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Select the Right Breed By Its Characteristics


The different breed characteristics displayed on this page are general and meant to provide you with a quick synopsis of each breed. The matrix following this text is divided into weight classes. Additional information about the breed can be found by clocking the breed name.

The dog that lives down the street just had a litter of puppies. They're soooo cute! Sooo cuddly! Your kids want one. You want one. They're sooo cute. They're sooo cuddly.

Every puppy needs a loving home and most puppies do find loving homes. It's grown puppies that have the problem. That two pound ball of fur licking your face becomes a 130 pound St. Bernard; or a 110 pound Bullmastiff; or a 90 pound Akita. One eats 7 cups of dog food a day, the other wants to walk four miles a day, and the third has knocked your mother-in-law flat on her back every time she comes to visit. You think, "Enough is enough". So before you rush out and buy that leash, collar or frisbee STOP and THINK. Is this cute and cuddly puppy the right puppy for your loving home? Each year over 1 million dogs are dropped off at local pounds or shelters by the very same people who once thought they were irresistibly cute and cuddly puppies.

There are over 400 breeds of dogs recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), United Kennel Club (UKC) and the National Kennel Club (NKC) grouped according to the JOB they're meant to do, or the dominant traits they share to help them do that JOB. All dogs have a JOB; it's in the genes. And unlike humans, DOGS CAN'T CHANGE JOBS. If a puppy is a pure bred, that means that all the puppies and dogs of that breed have the same JOB. If a puppy is mixed breed, that is it has more than one breed in its family tree, it (the pup) may have more than one job to do. Be sure you understand both the JOB and the characteristics your puppy was born with BEFORE you take him or her home. Such understanding will help you and may save the pup's life.

"What are we talking about?" you ask. Simple. Most breeds of dogs share common ancestry -- the wolf. As a hunter the wolf ranked supreme. Over time and influenced by geographics, varieties of these descendents of wolves emerged. Man began to domesticate these creatures and use them to perform certain tasks, and they did for hundreds and hundreds of years. Some dogs are "made" to dig, some are "made" to keep things together, and others are "meant" to watch. With the advances of civilization some of these tasks were given over to machinery or other technologies. But retiring dogs from performing certain jobs didn't eliminate the talent particular breeds developed for particular work. Just because some one or some thing has replaced the dog, doesn't mean the dog is no longer capable or able.

Some interesting links to help in your search for the "Right Puppy":
This list of dog breeds by size indicates each breeds coat, how much it sheds, amount of grooming, exercise needs, plus a guide of which breeds may be better with children. (Comments about the breeds acceptability with children assume that such an interaction is supervised, and that the children will not mistreat the dog. Any dog is capable of biting when faced with an out of the ordinary circumstance, even Golden Retrievers.). Click on the breed name to go to its profile page that includes more information, important links and book suggestions.

We STRONGLY recommend that you get your dog from a reputable breeder or rescue organization. Pet store puppies may get their dogs from Puppy Mills that normally breed only for profit, not quality or concern for the puppy or its eventual owner. Please visit NoPuppyMills.com

If you would like help locating a breeder or rescue agency near you please E-Mail PGAA ( ita408@comcast.net), and let us know your city/state and the type of dog you are looking for.

The best way to choose a breeder is to visit the breeder at his breeding location. Visit Evaluating a Breeder for a questinaire to use to evaluate a breeder.

Pick the weight range of the dog that is the right size for your circumstances, and see their other characteristics. Some breeds may fall into more than one weight range.

Click the breed name for more information about that breed.

Use the "back" button of your browser to return to the previous page(s).

Characteristic Definitions
  • Coat
    • Long - flowing
    • Short - close or smooth
    • Medium - between long and short
    • Wire - wire haired
    • Thick - thick and heavy, sometimes coarse
    • Corded - coat is in corded lengths
    • None - No coat, or very little (Chinese Crested)

  • Shedding
    • Little - sheds very little or not at all
    • Constant - sheds all of the time, heavier than average
    • Seasonal - sheds heavily on a seasonal or periodic schedule
    • Average - sheds somewhat but not as heavily as a "constant" shedder

  • Grooming - Grooming that is necessary to maintain the average household dog - does not address "show" grooming.
    • Minimal - very little grooming is required
    • Weekly - grooming required on a weekly basis
    • Daily - grooming required on a daily basis
    • Moderate - not as often as weekly but more than minimal

  • Children - What dogs do well with children.
    • Most dogs can be OK with children, but some breeds are better than others. A lot of a dog's ability to be trusted with children will depend upon its breed, where the dog was obtained, obedience training, and socialization.
    • A dog's interaction with children ALSO DEPENDS on the child. Rough treatment of a dog not expecting rough treatment may result in a growl or a bite. Teasing is not good for any dog, and may result in your dog becoming withdrawn, nervous, or fearful -- any of which can lead to a bite. Be especially mindful of children under 5 -- inadvertent harsh treatment of the dog can result in harm to the youngster, a lawsuit for the dog's owner, and possible destruction of a normally loving and affectionate companion.
    • Please remember! All dogs are capable of biting. Even the calmest. most gentle breeds, may bite or snap if they are injured, ill, or mistreated (intentionally or unintentionally).
    • ALWAYS supervise dogs and children.

