Dog Breeds: Profiles, Comparisons & Best Picks
Every breed profile covers temperament, size, energy, grooming, typical health issues and — most importantly — who the breed suits and who it doesn't.
Best breeds for…
12 Best Dog Breeds for First-Time Owners
Adaptable, trainable and forgiving breeds that suit beginners — plus the breeds most first-time owners should think twice about.
Best Apartment Dogs: 12 Breeds That Thrive in Small Spaces
The best dog breeds for apartment living — quiet, adaptable and happy with moderate exercise — plus tips for keeping any dog happy in a small space.
Best Family Dogs for Kids: 10 Gentle, Patient Breeds
The best dog breeds for families with children, what makes a good family dog, and how to keep kids and dogs safe together.
Best Dogs for Active People: Running, Hiking & Adventure Breeds
High-energy dog breeds that make great running, hiking and adventure partners — and what to know before you get one.
Best Dogs for Seniors: Calm, Gentle and Easy-Care Breeds
The best dog breeds for older adults: calm, affectionate, easy to handle and low-maintenance — plus practical tips on choosing a senior-friendly dog.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds (and the Truth About "Hypoallergenic")
Dog breeds that shed the least, what "hypoallergenic" really means, and practical tips for living with a dog if you have allergies.
Mixed-Breed Dogs: What to Expect and Why They're Great
Everything first-time owners should know about mixed-breed dogs: health, temperament, predicting size, DNA tests and where to find one.
Breed catalog
Filter 30 popular breeds by size, energy, shedding and lifestyle. Ratings are general tendencies — individual dogs vary, and a dog's upbringing and training matter as much as its breed.
Showing all 30 breeds
Labrador Retriever
Friendly, eager to please and endlessly food-motivated — a classic family dog that needs plenty of exercise.
Golden Retriever
Gentle, loyal and very trainable — a wonderful family dog, if you don't mind a lot of golden fur.
German Shepherd
Intelligent, loyal and protective working dog that thrives with a job to do and an owner committed to training.
French Bulldog
Playful, affectionate apartment dog — but a flat face brings real health risks and high vet costs.
Bulldog
Laid-back, loving and famously calm — but prone to serious breathing, skin and joint problems.
Poodle
Brilliant, athletic and low-shedding — available in three sizes, but the coat needs serious upkeep.
Beagle
Merry, sociable scent hound with a big nose, a bigger voice and a love for food.
Rottweiler
Confident, loyal and powerful guardian that needs experienced, consistent training and socialization.
Dachshund
Bold, funny and loyal little hound with a big-dog attitude — and a back that needs protecting.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Smart, sturdy and full of personality — a big dog in a short body that sheds more than you'd expect.
Yorkshire Terrier
Tiny, brave and affectionate terrier with a silky, low-shedding coat and plenty of attitude.
Boxer
Playful, loving and energetic clown that's famously patient with kids — needs lots of exercise.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Sweet, gentle and adaptable lap dog — one of the best breeds for beginners, with important heart-health caveats.
Shih Tzu
Affectionate, cheerful companion bred to be a lap dog — low exercise, high grooming.
Siberian Husky
Beautiful, friendly and athletic sled dog with endless stamina, a strong will and a talent for escaping.
Border Collie
Often called the smartest dog breed — a tireless worker that needs a real job, not just a walk.
Australian Shepherd
Smart, loyal, high-energy herding dog that shines with an active owner and a job to do.
Pug
Charming, comical and loving — a big personality in a small body, with serious flat-face health risks.
Chihuahua
The world's smallest breed: loyal, sassy and long-lived, best suited to adult homes.
Bichon Frise
Cheerful, gentle "powder puff" dog that gets along with everyone — low shedding, high grooming.
Miniature Schnauzer
Spunky, smart, low-shedding and sturdy — a great small family dog if you can handle the barking.
Boston Terrier
Friendly, lively "American Gentleman" — compact, easy-care and great for beginners.
Havanese
Cheerful, affectionate and adaptable — a top pick for first-time owners and apartment life.
Greyhound
The 45-mph couch potato: gentle, quiet and calm indoors — a surprisingly easy dog for beginners.
Maltese
Gentle, playful toy dog with a silky white low-shedding coat — a devoted lap companion.
Pomeranian
Bold, lively fluffball with a fox-like face — big personality, big voice, lots of fluff.
Cocker Spaniel
Gentle, cheerful and affectionate medium-sized spaniel that suits many families — if you keep up with grooming.
Bernese Mountain Dog
Gentle giant with a calm, affectionate nature — heavy shedding and a sadly short lifespan.
Great Dane
The "Apollo of dogs": a gentle, friendly giant that's calmer than you'd expect — and expensive to keep.
Doberman Pinscher
Sleek, loyal and highly trainable protector — affectionate with family, needs lots of exercise and training.