Types of Dog Breeds

Companion dogs will love keeping you company, no matter the activity. Whether you're working around the house, watching TV or going for a walk, these breeds will stay by your side. Some are perfect for households with one or more children, while others make ideal companions for seniors. Explore the list below to find the best companion dog breed for your situation.

Trying to decide what type of dog is right for you and your family? Browse through our list of dog breeds using our filter tool, and find the best dog for you.

Having a dog is great until suddenly your clothes, furniture and floors are covered in hair. If you want to minimize the amount of hair you’re vacuuming and lint-rolling off your clothes, consider one of the low-shedding dogs listed below. Dogs that don’t shed much typically require regular trips to the groomer, but that’s often a good tradeoff to vacuuming several times per week. Explore our list below to find the perfect low-shedding dog for you.

Some people get a dog for motivation to exercise more while others prefer a dog who just wants to snuggle on the couch after work. When choosing your ideal canine companion, it’s essential to match their energy levels with your own so your dog gets the right amount of exercise to maintain good health. View our list of medium-energy dog breeds below to find a moderately active dog.

Thanks to their miniature size, toy breeds fit into almost any environment and lifestyle, but they’re particularly great for apartment and city living. Whether you’ve got an apartment in the city, a home in the suburbs or some land in the country, a toy dog breed will fit right in to your life. Explore our toy dog breeds list below to find the perfect match for you.

If your kids are begging to get a dog, start by doing some research to find a kid-friendly dog for your family. These breeds are playful and affectionate and will form a strong bond with their children. Explore our list of best dogs for kids below to find the perfect new addition to your family.

Whether you have another dog, a cat or other animals in your home, it’s important to ensure the next dog you bring into your family gets along well with other animals. This will prevent aggression, territorial issues and other problems that may arise. Explore our list of best dog breeds for multi-pet households to find dogs that are good with cats, other dogs and other pets.

The best guard dogs are alert but trained well enough to know the difference between guests and intruders. With a properly trained dog, you’ll feel more secure at home and when you’re out and about with your pup. Whether you want protection or just a good watch dog, explore our list of protective dog breeds to find the right fit for you.

Whether you live in a house with little-to-no yard or in an apartment in the city with few green spaces, an indoor dog will be perfeclty content spending most of his time inside. A good house dog loves to play inside and nap by your side. Explore our list of best indoor dogs to find the right fit for your yard-less situation.

If you’re thinking about getting an outdoor dog, be sure to take your area’s climate and the dog’s coat into consideration. The Great Pyrenees, for example, has a thick coat to make cold weather more tolerable. Regardless of the outdoor dog you choose, provide him with plenty of fresh water, warmth in the winter and shade in the summer. Browse our list of outdoor dog breeds below to find the right one for you.

Most people assume the longer a dog’s coat, the more they will shed, but that’s not always the case. Whether you want to avoid dog breeds with heavy shedding or you don’t mind vacuuming dog hair regularly, this list of dogs that shed the most can help you find the perfect canine companion for you.

Despite their size, most big dog breeds are incredibly agile and active, but others are more laidback. Whether you want a running or hiking partner or prefer a big fluffy dog breed to snuggle with while watching Netflix, you can find the right large dog breed for you by exploring the list below.

Extra small dogs, such as miniature and teacup dog breeds, are easy to incorporate into almost any environment, whether you live in a small studio apartment in the city, have a townhome with a small yard or a house in the suburbs with a large yard. These tiny dogs often have big personalities. View our list below to find the best miniature or teacup dog for your lifestyle.

High-energy, active dogs need a lot of playtime and exercise. These athletic dog breeds thrive in homes with big yards to play in and with a person who enjoys going on long walks or runs and playing games like fetch. If you’re looking for a running buddy or a dog to get you moving more often, explore our list of most active dogs below to find the perfect one for you.

When most dogs bark, there’s a reason for it. They may be excited or they may be alerting you to a stranger at the door. With proper training, you can better control when your dog does and doesn’t bark, but some breeds are more vocal than others. Whether you want a canine companion who vocally expresses his opinions or you’d prefer to avoid the most vocal dog breeds, you can view the complete list below.

If you live in an apartment currently or are looking for a dog-friendly place, you may find landlords who have restrictions against noisy dogs. No dog is truly silent, but several are much less vocal than others, and extensive training can go a long way in keeping any dog from barking unnecessarily. See our list below of dogs that don’t bark much to find the right one for you and your new place. 

To paraphrase Shakespeare: Though they may be little, they are fierce. Small dogs have big personalities. They’re smart, playful and loving, but aren’t afraid to protect their people from strangers and other threats. If you’re looking for a little dog with a big, courageous heart, explore our list of small dog breeds below to find the best one for you.