    • TAKE NOTICE of any changes in your dog's attitude or temperament.

    • NEVER leave a dog alone with a small child. A child's natural curiosity can lead to harming a dog who, in turn, may bite.

    • NEVER ASSUME that because your dog is great with your kids that it will be great with all kids. Protective instincts may take over if your dog believes his child is in danger.

    • BE AWARE of the size of your dog and the size of the children. Most large dogs don't realize how big they are, and just want to join in the fun. No 5 or 6 year old wants to be sat on by an 80 pound Bernese Mountain Dog and get slobbered.
      • Great - these dogs do very well with children
      • Good - these dogs are OK with children
      • Older - these dogs do better with older children
      • Blank - these dogs need to be supervised and/or need increased training and socialization to be with children

  • Exercise. How much exercise the dog needs. All dogs need some exercise.
    • Heavy - daily, and more than a walk. May need to run free. Good for joggers.
    • Regular - daily walk or two but more than just out to the street and back.
    • Minimal - not a lot of exercise is required, but some is needed.

  • Height (inches at weithers) and Weight (in pounds) Average of size of a male. Females are usually smaller.

Dogs 10 Pounds and Under

Breed Coat Shedding Grooming Children Exercise Height(") Weight(#)
Affenpinscher Wire Little Weekly Older Minimal 9-11 6-8
American Eskimo Dog - Toy Thick Average Weekly Great Regular See note See note
Bichon Long Little Weekly Good Minimal 9-11 10-18
Brussels Griffon Rough or smooth Little Weekly for rough Older Minimal 7-8 9
Chihuahua Short/Long Average Moderate Older Minimal 5-7 4
Chinese Crested Hairless Little Minimal Good Regular 11-13 10-12
Dachshund - Toy and Mini Short, Long or Wiry Average Minimal/Daily Older Regular 5-9 10-20
Havanese Long Little Weekly Great Regular 8-11 7-13
Italian Greyhound Short Little Minimal Older Regular 13-15 6-10
Japanese Chin Long Average Daily Older Minimal 8-11 9
Maltese Long Little Daily Older Minimal 8-10 5-9
Manchester Terrier - Toy Short Little Minimal OK 8-10 10
Miniature Pinscher Short Average Minimal Good Minimal 10-12 8-10
Norwich Terrier Medium Light Daily Good Regular 12 10
Papillon Long Average Daily Good Regular 8-11 8-10
Pekingese Long Average Daily Older Minimal 6-9 8-10
Pomeranian Long Constant Weekly Older Minimal 7-10 4-6
Poodle - Toy Medium Little Moderate Older Minimal See note See note
Silky Terrier Long Little Daily Good Minimal 9 8-10
Toy Fox Terrier Smooth Average Minimal Older Minimal 10 6
Yorkshire Long Little Daily Older Minimal 6 6

