Wildebeest's Guide To Dog Breeds For Every Lifestyle

Are you a first time dog parent? Or looking to grow your family with a new furry addition soon? Just like humans, dogs have different types of temperament, energy levels, and genetic skill sets. Finding the right dog breed can benefit both you and your pup to enjoy a happy and fulfilled companionship for years to come.

There are seven types of dog groups that are based on physical and personality traits, which are: Sporting, Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting, Working, Herding, and Terrier Groups. The AKC lists each breed per group to help discover some breeds you might not have heard of and find the perfect fit for you and your family. The sad truth is that over 6.3 million dogs and cats are surrendered to shelters every year after being homed, and a top reason for surrenders, especially for dogs, is due to adopting a breed that is too much work or not a good fit for the owner. To bring more awareness to this reality and in recognizing Responsible Dog Ownership month, we put together lists of dog breeds for a range of lifestyles as a fun, general guide to help you find the best Beest to build a lasting bond with.

Please note that this list covers only a tiny fraction of all the wonderful dogs + personalities out there. So if you don’t see certain breeds or traits mentioned here, don’t be alarmed or disappointed. We encourage you to do your own research ahead of making the big decision, for yourself AND your dog.

Active Lifestyle

You are constantly on-the-go, spending time outdoors, socializing with friends, adventuring to new places and traveling a lot.

• Labrador Retriever - Friendly, Athletic, Intelligent, Loyal
• Poodle - Intelligent, Affectionate, Loyal, Playful
• German Shepherd - Intelligent, Protective, Courageous, Confident
• Jack Russell Terrier - Energetic, Athletic, Independent, Intelligent
• Australian Shepherd - Intelligent, Loyal, Playful, Protective, Adaptive
• Vizsla - Gentle, Energetic, Affectionate, Athletic
• Portuguese Water Dog - Obedient, Loyal, Lively, Brave
• Siberian Husky - Independent, Playful, Mischievous, Friendly
• Dalmatian - Energetic, Intelligent, Loyal, High Endurance
• English Springer Spaniel - Attentive, Alert, Cheerful, Sociable
• Airedale Terrier - Confident, Loyal, Friendly, Energetic

For an active lifestyle you would want a breed that is well-rounded, naturally active and alert. These are high energy dogs that would require a lot of training and daily exercise. These types of dogs were built for working and maintaining a close relationship with their human companions. Proper training at an early age and keeping a regular routine, as well as engaging in specialized / breed-specific activities such as swimming, agility training and field work, will help these breeds, and you by extension, thrive out there!

Urban Lifestyle

You live in a busy, fast paced urban environment, like to explore the city by foot or public transportation, and have limited living spaces inside and out, such as no backyard.

• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Affectionate, Gentle, Playful, Athletic
• Chihuahua - Charming, Smart, Sassy, Loyal
• Dachshund - Playful, Clever, Stubborn, Fearless
• Maltese - Gentle, Affectionate, Lively, Energetic
• Bulldog - Friendly, Affectionate, Loyal, Courageous
• Miniature Schnauzer - Alert, Spunky, Playful, Cheerful
• Pembroke Welsh Corgi - Athletic, Friendly, Fearless, Independent
• Whippet - Patient, Gentle, Tolerant, Quite
• Chinese Crested - Graceful, Fun, Loyal, Alert
• Shiba Inu - Alert, Confident, Loyal, Independent

For the ultimate urbanite, the best suited breed would be smaller in size because navigating through denser areas is easier and they generally take up less space than bigger dogs. Breeds in the Toy group come in an array of sizes, colors, and most importantly… personality! These breeds are affectionate, sociable and adapt well to all types of environments. They have a moderate energy level and are full of wisdom and are eager to learn.

But don’t let us stop you from getting a big dog! Having bigger dogs in the city can be a little more challenging but definitely manageable especially if you like to stay active and spend time outdoors where there’s room for your big dog to spread out. Small or big, socializing your city dog to different environments and desensitizing them at a young age will help train them to be the perfect sidekick to their human!

