What Dog Breed Is Right for Your Family?

By: Ian Fortey
Estimated Completion Time
6 min
What Dog Breed Is Right for Your Family?
Image: Ariel Skelley/DigitalVision/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Do you know how many different breeds of dogs there are in the world?  It's a tougher question to answer than you might think, since not everyone recognizes every breed. For instance, the American Kennel Club recognizes 202 different breeds, but The Kennel Club recognizes 211.  Where'd those extra 9 come from? And if you really want to get confused, the World Canine Organization, or Federation Cynologique Internationale, recognizes 344 breeds. 

So yeah, there are a lot of pups out there: from the common breeds like poodles or German Shepherds to the Cirneco dell'Etna which you'll probably need to Google (but thumbs up if you don't, because that's a rare one.) How is anyone supposed to pick the right dog out of the hundreds that are out there? Sure, sometimes you just see a dog and know, but you don't always get that chance. 

You can help narrow the playing field a bit by understanding what your family is like and then trying to find the dog that best matches up with you. Lucky for you, we can help with that. All you need to do is take the quiz, and in no time, you'll know just what kind of pup you should be playing fetch with. Or at least watching Netflix with while it snores.  

What are you and your family most likely to be doing on a Saturday morning at around 10 am?
Hopefully sleeping in.
Maybe out for a hike or playing a sport of some kind.
Maybe enjoying a quiet breakfast.
Having fun on our day off.

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Is it OK for a dog to eat human food sometimes?
Sure, everyone deserves a treat now and then.
No, that encourages begging and bad behavior.
Maybe some small scraps as a treat, but not from the table.
If no one sees you sneak the dog bacon, did it even happen?

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How many walks per day do you think you'll be going on with the dog?
Wait, you have to walk them every day?
Probably three times a day. Maybe more on weekends.
At least one good one.
I read twice a day is what you need.

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Where do you think your dog will be sleeping?
In bed with someone, probably.
The dog will have its own bed.
Probably out in the living room on a dog bed.
We'll have a crate for the dog at night.

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How do you plan on deciding on a name for the dog?
Guess we have to meet the dog first.
I already have one picked out.
We have a couple of ideas and we'll see what fits.
We'll decide as a family.

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Is there any particular reason you want to get a dog right now?
Just seems like it would be nice to have a companion.
Something to keep us active.
I want a companion and some home protection.
I want a dog to have fun with and grow along with the family.

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Have you ever had a dog in the past?
Nope!
I have always had dogs.
I've had a couple before.
Not since I was a kid.

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Aside from dogs, what other kind of pet do you like?
Goldfish seem easy.
Snakes are kind of cool.
A bird that could talk.
Cats are fun sometimes.

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If you are heading out on vacation, where's the dog going to go?
The dog can stay with a friend.
Family will take care of our dog.
We can put the dog in a kennel.
We're taking the dog with us.

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Are you a fan of big dogs or the little guys?
Smaller is probably better.
A mid-sized dog seems good.
I like big pups!
It doesn't matter.

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Are you going to take some time to teach your dog any tricks?
Nah, just let the dog do its thing.
I want it to know a lot of commands.
It should definitely have a few tricks and commands down.
Maybe a few fun ones.

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Is the dog going to have its own special wardrobe?
Dogs don't need clothes. But a funny costume...
Well, it'll at least need a coat for cold weather. Maybe boots.
Probably not.
Just a few things.

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Whose job is it going to be to take care of the dog's needs like feeding and walking?
Whoever's around when the dog needs something.
Everyone together.
My job!
Well, it's a family pet so we want to teach some family responsibility.

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What kind of toys are you hoping your dog is going to enjoy playing with?
A squeaky chew toy.
A good, old-fashioned tennis ball.
A knotted rope.
A Frisbee or something like that.

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What's your opinion on people who post dog-shaming photos on social media?
Those are pretty funny.
I've never really paid any attention to those.
I think they're kind of dumb.
I could do that if I had a good one.

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If your dog is a drooly pup is that going to be an issue?
Nah, dogs drool. It's fine.
I'd rather they didn't.
Of course not!
No messes, please.

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Do you want your dog to be a barker?
I mean, I'd rather not, but it's a dog so it's going to do what dogs do.
Only when commanded to.
When it's necessary, yes.
Well, the less barking the better, probably.

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Which holiday do you enjoy celebrating the most?
Thanksgiving and all that food.
I love getting outside for long weekends.
I like dressing up for Halloween.
Any holiday with family is best for me.

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There are a ton of dogs in movies. What dog-themed moved was your favorite?
"Isle of Dogs."
"Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey."
"John Wick."
"Air Bud."

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Do you like to have people come over to your home a lot for get-togethers?
Rarely.
Frequently.
Not really, no.
Yeah, we like to do special occasions and stuff like that.

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Overall, would you say you have a very active lifestyle or not so much?
Not very active at all, really.
We're super active.
About average, I guess.
We're not over the top but we like to do things.

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If it's you and the dog alone, what are you going to do together?
Watch TV and eat snacks.
Go for a run.
We could take a walk.
Play in the yard.

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Lots of places out in the world are pet-friendly these days. Where would you take your dog?
Maybe a trip to Petsmart.
The beach.
On a hiking trail in the woods.
To a dog park.

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How do you plan to go about bathing your dog?
They only need baths when they get dirty, right?
We can bathe the dog once a week or so.
I hadn't really thought about that.
Regular appointments with a groomer.

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No one likes doggy breath. How are you keeping your pup smelling fresh?
For real? Is this a thing I need to worry about?
I can brush the dog's teeth.
They sell those minty dog bones, right?
Regular dental check-ups.

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Have you ever had to give medication, like a pill, to a dog before?
No. Is it difficult or...?
Yes. I can just pop it in their mouths.
I haven't, but I'll figure out the best way to do it.
If you hide it in a treat it seems to work.

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What's your favorite activity to do together as a family right now?
Watch movies.
We like to play all kinds of sports.
The usual stuff. We go on trips, we go camping sometimes. Whatever seems fun.
We have game night and go for walks and stuff.

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Have you given any thought to the type of collar your dog will wear?
My dog will be au naturel.
A sturdy one that we can hook the tags onto.
Something that looks tough. Maybe spiked leather.
I guess just a normal collar.

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What are you and your family most likely to be doing over a long weekend in the summer?
Probably a barbecue.
Sounds like time for a vacation.
Just relaxing around the house.
Going to the beach.

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Which fictional dog is far and away the best fictional dog ever?
Odie
Mad Max's dog
Beethoven
Lassie

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