If you are too specific in your selection criteria you may end up with no matches. To avoid the "no match" situation, you may check more than one box for a category, for example both "toy" and "small" for the Size category. You may also skip a category entirely if it is not of critical importance to you. Not checking any selection is the equivalent of checking all the selections and that particular category will not disqualify any breeds from your results.
Please note that if you want, for example, either a "low barker" or a "not a barker," you will have to check both entries. If you only select "low barker" you will be eliminating from consideration all of the "not a barker" breeds. You might want to start out by checking as many selections within the categories that matter as possible, in order to get as many breed results as might work for you, and then go to the breed pages to learn more about those breeds.
For your convinienve we have included a breed key table below which gives our definitions for the various options.
| Size | |
Toy | anything within the AKC- toy group or 12 pounds or under full-grown |
Small | between 10 and 25 pounds full- grown |
Medium | between 25 and 45 pounds full-grown |
Large | between 45 and 90 pounds full-grown |
Giant | 90 pounds and up full-grown |
|
Shedding | |
Non-Shedding | these breeds have hair instead of fur. They are considered the best choice for those who have allergies or do not want fur around the house |
Low Shedding | these breeds shed less than most other dogs but are not considered hypoallergenic |
Average Shedding | these breeds are normal shedding. They are neither high nor low shedding |
High Shedding | owners of these breeds must be prepared for fur around the house |
Seasonal Shedding | these breeds shed, but only seasonally. During shedding season, it is usually considered “high-shedding” |
|
*Hypoallergenic does not mean people cannot be allergic to these breeds. All dogs have dander and saliva that may be a source of an individual’s allergies. “None or light” shedders will still lose hair similar to how people lose hair |
|
Training | |
Not Easy | All dogs are trainable, yet more time and persistence has to be spent with these breeds |
Normal | These breeds are easily train with a diligent trainer and thrive with the attention training provides a pet |
Easy | These breeds train easily |
|
Barking | |
Vocal | These breeds tend to bark. Often the breed was bred for something that required use of vocals. Usually these breeds make good watch dogs |
Average Barking | These breeds tend to bark when they hear an unfamiliar noise or become excited |
Low Barking | These breeds are not known for barking |
|
Children | |
Not Recommended | Not considered a good choice for children |
Older | Good with older or considerate children that will treat the animal with respect |
Young Exposure | Good with children when raised with them since puppyhood |
Good | Good family pets for all ages |
|
Other Pets | |
Not Recommended | Not considered a good choice for homes with other pets |
Young Exposure | Usually good with other pets as long as they are introduced to them during puppyhood |
Good | Usually good with other pets |
|
Exercise | |
Minimal | These breeds do not require much exercise. They tend to be small in size and do well in apartments |
Moderate | Okay with short walks and room to move around the house. These breeds tend to be smaller in size and okay with apartment living providing the pet is given enough exercise |
Regular | Most breeds need regular exercise. Multiple daily walks will be sufficient in most cases |
Heavy | Regular and heavy exercise are needed for these breeds. A fenced in yard is a must |