Dog Breed Guide
Finding the right companion means understanding their needs. Use this guide to find a dog that fits your lifestyle, climate, and home.
Male or Female?
Which gender of dog should you go with? This is a common point of concern and is an important one.
🐕 Do you already have a dog?
If so, the answer is simple: go with the opposite sex. Having two dogs of the same sex is likely to cause trouble between them, especially as the younger or newer dog grows older or more comfortable in the new environment of your home. Dogs of the opposite sex tend to get on much better even as they mature.
🏠 If it's your first dog...
Here are some points to consider before making a decision:
Size & Handling
Male dogs are usually 10-20% bigger in size and weight than their female counterparts of the same breed, particularly in bigger and medium breeds. However, this variation is usually much less in smaller breeds like Shih Tzus. Handling a female dog may be easier in bigger breeds due to size, but remember: any dog can be trained to walk by your side without pulling if you are prepared to train well and assert authority from the start.
Managing Heat Cycles
Apprehensive about heat cycles? Smaller/medium breeds can usually be spayed (operation to remove ovaries and uterus) at 6 months before their first heat. Larger breeds should wait until 12 months for full growth, meaning one heat cycle. It's not difficult: periods last 20-25 days. The dog usually cleans itself; you'll only find minimal blood. During walks, expect un-neutered male dogs to be more persistent.
Neutering & Spaying
Spaying or neutering is highly recommended. It makes male dogs calmer and avoids trouble when neighborhood dogs are in heat. Un-neutered males can be restless, howl through the night, and be more difficult to control when they sense a female in heat nearby.
Humping
Humping (thrusting hips) is done by both males and females due to stress, excitement, or hormones, but is more common in males. It can be awkward with guests. This must be addressed early so it doesn't become a habit; if it does, even neutering may not fully resolve it.
In the end, any dog can be trained and any issue such as heat cycles or humping can be managed. But it’s best you make your choice with all the information at hand.
Indie
Friendly, loyal, independent and can be easily trained. They are very smart/street smart.
An Indie from the same region is perfectly suited to that area’s climate
Indies are medium sized and will adapt to any size of home
They usually stay healthy and are not prone to fall ill easily
Very limited
Labradors
Very friendly, social and eager to please so easily trained
Moderate to cool temperature is preferable. Air conditioning during summer
Labradors are quite active when they are young and need a fairly large space
Prone to various illnesses especially if bought from breeders. Even otherwise they are prone to hip and joint issues.
Heavy shedding
Golden Retrievers
Similar to labradors - Very friendly, social and easily trained
Moderate to cool temperature. Air conditioning is a must during summer
They are large dogs and thus need a larger space
Prone to hip dysplasia and joint issues
Long thick fur means heavier shedding
Shih Tzu
Friendly, loyal and playful but wary of strangers and bark a lot. Stubborn and not as easy to train
Moderate temperature. If hair is trimmed in summer, they remain cool.
Small so adaptable to any size of home
Breathing issues are common and some have issues with eyes and ears
Minimal but needs a lot regular grooming and trimming of hair.
Pug
Sociable, playful, loves being cuddled and shadowing their owners
Short fur may make it seem better for warm climate but its flat snout actually makes it very difficult in warm weather leading them to overheat easily
Small so can adapt to any size of home
Respiratory issues, obesity, skin issues due to the folds, issues with their eyes
Moderate to heavy shedding and requires regular cleaning
Dachshund
Sociable but wary of strangers. Also stubborn so not as easily trained. Need more patience.
Suitable for moderate climate. Only intense summer will require use of air conditioners
Small so can adapt to any size of home
Not much other than back problems later in life and obesity
Moderate shedding
Cocker Spaniel
Very friendly and eager to please, so easy to train
Cooler climate required due to their long fur and floppy ears. Hot humid climate is bad for them
Medium in size so can adapt to any size of home
Ear and eye issues, hip dysplasia
Moderate shedding that increases during certain seasons.
Beagle
Friendly but very energetic requiring more exercise/play. Will bark/howl if bored. Training them maybe a little challenging.
Moderate temperature. Their short coat makes them adaptable even to warm weather.
Small so can adapt to any size of home
Obesity, seizures, dental issues and back problems
Moderate to heavy shedding depending on the season.
Maltipoo
Affectionate and friendly and easily trainable but prone to separation anxiety and tend to bark every time you have a visitor.
Sensitive to both extreme heat and extreme cold. Prone to over heating.
Small so suitable for any size of home
Knee cap issues and dental problems.
Minimal shedding except during coat change from puppy to adult.
Miniature Poodle
Friendly and easily trainable but high energy levels means it needs more exercise and mental stimulation. Prone to separation anxiety.
Sensitive to both extreme heat and extreme cold. Hair can be trimmed in summer.
Small so can adapt to any size of home
Generally healthy
Low shedding (hypoallergenic)
Husky
Friendly, very energetic, very vocal and also stubborn and playful so not as easy to train.
Cool climate required always - not adaptable to warm weather
Large so requires more open space and a lot of exercise
Generally healthy if they get enough exercise.
Heavy shedding
German Shepherd
Confident and courageous but wary of strangers and can be aggressive and difficult to handle unless trained very well from a young age.
Cool climate but they can manage fairly well in warm weather. Extreme heat and humidity will require air conditioning.
Large so requires more open space and a lot of exercise
Generally healthy with enough exercise. Hip or joint issues later in life.
Moderate shedding
Doberman
Loyal, energetic and fairly easy to train but requires regular mental and physical stimulation/ exercise and activity.
Sensitive to both extreme heat and extreme cold.
Large so requires more open space and a lot of exercise
Generally healthy with enough exercise
Light to moderate shedding
Rottweiler
Loyal and protective. Affectionate with family. They need firm training and exercise given by the owner. Can be aggressive towards strangers.
Moderate climate. They are sensitive to extreme heat and may overheat.
Large so require more space and a lot of exercise
Generally healthy though joint issues and obesity are fairly common
Moderate to heavy shedding based on the season
St Bernard
Gentle and loyal but needs early training. Needs exercise and easier if it has its own large space to run around in. Drools a lot.
Cool climate required always - not adaptable to warm weather
Very large so require a very large space and access to a lot of open space
Hip dysplasia, eye problems.
Heavy shedding
Basset Hound
Gentle and affectionate but can be stubborn and independent requiring patient training with food motivation.
Cool climate is preferable but they need protection from both extremes. Their long ears and low slung bodies that get wet easily require sweaters in winter and care in the summer
Medium size makes that adaptable to any size of home
Generally hardy and don’t fall sick often but prone to skin and ear infections
Moderate shedding that becomes heavy seasonally when they lose their winter coat
Miniature Pinscher
Fearless, very energetic, loyal to family but aloof to strangers. Prone to barking and stubbornness.
Very sensitive to cold weather due to their short coat.
Very small in size and so adaptable to any size of home but dry energetic and require a lot of exercise
Typically robust and healthy.
Light shedding
Bulldog
Gentle and friendly but can be stubborn. Eager to please so can be trained when they aren’t being their stubborn selves.
Sensitive to both moderate hot weather as well as moderate cold weather. Anything over 26°C or below 10°C is dangerous.
Small in size so can adapt to any size home and requires only moderate exercise
Breathing issues, skin infections
Moderate shedding but requires constant grooming to take care of skin under the folds