There are hundreds of dog breeds all over the world, ranging in size, temperament, and appearance. Dogs have always been the preferred pets for centuries. There is always a dog breed for everyone, but what qualities make dogs unique from others? While all pooches are good at heart, some may have better or worse characteristics than others. As the authors of this article, Abby and Emmy, we have been working at a pet center for nearly two years now and want to share our experience working with the many different dog breeds we have encountered and what we recommend if you’re looking for a pet of your own. We understand that every dog is different, and behavior can vary amongst certain conditions. Our opinions are solely based on our experiences working with numerous dogs and what we feel are the best or worst dog breeds.
5 Best Dogs Breeds
- Golden Retriever/Labs– Golden Retrievers and Labradors are two different dog breeds but have a lot in common. These two breeds are both very affectionate and loveable. They are very well behaved, and every time we saw them come into our work we knew that they were going to be a joy to take care of. In all our years of working, we have never had a bad-behaved Golden or Lab.
- King Charles Spaniel– King Charles Spaniels, while tiny, have a big personality. King Charles Spaniels are extremely sweet and loving to everyone. Although we have only taken care of a few from this breed, they have all loved attention. These dogs are always ready to sit in your lap and enjoy some good pets. Even though these dogs were bred to be lap dogs, they do love to play from time to time.
- Bernese Mountain Dog– Bernese Mountain dogs have a coat that is recognizable throughout the world. Bernese Mountain dogs are built for hard work but also thrive for company. These lovable giants are always obedient and a delight to care for. Bernese Mountain dogs also get along well with other dogs. They love to be social but remain well-behaved. Taking care of these dogs is always a pleasure as they remain calm and collected with an eagerness to play.
- Pitbull– This breed may come as a surprise, but pit bulls are one of the finest dogs we have taken care of. They display loyal and gentle qualities. All the pit bulls we’ve cared for have been exceptionally trained. It is key to note that with proper training, any dog can be a joy to have. Our experience with pit bulls has been nothing but excellent. Pitbulls are quiet and compassionate dogs. They are always on their best behavior without causing chaos with other dogs. These obedient yet affectionate dogs have been nothing but sweet to us and easily make it on the list for one of the best breeds.
- Great Pyrenees– This opinion is a little biased as I, Abby, own two Great Pyrenees. These dogs can weigh up to 170 pounds, but for their size, they think they are the perfect lap dogs. These dogs love to cuddle and do anything that involves getting anyone’s attention. This breed’s only downside is that they love to bark, even when nothing is there. That negative, however, is made up for by their lovable demeanor. They are always so calm and just love to roam around independently.
5 Worst Dogs Breeds
- Doodles—Doodles are, for some reason, rising in popularity and are the most common breed we see. The reason for the hate against them is how highly energetic these dogs are. This trait can be tolerable for some dogs, but with Doodles, especially the standard ones, it is extremely challenging to keep them under control. They pounce and jump without any warning almost all the time. Not only do these dogs have high amounts of energy, but they can be quite messy, too. To spare the details, they enjoy making messes that need constant cleaning. They also are not well-behaved most of the time, so it is quite expected if one of us has to chase them around when taking them in and out of the kennel.
- Border Collie– Despite how beautiful Border Collies are, they are on the “worst” part of our list. This ranking is due to this breed’s difficult training. Training is important for all dogs, especially for the highly intelligent ones. For some reason, the few collies we get all had a lack of training and had dominance issues. Sadly, there was an unfortunate instance at our work where a collie came lunging at us, merely centimeters away from biting our legs before we could escape to safety.
- Husky – Huskies are beautiful dogs with fluffy tails. They are adored by all who lay their eyes on them, but don’t let their cute faces fool you, as huskies are one of the most stubborn dogs to ever exist. They do not take no for an answer, and each has a mind of their own. Huskies are known for their independent nature, which may seem beneficial at first, but once you get to know them, they become very difficult to manage. There have been many instances where huskies have tried to run away, making it frustrating to manage their behavior. These hyperactive dogs can become high maintenance, which takes more time and energy for owners to care for them.
- French Bulldog/pug– These short-nosed breeds are on this part of the list mainly because of their health issues. French bulldogs and pugs have unusual facial shapes, which causes respiratory problems. We can hear these dogs breathing from miles away. These dogs are also on the bottom of the list because one of us, Abby, got bit in the leg by one.
- Chihuahua – Chihuahuas are one of the smallest dog breeds, but do not let their cuteness fool you, as these dogs have little dog syndrome. Yes, these little dogs try to overcompensate for their size by growling, snarling, and acting feisty. Many chihuahuas have tried numerous times to snap their little jaws at us. It is quite a challenge to care for such a tiny dog. With their high amounts of energy and snappy nature, chihuahuas are not necessarily a walk in the park.
Overall, there is a furry companion for everyone out there, so do not take these ratings too seriously! Dogs are a lot of work, so no matter what breed you choose, make sure you know the proper maintenance they need to live a pawtastic life.
