Dogs for Fitness Buffs
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 Doberman pinschers, Rottweilers, Irish and English setters, Weimaraners, Border collies, most pointers, German shepherds, and Dalmatians.
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.
Independent Dogs for Busy Bees
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, for example.
Attention Hogs and 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, Old English sheepdog, or American cocker spaniel.
Pups for Apartment Dwellers
If you live in an apartment, you’re probably looking for a dog that doesn’t tend to bark without reason, and who also needs only the moderate exercise a short walk around town gives. In that case think English toy spaniels, Bedlington terriers, or Cavalier King Charles spaniels. A short walk or a good bout of indoor play is all a Havanese, affenpinscher, or Chihuahua needs too, though these dogs may tend to be more vocal.
Dogs for Allergy Sufferers
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 and so don’t drop as much dander-laden fur around the house. A few dogs that allergy sufferers may consider include schnauzers, poodles, bichon frises, and Portuguese water dogs.
Go, Go, 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.
Soothing Stress and Depression
Whether it’s the playfulness of a pug, the self-confidence of a Shiba Inu, or the warmth of a great Pyrenees, having the right dog (or dogs) in your life can help banish stress, ease depression, and simply make you happier. Add the grace note of your pup’s “smile” when they see you, their unabashed joy in life, and their devotion, and it’s no wonder that people and their pooches have loved each other’s company for so many years!