Dogs 11 to 20 pounds

Breed Coat Shedding Grooming Children Exercise Height(") Weight(#)
American Eskimo - Miniature Thick Average Weekly Great Regular See note See note
Australian Terrier Long Little Weekly Good. No teasing. Minimal 9-11 9-14
Bichon Long Little Weekly Great Minimal 9-11 10-18
Border Terrier Wire Little Weekly Great Minimal 13-15 14
Boston Terrier Short Average Minimal Good Minimal 15-17 15-25
Cairn Terrier Thick Little Daily Great Regular 10 14
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Medium Average Moderate Older Minimal 12-13 13-18
Cesky Terrier Wavy and silky Little Weekly Good Moderate 11-13 15-25
Cirneco dell'Etna Sleek Little Minimal Daily 16-20 18-26
Coton de Tulear Cotton-like and fluffy Little Daily Great Moderate 10-12 12-15
Dachshund - Standard Short or wire/Long Average Minimal/Daily Older Regular 5-9 16-30
English Toy Spaniel Long Average Moderate Minimal 10 9-12
Fox Terrier (Smooth and Wire) Smooth or Ware Smooth=average, Wire=little Minimal Regular 14-16 15-20
Havanese Long Little Weekly Great Regular 8-11 7-13
Jack Russell Terrier Short Average Minimal Good Regular 12-14 13-17
Lakeland Terrier Thick Little Moderate Great Regular 14 17
Lhaso Apso Long Average DAily Minimal 10-11 13-15
Lowchen Long Little Moderate Good Minimal 12-14 11-18
Manchester Terrier - Standard Short Little Minimal Heavy 16 18
Miniature Schnauzer Wire Little Daily Good Regular 12-14 10-18
Norfolk Terrier Medium Light Daily Great Regular 9-10 11-12
Norwich Terrier Medium Light Daily Great Regular 12 10
Parson Russell Terrier Short Average Minimal Good Regular 12-14 13-17
Poodle - Miniature Medium Little Moderate Good Regular See note See note
Pug Short Heavy Minimal Good Minimal 12-14 14-18
Pyrenean Shepherd Mid to long Minimal Good Extreme 15-19 15-35
Schipperke Thick Seasonal Moderate Great Heavy 12 10-18
Scottish Terrier Wire Littlee Moderate Older Minimal 10 19-22
Sealyham Terrier Medium Little Moderate Older Regular 10 23-24
Shih Tzu Short Little Daily Good Regular 10 9-16
Tibetan Spaniel Medium Seasonal Weekly Great Minimal 10 9-15
Welsh Terrier Wire Little Weekly Good Heavy 15 20
West Highland White Terrier Short Average Moderate Older Minimal 10-12 15-22

Dogs 21 to 50 pounds

Breed Coat Shedding Grooming Children Exercise Height(") Weight(#)
Airedale Wire Some Minimal Older Heavy 23 55
American Eskimo - Standard Thick Average Weekly OK Great See note See note
American Cocker Spaniel Long Average Weekly Great Regular 19-20 24-28
American Staffordshire Bull Terrier Short Average Minimal Heavy 14-16 28-38
American Water Spaniel Medium Average Weekly Good Heavy 15-18 30-45
Australian Cattle Dog Short Average Minimal Heavy 18-20 40-50
Australian Shepherd Medium Average Minimal Great Heavy 20-23 55-65
Barbet Thick and woolly Minimal/Hypoallergenic Most regular Good Stimulating 18-22 33-55
Basenji Short Little Minimal Older Heavy 17 24
Basset Hound Short Constant Minimal Good Regular 14 45
Beagle Short Average Minimal Great Regular 13-15 26
Bearded Collie Long Average Moderate Great Heavy 21-22 45
Bedlington Terrier Thick Little Moderate Good Heavy 16 17-23
Border Collie Long Average Moderate Good Heavy 19-22 40-50
Boykin Spaniel Flat to moderately wavy Average Moderate Good Daily 15-18 25-40
Brittany Medium Little Moderate Great Heavy 17-20 30-40
Canaan Medium Seasonal Weekly Heavy 20-24 45-55
Cesky Terrier Wavy and silky Little Weekly Good Moderate 11-13 15-25
Dandle Dinmont Terrier Medium Little Weekly Good Minimal 8-11 18-24
English Cocker Spaniel Medium Average Weekly Great Regular 16-17 28-34
English Springer Spaniel Medium Constant Moderate Great Heavy 19-21 45-55
Field Spaniel Medium Average Weekly Great Heavy 18 40-50
Finnish Spitz Medium Seasonal Moderate Great Heavy 17-20 35
French Bulldog Short Average Minimal Older Minimal 12 19-28
German Pinscher Slick Average Minimal Heavy 17-20 25-45
Glen of Imaal Terrier Medium Little Minimal Great Minimal 14 35
Harrier Short Average Minimal Great Heavy 19-21 50-60
Icelandic Sheepdog Coarse, Log or short. Average Minimal Good Heavy 15-19 25-38
Ibizan Wire Average Minimal Good Heavy 23-27 50
Irish Terrier Wire Average Moderate Older Regular 18 27
Jindo Double Twice yearly Daily Good when socialized Daily 16-25 25-50
Karelian Bear Dog Straight, stiff Twice yearly Minimal Good High 19-23 44-50
Keeshond Long Seasonal Daily Great Regular 18 45-65
Kerry Blue Terrier Thick Little Weekly Regular 18 33-40
Kishu Harsh, straight Average Weekly OK, no teasing Daily 17-22 40-60
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Dense Average Weekly Great Daily 19 35-50
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Thick Average Weekly Good Regular 13-15
Pharaoh Hound Short Average Minimal Great Regular 23-25 45-55
Plott Hound Short Average Minimal Great Heavy 20-25 50-60
Polish Lowland Sheepdog (PON) Soft, wispy Little Weekly Older Daily 19 35 - 50
Portuguese Water Dog Thick Little Moderate Great Heavy 20-23 50-60
Puli Corded Little Weekly Older Regular 17 25-35
Pyrenean Shepherd Mid to long Minimal Good Heavy 15-19 15-35
Saluki Medium Average Minimal Older Heavy 25 40-65
Scottish Terrier Wire Little Moderate Older Minimal 10 19-22
Shar Pei Medium Little Weekly Heavy 18-20 45-60
Shetland Sheepdog Long Seasonal Weekly Great Heavy 13-15 25
Shiba Inu Short Seasonal Minimal Good Regular 14-16 20-30
Skye Terrier Long Average Daily Minimal 10 25
Soft Coated Wheaten Medium Little Moderate Good Regular 18 35-40
Staffordshire Bull Terrier Short Average Minimal Heavy 14-16 28-38
Standard Schnauzer Wire Little Daily Older Regular 19 35-45
Sussex Medium Average Weekly Great Regular 14 35-45
Swedish Valihund Medium-harsh Average Minimal Great Daily 13 25-30
Tibetan Terrier Long Little Weekly Older Regular 15 18-30
Welsh Springer Spaniel Medium Average Moderate Great Heavy 17-19 40-45
Welsh Terrier Wire Little Weekly Good Heavy 15 20
Whippet Short Average Minimal Good Regular 19 18-28
Welsh Corgi- Cardigan Wire Seasonal Minimal Good Regular 10-12 25-30
Welsh Corgi- Pembroke Medium Seasonal Minimal Good Regular 11 30-38

