How to Choose a Dog Breed for These 9 Personality Types
If you’ve ever heard a person say they like a particular type of dog, there could be a scientific reason behind it. Just as there are many different types of personalities, there are many different types of pet personalities, some of which are more compatible with yours than others.
The good news is that it isn’t hard to find a dog that fits your personality. Many dogs are mixed-breeds (mutts), which means they have a combination of the best-of-the-best qualities from all of the breeds that influence their genetic make-up.
Use this guide to figure out what primary doggy personality traits to look for when you want to bring a new friend home. This guide also highlights a few breeds that possess those traits as well as breed-specific rescues, making it easy for you to meet lots of new friendly faces and personalities that are just right for you.
1. Inquisitive, Hardworking Orderly Types
While everyone likes to let loose and have fun, you’re at your happiest when things are in order. You appreciate traditional values and respect hard work (you’re not afraid of hard work either). You believe everyone has a role to play to keep society operating well. Quiet-time with a good book or a favorite podcast is how you recharge.
Dog personality matches:
Your ideal dog will be confident and self-assured. Though possibly difficult to train at first, your ideal match will be respectful, reliable and polite once trained.
Dogs with these qualities:
Pekingese, Japanese Chin, Tibetan Spaniel, English Toy Spaniel, Boston Terrier, Chinese Crested, Bull Terrier or Shih Tzu
2. Giving, Helpful Doer Types
You’re the first to volunteer, love giving back, and thrive on helping others. You try to observe what is going on around you and go above and beyond to fill in the gaps.
Dog personality matches:
Your ideal dog will be loyal, obedient, hardworking, intelligent, gentle, fond of human interaction and eager to please.
Dogs with these qualities:
German Shephard, Dutch Shephard or Belgian Sheepdog if you want a large dog; Bichon Frise, Maltese, Havanese or Bolognese if you prefer a small dog.
3. Ambitious, Social and Adaptable Types
You’re an optimistic achiever. You work hard but like to have fun. You naturally attract people, have a skill for reading others and can perform in whatever situation life throws at you. You have lots of people who want to be your friend and are well-liked.
Dog personality matches:
Your ideal dog is adventurous, playful, active and social. They are curious and crave stimulation and activity.
Dogs with these qualities:
Beagle, English Foxhound, American Foxhound, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Harrier, Brussels Griffon, or Basset Hound
4. Individualistic, Creative Original Types
You sometimes feel like an outlier. You’re unique and often creative. You have a different way of seeing the world. You love to surround yourself with beautiful and meaningful things. You have a good sense of humor and can laugh at yourself.
Dog personality matches:
Your ideal dog is laidback, peaceful, relaxed and companionable. This dog knows how to mind his own business but is also alert, hardworking and bright.
Dogs with these qualities:
Shiba Inu, Australian Shepherd, English bulldog, Hokkaido, Akita, Kishu Ken, Shikoku, Border Collie, Miniature American Shepherd or Dutch Sheepdog
5. Intellectual, Investigative Thoughtful Types
When confronted with a challenge or a new topic, you don’t just find the answer¾you immerse yourself in the subject often becoming an expert. You love learning new things and can talk at length on topics you’re passionate about. Alone time doesn’t bother you.
Dog personality matches:
Dog personalities that suit you can be aloof and pensive…almost like a cat. They are smart and seemingly indifferent, but they enjoy intimate companionship with someone they trust. You might also enjoy a more energetic breed that is smart, self-sufficient and happy with alone time.
Dogs with these qualities:
Chow Chow, Chinese Shar Pei, Greyhound, Tibetan Mastiff, Jack Russell Terrier, Wire Fox Terrier, Rat Terrier or Parson Russell Terrier
6. Loyal, Trusting Security-Oriented Types
You are a faithful friend who believes in the virtue and the goodness of those you care about. You work well with others and are happy to do your part in group projects. You don’t mind labels and are happy to strongly identify with whatever political party, religious group or social cause you support.
Best personality matches:
Your best dog match will be good-natured, dependable, loyal, outgoing and curious.
Dogs with these qualities:
Siberian Husky, Akita, Samoyed, Pug, Greyhound, Alaskan Malmute or Chinook
7. Enthusiastic, Curious Adventurous Types
You are easily excited about new people, new things and new ideas. You might be a jack of many trades and a master of none because you quickly move from one new passion to another. You enjoy new experiences and have boundless energy.
Best personality matches:
Your ideal dog is playful, affectionate, smart, happy and curious.
Dogs with these qualities:
Pomeranian, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Dachshund or Teddy Roosevelt Terrier.
8. Challenging, Truth-Seeking Leader Types
You are quick to take up a cause when you detect an injustice. You aren’t afraid to lead the pack especially when it comes to seeking justice. You may not always stand up for yourself, but you speak out for friends and others. You are passionate and hardworking, often preferring to rely on your own resources.
Best personality matches:
Your best dog match is charismatic, confident, intelligent, strong-willed and a born leader. You are also well-suited for adventurous, warm, compassionate and playful dogs.
Dogs with these qualities:
Tibetan Mastiff, Tibetan Terrier, Maltese, Tibetan Spaniel, Papillon, Mastiff, Labrador Retriever and other retriever breeds
9. Peaceful, Easy-Going Non-confrontational Types
You are a go-with-the-flow type who really would prefer if everyone just got along. It is not hard for you to find joy in the world around you, and you are generally easy-to-please. Conflict exhausts you, and so you strive to avoid it in all of your relationships.
Best personality matches:
Your perfect dog match is loving and loyal, passionate, charismatic, social and is attuned to people’s needs and emotions.
Dogs with these qualities:
Golden Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Flat-Coated Retriever, Labrador Retriever or Curly-Coated Retriever
Again, many dogs have multiple breed influences, which means that the dog is likely to possess not only the great qualities of their primary breed but also of other breeds. This means that it is easy to find a dog that fits your personality. All you have to do is meet to know when you’ve found “the one”.
Keep in mind that as you seek a dog with a personality that best suits you, in addition to reading about pet parenting in general (including nutritional needs), make sure to consider where you live, how big the dog gets and how much space your new best friend will have to play and to exercise.
To conclude, a new dog could be exactly what you need in your life. By getting one with a personality that goes paw-in-hand with your personality, you ensure that you two will have nothing but loving good times.
Every dog has a different personality, and every dog has different dietary needs, which is why Wellness Pet Food makes different natural blends ideally suited for all dogs, no matter their health, their size or their age.