The Best Dog Breeds

For well, everything!

We’ve shortlisted the best dog breeds for running, cuddling, active owners, apartments, cats, therapy work, endless adoration, and a whole lot more! We asked Gina DiNardo, American Kennel Club Executive Secretary and expert on all things breed related, for the low down on which breeds are the best fit for a whole array of activities and situations. Read on to find out which dog breeds are the best match for all manner of things!

#1 Running:

Dalmatians are strong, active, and athletic. Known for their endurance, speed, and intelligence, this breed has great stamina and can keep up with a fast runner.

A high energy breed with a weather-resistant and water-repellent wiry coat, the German Wirehaired Pointer makes a great running partner who won’t mind the wind and rain.

The Vizsla is extremely athletic and thrives on hard exercise. Eager and graceful, their impressive stamina makes them ideal jogging companions.

Originally bred to hunt lions in Africa, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is a strong, muscular, and active dog capable of great endurance at a fair speed. Their natural gait and internal engine makes them the perfect companion for medium length jogs.

Known for their speed and power, Whippets are capable of running at speeds up to 35 mph. Originally used for racing, they need daily exercise and are great for sprinters who want to try to keep with the pace of their dog.

#2 Apartments:

A Bichon Frise’s confidence and size make them ideal city dogs. They function well in confined spaces and a walk in the neighbourhood is usually enough exercise to make them happy.

The Bulldog is a medium-sized, quiet dog with a moderate level of energy. Regular activity is necessary and beneficial, but the breed has a low tolerance for exercise in hot and humid weather.

The Greyhound is a couch potato at heart. Though this breed does enjoy a good run, they are happy in general with a few daily walks.

Their adaptable nature, social skills, and strong but sturdy bodies make the Havanese an ideal city dog, but they are content to be anywhere that they can command the attention of admirers young and old alike.

Boston Terriers have a gentle disposition. They are easy to train, people-oriented, and sturdy but portable. They need moderate exercise and require little grooming.

#3 Active Owners:

Siberian Huskies are powerfully built dogs with lively spirits and are always ready for adventure at any time. A true endurance breed, Siberians make an excellent choice for those looking for a dog that will keep them entertained on long hikes.

The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, adventurous breed that is always ready to go. Originally used as herding dogs, Australian Shepherds make excellent hiking partners, as they are very athletic, friendly, and well suited for long hours of strenuous activity.

Due to their innate power and drive as a hunting dog, Vizslas have maintained their need for exercise and a love of the outdoors. Vizslas are energetic and athletic dogs, very friendly and affectionate, and always ready to go.

German Shorthaired Pointers enjoy long hours of strenuous activity in various climates, making them suitable for long hikes and adventures. They are social and willing to please, eager to work with their owners, and make new friends.

The Weimaraner is a hunting dog that was bred to work long hours outdoors, which it still enjoys today. Weimaraners are loyal, affectionate, and fun-loving dogs that make excellent hiking partners. Built for speed and stamina, they do well on short and long excursions.

#4 Cuddling:

Skye Terriers enjoy daily interaction with their family. They love to cuddle and expect it.

English Toy Spaniels are generally quiet, affectionate, easygoing dogs. They particularly enjoy cuddling on laps and snuggling into soft pillows.

Known as the “gentle giant,” the Great Dane likes to be cuddled all the time and will nudge you with their big head to get your attention.

Mastiffs will try to be a lap dog, despite their size. They are especially affectionate towards children even though they can unintentionally knock them over.

Bichon Frise are the happiest when you cuddle and give them attention. They are extremely attached to their humans and don’t like to be separated from them.

Greyhounds are very affectionate with their humans and are well-mannered quiet house dogs. They love to cuddle, and their favourite spot to be cuddled, is their belly.

#5 Protection:

Doberman Pinschers are vigilant, courageous, and relentless. They are also supremely trustworthy, loyal, and protective of their people—they need to be part of the family.

German Shepherd Dogs are poised, confident, self-assured dogs with a protective nature. They make excellent watchdogs and are typically reserved with strangers.

