Category: Dog Breeds

Which Are The Easiest Dogs To Train? Which Dog Breeds Are Most Obedient?

Trainability is a huge deal if you're a dog owner or soon-to-be pet parent. How well your dog responds to your commands can be the difference between a well-mannered pet and Stephen King's Cujo (ok, maybe not that bad, but you get the idea). Do some dogs have an inherent knack for following directions? The short answer is yes. Here, we list the easiest dogs to train, and we also throw a little shade on breeds...Read more

Adopting vs Buying a Pet — Are Purebred Dogs Better than Mixed Breeds?

Should you adopt a dog from a shelter or buy one from a breeder — which is better and why? The answer is neither — it’s all about personal preference, and both rescue dogs and pedigree dogs come with excellent benefits. We’re not in the “who’s right” game — we love dogs and encourage you to find the right dog for your living situation. Weighing the pros and cons of adopting vs buying a pet...Read more

Facts About Dog Breeds (Barking, Training and Grooming)

We created our guide to dog breeds to help dog lovers understand common characteristics found in dog breeds, especially when it comes to understanding why dogs bark, which ones are more trainable than others, and what the various breeds need for grooming.  As you explore breeds, keep in mind that several factors shape a dog’s personality and traits: Genetics: They inherit traits from their ancestors, just like we do.Environment: They learn things from their surroundings...Read more

What Are the Smartest Dog Breeds In The World?

Search the web for the smartest dog breeds in the world, and you’ll find plenty of resources that map back to Stanley Coren, author of “The Intelligence of Dogs: A Guide to the Thoughts, Emotions, and Inner lives of Our Canine Companions.” In the book, Coren answers questions like: Do dogs have feelings? Do dogs think like humans? Are dogs intelligent? We highly recommend this book for further details regarding your dog's IQ.  Coren’s List...Read more

Worst Dog Breeds for Beginner Owners

A while back, we answered a related question, "What are the best dog breeds for new owners," which made us wonder if there are breeds we'd suggest steering clear of if you're new to dog-dom. As we compiled our list of worst dog breeds for first-time owners, we asked ourselves, what makes a “good” breed versus a “bad” breed? The answer is, “It depends.”  We're not going to tell you to steer clear of any...Read more

Best Dogs for First-Time Owners: 18 Dog Breeds for Beginners

Are you looking to join the estimated 38% of American households that are home to dogs? To make your decision a bit easier, we’ve researched a list of the best dog breeds for first-time owners, based on breed traits, in celebration of #NationalDogAdoptionDay Oct. 25! As you research dog breeds, you will find that some breeds are better for newbies than other breeds. However, every dog has its own personality, so take time to get to...Read more

How Many Types of Terriers Are There? (More Than 30!)

Although there are several types of terriers, you can expect to find most of them to be feisty and energetic. From Airedales to Yorkies, this group of dogs was originally bred to hunt and kill vermin.  A fun fact about Yorkies: Although the AKC classifies Yorkshire terriers in the toy dog group, they were bred to hunt and kill rodents, especially in coal mines … that is, until they became ladies’ lapdogs in the 1800s,...Read more

The Most Popular Small Dog Breeds (and Why We Love Them)

Small dog breeds are among the most popular breeds because they do well in smaller spaces, they tend to shed less, and they’re very portable! We present our list of the most popular small dog breeds, along with tips for training, grooming and loving small dogs. What are the Smallest Dog Breeds? While larger breeds are often noted for their bravery and obedience, smaller canines carry the stereotype of being high-strung, anxious, and fearful. Oh...Read more

Best Large Dog Breeds and Why We Love Them

There's always more to love with a large dog. While they won't fit in a designer purse or easily tuck in a backpack, many large breeds insist they’d make good lap dogs.  Big dogs are often considered the hardest-working group of dog breeds and some of the gentlest giants. If you're looking to welcome a large dog into your family, you probably have questions. Do they bark a lot? How difficult are big dogs to...Read more

Best Medium Size Dog Breeds if You Have Allergies

Allergy sufferers often run into trouble when around dogs. If you're a dog lover that bursts into a sneezing fit or asthma attack when you're near Fido, you might think you could never own a dog yourself. Allergy attacks are due to a protein found in pet hair dander, urine, and saliva.  Now, if you’re also looking for a medium-size dog — say between 30 and 50 pounds — that narrows the list further.  Although...Read more

Best Medium Dog Breeds for Apartment Dwellers and Small Spaces

Those small or teacup dog breeds get all the love when it comes to apartment living and small spaces, don’t they? If you’d like a little more dog yet you’ve got limited space, this list of medium-sized dog breeds is for you. What is a medium-size dog? We’re sticking with breeds that tend to weigh between 30 and 50 pounds; anything larger will need more space than your tiny home provides. As with any dog...Read more

What Are The Best Midsize Dog Breeds for Families and Children?

While small or teacup dog breeds get a world of attention, and big dog breeds are hard to miss, medium breeds can't be overlooked. Medium-size dogs tend to weigh between 30 and 50 pounds. If you are a family with children, and you're looking for the best medium-size dog breeds for your home, this list is a compilation from several expert sources. Keep in mind that the list below applies to pure dog breeds; mixed breeds will tend to...Read more

Tips for Training, Raising, and Grooming Big Dog Breeds

While many dog owners favor teacup and small dog breeds, it's time to give some love to the most popular large dog breeds. If you're interested in adopting a larger dog like an Akita or Saint Bernard, or you already own a large sized dog breed, you may have some training, raising, and grooming questions. Are big dogs harder to train than smaller dogs? How expensive is it to raise a large or giant dog? What...Read more

Why Teacup Breeds Make the Best Pets

Could you imagine raising a dog that could fit in the palm of your hand? Or one that weighs less than a gallon of milk? Often called teacup dogs, toy breeds have made their way into the hearts of pet lovers everywhere. As cute as these little guys and gals are, you may be wondering how hard they are to groom and train. What are their personalities like? Do toy breeds bark a lot? You've...Read more