An Introduction to Common Dog Types

While the most common way to categorize dogs is by breed, it’s not always the most efficient way when you’re trying to choose the right pet from among all the different dog types out there. Here are a few other methods of grouping dog breeds that can make your choice easier.

Physical traits
Looks are the way most people unfamiliar with dog types categorize different varieties of dogs. Some people prefer large, athletic dogs while others want a cute lap dog. Some look for a short, low-maintenance coat, while others don’t mind a little extra grooming work if they can get a luxurious or unusual coat type. Physical traits may be easy to identify and important to some extent, but they don’t tell you much about the dog’s personality.

Temperaments
A better way to organize dog types is by personality, also called “temperament” or “demeanor.” Not only are there major character traits like energy level, sensitivity, and intelligence to consider, there are also little breed-specific personality quirks to look for like Labrador retrievers’ love of water or Rottweilers’ love of snow.

When choosing a dog breed by personality, first consider why you want a dog. If you prefer a calm, indoorsy dog, a pug or Chihuahua may be a good choice. For a dog you can run and play games with, you might want a Great Dane or Collie. The Giant Schnauzer, German Shepherd and Rottweiler can be both good guard dogs and family pets. All these breeds can do well with children once properly socialized and trained.

Jobs
Another way to categorize dogs is based on the work they were breed to do. For thousands of years, dogs were bred for specific jobs and the personality traits needed for those jobs remain even in pets. Terriers were breed as rat-catchers, so they love to hunt. Labrador and Golden Retrievers love to fetch, as their names imply, and Sheep dogs like the German Shepherd and Puli are naturally protective and will “herd” their human family around if give the chance.

The fact that there are so many dog types means you’ll most likely be able to find a dog that will fit right in with your family’s life style. While every dog is an individual, researching the breed’s history and typical personality can give you a good indication of whether it’s the right breed for you.