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.

Herding dog breeds like sheep dogs and collies thrive on farms herding livestock like cattle, but they can adapt to many other environments with proper training and plenty of exercise. Although jobs like herding cattle are often associated with large breeds, there are plenty of small herding dog breeds, like the Corgi. Explore them all below to find the perfect working dog for your needs. 

Dogs can bring so much joy into people’s lives, but for people with allergies, the experience is less enjoyable. If you or a family member has allergies but you’re dying to get a dog, these hypoallergenic dog breeds will spare your sinuses and eyes while providing you with all the love and loyal companionship you’ve been longing for.

Long-haired dog breeds range from sheepdogs to Irish Setters to terriers. Some long-haired dogs may even be considered hypoallergenic. Although their long, luscious locks require regular grooming to keep them looking their best, you can take pride in the beauty and silkiness of their coats. Whether you’re interested in long-haired small dog breeds or you prefer large breeds, you’ll find them all right here. Explore our list below to learn more about these long-haired dogs and how to care for them.

Active and energetic dogs are great, but they aren’t suited for all environments. If you live in an upstairs apartment in a cold-weather city, for example, you may prefer a mellow dog breed who prefers snoozing on his dog bed to chasing after a ball in a park. Additionally, if you aren’t an overly active person, you may not want an energetic dog who needs lots of playtime and exercise. Explore all the mellow, low-energy dog breeds below to find the right one 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.

If you can’t decide between a short- or long-haired dog, consider a medium-haired dog instead. They’re the best of both worlds. The slightly longer hair is often softer and fluffier than the coarse, wiry coats of short-haired breeds. Unlike long-haired dogs, though, many of these breeds are low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. Browse our list of medium-haired dog breeds to determine which one is right for you.

A medium-sized dog can fit into almost any lifestyle. The various breeds range from low energy to active and athletic, so you can find the perfect mid-sized dog breed for your lifestyle. Explore all medium dog breeds below to learn more about their specific characteristics, estimated size and more.

Sporting dog breeds are great for hunters, farmers and even athletes who want a running partner, but they aren’t right for everyone. Although non-sporting breeds still require some amount of exercise, these dogs are content with a walk or game of fetch. View our list of non-sporting dog breeds below to find your ideal canine companion.

These rare dogs aren’t easily found in the U.S., but that’s what makes them so special. Whether you’re interested in finding a rare small dog breed or larger varieties, you can find all the information you need to know here.

Many short-haired dog breeds are a great choice for busy families, as they may not require professional grooming on a regular basis like long-haired breeds. Gently brushing their coat once or twice a week is usually sufficient to remove loose hair and minimize shedding. Some short-haired dogs are even hypoallergenic, making them a great choice for people with allergies. Browse our list of short-haired dog breeds below to find the perfect match for your lifestyle.

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.

For centuries, working dog breeds have been used for a wide variety of jobs, including driving, herding and guarding livestock, pulling sleds, hunting small and large game and more. They’re primarily large breeds and love having a task to do, even if it’s not what they were bred for. Explore our working dog breeds list to find the right fit for you.

Whether you have one child or three, toddlers or teens, find the best dog breed for you and your family. Our list of popular family dog breeds will help you find dogs who get along great with kids. If your family includes another dog, cat or other pet, you'll also find dogs who get along well with other animals, too. Explore our list below to find a good family dog.

Allergies keep countless people from experiencing the joys of owning a dog, but they don’t have to. There are plenty of hypoallergenic dogs out there ready and willing to provide you with loyal companionship while sparing you from constant sneezing and itchy, watery eyes. View our list of the best dog breeds for people with dander allergies below to find your new best friend.

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.

If you don’t need a low-shedding dog due to allergies but don’t mind having a reason to vacuum occasionally, a medium-shedding dog might be a good fit for you. Explore our list of dog breeds with medium shedding below to find to find your new canine friend.

Although many people find their size intimidating, most giant dog breeds are gentle and affectionate. Some breeds are the perfect gentle giants for families with children while other giant breeds will take on the role of protector and watch dog. Whether you’re looking for a giant, fluffy dog breed or a gentle but massive dog breed, you can explore all the options here.

Whether you want a small dog who doesn’t need a ton of exercise or an energetic and athletic dog to accompany you on long walks or runs, hound dog breeds have something for everyone. From little Dachshunds to large Irish Wolfhounds, you’ll find breeds with short, medium and long coats in varying sizes and heights. To find the perfect hound dog for you, browse the complete list below.

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.

If you’re curious about the most popular dog breeds in America, you’ve come to the right place. The 10 most popular dog breeds listed below are a mix of both large and small dogs. Explore them all below and see if one of these favorites is a good match 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.

Although many breeds have been around for hundreds or even thousands of years, some of the newest dog breeds were developed by breeders within the last century or so. Despite their newness, some of these dogs are also incredibly rare. Browse the newest dog breeds below to learn how they were developed.

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.

The smartest dog breeds love to learn new tricks, so they’ll thrive with regular training sessions that go beyond the basic sit-down-stay commands. Whether you want a smart small dog breed or a larger breed, you can explore our smartest dog breeds list below to find the perfect one for you.

Some sporting dog breeds, such as the Weimaraner, were first used to hunt large game like deer and bears before adapting to hunt small game like birds. While these breeds make great hunting companions, they’ll also love other activities like agility, obedience, rescue and more. Find the best sporting dog for your needs below.

There are terrier dog breeds in sizes ranging from small to large. Some have long, smooth coats, while others are short and wiry. With so many different types of terriers to choose from, you should have no trouble finding the perfect dog for you. Whether you want a little terrier you can carry around with you or a larger dog who loves to play and take long walks, you’ll find all the information you need in our list below.