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10 Dog Breeds Everyone Wants
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From their distinct appearances to their unique personalities, every breed has its own charm. In this article, we cover the dogs that are consistently on top 10 dog breed lists and why people are pawsitively enamored with them!
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- Labrador Retreiver
Why We Love Them: friendly, loyal, eager to please, good with kids
Appearance: Healthy adult Labs typically weigh between 55 to 80 pounds, with males being heavier. Their coat is short, dense, and water-repellent, ideal for their original job as fishermen’s helpers. These pups come in three standard colors: chocolate, black, and yellow, ranging from light cream to fox-red. The "otter" tail is a distinguishing feature, thick at the base and tapering, and used for swimming.
Personality: "Labs" are even-tempered, affectionate and outgoing. Their intelligence and eagerness to learn make them perfect for training. Labs are known for their patience and industriousness, often seen in roles such as guide dogs for the blind, therapy dogs, and in search-and-rescue missions. They are great companions and family pets.
Grooming: Labs are rather low maintenance but do shed. Regular brushing, at least once a week, helps manage shedding and keeps their coat healthy. More brushing during shedding season in the spring and fall, may be necessary. Labs only need occasional baths unless they decided to take a roll something stinky!
Fun Fact: You can trace Lab roots back to the early 1800s in Newfoundland, where they were bred to help fishermen haul nets and catch fish that escaped from fishing lines. Their webbed paws make them excellent swimmers, a invaluable trait in their original jobs and is now a hallmark of the breed’s love for water.
- German Shepherd
Why We Love Them: smart, courageous and loyal
Appearance: A healthy adult German Shepherd weighs between 50 to 90 pounds, with males generally being larger. Their double coat consists of a dense, harsh outer coat and a softer undercoat. While the classic image is of a black and tan dog, their coat also comes in sable, all black, and all white (though white is not recognized by all kennel clubs). They are famous for their distinctive, noble, and athletic outline (they can run up to 30 miles/hour), with a slight downward slope from back to front, which is a breed characteristic.
Personality: German Shepherds are known for their confidence, intelligence, and keen sense of duty. They are extremely faithful and have a high learning capacity, which, combined with their strength, makes them a preferred breed for many types of work. These dogs are active and enjoy having tasks to perform, whether that be in a work capacity or within the family setting, such as playing games and participating in training exercises. They can be wary of strangers but are not typically aggressive, showing a discerning protectiveness of their home and family. Because German Shepherds are very bonded to their people, they are most happy in a family setting.
Grooming: Their double coat requires regular brushing to minimize shedding and keep the coat in good condition. You should expect to brush them several times a week and daily during their twice-yearly shedding seasons. Bathing is only needed occasionally, as overbathing can strip natural oils from their coat and skin. Monthly nail trimming/grinding is very important, if they aren't naturally worn down, because overgrown nails can be very painful and cause foot issues.
Fun Fact: The German Shepherd was originally bred for herding sheep, but their intelligence, strength, and obedience quickly made them a favorite choice for many other types of work. Rin Tin Tin, a rescued WWI dog, was one of the first canine movie stars in America and contributed greatly to the breed's popularity worldwide.
- Golden Retriever
Why We Love Them: friendly, tolerant, sociable and agile
Appearance:
Healthy adult Golden Retrievers weigh between 55 to 75 pounds, with males generally being heavier. They have a dense, water-repellent outer coat with a thick undercoat. Their coat color ranges from light golden to dark golden. They are known for their friendly "wagging" tail, which seems to be always in motion.
Personality: Golden Retrievers are famous for their kind, friendly eyes, intelligence, and gentle demeanor. They are eager to please, making them excellent companions for children. They are eager to please, which, alongside their intelligence, makes them highly trainable.
Grooming: Their thick coat requires regular brushing to control shedding and keep it clean and healthy, ideally several times a week. They are known for being heavy shedders, especially during the spring and fall shedding seasons. Bathing can be done as needed, but not so frequently that you will strip the coat of its natural oils.
Fun Fact: Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland in the mid-19th century. At the time, hunting was a popular sport among the Scottish elite. The need for a dog capable of retrieving game from both land and water led to the development of these Retrievers. Their water-repellent coat and unique tail, which serves as a powerful rudder, make them excellent swimmers, suited to their original purpose of retrieving waterfowl.
