Puppy Breeds & Temperaments - an overview
There are over 350 dog breeds worldwide. So if your looking to get a puppy, you´re spoilt for choice. Whether you already have a certain breed in mind, a favorite, or if you´re still indecisive, make sure to gather the most important infos on the breed, such as their typical traits and potential challenges. You need to know beforehand what needs your puppy will have, how much time and effort this will take, how to keep it healthy, what supplies you need to buy and how much a pup costs in terms of purchase as well as maintenance.
Our overview of breeds focuses on the 30 most common breeds of each size - small, medium and large - which we have compiled into 3 slide shows. Before you click through the photos and infos, there are some things to consider which relate to all breeds.
Here are some general facts:
The bigger the dog, the more space you need to have at home. Most bigger dogs will need a garden if you can´t take them on long walks (small dogs love gardens too, of course).
Every dog needs exercise, ideally through taking long walks every day.
Dogs are social and don´t like to be left alone. Ideally they can play with other dogs every once in a while.
You´ll need to be physically able to hold the adult dog when it pulls on its leash. You are responsible for keeping it under control.
Having a puppy and taking care of it requires a lot of time, patience and attention. Make sure you have that on your hand.
On average a pup costs $50 to $200 or more per month, excluding the costs for the vet.
Are crossbreds better than purebreds?
In a way yes, they are. Scientists have discovered that crossbreds are in general healthier than purebreds. They have a better immune system and thus get sick less often as well as suffer less frequently from health issues that are breed related. For instance, german shepards often develop hip dysplasia as they get older, due to their typical build. The cavalier king charles spaniel often has a too small skull and as a consequence can suffer from hydrocephalus, a brain condition that can lead to nausea, vomiting, hallucinations and seizures. The reason for these issues is that a lot of times these purebred dogs are overbred, meaning to have their typical appareance they end up developing them to an unhealthy extreme.
A benefit from buying a crossbreed is that they are usually a lot less expensive. You should, however, try to find out what breeds are mixed in the pup to understand how big it will become and to understand what needs and challenges you´ll face.
Click here to view the most common small puppy breeds
Click here to view the most common medium-sized puppy breeds
Click here to view the most common big puppy breeds
