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Jan 2011  |  By Sara Cohen  |  Comments

5 Most Popular Dogs: Finding the Right Breed for your Family

The saying goes that dogs are man’s best friend, and there’s no denying the special relationships dogs form with their owners.

Especially as a family pet, dogs can help nurture and support children and teach them about responsibility and care. But with so many dog breeds each with unique features, how do you know which kind of dog is best for your family?  

We’ve done our research to create a guide to the 5 most popular dog breeds. Based on allergy, relationship with children, size, grooming, and exercise needs, here’s your guide to the perfect family pet.

1.    Shih-Tzu

• Allergy: Excellent; light shedding and recommended for allergy sufferers
• Relationship with Children: Good; Shih-Tzus are playful and alert
• Size: small; 9-16 pounds
• Grooming: Moderate; daily brushing needed
• Exercise needs: Need a daily walk

2.    Labrador Retriever

• Allergy: Poor; average shedding and not compatible with allergies
• Relationship with children: Excellent; affectionate, patient and highly intelligent
• Size: Large; 55-75 pounds
• Grooming: Moderate; daily brushing recommended
• Exercise needs: Heavy; long daily walks

3.    Golden Retriever

• Allergy: Poor; average shedding and not compatible with allergies
• Relationship with children: Excellent; loveable, smart and gentle
• Size: Large; 55-80 pounds
• Grooming: Moderate; suggested brushing regularly
• Exercise needs: Heavy; long daily walks

4.    Yorkshire Terriers

• Allergy: Excellent; light shedding
• Relationship with children: Moderate, recommended for older children, brave
• Size: Small; approximately 7 pounds
• Grooming: Heavy; regular grooming recommended
• Exercise needs: Moderate; daily walk needed but play fulfills most exercise needs

5.    American Cocker Spaniel

• Allergy: Poor; sheds frequently
• Relationship with children: Good; amusing, trustworthy and charming
• Size: Medium; 15-30 pounds
• Grooming: Heavy; depending on length of coat, drippy eyes are common
• Exercise needs: Moderate / heavy; need daily, long walks

Also, be sure to check out the latest trends in dog breeds: mixing. Breeders all over the country are mixing the top dog breeds to create a puppy with the ultimate features. Popular hybrid dogs include: labradoodle (Labrador / Poodle), cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel / Poodle), and shih-poo (Shih Tzu / Poodle) mix. Notice a trend? The poodle is the ultimate mixing breed because they offer a wide variety of desirable traits.

There are lots of other options for dog breeds if these suggestions do not suit your needs. Try this dog breed quiz or the dog breed selector for more criteria and suggestions to finding the perfect puppy!

And once you get your puppy, check out New Pet: Behavior Problems Solved.