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Dog Breed Selector
Considering getting a dog, but just can't decide which one best suits you? Get some help making this important decision with this personalized guide. It's simple: You provide us with some answers about your preferences, and in return we'll give you a list of dog breeds that are right for you.




APPEARANCE
1. SIZE: What size dog do you prefer? The amount of space and food that a dog needs is often proportionate to size. A one-bedroom apartment, for instance, is probably a less than ideal place to raise a Great Dane or St. Bernard. Although small dogs can be less expensive to care for, large ones can be great when you're in the mood for a little roughhousing or want a pet that will protect you.
2. COAT: Which of these coat characteristics do you prefer? The coat length and texture may determine how much time you'll be grooming your dog, as well as how much hair you'll be cleaning up.
(Texture) No preference Soft Bristly Silky
(Type) No preference Straight Wiry Curly/Corded
(Length) No preference Short Medium Long/Double coated
      

























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CARE & CONCERNS
3. GROOMING: What are your grooming preferences?
Easy, low-maintenance Neutral High-maintenance
Strongly Prefer Prefer No Preference Prefer Strongly Prefer

4. SHEDDING: Would you like a dog that does not shed or that sheds minimally? The more a dog sheds, the more you'll be picking up loose hair around the house. (Luckily, there are plenty of products to help you out; plus, regular grooming can make a big difference.)
No preference Yes Yes, strongly preferred

5. ALLERGIES: Would you like a dog rated as more easily tolerated by allergy sufferers?
No preference Yes Yes, strongly preferred

6. ACTIVITY LEVEL: What energy level is most appropriate for your lifestyle? Will your dog be a jogging partner or TV watching buddy?
Calm demeanor Neutral Higher activity level
Strongly Prefer Prefer No Preference Prefer Strongly Prefer
      
























Affenpinscher Afghan Hound Airedale Terrier Akita Alaskan Malamute American Eskimo Dog American Staffordshire Terrier American Water Spaniel Anatolian Shepherd Australian Cattle Dog Australian Shepherd Australian Terrier Basenji Basset Hound Beagle Bearded Collie Bedlington Terrier Belgian Malinois Belgian Sheepdog Belgian Tervuren Bernese Mountain Dog Bichon Frise Black and Tan Coonhound Bloodhound Border Collie Border Terrier Borzoi Boston Terrier Bouvier Des Flandres Boxer Briard Brittany Spaniel Brussels Griffon Bull Terrier Bulldog Bullmastiff Cairn Terrier Canaan Dog Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Chesapeake Bay Retriever Chihuahua Chinese Crested Chinese Shar-pei Chow Chow Clumber Spaniel Cocker Spaniel Collie Curly-Coated Retriever Dachshund Dalmatian Dandie Dinmont Terrier Doberman Pinscher English Cocker Spaniel English Setter English Springer Spaniel English Toy Spaniel Field Spaniel Finnish Spitz Flat-Coated Retriever Fox Terrier (Smooth) Fox Terrier (Wire) Foxhound (American) Foxhound (English) French Bulldog German Shepherd Dog German Shorthaired Pointer German Wirehaired Pointer Giant Schnauzer Golden Retriever Gordon Setter Great Dane Great Pyrenees Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Greyhound Harrier Havanese Ibizan Hound Irish Setter Irish Terrier Irish Water Spaniel Irish Wolfhound Italian Greyhound Italian Spinoni Jack Russell Terrier Japanese Chin Keeshond Kerry Blue Terrier Komondor Kuvasz Labrador Retriever Lakeland Terrier Lhasa Apso Lowchen Maltese Manchester Terrier (terrier) Manchester Terrier (toy) Mastiff Miniature Bull Terrier Miniature Pinscher Miniature Schnauzer Newfoundland Norfolk Terrier Norwegian Elkhound Norwich Terrier Old English Sheepdog Otterhound Papillon Pekingese Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Pharaoh Hound Plott Hound Pointer Pomeranian Poodle (standard) Poodle (toy) Portuguese Water Dog Pug Puli Rhodesian Ridgeback Rottweiler Saint Bernard Saluki Samoyed Schipperke Scottish Deerhound Scottish Terrier Sealyham Terrier Shetland Sheepdog Shiba Inu Shih Tzu (toy) Siberian Husky Silky Terrier Skye Terrier Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Staffordshire Bull Terrier Standard Schnauzer Sussex Spaniel Tibetan Spaniel Tibetan Terrier Vizsla Weimaraner Welsh Corgi (Cardigan) Welsh Corgi (Pembroke) Welsh Springer Spaniel Welsh Terrier West Highland White Terrier Whippet Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Yorkshire Terrier


CANNY CANINES
7. INTELLIGENCE: "Intelligence does not necessarily equate to trainability," notes Dr. Stanley Coren, a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia. "Often intelligent dogs can think of so many more challenges to authority or variations on response to a command." With this explanation in mind, would you prefer a dog breed that Dr. Coren would deem intelligent?
No preference Yes Yes, strongly preferred

8. TRAINABILITY: Do you prefer a dog that's easy to train?
No preference Yes Yes, strongly preferred
      

























COMPATIBILITY

9. PET TOLERANT: Would you prefer a dog that tolerates other pets?
   No preference Yes Yes, strongly preferred
10. STRANGER TOLERANT: Would you prefer a dog that tolerates strangers? This is an important consideration if people are frequently visiting or passing by.
   No preference Yes Yes, strongly preferred
11. KID APPROPRIATE Would you like a dog that is good with children?
   No preference Yes, kids are 3 years and under Yes, kids are 4 years and over
    Exclude all dogs not appropriate for kids.
12. SOCIAL OR INDEPENDENT: According to Dr. Stanley Coren, independent dogs are less likely to be despondent if left alone. Considering this description and the level of interaction you'll be able to provide, would you prefer a dog breed that is social and friendly, or one that is more independent?

Friendly Neutral Independent
Strongly Prefer Prefer No Preference Prefer Strongly Prefer
      

























TEMPERAMENT
13. QUIET/WATCH DOG: Would you prefer a dog breed that is noted as quiet, or one that is likely to be a good watchdog?
Quiet Dog Neutral Watch Dog Type
Strongly Prefer Prefer No Preference Prefer Strongly Prefer

14. GUARD DOG Would you like a protective dog that is suited for security?
No preference Yes Yes, strongly preferred

15. BITERS: Would you be concerned about owning a dog that may be aggressive? Keep in mind that socialization directly affects a dog's aggression level. With the proper training, even dogs that have a bad reputation can be wonderful pets.
No preference.   Avoid all dogs that are more likely to be aggressive.

      


   

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