Having the right dog (or dogs) in your life can help banish stress, ease depression, and simply make you happier. Whether it’s the playfulness of a pug, the self-confidence of a Shiba Inu, or the warmth of a great Pyrenees.
Here’s a few tips on which dog breed suits your personality.
A four-legged companion in your life can bring a bounty of rewards. Not only does a pet offer love and affection, but they can help keep your immune system strong, reduce depression, even lower blood pressure. Part of finding the right dog, is getting to know yourself. What hobbies do you enjoy? Is the dog meant for you, the kids, or grandma? A dog should be for life – the dog’s life – so think hard about the pooch you hope to have.
Fitness Buddies – If you love the great outdoors, you probably want a canine companion that shares your joy. Just about every dog loves to get out and about, but breeds that adore long daily walks or vigorous exercise tend to be medium-large breeds, including Border Collies, Dalmatians, Dobermans, German shepherds, Irish and English setters, Rottweilers, Weimaraners and most pointers.
Dogs That Love Kids – Just about every kind of dog can turn out to be a great companion for a child, but there are some breeds that are particularly known for their love of children. Beagles and boxers are good for little kids who love to romp and play, dachshunds are great for gentle, older kids, while Labrador retrievers and Saint Bernards adore having children of all ages to play with and protect.
Hypo-allergic dogs – Because all dogs have a protein in their saliva and dander (flakes of dead skin) to which some people may be allergic, there’s no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. Yet some dogs do produce less dander, while others shed less. A few dogs that allergy sufferers may consider include schnauzers, poodles, bichon frises, and Portuguese water dogs.
Independent Dogs – You’re a busy one, always on the go. While dogs are pack animals and need companionship, some dogs are more independent than others and may fit your busier life, including Alaskan malamutes, Borzoi (Russian wolfhounds), and Chinese shar-peis. You can also help your pup cope with your absence by having two dogs, and they needn’t be a matching set – a Lab can find great companionship with a papillon.
Social Butterflies – If you’re a party giver, a busy volunteer, an inveterate socializer, you probably crave a canine confederate who likes to go places and loves to meet new people. People-lovers to consider include clumber spaniels; English and Irish setters; golden, flat-coated, and Labrador retrievers; as well as beagles, Siberian huskies, and bichon frises.
Homebodies – You’ve got a lot of love and affection to give. If you want a pup that thrives on human companionship, think Pomeranian, Chinese crested, French bulldog, or toy poodle. For a dog that loves your attention and is a good watchdog too, one who’ll bark when strangers are near, your ideal canine mate may be a beagle, bloodhound, or American cocker spaniel.
Noisy sleepers – If sleep problems keep you wide-eyed some nights, a quiet canine companion could be the dog for you. Basenjis are famously known to be non-barking (they make low crowing sounds), though they’re very energetic dogs devoted to play. Other breeds known to have a quiet temperament include greyhounds and English sheepdogs. You may want to steer clear of boxers and bulldogs, who tend to snore.
Beachcombers – Whether you love the sea’s salty tang or romping at river’s edge, a golden retriever loves to be right there beside you. Another aquatic pooch is the Portuguese water dog, which has a waterproof coat and loves fun with family. Make sure your water-loving dog doesn’t get dehydrated, sunburned, or drink salt water, and never leave your pup alone near water.
Walking Breeds – If you need a little incentive to get out for a bit of exercise – perhaps you’re coping with hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, or heart disease – think about a pooch that delights in walking, such as Akitas, clumber spaniels, Airedales, or American Eskimo dogs. Small pups like Pomeranians and toy poodles also enjoy walks, but they need much shorter strolls than larger breeds.
Globe-Trotters – Do you travel a lot for work or play? You may want a pet that’ll enjoy the journey with you. This probably means a small, easily-transportable dog, one that enjoys travel, can fit in a suitable carry-on, and remains calm and generally quiet as you two jet from coast to coast. That’s a lot to ask of a little one, but a Yorkshire terrier or a Maltese pup may be just the ticket.
Pure or Mixed Breed? – Now that you know which breeds may fit your lifestyle, the next question to ask yourself: pure or mixed breed? Whether a dog is a pure breed known for certain characteristics, or a mixed-breed mongrel, dogs are as individual as people, and can vary greatly. Visit your prospective puppy, and its parents if you can, before deciding which one is right for you.
Tips for Dog Adoption – Whether you want a mixed or pure-breed dog, you can often find the right pup at an animal shelter or breed rescue group. Shelters accept thousands of dogs of every type and temperament, while rescue groups focus on aiding dogs of one particular breed, e.g. greyhounds or german shepherds, golden retrievers, or border collies.