsitting? How clean do you normally keep your home, and would you have a dedicated space for your dog’s belongings?
Would your neighbors be bothered by noise or paw tracks in your yard or lobby? If you have a lot of stairs in your house, are they accessible to a dog, even a puppy or senior dog? Which rooms of your home would your pet have access to?
Take the time to answer all of these questions before deciding on a particular breed.
Activity Level
Your current activity level is also important to think about when choosing a dog breed. To that end, think about your answers to the following:
- Do you already live an active lifestyle?
- Do you have the time to commit to a daily walk and/or play session?
- Are you able to keep up with the “zoomies” of a puppy?
- If you have active hobbies but choose a less active dog, will you still have leisure time to devote to bonding at home?
Schedule
Dogs require a lot of bonding time, playtime, and cuddles. Before choosing to adopt, make sure that you’ll be able to spend quality time at home each day (or invest in a doggy daycare).
Additionally, be sure your schedule will allow for daily walks and play sessions. While less active breeds won’t require a long walk or workout, bigger, activity-driven breeds might need multiple walks per day.
On the other hand, if you choose a “lap dog,” be sure they’ll be able to spend lots of time on your lap every day.
Finding a Perfect Match
If you’re having trouble landing on the right dog breed that’s best for your family, consult a vet or the employees at your local animal shelter. They can talk you through the available options and help you weigh all the factors that may impact your decision.
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Reviewed by C. Scott Van Winkle
Scott has been with Innovacyn for the past 11 years and has been working within the Burlingame portfolio of companies for the past 23 years. Scott brings a diverse background to Innovacyn. With an upbringing as the 5th generation on his families cattle ranch, Scott has a passion for animal health and the continuous improvement surrounding agricultural practices. Scott earned marketing and business management degrees from the University of Idaho and holds an Executive MBA from Pepperdine University.
Sources:
- Morris Animal Foundation. From Wolves to Pugs & Great Danes—The Evolution of Man’s Best Friend. https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/article/evolution-of-dogs
- Scientific American. Dogs’ Personalities Aren’t Determined by Their Breed. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/dogs-personalities-arent-determined-by-their-breed/
- University of Washington. Genes contribute to dog breeds’ iconic traits. https://www.washington.edu/news/2019/10/08/genes-contribute-to-dog-breeds-iconic-traits/
- American Kennel Club. The 7 AKC Dog Breed Groups Explained. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/7-akc-dog-breed-groups-explained/
- American Kennel Club. The Largest Dog Breeds: What to Know. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/16-largest-dog-breeds/
- American Kennel Club. The Smallest Dog Breeds. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/world-smallest-dog-breeds/
- Humane Society of Tampa Bay. The Benefits of Adopting Older Pets: Why Senior Dogs Make Fantastic Companions. https://humanesocietytampa.org/the-benefits-of-adopting-older-pets-why-senior-animals-make-fantastic-companions/