Dogs 51 to 80 pounds

Breed Coat Shedding Grooming Children Exercise Height(") Weight(#)
Afghan Long Average Intense Older Heavy 27 60
Airedale Wire Some Minimal Older Heavy 23 55
American English Coonhound Medium/hard Average Minimal Older Daily running 21-27 45-65
Appenzeller Short/thick More than expected Minimal Older Heavy 19-23 45-75
Azawakh Short, smooth Minimal Minimal Heavy 25-29 45-60
Belgian Laekenois Short Seasonal Minimal Heavy 24-26 55-65
Belgian Malinois Short Seasonal Minimal Heavy 24-26 65-70
Belgian Tervuren Long Seasonal Daily Heavy 24-26 70-75
Bergamasco 3 layer with flocks Minimal Minimal Great Daily 22-23 57-84
Black and Tan Coon Hound Short Average Minimal Older Heavy 25-27 60-75
Boxer Short Average Minimal Great Heavy 22-25 70
Bracco Italiano Short Average Weekly Good, but is a big dog 2 hours/day 22-26 55-85
Briard Long Average Weekly Heavy 23-27 70-100
Bull Terrier - Standard Short Average Minimal Heavy 17-22 45-80
Bulldog Short Average Minimal Great Regular 22-25 50
Canaan Medium Seasonal Weekly Heavy 20-24 45-55
Catahoula Leopard Dog Short Light but consistent Minimal Heavy 20-26 55-80
Chesapeake Bay Retriever Short Average Minimal Good Heavy 23-26 65-80
Chinook Double Average to high (depends on the dog) Minimal Good Moderate 21-27 55-70
Chow Chow Long Seasonal Moderate Good Regular 17-20 60
Clumber Spaniel Thick Constant Moderate Good Minimal 19-20 70-85
Collie Long/Short Average Minimal/Weekly Great Heavy 24-26 60-75
Curly-coated Retriever Thick Average Minimal Good Heavy 25-27 70-95
Dalmatian Short Seasonal Moderate Older Heavy 20-23 50-70
Doberman Pinscher Short Average Minimal Good Heavy 26-28 65-85
English Setter Medium Average Moderate Great Heavy 24-27 55-80
Estrela Mountain Dog Coarse Average Weekly Great Daily 24-28 66-110
Flat-coated Retriever Medium Average Weekly Great Heavy 23-24 65-70
Foxhound - American Short Average Minimal Great Heavy 22-25 70-75
Foxhound - English Short Average Minimal Great Heavy 22-25 65-70
German Shepherd Dog Medium Constant Moderate Good Heavy 24-26 75-90
German Shorthaired Pointed Short Average Minimal Good Heavy 23-25 55-70
German Wirehaired Pointer Wire Average Weekly Heavy 24-26 60-70
Giant Schnauzer Wire Little Moderate Great Heavy 25-27 60-80
Golden Retriever Medium Constant Moderate Great Heavy 23-24 65-75
Gordon Setter Medium Average Weekly Great Heavy 24-27 55-80
Greyhound Short Average Minimal Good Regular 28-30 65-70
Harrier Short Average Minimal Great Heavy 19-21 50-60
Irish Red and White Setter Long, silky Average Daily Great Heavy 22-26 50-75
Irish Setter Medium Average Daily Good Heavy 27 70
Irish Water Spaniel Thick Little Weekly Older Regular 22-24 55-65
Karelian Bear Dog Straight, stiff Twice yearly Minimal Good High 19-23 44-50
Keeshound Long Seasonal Daily Great Regular 18 45-65
Kishu Harsh, straight Average Weekly OK, no teasing Daily 17-22 40-60
Labrador Retriever Short Average Minimal Great Heavy 22-24 65-80
Norwegian Elkhound Thick Seasonal Moderate Good Heavy 20 55
Old English Sheepdog Long Seasonal Daily Great Regular 22 65
Pointer Short Average Minimal Great Heavy 25-28 55-75
Poodle - Standard Medium Little Moderate Great Regular See note See note
Redbone Coonhound Medium Light Minimum Great Heavy 26 60
Saluki Medium Average Minimal Older Heavy 25 40-65
Samoyed Thick Seasonal Daily Older Regular 21-23 45-65
Siberian Husky Thick Seasonal Daily Good Regular/Working 22 45-60
Spinone Italiano Wire-haired Average Minimal Great Minimal 22-27 60-80
Vizsla Short Average Minimal Good Heavy 22-26 45-60
Weimaraner Short Average Minimal Older Heavy 24-27 55-70
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Wire Average Weekly Great Heavy 23 50-60

