What Type of Dog Do You Have?

Get to Know Man's Best Friend

Dogs are more than just their breeds—they are lifestyle companions. Find out about yours.

Every time that you meet a dog, you probably notice that they all have their own kinds of personalities. This leads to a lot of hilarity on the internet, but what does this mean for pet parents? Are dogs automatically just a furrier version of us? Do they adapt entirely to fit in our families—or is there something else at work here? In this article, we are going to discuss the different kinds of dogs that exist and how to adopt one that will match your lifestyle!

What Do We Mean When We Say “Type” of Dog?

You might be wondering what we mean when we say types of dogs. Well, we believe that type in this context means the kind of lifestyle category that your dog would fit into. Let’s face it—we humans are a diverse bunch. We all have different lifestyle factors that we accommodate in our own lives. At they made me wear it, we believe that different dogs suit different lifestyles.

Now, obviously, we must acknowledge that every dog is a special and unique precious angel. They all have their own personalities. We’ve all seen tons of videos of dogs that are supposed to be tough being terrified of balloons or dogs that are supposed to love water hating to get their paws wet.

Like us, dogs can be outgoing, adventurous, nervous, and even lazy. Wherever your pup falls, that is their type. Believe it or not, a lot of dogs end up categorized in different ways based on their breeds, so we’re also including a few breed recommendations.

Just remember that your German Shepherd might not be a tough protector. They might just be a precious, couch-dwelling baby! Wondering what kind of dog, you should get? Let’s explore the options.

Exploring the Different Types of Dogs: What Type of Dog Will Suit My Lifestyle?

Who are you? It might seem like an impossible question to answer, we know. However, it can be a good question to ask yourself before you get a dog. All too often, people choose their dogs purely because of how they look—and this is a recipe for disaster. First-time dog owners do not want to make this mistake. Deciding the best dog breed for you is both fun and very important.

Many different dog breeds have shared characteristics, and this can influence how well they fit into your family. A little research (and a little fun) can go a long way when deciding what pup is right for you. Curious about how to choose the best dog breed for your lifestyle? Read on until you find the perfect match!

Comfort Dogs

Comfort dogs is a title that is generally given to emotional support dogs. These dogs are adept at providing comfort to their humans. For this reason, many people with additional needs or that just want more support for their mental health rely on these dogs. Technically, most dogs can be emotional support dogs, but some dogs are a little bit better at the job than others. These positive traits can really be emphasized with proper training. Almost any dogs can be one of the best emotional support dogs for anxiety with training.

We are all unique, and our brains all work in different ways. Whether you are prone to nervousness and anxiety or are familiar with having bouts of depression, a comfort dog can be a game-changing difference for your mental health. In fact, comfort dogs are being used to greet Uvalde students in their return to school.

Traits of Comfort Dogs

The best comfort dogs are generally smart, emotionally aware, and…well, comforting. Your dog should be intelligent enough to be easily trained (and possibly trained in a special way), but their skills go well beyond that. The best emotional support dogs are dogs that are comforting. This might mean being highly affectionate when you’re upset or cuddly to help calm you down. An effective one will be able to register when you are having problems—but this does often take training.

Examples of Comfort Dogs

Almost any dog can be a comfort dog. However, these breeds are commonly chosen because they work well for this purpose.

• Golden Retrievers
• Corgis
• Poodles
• German Shepherds
• Pugs
• Shih Tzus
• Pomeranians

Lifestyle (Super Chill) Dogs

There are about a million different reasons why you might prefer a low-maintenance dog to suit your lifestyle. If you are a busy person, a lifestyle-type dog might help you without causing too much extra work. If you have a disability and you don’t always know how many spoons you’re going to have in a day, a lifestyle dog can help you to enjoy being a pet parent without too much pressure. Even if you’re just really chill and just want a dog to hang out with, these dogs can be a great fit. This type of dog is all about keeping things simple.

Traits of Lifestyle Dogs

Low-maintenance dogs are dogs that go with the flow. They have low energy output generally and don’t mind just kicking back and relaxing. If their basic needs are met and they get plenty of love, they should be all too happy to spend time with you. These dogs should have a low prey drive, enjoy relaxing, and have low energy needs too. For bonus points, find a dog that also doesn’t shed.

Examples of Lifestyle Dogs

You want a dog that can just kick it and relax. We’ve got the list of breeds for you.

• Dachshunds
• Greyhounds
• Basset Hounds
• Bulldogs
• Boston Terriers
• Chihuahuas
• Doberman Pinschers
• Pugs

Cuddle Bug Dogs

For some people, cuddling is a lifestyle—and you need the perfect dog breed to match. Cuddly pups are pups that really enjoy settling in and snuggling up next to you. Perfect for watching movies and just plain chilling, these dogs are always ready to share their space with you.

Traits of Cuddle Bug Dogs

A good cuddly dog is a dog that enjoys being close to people and generally doesn’t mind being handled. A lot of cuddly breeds are small enough to snuggle right up with you—but don’t assume that a giant dog won’t cuddle too. Cuddly dogs come in all shapes and sizes. Their one shared trait? They’re always down to snuggle.

Examples of Cuddle Bug Dogs

You’re looking for a pup to snuggle with at the end of a long day. You might be surprised by how many dogs are known to give tons of love!

