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Dogs have been man’s best friend since time immemorial. For dog lovers, dogs are not just pets. They are considered to be a part of their family. That is the reason why one should never rush while choosing a dog breed for themselves. As of now, there are 340 breeds of dogs that are recognized by FCI and 167 breeds of dogs that are recognized by AKC.
Here there’s a compilation of the 30 most popular breeds of dogs and some facts about them are presented. From the various types of dogs presented here, you can choose your right breed.
1. Rottweiler
Origin: Germany
Height: M- 24” to 72” and F- 22” to 25”
Weight: M-95 to 135 and F- 80 to 100 lbs
Life Expectancy: 9 to 10 years
Characteristics: Loyal, highly intelligent, friendly, great guard dogs, fearless
Facts:
- Popular as police dogs during World War I
- Served as rescue dogs after the 9/11 in New York
- They are always black and have the same brown markings on their chest, paws, and face.
2. Afghan Hound
Origin: Afghanistan
Height: Both- 21” to 27”
Weight: Both- 50 to 60 lbs
Life expectancy: 12 to 18 years
Characteristics: Loyal, independent, sweet, regal
Facts:
- Believed to be the oldest breed of purebred dogs
- These types of dogs have scent glands in cheeks and emit a pleasant and musky smell
- They are very fast
3. Boxer
Origin: Germany
Height: M- 23” to 24” and F- 21.5” to 23.5”
Weight: M- 60 to 89 lbs and F- 55 to 65 lbs
Life expectancy: 10 to 12 years
Characteristics: Great hunter, loyal, full of energy, obedient
Facts:
- They got their name after their style of defending with their paws
- Used as blind dogs and alert dogs for blinds
- They are not fighters
4. Bulldog
Origin: England
Height: Both- 13” to 15”
Weight: M- more than 50 lbs F- more than 40 lbs
Life expectancy: 8 to 10 years
Characteristics: Courageous, obedient, loyal, kind
Facts:
- Featured in cartoons like Tom and Jerry
- They were bred to fight bulls
- Good in sports
5. Chow-Chow
Origin: China
Height: M- 19” to 22” and F- 18” to 20”
Weight: M- 57 to 70 lbs and F- 44 to 55 lbs
Life expectancy: 8 to 12 years
Characteristics: Independent, obedient, don’t bark, good guard
Facts:
- Trained to hunt, guard, pull sleds and sometimes herd cattle
- Full-grown chow chows have blue-black tongues
- Must be kept away from water
6. Dachshund
Origin: Germany
Height: M- 8” to 9” and F- 5” to 6”
Weight: M- 16 to 32 lbs and F- more than 11lbs
Life expectancy: 12 to 16 years
Characteristics: Clever, courageous, playful, stubborn, lively
Facts:
- A national symbol of Germany
- A dachshund was the first Olympic mascot
- Dachshund race was started in Australia
7. Dalmatian
Origin: Croatia
Height: Both- 19” to 23”
Weight: Both 50 to 55 lbs
Life expectancy: 11 to 13 years
Characteristics: Great tracker, very smart, obedient, agile
Facts:
- They make good watchdogs
- Known for their great memory and can recall any mistreatment for years
- They need lots of exercises to dispel their boundless energy
8. Doberman Pinscher
Origin: Germany
Height: M- 26” to 28” and F- 24” to 26”
Weight: M- 85 to 100 lbs and 65 to 75 lbs
Life expectancy: 10 to 12 years
Characteristics: Energetic, obedient, great guard, good trackers
Facts:
- Used by US Marines in World War II
- They have a thin and sensitive tail
- They are used by police, search and rescue team, scent tracking
9. German Shepherd
Origin: Germany
Height: M- 24” to 26” and F- 22” to 24”
Weight: M- 65 to 90 lbs and F- 50 to 70 lbs
Life expectancy: 7 to 10 years
