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June 15, 2022

Finding the Perfect Dog Breed for You

  • Adoption
  • Dog
  • Tips
Pet parent giving dog a kiss in the living room

Are you ready to bring a new canine friend home, but not sure which dog is the best match for you? Bringing and welcoming a dog home is a big deal! Not only is it a major time commitment but a financial one as well. Making this decision can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve never owned a dog.

You might be wondering, “Which dog breed is best for me?” and “Will my dog fit into my lifestyle and family?” These are big questions you should feel comfortable and confident answering before adopting, but where do you start? There are so many choices out there, but we’re here to help. Here are our tips to finding the best dog match for you.

Active Lifestyle

Part of successfully choosing a dog is finding a breed that complements your lifestyle. If you think of yourself as very-active and have a love for the outdoors, you might be looking for a four-legged-friend that can keep up with you.

In that case, you might want to consider one of these active and sporty dogs as your lifelong running and outdoor hiking, biking and swimming buddy:

Active Lifestyle Breeds

  • Retrievers
  • Spaniels
  • Collies
  • Northern breeds
  • Hounds
  • Huskies
  • Terriers such as a Jack Russell
  • Dalmatians

Just keep in mind, each breed of dog offers something different and requires daily exercise and stimulation just as we do. On top of that, your home life should also be set up accordingly, such as one with a backyard big enough for them to run around in, or good areas and trails for long walks.

Moderately Active

Looking for a dog that will enjoy a long walk on the weekends but is happy with shorter walks in the week or maybe just a quick jaunt around the block? These breeds are pawfect for just that. Each breed listed below only needs roughly 30-60 minutes of exercise per day but can keep up when you’re looking for something just a tad longer.

If you’re a busy individual or have a bigger family that keeps you out and about for longer periods of time, these medium-energy pups are the perfect balance:

Moderately Active Breeds

  • Large breeds such as Great Pyrenees, Leonberger, Great Danes, or Greyhounds
  • Calm Terriers such as Airedale, Scottish Terriers, Sealyham or Cesky Terriers match nicely with a more relaxed lifestyle
  • Miniature poodles
  • Beagles
  • Schnauzers
  • Shetland Sheepdogs
  • Dachshunds

Airedale Terrier dog outside in green area with wet food Tetra Pak
Airedale Terrier

Older or Less Active

If you’re in your golden years, live in a small apartment, or have a job that requires you to sit at a desk all day you need a dog that is easy to care for while also being a great companion. The type of breed you’ll be on the hunt for is one that is okay with sitting at home while you’re primarily out of the house or one who doesn’t need to be let out often either.

Starting to sound like your lifestyle? Then a low-energy dog that spends most of its time sitting, laying down and napping would be the perfect choice for you.

The good thing is, there are plenty of different dog breeds that fit the bill.

Less Active Breeds

  • Small breeds such as French Bulldogs, Pomeranians, Papillons, Chihuahuas, or Boston Terriers
  • Minipinschen
  • Pekinese
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

With that said, if you’re totally set on a specific type of dog that isn’t perfectly in line with your lifestyle, consider adopting or fostering a senior citizen of that breed. Senior canines still require some physical activity, but not nearly as much and are always down for a good nap and cuddle.

Conclusion

Bringing home a new dog is exciting, but don’t rush the process. Whether you’re a jogger, an apartment dweller, have kids, or just retired, there are so many options out there so do your research as to which dog would be the perfect match for you. It’s important to know what type of lifestyle you live so you don’t end up bringing home a companion that you can’t handle. At the end of the day, you’re both in it for the long haul, so do your research now to ensure a happy lifelong partnership.

Find a high-quality dog food to feed your new dog. Check out our Go! Solutions dry and wet food recipes.


Author

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Go! Solutions Team

A Team of Dedicated Pet Parents + Nutrition Experts

We all want our cats and dogs to lead happy, healthy lives. We’re here to help you, with easy-to-understand information about your pet's daily care and feeding.