Breed Selection
let us help you find the perfect match
Deciding which breed of dog will best suit your lifestyle can be a difficult and time-consuming task. There are so many things to consider, like: How big will the puppy get? Is the breed of dog I want suited for apartment living? Is it a good breed with kids? How easy is the breed to train?
To provide as much information on each breed as possible, without having to spend hours doing research, we have provided our breed selection sheet for you to view and print. This guide will help you find the best breed of dog for you and your lifestyle. The categories we have included, along with the breeds of puppies we typically have in our stores throughout the year, are:
- Size
- Shedding
- Barking
- Novice owner
- Good with children
- Apartment
- Good with other pets
- Trainability
We hope you find this document useful as you begin to research the best dog breed to welcome into your home.

AMERICAN ESKIMO
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: EASY
BASSET HOUND
SHED: CONSTANT
BARKING: LITTLE, HOWLS
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: DIFFICULT
BEAGLE
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: HOWLS
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: EXCELLENT
APT: NO
OTHER PETS: DOGS
TRAINING: DIFFICULT
BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: AVERAGE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: EASY
BICHON FRISE
SHED: LIGHT (HYPOALLERGENIC)
BARKING: LITTLE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: EXCELLENT
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: EASY
BLOODHOUND
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: AVG, HOWLS
NOVICE: NO
CHILDREN: EXCELLENT
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: IF RAISED WITH
TRAINING: DIFFICULT
BORDER COLLIE
SHED: AVG
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: NO
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: EASY
BOSTON TERRIER
SHED: AVG
BARKING: AVG
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: GOOD
BOXER
SHED: AVG
BARKING: LITTLE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: AVERAGE
BRITTANY SPANIEL
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: AVERAGE
NOVICE: NO
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: EASY
BRUSSELS GRIFFON
SHED: LIGHT (HYPOALLERGENIC)
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: AVERAGE
BULL MASTIFF
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: LITTLE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: DIFFICULT
CAIRN TERRIER
SHED: LIGHT
BARKING: AVG
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: NO
TRAINING: DIFFICULT
CANE CORSO
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: AVERAGE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: NO
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: AVERAGE
CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: LITTLE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: YES
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: EASY
CHIHUAHUA
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: NO
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: DIFFICULT
COCKER SPANIEL
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: EASY
CORGI
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: EASY
DACHSHUND
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: DIFFICULT
DALMATIAN
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: AVERAGE
NOVICE: NO
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: NO
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: EASY
DOBERMAN
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: LITTLE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: PROFESSIONAL
DOGUE DE BORDEAUX
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: LITTLE
NOVICE: NO
CHILDREN: RAISED WITH
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: EASY
ENGLISH BULLDOG
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: LITTLE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: SLIGHTLY DIFFICULT
ENGLISH MASTIFF
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: LITTLE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: SLIGHTLY DIFFICULT
ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: AVERAGE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: EASY
FRENCH BULLDOG
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: LITTLE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: SLIGHTLY DIFFICULT
GERMAN SHEPHERD
SHED: SEASONAL
BARKING: AVERAGE
NOVICE: NO
CHILDREN: EXCELLENT
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: PROFESSIONAL
GOLDEN RETRIEVER
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: AVERAGE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: EXCELLENT
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: EXCELLENT
TRAINING: EASY
GREAT PYRENEES
SHED: SEASONAL
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: NO
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: EASY
GREAT DANE
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: AVERAGE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: SLIGHTLY DIFFICULT
HAVANESE
SHED: LIGHT (HYPOALLERGENIC)
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: EASY
JACK RUSSELL TERRIER
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE:NO
CHILDREN: RAISED WITH
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: EASY
JAPANESE CHIN
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: LITTLE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: AVERAGE
LABRADOR RETRIEVER
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: AVERAGE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: EXCELLENT
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: EASY
LHASA APSO
SHED: LIGHT
BARKING: AVERAGE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: DIFFICULT
MALAMUTE
SHED: SEASONAL
BARKING: HOWLS
NOVICE: NO
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: NO
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: DIFFICULT
MALTESE
SHED: LIGHT (HYPOALLERGENIC)
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: AVERAGE
MINIATURE PINSCHER
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: NO
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: DIFFICULT
MINIATURE SCHNAUZER