Dogs 81 plus

Breed Coat Shedding Grooming Children Exercise Height(") Weight(#)
Akita Medium Seasonal Moderate Regular 26-28 85-130
Alaskan Malamute Thick Constant Weekly Older Regular 24 75-85
American Bulldog Short Short bristles Minimal Can be Regular 22-28 70-100
Anatolian Shepherd Medium Seasonal Minimal Heavy 28-30 100-150
Beauceron Medium Average Minimal Heavy 24-27 110
Bernese Mountain Dog Long Seasonal Daily Great Regular 25-27 80-90
Black Russian Terrier Wiry, wavy Little Weekly Great Regular 27-30 80-140
Bloodhound Short Average Minimal Great Regular 26 90
Bluetick Coonhound Course and Short Average Minimal Older Daily 20-28 45-80
Boerboel Short and dense Average Minimal Good with training Daily 23-28 120-180
Borzoi Long Seasonal Moderate Heavy 28 75-105
Bouvier Des Flanders Long Little Weekly Great Regular 24-27 90-100
Bullmastiff Short Little Minimal Regular 25-27 125-130
Cane Corso Short, course and thick Average Minimal Good Daily 24-27 1/2 90-125
Central Asian Shepherd Dog Dense Once annually Minimal Supervised Plenty 24-32 90-175
Doberman Pinscher Short Average Minimal Good Daily 23-27 90-140
Dogo Argentino Short, white Average Minimal Heavy 23-27 80-100
Dogue de Bordeaux Short Average Minimal Good Heavy 26-28 65-85
Estrela Mountain Dog Coarse Average Weekly Great Daily 24-28 66-110
Great Dane Short Average Moderate Heavy 32+ 120-160
Leonberger Medium length Seasonally heavy Weekly brushing Good Walks/swimming 27-31 100-170
Great Pyrenees Long Seasonal Moderate Older Heavy 27-32 100
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Short Average Moderate Older Regular 25-28 135
Irish Wolfhound Medium Average Weekly Great Regular 32 120
Komondor Corded Little Moderate Regular 27 100
Kuvasz Thick Constant Weekly Heavy 28-30 100-115
Mastiff Short Average Minimal Good Regular 30 175-220
Neapolitan Mastiff Wrinkled Average Minimal Good Heavy as adult 24-31 110-150
Newfoundland Long Seasonal Daily Great Regular 28 130-150
Otterhound Long Average Weekly Older Heavy 27 115
Rhodesian Ridgeback Short Average Minimal Regular 25-27 85
Rottweiler Short Average Minimal Good Heavy 25 95-130
Saint Bernard Thick Constant Minimal Good Minimal 28 120-180
Scottish Deer Hound Wire Average Moderate Great Heavy 31 65-110
Tibetan Masiff Double and full Once a year Weekly Good, if socialized REgular 26 100+

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