🐾 Lifestyle

What Are The Common Dog Personalities? Things You Need To Know When Choosing A Puppy

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August 28, 2023
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Key Takeaways

When choosing a pup, you must be familiar with the common dog personalities.

Like people, our furry friends also have a unique set of personalities. But these traits are unpredictable for a young pup. Its genes and environment where it will grow affect the personality as the fido matures.

A dog that has a more relaxed and affectionate personality is best when you live in an apartment. Understanding the common dog personalities allows you to choose a dog that may blend well with your lifestyle.

Common Dog Personalities Based on Breeds

The American Kennel Club has seven different classifications of dog breeds. The group includes herding, hounds, sporting, non-sporting, terriers, toy, and working dogs - each category has common dog personalities.

1.Herding Dogs Personality

Herding dogs are breeds that can help people who are raising animals on a farm. These breeds can help maintain and moving the herd animals from place to place. Collie, German Shepherd, and Corgi are some of the breeds under this category.

Most herding dogs are quick learners and athletic. These pups can keep up with active people and great as a family pet. You can rely on their high intelligence in learning skills and commands. But if you live in an apartment, Corgis are a better option because of their small size.

2.Hound Dogs Personality

Hound dogs are the first-bred hunting dogs. So, it means that you can expect a powerful sense of smell, impeccable sight, and high endurance. If you are someone who maintains an active lifestyle, hound dogs are your perfect companions.

Beagle and Dachshund are some breeds from this category. These are small-sized fidos that have a unique combination of brave and loyal companions. But it also means that you should be ready to do a lot of playtimes. 

3.Sporting Dogs Personality

Sporting dogs have high energy and love to do physical activities. These are highly trainable pups and friendly towards people. But you may find it easy to get angry and become destructive if they do not consume enough energy each day.

Cocker Spaniel, Golden Retriever, and Labrador are some breeds under this category. So if you are unsure if you can provide the physical exercise and training you need, you better not choose pups under the sporting category.

4.Non-Sporting Dogs Personality

If sporting dogs are not for you, then maybe the personalities of non-sporting pups are perfect for the lifestyle that you have, Bulldogs are some popular non-sporting dogs.

Non-sporting dogs are playful, friendly, and often small, making them great city dogs. Most of all, these breeds are perfect for cuddling and don’t require many physical activities. Poodles are non-sporting dogs with impressive intelligence and athleticism.

5.Terrier Dogs Personality

Bull Terrier, Scottish Terrier, and Jack Russell Terrier are some breeds under this category. These breeds are hunters and perfect companions at the same time. They are good living with families but can be stubborn. Thus, focus and patience in training are essential. 

6.Toy Dogs Personality

Toy dogs are those breeds that would love to sit on your lap and cuddle all day. Pugs, Shih Tzus, and Maltese are some popular dog breeds of this category. They can be sweet, loyal, but stubborn at the same time. Chihuahuas and Pomeranians are some of the most intelligent toy dog breeds.

7.Working Dogs

Working dogs usually have the physical and mental ability to help their owner in a myriad of tasks. It includes guarding, pulling sleds, and even performing water rescues. Bomb-sniffing dogs are a great example of working dogs. 

So, expect that canines under this category have a strong physique and incredible senses. Dobermans, for example, are stoic and powerful. It has an excellent reputation for being a protector because of its alert and focused personality. 

Siberian Huskies are other working dogs or what they called the sled dogs. These are friendly canines but are very guard dogs as well. Boxers, Great Danes, and Mastiffs are other working breeds.

Conclusion

In choosing a pup, you should always consider your lifestyle, the breeder’s purpose, and the pup’s common personality. First, make sure that it is a breed that would suit your lifestyle. For example, small dogs are perfect when living in an apartment. But do you want a fido for cuddling, emotional support, or to be with your daily runs?

Second, know the breeder’s purpose in breeding the pup. It is because most of them breed “show” dogs. These are canines that can join in competitions and get rewarded. Can you handle the training of those show dogs, or are you better with pet dogs?

Finally, dogs of the same breeds may have common personalities. But remember that it is not constant. It changes depending from one pup to another, even when it is from the same roots. 

Dogs, no matter how stubborn, are trainable. It all depends on how you enforce proper brain training and correct its mistakes. Understanding the personality characteristics of a dog breed may be the first step toward a lifetime of companionship.


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