If you’re considering getting a new dog for your home, making the choice between the many different breeds of dog can be a little bit tricky. There are dogs that you may like the look of, but whether their behaviour and preferred lifestyles align with yours may be another question. To help you out with your decision, we’ve created this guide to help you answer the question: what dog breed best suits me?
How should I choose a dog breed?
Different dog breeds can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and with different personalities, meaning that what one person’s most suitable breed is may be completely different to another’s.
For example, some dog breeds are high-energy and enjoy lots of exercise. This is ideal if you’re often adventuring in the great outdoors, though you may prefer a low-energy breed if you don’t think you’ll be engaging in as much activity as a high-energy breed would benefit from.
Before you choose a dog, some of the main considerations you should have to help you choose a breed that’s most appropriate for you are:
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How active are you?
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How much space do you have?
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How often are you at home?
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Do you have children or other pets?
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Do you or a loved one have dog allergies?
With all these aspects in mind, we’ve put together the following categories of dogs to help you find the most suitable options for your preferences and needs. These include our:
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Best dog breeds for first-time owners
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Best small dog breeds
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Best dog breeds for families
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Best dog breeds for seniors
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Best hypoallergenic dog breeds
Best dog breeds for first-time owners
If you’re new to looking after dogs, choosing a breed that is easy-going, trainable, and adaptable can help make the experience both simple and enjoyable. There are many great breeds that fit into these categories, which include:
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Labrador Retriever – Eager to please and responsive to training.
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Cockapoo – A crossbreed known for its friendly temperament and adaptability.
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Shih Tzu – Lower exercise requirements and a calm nature.
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Greyhound – Often surprisingly relaxed at home, despite their racing background.
Best small dog breeds
Small dogs are ideal for those looking for a four-legged friend who’s of a cute, compact, and manageable size. These breeds are often the best dog breeds for apartments, with their smaller stature making them well-suited to more limited living spaces where they’ll fit right in. Our most recommended small dog breeds are:
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French Bulldog – Low exercise needs with big personalities.
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Dachshund – Loyal and curious, though they benefit from consistent training.
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Pug – Sociable and affectionate, and often happiest when close to their owners.
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Miniature Schnauzer – Intelligent and alert, with the added benefit of lower shedding.
Best dog breeds for families
When choosing a dog to become part of the family, their temperament matters just as much as their energy levels. The best dog breeds for families tend to be patient, sociable, and adaptable, especially around children. As such, we most recommend these breeds:
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Labrador Retriever – Known for their friendly, outgoing nature and their ability to be trained, Labradors are often considered one of the most reliable choices of family dogs.
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Golden Retriever – A beloved breed, Golden Retrievers are gentle and tolerant, especially with younger children, while still enjoying active play.
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Cocker Spaniel – Affectionate and energetic, Cocker Spaniels are ideal for families who enjoy the outdoors.
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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – Small, calm, and highly people-orientated, this breed is a good fit for quieter households.
Best dog breeds for seniors
For older owners, it's best to go with low-maintenance dogs with gentle temperaments to make caring for them simple. There are many breeds that thrive more so on companionship and routine rather than high levels of activity, with the following being our choices for the best dog breeds for seniors:
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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – Gentle, affectionate, and easy to live with.
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Bichon Frise – Friendly and adaptable, with simple exercise needs.
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Pug – Happy with shorter walks and lots of indoor time.
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Shih Tzu – Calm and comfortable with a slower pace of life.
Best hypoallergenic dog breeds
If you or someone you’re living with is severely allergic to dogs, it’s important to note that no dog is completely hypoallergenic. However, many breeds shed less and produce less dander, which can make a noticeable difference. For those most concerned about their suitability for allergies, our best hypoallergenic dog breeds include the following:
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Poodle – Intelligent, low-shedding, and can be found in multiple sizes.
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Cockapoo – Often has a more allergy-friendly coat.
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Bichon Frise – Sheds minimally with regular grooming.
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Portuguese Water Dog – An active breed known for producing less dander.
Forward-thinking dog products at Closer Pets
When it comes to choosing a dog, there’s no one dog breed that suits everyone. So, making your choice comes down to what breed best suits your preferences for temperament, size, and energy level. With our above advice on which dogs are most suitable for which groups of people, you’ve hopefully now got some good inspiration to help you finally decide what type of dog will become your new best friend!
At Closer Pets, you can find many useful dog products to make looking after your new pooch all the easier. In our range, you can find dog doors to give your dog the freedom to play outdoors whenever they please, automatic dog feeders to keep them regularly fed while you’re away from home, and dog water fountains to keep them hydrated with naturally oxygenated running water.
If you’d like to know anything more about our dog products and the big differences that they can make within your daily routine, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our friendly team today.