Dogs are considered “Man’s Best Friend” and choosing one to be part of your family can be a difficult decision. You should think long and hard about whether you’re truly ready for a dog and also do your research into the breed/breeds to ensure that the dog you’re getting will have a lifestyle that will sync well with yours.
For example, if you’re looking for a dog who will be happy cuddling and watching netflix with you and don’t enjoy long hikes or run, then you should look for lower energy breeds and stay away from high energy breeds no matter how cute they look.
Also, you don’t have to get a purebred. Mixed breed dogs are often wonderful and healthier pets. Just look up the mixed breeds the dog is said to have in them, and see if those breeds sounds like a dog you’ll be happy with. For example, if you want a golden retriever but think they’re a bit out of our price range, then perhaps a mix golden breed is a good choice. They will very likely still be an amazing dog and may even have less health problems and a longer lifespan than pure bred golden retrievers usually see.
Let’s go over the top 20 and why they may be a good choice for you, and picking a dog breed.
Are Any of These 20 Popular Dogs the Right Dog for You?
- The Labrador Retriever comes in at number one as the most popular companion dog. The Lab is a great dog for hunting, and is also used for search and rescue efforts, detection and service work. The Lab is a mid to large size, muscular dog.
- The German Shepherd is another popular companion dog. Police and Military utilize the German Shepherd for search and rescue. The German Shepherd is the most popular guide dog. The Shepherd is confident, even tempered, affectionate and playful. He is wary of strangers, intelligent and highly trainable.
- The Golden Retriever is popular as a companion dog, but is also used in a variety of work that includes assistance work, search and rescue and hunting. She is very outgoing and friendly. Being even tempered, she gets along with most everyone. She has a moderate to high activity level.
- The Beagle is a good natured dog, yet independent minded. She is outgoing and friendly, and gets along with children. If she is socialized, she will get along with other dogs also. She has a moderate activity level and adapts to most living situations, whether city or country.
- The Bulldog has a gentle temperament and distinctive looks. He is gentle, stable and affectionate. He is courageous and capable of great power, yet gets along with most. He has a low activity level and is adaptable to any living situation.
- The Yorkshire Terrier is a courageous and assertive scrapper. The Yorkie likes to be socialized to prevent becoming demanding and prevent nipping. The Yorkshire terrier gets along with most dogs and children and can do well living in an apartment.
- The Boxer is used for police and military work, performance and companion settings. The Boxer is fun loving, playful, yet loyal and affectionate. She is excellent with children and has a high activity level. She makes friends easily.
- The Poodle loves human companionship, and adores its family. As long as they are socialized, they get along well with children and other dogs. The living situation is adaptable, they can do apartment living or suburban areas well. They make poor kennel dogs.
- The Rottweiler is a working dog. The can be trained as a cattle driver, search and rescue or police dog. She is usually calm, courageous and hardworking, but affectionate with the family. She does best living in a rural or suburban setting.
- The Dachshund is used as a hunting dog and also makes a great companion. She is compact, yet muscular. She is friendly, good natured and affectionate. The Dachshund is adaptable to many living situations.
- Shih Tzu’s are small, sturdy and well balanced dogs. The Shih Tzu makes a great companion, is friendly and trusting. She gets along with everyone, including children. She is lively and alert.
- A Doberman Pinscher is a large and muscular dog. She is very loyal to her family. She is active, alert and fearless. She is intelligent, highly trainable and generally gets along with everybody. She would do well in a country setting. She is protective.
- The Miniature Schnauzer is small and sturdy. She is alert, high spirited and very smart. She is eager to please and loyal to her family. She is adaptable to any living situation, rural or city. She does well with an active family or sedentary.
- The French Bulldogs are compact, muscular and heavy boned animals. The Bulldog is affectionate, stable and intelligent. She gets along well with all people, including strangers. She tends to be a one person dog.
- The German Shorthaired Pointer makes a great companion and superb hunter, when trained. Her personality is intense and enthusiastic. She is very friendly and hard working.
- Siberian Huskies are used mainly as recreational sled dogs and family companions. They are medium sized and muscular. They are active, lively, friendly and outgoing. The Siberian husky tends to be independent and not a one person companion. This dog does well with an active family, living in Suburbia or the rural areas. While gorgeous, they have high prey drives and are escape artists. A well fenced yard is a must, and they are vary rarely reliable off-leash.
- Great Danes are very large and extremely muscular dogs that do best in a rural or suburban setting. They are extremely affectionate. They are friendly and playful.
- Chihuahuas are very small dogs that make an excellent companion for the sedentary adult or the elderly. They are very loyal and tend to be a one person companion. They enjoy being held.
- The Pomeranian is a small dog with a fox like appearance. This is a spirited, outgoing dog that is intelligent and highly trainable. They are a very clean dog and like to be socialized.
- The King Charles Spaniels are energetic and elegant. They are obedient, agile and make great therapy dogs. They have a sweet and gentle nature and can make due living in the city or the country.
When choosing a new family companion, be sure to make a decision based on your family lifestyle. It would not be good to get an active dog for a sedentary lifestyle, or a sedentary lapdog for an active family. The choice should fit both the dog and the humans involved. Only by doing this, will your family gain in love and fun with your new pet.
