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DOG BREEDS GUIDE

There are hundreds of different dog breeds and crosses, each with their own characteristics, needs and personalities.

This guide introduces some of the dogs you may come across and gives you a quick snapshot of what life with them can involve.

Click or tap a card to turn it over and discover a little more.

Individual dogs can vary, and a breed or cross alone can never tell you everything about the dog in front of you.

PEDIGREE BREEDS

LABRADOR RETRIEVERTap or press Enter to flipLABRADOR RETRIEVERSizeLargeExerciseMore than 2 hours per dayGroomingOnce a weekPersonalityFriendly • Outgoing • EagerGood to knowVersatile, sociable dogs that generally enjoy activity, training and being involved with their family.Tap or press Enter to flip back

COCKER SPANIELTap or press Enter to flipCOCKER SPANIELSizeSmallExerciseUp to 1 hour per dayGroomingEvery dayPersonalityMerry • Affectionate • BusyGood to knowWorking-bred and show-bred Cockers can differ considerably in their drive and energy levels.Tap or press Enter to flip back

GOLDEN RETRIEVERTap or press Enter to flipGOLDEN RETRIEVERSizeLargeExerciseMore than 2 hours per dayGroomingMore than once a weekPersonalityFriendly • Gentle • BiddableGood to knowUsually happiest with plenty of companionship, activity and opportunities to use their retrieving instincts.Tap or press Enter to flip back

FRENCH BULLDOGTap or press Enter to flipFRENCH BULLDOGSizeSmallExerciseUp to 1 hour per dayGroomingOnce a weekPersonalitySociable • Playful • AffectionateGood to knowTheir flat-faced conformation can affect breathing and heat tolerance, so extra care is important in warm weather.Tap or press Enter to flip back

DACHSHUNDTap or press Enter to flipDACHSHUNDSizeMediumExerciseUp to 1 hour per dayGroomingCoat dependentPersonalityLively • Curious • IndependentGood to knowTheir distinctive long-backed shape means protecting spinal health is particularly important.Tap or press Enter to flip back

MINIATURE DACHSHUNDTap or press Enter to flipMINIATURE DACHSHUNDSizeSmallExerciseUp to 1 hour per dayGroomingCoat dependentPersonalityBold • Lively • DevotedGood to knowSmall in stature but still very much a hound, with the same long-backed body shape requiring sensible care.Tap or press Enter to flip back

PUGTap or press Enter to flipPUGSizeSmallExerciseUp to 1 hour per dayGroomingOnce a weekPersonalityAffectionate • Sociable • PlayfulGood to knowTheir flat-faced conformation means breathing and heat tolerance need particular consideration.Tap or press Enter to flip back

BORDER COLLIETap or press Enter to flipBORDER COLLIESizeMediumExerciseMore than 2 hours per dayGroomingMore than once a weekPersonalityIntelligent • Alert • DrivenGood to knowMental stimulation and opportunities to use that working brain matter just as much as physical exercise.Tap or press Enter to flip back

GERMAN SHEPHERD DOGTap or press Enter to flipGERMAN SHEPHERD DOGSizeLargeExerciseMore than 2 hours per dayGroomingMore than once a weekPersonalityIntelligent • Loyal • AlertGood to knowEarly socialisation, thoughtful training and appropriate outlets for their working instincts are important.Tap or press Enter to flip back

STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIERTap or press Enter to flipSTAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIERSizeMediumExerciseActiveGroomingLowPersonalityAffectionate • Bold • EnergeticGood to knowStrong, enthusiastic dogs that benefit from consistent training.Tap or press Enter to flip back

ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIELTap or press Enter to flipENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIELSizeMediumExerciseMore than 2 hours per dayGroomingMore than once a weekPersonalityCheerful • Energetic • AffectionateGood to knowTheir working heritage means many Springers thrive when they have plenty of physical activity and things to do.Tap or press Enter to flip back

BEAGLETap or press Enter to flipBEAGLESizeSmallExerciseUp to 1 hour per dayGroomingOnce a weekPersonalityMerry • Curious • SociableGood to knowA powerful nose can become considerably more interesting than you are.Tap or press Enter to flip back

WHIPPETTap or press Enter to flipWHIPPETSizeMediumExerciseModerateGroomingLowPersonalityGentle • Affectionate • CalmGood to knowBuilt for speed, but many are surprisingly relaxed around the house.Tap or press Enter to flip back

GREYHOUNDTap or press Enter to flipGREYHOUNDSizeLargeExerciseModerateGroomingLowPersonalityGentle • Sensitive • CalmGood to knowTheir athletic appearance doesn’t necessarily mean endless exercise.Tap or press Enter to flip back

JACK RUSSELL TERRIERTap or press Enter to flipJACK RUSSELL TERRIERSizeSmallExerciseActiveGroomingLowPersonalityBold • Clever • LivelyGood to knowLots of terrier personality and energy packed into a little body.Tap or press Enter to flip back