- French Bulldog
Why We Love Them: affectionate, calm, loving and silly
Appearance: Frenchies typically weigh under 28 pounds, making them a manageable size for most homes. Their coat is short, smooth, and fine, requiring minimal grooming. French Bulldogs come in a variety of colors, including brindle, fawn, white, and combinations of brindle and white or fawn and white. Their large, bat-like ears are one of the breed's most recognizable (and loved!) features, along with their broad, square heads and compact, muscular bodies.
Personality: French Bulldogs are known for their even temperament and sociable nature. They are playful, affectionate, and easygoing, and make great companions for all types of families. They love to play, but don't require a lot of exercise. They are content with short walks and playtime. Frenchies tend to form strong bonds with their pet parents, and become attached to one person. They can be stubborn at times, but with consistent, positive training, they learn quickly and are eager to please.
Grooming: Their grooming needs are relatively low due to their short coat. Regular brushing will help to keep their coat clean and reduce shedding. They do not need frequent baths, but keeping their skin folds clean and dry is essential to prevent infections.
Fun Fact: French Bulldogs are not originally from France. They actually have their roots in England, and started as a miniature version of the English Bulldog. They were highly popular with lace workers in the 1800s. When many lace workers emigrated to France during the Industrial Revolution, they took their small bulldogs with them, where they became known as the "French Bulldog." Their popularity soared in France, and eventually, they became a symbol of Parisian life.
- Poodle
Why We Love Them: agile, smart and elegant
Appearance:
Poodles have a distinctive coat which is dense, naturally curly, and can be styled in various ways. The coat comes in many colors, including but not limited to black, white, apricot, and silver. Poodles have a square build, with a long, straight muzzle and dark, oval-shaped eyes. Their ears hang close to their head, and they have a graceful, and springy way of walking.
Personality: Poodles are known for their intelligent, alert, and active nature. They are eager to learn and can master a wide variety of tricks and commands, making them stars in obedience and agility tests. Poodles are friendly and sociable dogs who enjoy being around people and other animals. Despite their sometimes aristocratic appearance, they have a playful side and love to be part of all family activities.
Grooming: Poodles require regular grooming to keep their coats in good condition. Their hair grows continuously and needs to be clipped every 4 to 6 weeks to prevent matting. Regular brushing helps to avoid tangles and knots. While their grooming requires considerable upkeep, many owners find joy in the variety of stylish haircuts a Poodle can sport.
Fun Fact: Poodles originally hail from Germany, where they were bred as water retrievers. The name "Poodle" comes from the German word "Pudel," short for "Pudelhund," meaning "splashing dog."
- Dachshund
Why We Love Them: bold, curious and charming
Appearance:
Dachshunds come in two sizes - adorable and more adorable. Kidding! They actually come in standard and miniature size. They also have three
coat types: smooth, long-haired, and wire-haired. Their coat can be a variety of colors, including but not limited to black, red, chocolate, cream, and dapple (merle). They are famous for their long bodies, short legs, and deep chests.
Personality: Dachshunds are brave, curious, and lively. They can be stubborn and independent at times, but they are also affectionate and devoted to their families. Their personality varies with the coat type: smooths tend to be the most outgoing, wirehairs are clownish and mischievous, and longhairs are calm and quiet. Despite their size, they make excellent watchdogs, often alerting families to strangers with a loud bark. They require firm, consistent training and respond well to positive reinforcement training.
Grooming: Grooming needs vary by coat type: smooth-coated Dachshunds are low maintenance, needing only occasional brushing and bathing. Wire-haired Dachshunds require regular brushing and professional trimming twice a year. Long-haired varieties need frequent brushing to prevent mats and tangles.
Fun Fact: The name "Dachshund" literally translates from German as "badger dog" ("Dachs" meaning badger; "Hund" meaning dog). This breed's origins can be traced back to the 15th century in Germany, where they were bred for hunting. Their body design is uniquely suited for digging into dens and dispatching prey.
- Siberian Husky
Why We Love Them: stunning, friendly and outgoing
Appearance: Healthy adult Siberian Huskies typically weigh between 35 to 60 pounds, with males being heavier. Their double coat features a dense undercoat and a longer topcoat of short, straight hairs. It is designed to protect them against harsh Arctic winters. Their coat comes in a variety of colors and patterns, from black to pure white, including shades of gray, silver, red, and sable. They often have distinctive markings on the head that are not found in other breeds. One of the breed's most captivating features is their eyes, which can be blue, brown, one of each, or parti-colored (one eye that is part blue and part brown), adding to their striking appearance.
