How the dog breed selector works
Each breed gets 1 to 5 scores for energy, shedding, grooming, trainability, friendliness with children, apartment suitability and barking, roughly in line with the American Kennel Club's trait ratings. Your answers set the targets. Each breed loses points the further it sits from what you want. The biggest penalties are for the mismatches that most often lead to dogs being rehomed: too much energy for the owner, shedding for allergy sufferers, and big dogs in small homes.
Breeds in the quiz
American Pit Bull Terrier, Australian Shepherd, Basset Hound, Beagle, Bernedoodle (standard), Bernese Mountain Dog, Bichon Frise, Border Collie, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog, Cane Corso, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Cavapoo, Chihuahua, Cockapoo, Dachshund, Doberman Pinscher, English Springer Spaniel, French Bulldog, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Goldendoodle (standard), Great Dane, Greyhound, Havanese, Labradoodle (standard), Labrador Retriever, Maltese, Mastiff, Miniature Poodle, Miniature Schnauzer, Newfoundland, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Pomeranian, Rottweiler, Shiba Inu, Shih Tzu, Siberian Husky, Standard Poodle, Whippet, Yorkshire Terrier.
Don't forget mixed breeds
Shelters and rescues are full of mixes that fit every lifestyle. Use your quiz results as a guide to traits, such as "medium energy, low shedding, good with kids". Then ask rescue staff which of their dogs match. An adult dog's personality is already known, which takes much of the guesswork out of it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best dog breed for a first-time owner?
Breeds that are eager to please, easy to train and adaptable, such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Bichon Frise, Havanese and Poodle. Adult rescue dogs with a known temperament are also a great first choice.
What dog breeds are best for apartments?
Calm, small-to-medium breeds that don’t bark much do best: French Bulldogs, Cavaliers, Shih Tzus, Havanese, Boston Terriers and, surprisingly, Greyhounds, which are big couch potatoes.
Which dogs are best for allergies?
No dog is truly hypoallergenic, but low-shedding breeds like Poodles, Bichons, Maltese, Miniature Schnauzers and many doodles spread less hair and dander. Spend time with the breed before committing.