BORDER TERRIERTap or press Enter to flipBORDER TERRIERSizeSmallExerciseActiveGroomingRegularPersonalityPlucky • Affectionate • BusyGood to knowFriendly little dogs that still retain strong terrier instincts.Tap or press Enter to flip back

WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIERTap or press Enter to flipWEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIERSizeSmallExerciseModerateGroomingRegularPersonalityConfident • Lively • IndependentGood to knowCute appearance, proper terrier underneath.Tap or press Enter to flip back

CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIELTap or press Enter to flipCAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIELSizeSmallExerciseModerateGroomingRegularPersonalityGentle • Affectionate • SociableGood to knowHealth testing is especially important when choosing a puppy.Tap or press Enter to flip back

CHIHUAHUATap or press Enter to flipCHIHUAHUASizeSmallExerciseModerateGroomingLow–RegularPersonalityAlert • Lively • DevotedGood to knowTiny size doesn’t mean tiny personality or no need for training.Tap or press Enter to flip back

SHIH TZUTap or press Enter to flipSHIH TZUSizeSmallExerciseModerateGroomingDailyPersonalityFriendly • Affectionate • ConfidentGood to knowThat long coat brings a significant grooming commitment.Tap or press Enter to flip back

BICHON FRISÉTap or press Enter to flipBICHON FRISÉSizeSmallExerciseModerateGroomingHighPersonalityCheerful • Sociable • AffectionateGood to knowTheir coat needs considerably more maintenance than its low shedding might suggest.Tap or press Enter to flip back

POMERANIANTap or press Enter to flipPOMERANIANSizeSmallExerciseUp to 30 minGroomingRegularPersonalityExtrovert • Lively • AlertGood to knowTiny companion dog with a surprisingly big character.Tap or press Enter to flip back

MALTESETap or press Enter to flipMALTESESizeSmallExerciseModerateGroomingDailyPersonalityAffectionate • Lively • GentleGood to knowTheir long coat requires consistent care.Tap or press Enter to flip back

YORKSHIRE TERRIERTap or press Enter to flipYORKSHIRE TERRIERSizeSmallExerciseModerateGroomingDailyPersonalityBold • Alert • AffectionateGood to knowDon’t let the handbag-sized body make you forget they’re terriers.Tap or press Enter to flip back

MINIATURE SCHNAUZERTap or press Enter to flipMINIATURE SCHNAUZERSizeSmallExerciseActiveGroomingRegularPersonalityAlert • Spirited • IntelligentGood to knowTheir distinctive coat needs ongoing grooming and trimming.Tap or press Enter to flip back

BOXERTap or press Enter to flipBOXERSizeLargeExerciseActiveGroomingLowPersonalityPlayful • Energetic • LoyalGood to knowOften exuberant and slow to realise that they are no longer puppies.Tap or press Enter to flip back

ROTTWEILERTap or press Enter to flipROTTWEILERSizeLargeExerciseActiveGroomingLowPersonalityLoyal • Confident • IntelligentGood to knowTheir size and strength make thoughtful training especially important.Tap or press Enter to flip back

DOBERMANNTap or press Enter to flipDOBERMANNSizeLargeExerciseVery activeGroomingLowPersonalityIntelligent • Alert • LoyalGood to knowAthletic dogs that tend to thrive on training and involvement with their people.Tap or press Enter to flip back

GREAT DANETap or press Enter to flipGREAT DANESizeExtra largeExerciseModerateGroomingLowPersonalityFriendly • Gentle • DependableGood to knowThe practical realities of an enormous dog include space, transport and cost.Tap or press Enter to flip back

BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOGTap or press Enter to flipBERNESE MOUNTAIN DOGSizeLargeExerciseModerateGroomingRegularPersonalityGentle • Affectionate • Good-naturedGood to knowLarge size and heavy coat need consideration, especially in warm weather.Tap or press Enter to flip back

NEWFOUNDLANDTap or press Enter to flipNEWFOUNDLANDSizeExtra largeExerciseModerateGroomingRegularPersonalityGentle • Patient • DevotedGood to knowTheir enormous size and heavy coat mean space, grooming and warm weather all need consideration.Tap or press Enter to flip back

SIBERIAN HUSKYTap or press Enter to flipSIBERIAN HUSKYSizeMediumExerciseVery activeGroomingRegularPersonalityFriendly • Energetic • IndependentGood to knowBred for endurance, they need plenty of activity and can have a strong desire to run.Tap or press Enter to flip back

ALASKAN MALAMUTETap or press Enter to flipALASKAN MALAMUTESizeLargeExerciseVery activeGroomingRegularPersonalityAffectionate • Strong • IndependentGood to knowPowerful working dogs whose strength, thick coat and exercise needs require serious consideration.Tap or press Enter to flip back

DALMATIANTap or press Enter to flipDALMATIANSizeLargeExerciseVery activeGroomingLowPersonalityEnergetic • Outgoing • IntelligentGood to knowAn athletic breed that generally needs plenty of exercise and involvement with family life.Tap or press Enter to flip back

BULLDOGTap or press Enter to flipBULLDOGSizeMediumExerciseModerateGroomingLowPersonalityCalm • Affectionate • CourageousGood to knowTheir flat-faced build can affect breathing and heat tolerance, so warm weather requires particular care.Tap or press Enter to flip back