Characteristics: Strong, great at herding, obedient, agile
Facts:
- They do sports like scent work, rally, agility, guide dog, etc
- They are the third-most intelligent breed
- Also known as mouthy breed
10. Golden Retriever
Origin: Scotland
Height: M- 23” to 24” and F- 21.5” to 22.5”
Weight: M- 65 to 75 lbs and F- 55 to 65 lbs
Life expectancy: 10 to 12 years
Characteristics: Smart, friendly, intelligent, confident, trustworthy
Facts:
- Good at sports example swimming, hiking, etc
- Used for hunting, rescue, and search dogs
- They tend to overeat
11. Havanese
Origin: Cuba
Height: M- 9” to 11.5” and F- 8.5” to 10”
Weight: M- 8 to 13 lbs and F- 7 to 12 lbs
Life expectancy: 14 to 16 years
Characteristics: Playful, affectionate, intelligent, gentle, responsive
Facts:
- Interact a lot with people
- Good watchdog but a bad guard dog
- Require regular brushing and combing
12. Mastiff
Origin: England
Height: M- less than 30” and F- less than 27.5”
Weight: M- 160 to 230 lbs and F- 120 to 170 lbs
Life expectancy: 6 to 10 years
Characteristics: Strong, powerful, gentle, protective, calm, courageous
Facts:
- Heaviest dos breed ever
- The puppy phase is longer in Mastiffs than in other breeds
- Also used as watchdogs, therapy dogs, search and rescue
13. Pekingese
Origin: China
Height: Both 6” to 7”
Weight: M- 11.5 lbs and F- 8 lbs
Life expectancy: 12 to 14 years
Characteristics: aggressive, intelligent, stubborn, affectionate
Facts:
- Death punishment was given in ancient China for stealing it
- Enjoy cold temperatures
- Require serious maintenance
14. Pitbull
Origin: United States
Height: Both- 17” to 19”
Weight: Both- 30 to 85 lbs
Life expectancy: 12 to 16 years
Characteristics: Highly intelligent, a good family dog, easy to groom
Facts:
- It is not an accepted breed by AKC
- The army used the pit bull as mascots
- They had their names changed many times
15. Pomeranian
Origin: Germany and Poland
Height: Both- 7” to 12”
Weight: 3 to 7 lbs
Life expectancy: 12 to 16 years
Characteristics: Playful, active, friendly, extrovert, sociable
Facts:
- Descendants of sled dogs from Copland and Iceland
- Don’t need a lot of grooming, regular brushing will do
- Wonderful therapy dogs
16. Pug
Origin: China
Height: Both- 10” to 13”
Weight: Both- 14 to 18 lbs
Life expectancy: 13 to 15 years
Characteristics: Playful, clever, stubborn, mischievous, attentive, calm
Facts:
- It is the official breed of the house of orange
- Their noses are pushed in more than other dogs
- They are made to be a companion
17. Alaskan Malamute
Origin: Alaska
Height: M- 25” and F- 23”
Weight: M- 85 lbs and F- 75 lbs
Life expectancy: 10 to 14 years
Characteristics: Friendly, affectionate, devoted, dignified, loyal
Facts:
- Built to withstand cold temperatures
- Used during World War II
- Don’t bark much
18. Basset Hound
Origin: France
Height: Both- less than 15”
Weight: Both- 45 to 65 lbs
Life expectancy: 12 to 13 years
Characteristics: Sweet-tempered, friendly, tenacious, devoted, gentle
Facts:
- They have loud voices
- Their droopy ears and eyes need regular cleaning
- Their spines are prone to damage
19. Beagle
Origin: England
Height: Both- 13” to 15”
Weight: Both- 18 to 35 lbs
Life expectancy: 10 to 15 years
Characteristics: Intelligent, even-tempered, amiable, excitable, gentle
Facts:
- They are one of the most vocal dog breeds
- Often referred to as a nose with feet
- They have a white-tipped tail
20. Cane Corso
Origin: Italy
Height: M- 25” to 27.5” and F- 23.5” to 24”
Weight: Both- 88 to 110 lbs
Life expectancy: 7 to 12 years