Bullmastiffs have excellent instincts and a fiercely protective nature. The Bullmastiff is an ideal family watchdog because they rarely bark, but will attack if they sense that their owners are in danger.

Rottweilers have strong protective and territorial instincts, which make them excellent watchdogs. Owners must train and guide these protective instincts in a positive manner, so as to avoid these dogs becoming bossy and domineering.

Akitas are quiet, fastidious dogs. Wary of strangers and often intolerant of other animals, Akitas will gladly share their silly, affectionate side with family and friends. The large, independent-thinking Akita is hardwired for protecting those they love.

#6 Endless Adoration/Most Loyal:

Great Pyrenees are one of the most loyal breeds. They are fiercely protective, whether it’s with livestock or humans.

The Shetland Sheepdog, often referred to as a “personal shadow,” lives 100 percent for its owners.

Akitas are intelligent and strong-willed, but will do anything to protect their family.

Collies are known for being very loyal, but without the reserved nature. However, this dog will be your “personal shadow” as well.

The Brittany is an energetic breed that will follow their owner for miles without straying. Their devotion makes them easy to train for any sport.

#7 Take Everywhere/Travelling:

Chihuahuas are the perfect travelling companion because they don’t take up much space, don’t eat a lot of food, and fit under the seat on an airplane. They’re tolerant of handling and adoring strangers.

The Yorkshire Terrier’s loyal nature makes them easy to travel with, since they like sticking with their owners. They are small and easy to transport so they’ll do well on a flight or in a car.

Pomeranians seem right at home in a purse or a stroller.

French Bulldogs are ready to take on anything. They have a spunky personality and adjust to new situations.

Bichon Frises are a happy-go-lucky breed that easily adjusts to new surroundings, making them great traveling companions.

#8 Canine Sports:

A Papillon’s small stature may fool you but they’re great agility competitors. Papillons can be very fast and are great jumpers for their height.

Border Collies seem to be created with the sport of agility in mind. They are outrageously smart, driven, and quickly agile.

American Staffordshire Terriers are strong, athletic, active dogs who love to have a job to do. They are highly trainable and appreciate both physical and mental challenges.

Shetland Sheepdogs are full of monster-crazy energy but can also be calm, shy, and introverted. Their eagerness to work, innate intelligence, speed, and spunk are the reason they dominate agility tournaments.

Poodles are originally water retrievers, so their athletic background comes naturally to them. The public associates poodles as fluffy show dogs, but their brilliance and athleticism make them dominant in obedience and agility trials.

#9 Service Dogs:

Labrador Retrievers are well-suited for so many different purposes including working as guide dogs, members of search and rescue teams, and narcotics detection. This makes them a very popular breed for service work.

Golden Retrievers are equally well-suited for different purposes. Golden retrievers are also hardworking and very good at retrieving objects, which make them suitable for working with those with disabilities.

Collies have been known to detect seizures in advance. They are excellent psychiatric service animals for conditions like anxiety and PTSD.

German Shepherd Dogs were bred to be versatile, trainable, willing workers. They have a great ability to ignore distractions and focus on work, which make them suitable for service work. They have been trained to perform an incredible range of jobs.

Pomeranians have a special talent as medical alert dogs to detect diabetes, asthma attacks, and heart attacks. They are also particularly good as hearing dogs for the deaf.

#10 Emotional Support:

Golden Retrievers are known for being energetic, loving, and comforting. Extremely loyal, they know how to bond with their owners. For any therapy dog, this factor is crucial since you can rest assured that your dog will always be by your side.

Labrador Retrievers love companionship and are very loyal, eager to please, and super trainable. They love to get outside and be active, which encourages their owners to do the same.

Poodles love being around their owners. They are also born performers, super social, great with kids and are excellent at adapting to their surroundings.

Yorkshire Terriers are naturally intelligent and can pick up cues related to your feelings. They also have great personalities and can cheer humans up when they are feeling depressed.