Dog Breeds Suitable for Home

The decision to share your life and home with a dog should be made carefully, considering several important factors, including asking yourself if you are ready to commit time, effort, and money in meeting your pet’s needs every day for the rest of his lifetime.

When choosing the best dog for you and your family, you have to think about how much you can invest in your pet’s training, feeding, playtime, visits to the vet, grooming, and general health upkeep. The dog’s size, activity level, and common health issues are also important factors that you’ll need to take in mind.

Dog breeds possess distinct traits because they were developed for a specific purpose. Any canine breed can make a great house dog, but the one that you would choose would have to be based on several factors– your living conditions, lifestyle, family situation, etc. If you are out most of the day, you should know which dog breeds can be left alone without suffering from separation anxiety. If you or any member of the family is prone to allergies, you should also know which dog breeds shed the least.

Here’s a list of some of the most popular breeds that would make good house dogs.

Labrador Retriever

The world’s most popular dog tops the list. Labs are among the most intelligent and loyal canine breeds around. They get along well with children which makes them excellent family dogs.

Beagle

These lively and adorable dogs are low-maintenance and would make great house dogs. A beagle is an excellent option if you’re looking for a dog that won’t grow too big and could easily fit into an apartment or flat.

German Shepherd

The second most popular breed in the world is known for being loyal and protective of the pack. Though they may be cautious around strangers, they are great with kids and could co-exist with other pets in a multi-pet household.

Boxer

The friendly and energetic boxer is among the top favorites of families with kids. They are low maintenance and their grooming needs are quite minimal. They are, however, prone to certain hereditary issues, so their health should be closely monitored.

Dachshund

The multi-talented dachshunds make good dogs for homes but they’re not as friendly with kids. They could also display aggressive behaviors at times. Dachshunds are not recommended as first-time pets for new owners.

Siberian Husky

Siberian huskies are tough and energetic having originated in the Siberian Arctic to work as sled dogs hauling heavy cargo across unforgiving environmental conditions. If you have kids, a Siberian Husky is not the best breed for you unless both your kid and the puppy are raised together. Also, these smart dogs are heavy shedders, so you have also to consider this.

Great Dane

These gentle giants were originally developed to track and guard, activities that they excel in even today. They are loyal to the pack and are excellent with kids. But they are obviously large, so they will certainly need plenty of space to move and play around.

Miniature Schnauzer

These playful dogs are highly trainable and make outstanding pets for families with kids. But they will need lots of physical and mental stimulation to burn excess energy or they may get bored and develop undesirable behaviors. A miniature schnauzer won’t do well being left home alone for long periods of time during the day.

Shih Tzu

The friendly and affectionate Shih Tzu can be stubborn and has a strong independent streak, qualities that make them a challenge to train. They’re best for older children.

Pomeranian

Poms are very intelligent dogs which makes them highly trainable. However, their hair coat requires regular grooming. They can easily adapt to varied climates and are extremely great with kids.

Corgi

If you’re looking for a small dog who’s big on personality, you should get a Corgi. These dogs are extremely friendly and affectionate. Their energetic streak helps them keep up with kids.

Chihuahua

The independent Chihuahua is a popular family pet, but it can be a challenge to train. These teeny weeny dogs are intelligent but are not ideal for kids unless they grow up together. They can adapt to high environmental temperatures but is extremely vulnerable to the cold.

Mastiff

The mastiff possesses qualities that are found in excellent guard dogs — courageous, loyal, and extremely protective of the pack. Even with a large build, mastiffs are dog breeds for apartments as long as they are given lots of opportunities for regular exercise and physical activity. The breed can thrive well in cold weather but is prone to heat stress.

Cocker Spaniel

The lively cocker spaniel can thrive well in all sorts of weather but they will require regular exercise. Their playful and energetic personalities make them great pets for children.

Pug

Pugs may be loyal and intelligent but training them can be a challenge because of their independent streak. They can thrive in any living condition but they won’t be able to handle extreme heat. Pugs make excellent pets for kids.

Collie

Collies are your ‘quintessential dogs for kids’ because of the movie ‘Lassie’. They excel in various activities like herding, tracking, agility, and competitive obedience.

Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkies are affectionate but they’re not very good with small kids. But they do make ideal pets for families with older children.

Border Collie

The smart and very energetic Border Collie is not an ideal pet for families living in apartments. They’re more comfortable in large farms or a house with a spacious yard. With their high energy levels, they will require lots of exercises to burn off pent-up energy. Without adequate physical and mental stimulation, a Border Collie can easily become bored and get into mischief. These hyperactive dogs make excellent pets for kids.

Bichon Frise

Here’s one small breed oozing with energy. The Bichon Frise is very playful and excels in agility contests. They may be very smart but training them is not without some challenges. They are affectionate and would make excellent pets for kids.

Basenji

This barkless dog is an excellent option for condo or apartment living. They’re small and don’t usually get over 25 pounds in weight. But they will need lots of physical and mental stimulation, without which, they can become bored and prone to forming undesirable habits.

Boston Terrier

These small dogs are particularly energetic so they need their daily dose of exercise to stay fit and happy. These ‘gentlemen’ make affectionate and gentle pets for families.

Brussels Griffon

If you want a dog that loves to snuggle, look no further. The Brussels Griffon is the perfect dog for you. They are affectionate and can easily bond with their humans.

Bulldog

Notorious for being lazy, bulldogs make great apartment pets. All they need for exercise is a short walk around the block. They’re incredibly gentle and will make ideal pets for families with kids.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavs can get very attached to their humans and are always on the lookout for a chance to snuggle and enjoy a belly rub. They can be very hard to housetrain. But with plenty of positive reinforcement and a lot of physical and mental stimulation, they’ll be like any ideal dog breeds for flats.

Chinese Crested

A Chinese Crested is best for apartment dwelling as they can laze around for hours and is remarkably laid-back. They make great pets for owners who are unable to take their dogs on leash walks regularly.

French Bulldog (Frenchie)

French bulldogs make good apartment dogs because of their compact size and low activity level. They love to play and thrive with lots of human interaction. They don’t bark as much but if they sense a perceived threat to the pack, they won’t hesitate to bark endlessly to alert their owners. This trait makes them great watchdogs for families.

Japanese Chin

Japanese Chins can adapt to any situation. They are known for their ability to scale tall furniture, just like cats. Their low-exercise needs and their small size make them ideal pets for those living in small spaces like flats and condos. But their long hair coats will require brushing at least 2-3 times a week to keep them free from mats and tangles.

Lowchen

The gentle and playful Lowchen can easily get along with other pets, which makes them great for multi-pet households. They have low-exercise needs but they do need to have proper socialization.

Maltese

The Maltese breed has been a favorite companion dog for more than 2,000 years. They’re great for people who are prone to allergies because their lack of undercoat makes them poor shedders. But they don’t thrive well when left home alone while their humans work and can easily suffer from separation anxiety.

Miniature Pinscher

These confident and uber energetic tiny Dobermans are excellent for apartment living. Though they’re great as watchdogs, they may not click with small children. They are also very suspicious of strangers and won’t hesitate to bark and growl to show their mistrust.

Pekingese

The Pekingese has long been a favorite of the royal courts in China. Early training and socialization is a must. They do thrive when showered with affection. These small dogs are attention-seekers and will do best being the only pet in the household.

If you have kids or cats at home, here are some articles that might interest you!
1. Dog Breeds That Are Great With Kids

2. Dog Breeds That Are OK With Cats