There are so many breeds of dogs available - how do you go about choosing the breed that is right for you? This is something that you need to think about before getting a dog for your family, or you might be surprised with a dog whose temperament just does not work with yours!

How much time will you have to exercise and play with your dog? Do you live in a small apartment? Are there size restrictions on dogs allowed in your rental? Do you have small children? Do you want a laid-back dog, or a bouncy, energetic one?

After you have thought about the qualities that you would like in a dog, it’s time to do some research on the dog breeds that might be best for you. The American Kennel Club’s website has a directory of dog breeds, and they are classified by group. The site describes the general characteristics of the group, as well as information about each breed.

Here is their description of the Toy Group:

The diminutive size and winsome expressions of Toy dogs illustrate the main function of this Group: to embody sheer delight. Don’t let their tiny stature fool you, though - - many Toys are tough as nails. If you haven’t yet experienced the barking of an angry Chihuahua, for example, well, just wait. Toy dogs will always be popular with city dwellers and people without much living space. They make ideal apartment dogs and terrific lap warmers on nippy nights. (Incidentally, small breeds may be found in every Group, not just the Toy Group. We advise everyone to seriously consider getting a small breed, when appropriate, if for no other reason than to minimize some of the problems inherent in canines such as shedding, creating messes and cost of care. And training aside, it’s still easier to control a ten-pound dog than it is one ten times that size.)

And here are the links for all the groups:

Sporting Group

Some of the breeds in this group are Cocker Spaniel, English Setter, Golden Retriever, and Pointer.

Hound Group

Hound breeds include Beagle, Bloodhound, Dachshund, Borzoi, and Whippet.

Working Group

The Working Group is a diverse group including Alaskan Malamute, Saint Bernard, Samoyed, Rottweiler, and Boxer.

Terrier Group

Terriers include Wire Fox Terrier, Skye Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Irish Terrier, and Airedale Terrier.

Toy Group

Chihuahua, English Toy Spaniel, Maltese, Papillon, and Shih Tzu are all examples of the Toy Group.

Non-Sporting Group

The Non-Sporting Group includes Bichon Frise, Bulldog, Lhasa Apso, Poodle, and American Eskimo Dog.

Herding Group

Collie, Australian Shepherd, Shetland Sheepdog, German Shepherd Dog, and Bouvier des Flandres are some members of the Herding Group.

Miscellaneous Class

Beauceron, Plott, Redbone Coonhound, and Tibetan Mastiff are in the Miscellaneous Class.

So, do your research, and find yourself a wonderful match!

For More Information

For more information on choosing the right dog breed for your family, see Choosing the Best Dog for Your Child.

More Dog Articles:

• Find the Right Dog Quiz
• What Dog Breed Is Right For My Family?
• Finding Your Dog
• Do Dogs Choose Their Owners?
• Agility Dog Training and Equipment