Dog Breed Selector

How does the dog breed selector work?

Each answer becomes a limit on a breed trait: a first-time owner needs a breed that's forgiving of beginners, a home with toddlers needs one known for patience with children, a flat with thin walls needs a quiet dog. Every breed is checked against every limit, loses points for each one it misses (more for the important ones, like children), and the five with the fewest misses are shown, best first.

Two answers work as hard filters instead: your preferred size, and "as little hair as possible," which removes the heavy shedders entirely. A near-miss on those is still the wrong dog.

The list covers 45 breeds: the most popular breeds in the United States plus breeds that are popular in Europe, such as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Coton de Tulear and Danish-Swedish Farmdog. Weights and life spans come from the breed standards. The trait ratings (energy, exercise, shedding, grooming, barking, children, apartment life, trainability, beginner-friendliness, time alone and other dogs) are our own editorial ratings, checked against several kennel club and veterinary breed profiles rather than copied from one.

What matters most when choosing a dog breed?

Energy and exercise needs matter most, because a mismatch there causes most behavior problems: a working breed with nothing to do will find its own job, usually chewing, barking or escaping. After that come time alone, children in the home, and grooming, the four things most owners underestimate.

• Energy: a Border Collie or Belgian Malinois needs hours of exercise and mental work every day. A Bulldog or French Bulldog is happy with short walks.
• Time alone: no breed is happy alone for a full working day, every day. If the dog will be alone for more than about six hours, plan for a dog walker or daycare whatever you choose.
• Children: gentle, patient breeds like the Labrador, Golden Retriever and Cavalier have the best record with young children, but every dog and child need supervision together.
• Coat: low-shedding breeds such as Poodles and Bichons need regular professional grooming instead, a cost that lasts for life. Our pet cost calculator adds it to the budget.

Are flat-faced breeds a good choice?

Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds like the French Bulldog, Pug and Bulldog often top the list for apartments because they are calm and small, but they are prone to breathing problems, overheating and expensive surgery. If one matches you, choose a breeder who screens for breathing problems, or consider a longer-nosed breed with a similar temperament.

The selector shows this caveat in each breed's description rather than hiding these breeds, because they suit many homes and owners deserve the full picture. Our guides to the French Bulldog, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd and Poodle go deeper, and the dog breeds hub groups breeds by lifestyle: apartment dogs, family dogs and low-shedding dogs.

Should I get a purebred or a mixed-breed dog?

A mixed-breed dog from a shelter can match your answers just as well as any breed on this list, and an adult dog's temperament is already known, which a puppy's isn't. Breed describes what's typical; the individual dog in front of you is what you actually live with.

Frequently asked questions