SHED: LIGHT (HYPOALLERGENIC)
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: AVERAGE
MINIATURE AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD
SHED: SEASONAL
BARKING: LITTLE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: EASY
OLDE ENGLISH BULLDOGGE
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: LITTLE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: EASY
ORI PEI
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: AVERAGE
NOVICE: NO
CHILDREN: RAISED WITH
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: AVERAGE
PAPILLON
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: LITTLE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: EASY
PEKINGESE
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: DIFFICULT
POMERANIAN
SHED: CONSTANT
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: DIFFICULT
PUG
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: LITTLE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: EXCELLENT
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: EXCELLENT
TRAINING: AVERAGE
RAT TERRIER
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: EASY
SOFT COATED WHEATEN TERRIER
SHED: LIGHT (HYPOALLERGENIC)
BARKING: LITTLE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: AVERAGE
SCHIPPERKE
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: DIFFICULT
SCOTTISH TERRIER
SHED: LIGHT
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: NO
TRAINING: SLIGHTLY DIFFICULT
SHETLAND SHEEPDOG
SHED: SEASONAL
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: EASY
SHIBA INU
SHED: LITTLE
BARKING: YES
NOVICE: GOOD
CHILDREN: WITH EXERCISE
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: SLIGHTLY DIFFICULT
SHIH TZU
SHED: LIGHT
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: SLIGHTLY DIFFICULT
SIBERIAN HUSKY
SHED: SEASONAL
BARKING: HOWLS
NOVICE: NO
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: NO
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: DIFFICULT
SILKY TERRIER
SHED: LIGHT
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: AVERAGE
STANDARD POODLE
SHED: LIGHT (HYPOALLERGENIC)
BARKING: AVERAGE
NOVICE: NO
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: EASY
TIBETAN MASTIFF
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: AVERAGE
NOVICE: NO
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: NO
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: DIFFICULT
TOY POODLE
SHED: LIGHT
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: EASY
WEIMARANER
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: NO
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: NO
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: DIFFICULT
WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER
SHED: LIGHT
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: EASY
YORKSHIRE TERRIER
SHED: LIGHT
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: SLIGHTLY DIFFICULT
BERNADOODLE
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: AVERAGE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: EASY
BICHON POO
SHED: LIGHT (HYPOALLERGENIC)
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: EASY
CAVACHON
SHED: LIGHT
BARKING: LITTLE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: EXCELLENT
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: EXCELLENT
TRAINING: EASY
CAVAPOO
SHED: LIGHT
BARKING: LITTLE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: EXCELLENT
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: EXCELLENT
TRAINING: EASY
COCKABULL
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: AVERAGE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: EASY
CHIWEENIE
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: DIFFICULT
COCKAPOO
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: AVERAGE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: EASY
FRENCHTON
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: AVERAGE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: AVERAGE
GOLDENDOODLE
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: LITTLE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: EXCELLENT
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: EXCELLENT
TRAINING: EASY
HAVAMALT
SHED: LIGHT (HYPOALLERGENIC)
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: EASY
HAVAPOO
SHED: LIGHT (HYPOALLERGENIC)
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: OLDER
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: EASY
LABRADOODLE
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: LITTLE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: EXCELLENT
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: EASY
TRAINING: EASY
LHASALEIR
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: AVERAGE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: AVERAGE
MALTAPOO
SHED: LIGHT (HYPOALLERGENIC)
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: EASY
MORKIE
SHED: LIGHT
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: SLIGHTLY DIFFICULT
PEAGLE
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: SLIGHTLY DIFFICULT
PEKEAPOO
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: AVERAGE
POMSKY
SHED: CONSTANT
BARKING: A LOT, HOWLS
NOVICE: NO
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: NO
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: SLIGHTLY DIFFICULT
PUGGLE
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: EXCELLENT
APT: WITH EXERCISE
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: SLIGHTLY DIFFICULT
SCHNOODLE
SHED: LIGHT (HYPOALLERGENIC)
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: AVERAGE
SHIH-CHON
SHED: LIGHT
BARKING: AVERAGE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: AVERAGE
SHIHMALT
SHED: LIGHT
BARKING: AVERAGE
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: AVERAGE
SILKY BRUSSELS
SHED: LIGHT
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: SLIGHTLY DIFFICULT
TOI LEO
SHED: AVERAGE
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: AVERAGE
WESTIPOO
SHED: LIGHT
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: GOOD
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: GOOD
TRAINING: AVERAGE
YORKIEPOO
SHED: LIGHT
BARKING: A LOT
NOVICE: YES
CHILDREN: OLDER
APT: GOOD
OTHER PETS: RAISED WITH
TRAINING: SLIGHTLY DIFFICULT