• Golden Retrievers
• Pugs
• Great Danes
• Dachshunds
• Pit Bulls
• Rottweilers
• Newfoundlands
• Malteses
• Whippets
• Boston Terriers
• Shih Tzus

Active Adventurer Dogs

Are you the kind of person who is always on the move? Athletic folks are a breed all their own, and it can really help them to have an appropriately athletic canine companion. The truth is that not all dogs are active or like to get a lot of exercise. If you’re always hiking, walking, running, and swimming, you need a dog that can match that energy.

Traits of Active Adventurer Dogs

Dogs that will suit an active lifestyle are generally dogs that are physically built to exert that level of energy. You want a dog that knows how to move and loves doing it. High-energy dogs or dogs that just have great endurance are a good fit for active people—especially if you love being outdoors. You want a dog that can safely keep up with you and is always down to go for a walk.

Examples of Active Adventurer Dogs

You need a dog that knows how to hustle and is always ready to meet your next big goal. These dogs don’t know when to quit.

• Boxers
• Greyhounds
• German Shepherds
• Labrador Retrievers
• Poodles
• Huskies
• Jack Russell Terriers
• Border Collies

Protective Dogs

The world is a beautiful place, but sometimes it can be scary. A lot of people look for dogs that are protective. Now, it is important to understand that having a true protector for a dog generally takes a substantial amount of professional training. However, there are some breeds that take to this training better than others. If you are constantly backpacking alone, live in a questionable neighborhood, or have kids and a lot of local wildlife, you might need a protector in the home.

Traits of Protective Dogs

Protective dogs are dogs that will respond to duress and protect you when you need them to. These dogs are intimidating, have a loud bark, and are highly alert. These traits can come from certain breeds, but again, if you want a guard dog in your home, you need to pay for proper training. Otherwise, you might see your big, intimidating dog sprinting away because a cat looked at them for too long.

Examples of Protective Dogs

What dogs make the toughest, roughest, and best protectors on the block? Let’s find out.

• German Shepherds
• Dobermans
• Mastiffs
• Rottweilers
• Cane Corsos
• Belgian Malinois
• Boxers

Traveler Dogs

There are countless stunning destinations around the globe, and for some, the desire to explore them all is irresistible. Traveling is quite a bit easier than it was even a hundred years ago. Due to this change, it is normal for people to build their lifestyles around traveling. If you’re the kind of person who is always planning your next trip and you want a dog that can go with you on these adventures, you need a pup that has a traveler’s spirit.

Traits of Traveler Dogs

Dogs that travel well can vary depending on what kind of traveling you do. If you are constantly hopping on planes, there is a very likely chance that a small dog will work well for you because they can ride with you on a plane. However, if you’re all about that RV lifestyle, you probably want a dog that is calm but still enjoys a good adventure or hike every day. These dogs should be excited to travel and not terribly nervous or destructive.

Examples of Traveler Dogs

You’re always planning your next big trip, and you have a ticket for your dog. What breed fits the lifestyle?

• Dachshunds
• Yorkshire Terriers
• Labrador Retrievers
• Malteses
• Chihuahuas
• Poodles
• Jack Russell Terriers
• Bichon Frises
• Border Collies

Probably Won’t-Eat-Your-Children Dogs

Do you have kids at home or nieces and nephews that are always dropping by? Chances are that you need a dog that is child-friendly. Now, as is always the case, dogs of all breeds can be great with kids. However, some dog breeds are known to be extra nurturing, loving, and understanding when it comes to kiddos.

Traits of These Dogs

A dog that is good with kids is a dog that is open to the chaos that all children can bring. These dogs won’t snap if tiny hands are tugging on them or get aggressive when a little one lets out a howling shriek. They are patient, adaptive, durable, and incredibly loving. Bonus points if you find a dog that is also likely to protect your little one if someone or something tries to harm them.

Examples of These Dogs

You’ve got some kiddos filling up your space and you need a dog that is cool with it. Check these out.

• Pugs
• Poodles
• Labrador Retrievers
• Border Collies
• Beagles
• Bulldogs
• Golden Retrievers

Dramatic AF Dogs

Are you a messy bench who loves drama? Good news—you can find an equally dramatic canine companion. While some dogs are chill and just want to hang out, others are known to constantly find themselves in the spotlight. Whether you are looking for some comic relief or just want a new co-star for your TikTok, some dogs are in it for the drama.

Traits of Dramatic AF Dogs

Dramatic dogs are dogs that are known to make a scene. We’re talking the hysterical, nervous, loud, and silly dogs of the world. Whether it is acting like they got shot with a cannonball because you barely grazed them while walking by or hysterically howling because they must take a bath, dramatic dogs are always putting on a full performance.

Examples of Dramatic AF Dogs

Are you looking for a dog that is more extra than Alexander Hamilton in a courtroom? Try these dogs on for size.

• Huskies
• Basset Hounds
• Pugs
• Beagles
• Chihuahuas
• Dachshunds
• German Shepherds
• Pomeranians

The Takeaway

Finding a dog that suits your lifestyle is one way to make sure that you and your pup get along and can share a ton of happy memories together. Whether you want a dog to protect the house or one that never stops talking, there truly is a type of dog out there for everyone. Just remember that dogs are more than just their breeds—they’ve got personalities too!

Until next time, thank you for reading!