STANDARD POODLETap or press Enter to flipSTANDARD POODLESizeLargeExerciseActiveGroomingHighPersonalityIntelligent • Active • Good-naturedGood to knowHighly trainable dogs, but their continuously growing coat brings a substantial grooming commitment.Tap or press Enter to flip back

MINIATURE POODLETap or press Enter to flipMINIATURE POODLESizeMediumExerciseActiveGroomingHighPersonalityIntelligent • Lively • SociableGood to knowSmaller than the Standard but still an active, clever dog that needs regular coat care.Tap or press Enter to flip back

TOY POODLETap or press Enter to flipTOY POODLESizeSmallExerciseModerateGroomingHighPersonalityIntelligent • Lively • AffectionateGood to knowTiny stature doesn’t remove the Poodle’s need for mental stimulation, training and regular grooming.Tap or press Enter to flip back

VIZSLATap or press Enter to flipVIZSLASizeLargeExerciseVery activeGroomingLowPersonalityAffectionate • Energetic • SensitiveGood to knowOften very people-oriented and best suited to homes able to provide plenty of activity and companionship.Tap or press Enter to flip back

SHIBA INUTap or press Enter to flipSHIBA INUSizeSmallExerciseActiveGroomingRegularPersonalityAlert • Independent • ConfidentGood to knowIndependent by nature, so training and reliable recall may require patience and consistency.Tap or press Enter to flip back

POPULAR CROSSBREEDS

COCKAPOOCocker Spaniel × PoodleTap or press Enter to flipCOCKAPOOSizeSmall–MediumExerciseActiveGroomingRegular–HighPersonalityFriendly • Lively • AffectionateGood to knowCoat, size and temperament can vary because Cockapoos inherit different traits from each parent.Tap or press Enter to flip back

CAVAPOOCavalier King Charles Spaniel × PoodleTap or press Enter to flipCAVAPOOSizeSmallExerciseModerate–ActiveGroomingRegular–HighPersonalityAffectionate • Friendly • SociableGood to knowIndividual Cavapoos can vary in coat, appearance and temperament depending on what they inherit from each parent.Tap or press Enter to flip back

LABRADOODLELabrador Retriever × PoodleTap or press Enter to flipLABRADOODLESizeMedium–LargeExerciseActiveGroomingRegular–HighPersonalityFriendly • Intelligent • EnergeticGood to knowSize, coat and shedding can vary considerably, particularly across different generations of Labradoodle.Tap or press Enter to flip back

GOLDENDOODLEGolden Retriever × PoodleTap or press Enter to flipGOLDENDOODLESizeMedium–LargeExerciseActiveGroomingRegular–HighPersonalityFriendly • Sociable • EnergeticGood to knowTheir coat and adult size can vary considerably depending on their parents and generation.Tap or press Enter to flip back

MALTIPOOMaltese × PoodleTap or press Enter to flipMALTIPOOSizeSmallExerciseModerateGroomingRegular–HighPersonalityAffectionate • Lively • SociableGood to knowTheir soft or curly coat can require more grooming than their small size might suggest.Tap or press Enter to flip back

YORKIPOOYorkshire Terrier × PoodleTap or press Enter to flipYORKIPOOSizeSmallExerciseModerate–ActiveGroomingRegular–HighPersonalityLively • Clever • AffectionateGood to knowIndividual dogs may inherit quite different combinations of Poodle and Yorkshire Terrier traits.Tap or press Enter to flip back

POOCHONBichon Frisé × PoodleTap or press Enter to flipPOOCHONSizeSmallExerciseModerateGroomingRegular–HighPersonalityCheerful • Affectionate • SociableGood to knowTheir coat usually needs regular attention, and coat type can vary between individual dogs.Tap or press Enter to flip back

CHORKIEChihuahua × Yorkshire TerrierTap or press Enter to flipCHORKIESizeSmallExerciseModerateGroomingLow–RegularPersonalityLively • Alert • AffectionateGood to knowSmall size does not necessarily mean a quiet personality, and individual Chorkies can vary considerably.Tap or press Enter to flip back

JACKAPOOJack Russell Terrier × PoodleTap or press Enter to flipJACKAPOOSizeSmall–MediumExerciseActiveGroomingRegularPersonalityClever • Lively • EnergeticGood to knowOften an energetic combination, but coat, temperament and exercise needs can vary between individuals.Tap or press Enter to flip back

Jug, a Pug and Jack Russell Terrier cross

JUGPug × Jack Russell TerrierTap or press Enter to flip JUGSizeSmallExerciseModerate–ActiveGroomingLow–RegularPersonalityLively • Affectionate • CharacterfulGood to knowIndividual Jugs can vary. A shorter muzzle may bring some of the Pug’s breathing and heat considerations. Tap or press Enter to flip back

A breed can give you useful clues, but every dog is an individual.

Before bringing a dog home, look beyond appearance and consider their exercise, training, grooming, health, companionship and everyday care needs too.

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