Characteristics: Trainable, reserved, stable, quiet, calm
Facts:
- They are considered bodyguard dogs
- Exercise is a must for them
- They are prone to certain health conditions
21. Chihuahua
Origin: Mexico
Height: Both- 5” to 8”
Weight: Both- less than 6 lbs
Life expectancy: 14 to 16 years
Characteristics: Lively, devoted, alert, courageous, quick
Facts:
- They are believed to have shrunk over time
- Have the biggest brain in the dog world
- One of the most aggressive breeds towards humans and other dog breeds
22. Japanese Spitz
Origin: Japan
Height: Both- 12” to 15”
Weight: Both- 5 to 10 lbs
Life expectancy: 12 to 14 years
Characteristics: Playful, intelligent, obedient, companionable, proud
Facts:
- AKC does not recognize this breed
- The puppies have folded ears
- Should not have frequent baths
23. Maltese
Origin: Malta
Height: Both- 7” to 9”
Weight: Both- less than 7 lbs
Life expectancy: 12 to 15 years
Characteristics: Intelligent, docile, easy-going, fearless, lively, gentle
Facts:
- Need regular grooming
- Prone to dental issues
- Lower activity needs than other breeds
24. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Origin: Wales
Height: Both- 10” to 12”
Weight: M- less than 30 lbs and F- less than 28 lbs
Life expectancy: 12 to 14 years
Characteristics: Friendly, tenacious, outgoing, bold, protective
Facts:
- They make world-class herding dog
- Great in sports
- Was the mascot for Amazon
25. Poodle
Origin: Germany
Height: Both- more than 15”
Weight: M- 60 to 70 lbs and F- 40 to 50 lbs
Life expectancy: 10 to 18 years
Characteristics: Intelligent, alert, faithful, active, instinctual, trainable
Facts:
- Used for duck hunting
- Their fur protects them from cold
- Their fur never stops growing
26. Portuguese Water Dog
Origin: Portugal
Height: M- 20” to 23” and F- 17” to 21”
Weight: M- 42 to 60 lbs and F- 35 to 50 lbs
Life expectancy: 11 to 13 years
Characteristics: Obedient, docile, impetuous, quarrelsome, brave
Facts:
- Used for herding fish into fisherman’s net
- Have a multi-octave and loud voice
- Fully grown dog’s bite
27. Saint Bernard
Origin: Switzerland
Height: M- 28” to 30” and F- 26” to 28”
Weight: M- 140 to 180 lbs and F- 120 to 180 lbs
Life expectancy: 8 to 10 years
Characteristics: Friendly, gentle, lively, watchful, calm, easy to train, good with children
Facts:
- Used by monks for additional help in the Alps
- Ideal for a rescue dog
- Don’t over bathe them
28. Samoyed
Origin: Russia
Height: M- 21” to 23.5” and F- 19” to 21”
Weight: M- 45 to 65 lbs and F- 35 to 50 lbs
Life expectancy: 12 to 14 years
Characteristics: Friendly, stubborn, lively, sociable, alert, loves herding
Facts:
- This breed accompanied Ronald Amundsen in his journey to the south pole
- Thrive on a small amount of top-quality food
- Need daily exercise
29. Siberian Husky
Origin: Russia
Height: M- 21” to 23.5” and F- 20” to 22”
Weight: M- 45 to 60 lbs and F- 35 to 50 lbs
Life expectancy: 12 to 14 years
Characteristics: Intelligent, friendly, outgoing, alert, gentle, athletic
Facts:
- Naturally clean and need bathe once a year
- Can withstand severe winter conditions
- Have great energies and are good jogging buddies
30. Yorkshire Terrier
Origin: Scotland
Height: Both- 6” to 9”
Weight: Both- less than 7 lbs
Life expectancy: 11 to 15 years
Characteristics: Determined, independent, smart, intelligent, bold, Independent, Confident, Courageous
Facts:
- They were bred to hunt rats
- The first therapy dog was a Yorkshire
- They do not shed and depend on their owners for cleaning