Personality: Siberian Huskies are known for their friendly and gentle but also alert and outgoing nature. They do not typically exhibit guard dog behaviors. Instead, they are likely to greet strangers with enthusiasm. Their intelligence and strong-willed personality can pose training challenges, requiring patience and consistency. Huskies are very social and can become lonely and destructive when left alone for long periods. They have a high prey drive, so care should be taken around small animals. Their energy and endurance make them excellent companions for outdoor adventures.
Grooming: Huskies require regular grooming to manage shedding, especially during the spring and fall when they "blow" their coats. This means they lose almost their entire coat in preparation for their new winter and summer coats to come in. Weekly brushing can help keep their coat and skin healthy, increasing to daily during shedding season. Despite their heavy coat, they only need a few baths a year, as their coat has self-cleaning properties.
Fun Fact: Their ability to convey a wide range of expressions, from mischievousness to contemplative, endears them to their owners and makes them a popular choice for families and individuals.
- Beagle
Why We Love Them: Lovable and entertaining
Appearance: Beagles typically weigh between 20 to 30 pounds, depending on their height. Beagles have a dense, short coat that is weather-resistant. Their coat can be any color, including tri-color (white, black, and brown), red and white, and lemon. Beagles are known for their large brown or hazel eyes ("puppy dog eyes"), long, hound-like ears, and a high tail with a slight curve.
Personality: Beagles are curious, friendly, and affectionate dogs. They have a reputation for being happy-go-lucky and enjoy the company of humans and other dogs. Beagles are intelligent, but their strong sense of smell can sometimes lead them to be easily distracted by scents, making training a fun challenge. They are known for their loud "baying" bark, which they use to communicate during hunts and sometimes in the home when they're on the scent of something interesting. Their energy and playfulness make them great companions for active families.
Grooming: Beagles are relatively low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. Their short coat requires occasional brushing to remove loose hair and keep it looking shiny. They only need to be bathed as necessary and are generally clean dogs. Regular ear checks are important to prevent infections, given their floppy ears.
Fun Fact: Beagles have one of the best-developed senses of smell among canines, second only to the Bloodhound.
- Shih Tzu
Why We Love Them: sweet nature, excellent companions
Appearance: Shih Tzus usually weigh between 9 to 16 pounds. One of their most distinctive features is their long, flowing double coat, which comes in many colors. They have a short, square muzzle, large dark eyes, and a distinct underbite. Their ears are covered with long fur, and they have a complete mane of hair on their neck, often leading to the "lion dog" moniker.
Personality: Shih Tzus are known for their cheerful, friendly, and outgoing personality. They are affectionate with both adults and children, and make great family pets. They have a confident and sometimes stubborn streak, which can make training a challenge. They are adaptable to various living situations and are content with short daily walks and play sessions. Shih Tzus are companion dogs at heart and prefer being with their people, often following them from room to room.
Grooming: Their luxurious coat requires daily brushing to prevent tangles and mats. Many owners opt for professional grooming to keep the coat trimmed to a manageable length. Shih Tzus are considered good for allergy sufferers because they shed very little. Their eyes and face require regular cleaning to prevent staining and irritation, especially around the eyes.
Fun Fact: Shih Tzus are known as the "Lion Dog" in Chinese, a name that reflects their association with Buddhist mythology.
- Pit Bull
Why We Love Them: goofy, eager to please, protective
Appearance:
Pit Bulls typically weigh between 30 to 60 pounds, with some variation depending on the specific breed and gender.
Pit Bulls have a short, smooth coat that is easy to care for. Their coat comes in almost any color and pattern imaginable. They are well-known for their muscular and athletic build, with a broad head and powerful jaw, which speaks to their original breeding purpose.
Personality: Pit Bulls are enthusiastic, loving, and intelligent dogs. They possess a great deal of energy and require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. Their strong desire to be part of family activities makes them excellent companions. They are known for their courage and will stand up to protect their families if necessary. However, they are generally friendly and outgoing, even with strangers, when properly socialized. Training is important from a young age to ensure they are well-behaved, as they can be strong-willed.
Grooming: Pit Bulls are relatively low-maintenance in the grooming department. Their short coat requires only occasional brushing to keep it shiny and remove loose fur. They do shed, but not excessively. Regular bathing, nail trimming, and ear cleaning are all that's needed to keep them looking their best.
Fun Fact: "Pit Bull" isn't actually a breed...it's a term often used to describe several breeds including the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
