Dog Breeds & Personality Traits

Dogs are often referred to as "man's best friend". They are creatures full of joy and for centuries they've filled our hearts with love and compassion.

If you've ever had a pooch, you'd know exactly what I'm on about. If this is your first one – then you know what to look forward to.

But wanting to own a dog is one thing – dealing with it for life is a lot more challenging than it sounds. Or as my mom said to me before I went looking for my first dog:

"A dog is just like a child. Except that a child eventually learns to take care of itself and to pick his own poop up".

Wise words!

Anyway, I'm not here to lecture you on the wonders of having a dog, but instead I'd like to compel you to give a little thought to what dog breed is suitable for you.

You see, like with many things in life – if you take a little time now to find out about what the different dog breeds are, and how their personalities differ, you'd increase your chances of choosing a true life companion that creates oodles of joy for a long time.

Conversely, if you make a choice that's not compatible with your lifestyle, budget, and personality, then you'll likely be in for a "bumpy ride", and a bit of frustration (to say the least). So here are some things to consider, before selecting what dog breed is the right one for you.

Understanding the Differences Between Dog Breeds

Just like no two people are alike, no two dogs have the same personalities. The differences between the different dog breeds are even more distinct. So it's worth your while to find out more.

Dog breeds have been introduced to help group dogs that are from the same ancestry. Hence why you can expect their personalities to have somethings in common.

Another concept I need to clear up before we continue, is the fact that initially dogs were tamed and bred to help humans with a few chores – like chasing foxes out of holes for the hunters, or to round up the sheep after a day's grazing and so on.

So it's useful to think that each dog has a job – although they don't necessarily still need to do it – as most dogs are now domestic pets. But a dog's nature is inbred in him, so you need to understand and respect that if you wish to have a good life with your chosen one.

So while a Fox Terrier is a breed that is lively and a born hunter, a Labrador Retriever is brilliant at fetching things (hence his name) and a good swimmer. This is a very general example of course, but one that perfectly illustrates how different dogs can be.

But dog breeds don't just differ by their jobs – they also differ in look, temperament, size, agility, and intellect. There are now more than 410 different dog breeds that have been developed in the world, but don't worry – I won't be listing all of them here.

Every year the American Kennel Club® (AKC) publishes their Top 10 Dog Breeds list according to the registrations they've received during that year. You can see why some breeds are so popular…

What I think will be useful to you is if I present the basic groups of dog breeds which will give you a great starting point for your search. Once you've zoomed in on the right type of dog for you – it's a lot easier to go on and choose a specific breed.

Working Breeds

They are meant to do just that – work. They are usually large to giant size dogs, and are very intelligent. Usually these dogs suite someone with previous dog experience, and they need quite a lot of exercise and food.

Sporting Breeds

A bit of a mixed bag of breeds fall in this category – includes setters, pointers, spaniels, retrievers and some others. Their personalities are usually very lively, and some are downright heard headed, but if you are full of energy – this would definitely be the type to allow you to expand that energy…

If you have kids – this may not be the best way to go.

Hounds

Hounds are either Scent Hounds or Sight Hounds, and are lead primarily by their sight and hearing respectively. Generally hounds work closely with their handler and would be kept on a leash because they have the tendency to wonder off following scents and so on.

The two types of hounds are quite different in temperament – the first are gentle and calm, not needing much exercise, the latter, somewhat aloof, shy and needing a lot of exercise.

Toy Breeds

As the name suggests – these are small dogs. They are almost exclusively bread for human companionship. Most of them are not very good with children, don't require too much exercise, and would be extremely happy even in an apartment.

Terrier Breeds

Small to medium sized dogs, with generally fiery temperaments. They won't be a good choice for families with small children – as they can be irritable.

All dogs in this group are hunters, and as such will need good exercise routines. On the upside though – they can be a right laugh!

So these are the main dog breed types and what their personalities are. Each has many specific dog breeds under it, so you can drill down a lot further – until you find the right one for you.