The breed that is going to be best for you depends on a lot of things.
- Do you have kids?
- Do you have other pets?
- How much time do you spend at home?
- Do you travel for work?
- How much time could you spend playing/exercising with the dog?
- Do you want more of a guard dog or a small lap dog?
Now, we can’t know what’s the perfect breed for everyone reading this, but we can talk about the traits of various and hopefully give you a better idea of what dog breed is best for you. We’ll talk about six different breeds, but if you want to check out more read our What are the Cutest Puppies of 2020 article.
Labradors & Golden Retrievers
These are two of the most beloved breeds. Yes, they are separate breeds and can easily be mixed up. The average labrador is taller than the average golden retriever, and the retriever is generally the heavier of the two. Golden retrievers have longer hair and need more grooming than labradors whose shorter hair makes them more versatile to various weather conditions.
Both breeds are higher energy than the average dog, with Labradors being the more energetic of the two. They both do best when exercised daily and have the space to run around and play. Both breeds love to swim and are great family pets.
Terriers
Terriers actually come in all sizes from small to medium and large, but we wanted to focus on the smaller breeds for this list. Small terrier breeds include: australian, boston, yorkshire, norwich, russel, cairn, and more. They’re bred to hunt and kill smaller animals so if you have other small pets you might not want a terrier.
Terriers are generally nice and friendly dogs, but also independent so they often have trouble getting along with other dogs. However, with the right socialization, especially when they’re puppies, they can learn to make other dog friends.
German Shepherds
German Shepherds are the jack of all trades of dogs. They are one of the smartest dog breeds, and due to their build they’re suitable for almost any job. They’re known to be protective of their loved ones so if you’re looking for a guard dog, a german shepherds may be right for you. It’s no surprise they’re the most common police dog breed.
German Shepherds can be an amazing addition to your family whether you have kids or not. It’s important to note that due to their size and versatility of skill, they are a more powerful breed so early and consistent training is important to best integrate them into your family. It’s important to know they shed a lot, like A LOT so you better be comfortable with dog hair everywhere.
Doberman Pinschers
If you’re looking for a guard dog, then you’re probably looking for a doberman. Dobermans can be aggressive towards other dogs especially if they feel their human(s) is threatened, but they are especially aggressive towards unfamiliar humans. These dogs are fearless, muscular, and almost always on guard making them great protectors.
French Bulldogs
French Bulldogs are a widely popular breed. Unlike a lot of other breeds on this list, they don’t need a lot of exercise and can be an excellent companion to binge the latest show(s). They do well regardless of how big your home is and tend to be one of the more expressive dog breeds thanks to their big eyes and lovable smiles.
French bulldogs are a smaller breed that’re more often than not polite towards other people and pets, but can be aggressive on occasion. They do not swim because the majority of their body weight is in the front. If you live by a pool make sure your bull dog never falls in because they won’t be able to get out by themselves.
Does Your New Dog Need Training?
Whatever breed you decide on, we’d love to have them come over! Whether they need training, boarding, grooming, daycare, or more socialization, we can help with all of that. Feel free to call us at (517) 657-4300 if you have any questions on the services we offer.