The factors that potential dog owners should take into account when deciding what breed to get are:
- Whether it's your first dog
- How much free time you have
- Whether you have children
- If you live in a house or flat
- Whether you can afford a particular breed and ongoing care costs
- Your lifestyle
People are often tempted to buy or a adopt based on the popularity of a breed or because they had the breed as a child. But it's important to consider the breeds that will fit with your lifestyle so that you can give the dog a happy home.
Although breeds do have different care requirements and personality traits, their behaviour and ability to live alongside other pets or children will often come down to how you train them and your commitment as an owner.
As well as the kind of dog you're considering, you'll want to think about where you get it from - a breeder or a rescue shelter.
What dog should I get based on my personality and lifestyle?
If you like sports and outdoor activities, breeds that need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation would be a good fit.
Breeds that are good for pet owners who like outdoor activities and sports:
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
- German Shepherd
- Husky
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Dalmatian
- Australian Shepherd
- Border Collie
- Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Irish Setter
If you prefer cosy evenings at home, breeds that need less exercise make good companions:
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Chow Chow
- Lhasa Apso
- Greyhound
- Toy Poodle
- Japanese Chin
Should I get a male or female dog?
If neutered, male and female dogs behave similarly.
Male dogs
Unneutered male dogs can be more territorial and tend to scent-mark more. They may mistrust strangers and be protective of their home and owners.
If left unneutered, male dogs may show more frequent sexual behaviour. They may be more likely to fight with other male dogs but they should get along with female dogs.
Female dogs
Female neutered and unneutered dogs are very similar in behaviour.
Females can get territorial when pregnant or when they have puppies.
When in heat, they may seek a male and either become clingy to their owners or isolate themselves. If you don’t want an unexpected litter of puppies, you have to be careful during this period, and you may not want to let your dog go outside on her own.
What dog should I get if I have allergies?
Studies haven't been able to prove the existence of a true hypoallergenic breed.
In a 2011 New York Times article, Christine Cole Johnson, senior staff scientist at the Henry Ford Hospital & Health System, said it is unclear where the name 'hypoallergenic dog breed' even came from. She believes the existence of such a breed was a myth.
However, it's thought dogs that do not shed much are better for allergy sufferers. The allergen isn’t dog hair itself but proteins produced by the dog’s skin. Less shedding means you’re less likely to come into contact with these proteins.
Some people find they react better to certain breeds so it's worth spending time around different dogs to see how you respond before you buy a pet.
These breeds shed less and may be worth considering for allergy sufferers:
- Greyhound
- Samoyed
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- Bedlington Terrier
- Bichon Frise
- Basenji
- Labradoodle
- American Hairless Terrier
- Chinese Crested dog
What dog should I get for an apartment or flat?
The best dogs to have in a flat are breeds that are small, calm and aren't prone to excessive barking. Some large breeds can adapt to living in flats, as long as they have a calm disposition.
Breeds that may be better for flats are:
- Maltese
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Boston Terrier
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Dachshund
- Toy Fox Terrier
- Poodle
Whatever breed you go for, if you live in an apartment, it is important to make sure the dog gets enough exercise. Even some large breeds can live in flats as long as their exercise needs are met.
What dog should I get for my family?
The dogs considered to make the best family dogs are often described as friendly, intelligent and good with kids:
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
- Hungarian Vizsla
- Beagle
- Poodle
- Dalmatian
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Basset Hound
- Weimaraner
- Newfoundland
What dog should I get if I work all day?
No dog is happy being on its own for longer than a few hours a day. That said, there are some dogs that may cope better on their own (for short periods of time) than others.
Rather than thinking about which breed is best to leave at home, it's worth considering whether you can afford a regular dog walker or arrange visits and walks with family and friends while you're at work. Some companies may even let you bring your dog to work.
Some dogs that are said to be able to cope with being left alone are:
- Basset Hound
- Whippet
- Lakeland Terrier
- Clumber Spaniel
- Canaan Dog
- Shar Pei
- Chow Chow
- Dachshund
There are things you can do to make a dog more comfortable on its own, such as leaving food puzzles around the house. If you have friends who also have dogs, and your dogs get along, you could arrange for them to stay together during the day.
You should train your dog to get used to being on its own by leaving it alone for a few minutes at a time and gradually increasing the time. Getting another dog could also solve the problem as they will keep each other company.
It’s important to remember that leaving any dog alone too frequently and for long periods is likely to lead to destructive behaviour as the dog may channels its need for stimulation into chewing furniture and excessive barking.
Dogs are social animals and can suffer if they're left on their own. If you have a full-time job and a busy social life and cannot afford a dog sitter, a dog walker or a doggie day-care then you should think twice about getting a dog.
Bear in mind that a lot of shelters and rescue centres may be reluctant to let you rehome a dog if you’re likely to leave it alone for longer than a few hours.
What dog should I get if a have a cat?
These breeds are known for their gentle disposition towards cats:
- Beagle
- Golden Retriever
- Bichon Frise
- Boxer
- Maltese
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Pomeranian
- Labrador Retriever
- Basset Hound
Remember that each dog (and cat) will have a distinct personality and even a breed that’s deemed cat-friendly may not like cats or it may not like your cat.
And the relationship between a dog and a cat can come down to your training. Learn more about how to introduce a cat and a dog to each other.
Best first dogs
If you’re a first-time dog owner, the best breeds to get are friendly, easy to train and lower maintenance. Look for a breed that is not predisposed to many hereditary conditions or difficult to groom.
Good breeds for first-time dog owners:
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Bichon Frise
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Poodle
- Maltese
- Papillon
- Greyhound
- Golden Retriever
- Havanese
Should I get a mongrel?
Mixed breeds are thought to be healthier than pedigree dogs because they have a more varied genetic heritage.
However, it is hard to predict a dog's personality without spending time with it. If you’re considering getting a mixed breed it is best to go to a rescue centre or shelter where the staff will be familiar with its personality.
Learn about the difference between mixed breed, crossbreed and pedigree dogs.
Should I get a puppy?
Puppies can be hard work. They are adorable, but they require a lot of care, a stable routine and training. If you can’t take time off work and have to be out all day long you may want to think about getting an older dog or consider booking a dog sitter to help out.
Learn more about what to consider before getting a puppy.
Can you afford the dog you want?
The minimum lifetime costs of keeping a dog and providing for its 5 main welfare needs can be anywhere between £6,500 to about £17,000 according to the PDSA. And you're likely to pay more when you factor in things like treats and toys.
The 5 welfare needs are health, behaviour, companionship, diet and environment.
The cost of looking after a dog over its lifetime is an important aspect to consider when deciding whether to become a dog owner or what dog to get. Smaller breeds tend to cost less to look after than larger breeds.
Once you’ve narrowed your search down to a few preferred breeds, research each one individually to learn more about its temperament. Remember that in spite of their breed characteristics, dogs have unique personalities and may not always fit the bill 100%. And your commitment as an owner and training will have a big impact on a dog's behaviour.
Even just browsing a shelter’s website you will often see descriptions of dogs and sometimes a little bit about their history, too. If you are planning to adopt, speak to the rescue centre's staff about the temperament of the dogs that have and whether they'd suit your lifestyle.
