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Labrador Retriever
Of course, the lab is first. This has been the #1 family dog in polls for decades. With their calm demeanor and family loyalty, they are a great choice. Everyone I know who has had a lab puppy insists they are super easy to train, too, which is a huge plus. Available in yellow, black and chocolate, pick the one who’s fur will match your decor and wardrobe best. 😉
Golden Retriever
Goldens are a close second to the lab. They are awesome companions who love to play. They require a lot of physical activity, so if you’re a runner these are great running companions. If you live in a condo, this is probably not the dog for you.
Poodle
The Poodle is probably the original “hypoallergenic” dog. They come in three sizes, toy, miniature and standard, and three colors, apricot, black and white. With so many choices, this could very well be the perfect pooch for any type of family. They are fiercely loyal and make great guard dogs, believe it or not. They do require grooming, so keep that in mind if you are budget conscious. We had a poodle puppy when I was a little girl and she was a great dog!
Bulldog
Don’t you just love these guys? They are so expressive and personable. Laid back and happy with the occasional walk, these dogs love to nap and are super chill. If you live in a condo or an apartment and want a larger dog, a bulldog puppy may be the perfect dog for you.
French Bulldog
The smaller cousin of the Bulldog above, Frenchie’s make great apartment dogs because they aren’t known to be “yappers.” They are playful and spunky and don’t take up much space. Their small size makes them easy for kids to manage, too.
Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier
Wheatons are awesome dogs. They are very energetic and need a good romp in the yard a couple times a day, but they will be your kids’ BFF. My mom has one and Millie is the sweetest! She loves running through the yard with her nephew, Cooper. 😉 These dogs also require regular grooming and you may want to keep their beards trimmed so they don’t slop water all over the place after they drink. If you are a runner, this puppy loves to run!
Newfoundland
The Newfoundland keeps popping up in all of my searches as an amazing family dog. They love kids so much they are often referred to as “nanny dogs” because they will keep a constant eye on your kids. If you want an enormous dog who loves to frolic in the snow, the Newfie may be for you! If you notice, when you see these dogs out and about they are super calm. We saw two last weekend just chilling on the sidewalk while their owers had dinner. My dogs are not that chill…must be nice! 😉
Beagle
Beagles are great dogs- funny, loyal and super cute. Since they were bred to hunt in packs, they make great companions. Under 20 pounds on average, they make great small space dogs, too. If you live somewhere with weight limit restrictions, a Beagle puppy may be perfect for your lifestyle!
Miniature Pinscher
Of course I couldn’t leave out the best dog we’ve had! (Well, it’s a tie because the other one is pretty great, too!) Miniature Pinschers are compact dogs that are great for apartment living and city life. They are “proud” dogs and full of personality! If you get one from a breeder you can choose whether or not to have their tail and ears docked, which changes the look of each dog dramatically. I like the floppy ears myself! When we got our puppy his tail was docked, but his ears were not. Sice we are not show dog people, I would not have chosen to dock his tail.
Mutts
Yup. Mutts are great dogs! Just because they aren’t purebred doesn’t mean they aren’t awesome. Don’t rule out keeping an eye on dogs that come into your local shelter. You never know what will appear, but you can be sure they will love you like crazy! My daughter just adopted the most fabulous Stafforshire terrier puppy from her local shelter. He is a sweetheart, so please don’t discount pit bulls when looking- when raised from a puppy in a loving home, they can make awesome family dogs. Cooper & his new buddy Reggie love to play together alllll day!
No matter what dog you choose, be sure to do your research so you know what you’re getting into. If research shows a breed to be “stubborn,” trust it and know training will be a challenge. If research shows a breed that needs to run every day, trust it because the last thing you need is a dog tearing through your house all day long because you haven’t had time to run it.
Also, if you’re going to go with a purebred, check local rescue groups for the breed you decide on. They often get puppies and awesome older dogs who’s owners had to give them up for whatever reason. Friends of ours had the most amazing American Bulldog from a rescue for just a rehoming fee, which was a huge savings over the cost of a “new” dog. Whichever direction you go, enjoy your new friend! They are so great!
Looks Like Happy’s Favorite Puppy Products
Kurgo Muck Collars If you have an active dog, or a water dog, the Kurgo collare is waterproof and dirt and odor free. Cooper has had a Kurgo collar for about 8 months now, because he loves the water and his nylon collar was getting pretty funky-gross smelling, and it is holding up great. Bonus: The leash attachment is also a bottle opener, so while your dog probably can’t bring you a beer, he can at least help you open one!
Our Pets IQ Treat Ball We just got this toy a couple weeks ago and it is the BEST TOY EVER. It dispenses treats as it rolls around. You can make it easier or more difficult by adjusting the size of the dispenser hole. Cooper LOVES it. He plays with it for hours- I’m not even kidding. I bought cat treats because they are tiny (do they make tiny dog treats??? I can’t find them if they do) and have it on a very small setting. Our granddog, Reggie (@reggiethebull), has severe separation anxiety, so I bought the two pack. He loves his ball, too. It hasn’t fixed his anxiety, but it at least keeps him occupied for a bit when my daughter is at work.
Blueberry Pet Have you heard of Blueberry Pet accessories? They are SO CUTE! Look at those bees! There are a zillion different patterns, including seasonal/holiday patterns. I am definitely getting Darwin a collar to go with his winter sweaters. He loves getting all dressed up. 😉
East Coast Engraving|Etsy If you search “dog tags funny” on Etsy, I promise you will not be disappointed.
Happy puppy picking!
Allison
Other posts you may enjoy:
10 Genius Life Hacks
Simplify Your Life in These Easy Steps
Want more great pet related tips from other awesome bloggers? Check out our Pets board on Pinterest!
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