Rural Lifestyle

You lead a calmer, more peaceful and secluded lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of the city. If you do farm-work, maintain land or often work with livestock or other types of animals, consider these breeds:

• Akita - Protective, Calm, Intelligent, Loyal
• Bernese Mountain Dog - Affectionate, Friendly, Hardy, Alert
• Doberman Pinscher - Obedient, Brave, Versatile, Intelligent
• Border Collie - Intelligent, Loyal, Energetic, Hardy
• Great Pyrenees - Gentle, Affectionate, Loyal, Confident
• Australian Cattle Dog - Energetic, Loyal, Brave, Alert
• Old English Sheepdog - Gentle, Intelligent, Affectionate, Playful
• Collie - Intelligent, Gentle, Loyal, Playful
• Catahoula Leopard Dog - Affectionate, Energetic, Intelligent, Gentle
• Rottweiler - Calm, Confident, Loyal, Fearless

For a rural lifestyle, you may want to have a dog breed who is ready to put in the work with you and have fun at the same time. These breeds thrive as working dogs – pulling sleds, guarding flocks / herds / homes, and assisting humans with manual tasks. Known for their strength and intelligence, these dogs should be thoroughly trained and keep an active daily routine. Note that some of these breeds may not be best suited for a first time dog parent as they require dedicated and consistent training and work.

Family Oriented Lifestyle

Families who have different types of personalities within one household or those with children and a hectic schedule, like school or sports routines, to follow.

• Bichon Frise - Curious, Gentl, Playful, Sociable
• Boston Terrier - Energetic, Affectionate, Friendly, Loyal
• French Bulldog - Friendly, Adaptable, Alert, Independent
• Yorkshire Terrier - Feisty, Energetic, Affectionate, Playful
• Beagle - Cheerful, Friendly, Vocal, Loyal
• Golden Retriever - Intelligent, Friendly, Playful, Confident
• Basset Hound - Gentle, Affectionate, Friendly, Stubborn
• Alaskan Malamute - Gentle, Loyal, Playful, Independent
• Bearded Collie - Athletic, Energetic, Independent, Friendly
• Brussels Griffon - Curious, Energetic, Alert, Social

For a family oriented lifestyle, breeds that are easy going and don’t require extensive training or activity might be the best fit. These breeds are diverse from size to personality and come from all types of backgrounds. They generally make for great household dogs that are snuggle buddies, reliable watchdogs and energetic playmates all at once.

There are many benefits to having a family dog, especially for kids who grow up around dogs at home. Recent studies have suggested that family dog ownership has positive associations with early child development, particularly in social-emotional development (self-esteem, autonomy and empathy). Whether you have young children or older children, allergic or special needs family member, assess everyone’s individual needs first to guide you to the best dog that fits your family.

Homebody Lifestyle

You are more of an introvert, feel most comfortable spending time at home, working, gardening, doing house projects or binge-watching a new TV series.

• Greyhound - Gentle, Intelligent, Friendly, Affectionate
• Great Dane - Gentle, Affectionate, Loyal, Confident
• Shih Tzu - Affectionate, Playful, Friendly, Lively
• Irish Wolfhound - Calm, Patient, Affectionate, Loyal
• Pug - Friendly, Playful, Affectionate, Stubborn
• Saint Bernard - Gentle, Calm, Tolerant, Playful
• Chow Chow - Independent, Intelligent, Loyal
• Japanese Chin - Quite, Affectionate, Intelligent, Independent
• Pomeranian - Curious, Intelligent, Energetic, Feisty

For a solo, homebody lifestyle, you should consider a dog breed that is easy to train and manage and don’t mind a lot of down time. Also great for first time dog parents, these breeds typically love being lazy as long as they’re with their humans and don’t require constant stimulation or activity all the time. Adopting a senior dog may also be an option for you as they can be calm companions who are happy lounging around as they slow down.

But don’t forget that dogs are domesticated animals and although these breeds would be perfectly content at home cuddling up with you most of the time, getting outside for some fresh air and new smells every now and then would go far in keeping them healthy and happy.

Whatever your Building a bond with your dog is one of the most rewarding experiences and special privileges we as humans can have. We hope that our list can serve as a quick and insightful guide that inspires you to begin the quest for your perfect Beest. Remember, there are many factors to consider besides just breed and lifestyle alone. Personality, temperament, physical traits, etc., are all worth researching and feeling out before choosing the best furry pal for you or your family. We would encourage you to always have a meet-and-greet with your prospective new dog if there’s that opportunity, as meeting a dog in person will give you an infinitely better idea of them and your fit together. And we’re sure that with the right pup by your side, you will not only feel more natural and confident as a dog parent but also whole-heartedly love every moment of your bonding journey with Beest. Happy Searching!

Wildebeest creates everyday essentials that help you build that special bond, share adventures big & small and make amazing memories with your Beest. We'll be right there every step of the way, with our gear & Wild4Life Warranty in tow, supporting you & Beest all throughout the lifetime of your companionship!