Matt Jackson

Shih Tzu means “little lion,” but this toy breed was bred to be a companion and has the heart and temperament of a companion dog. The breed is usually happy, lively, and playful. They will get along with most people, though their small size means they might not be the best fit for families with

The Golden Retriever is often described as being the best breed for first-time owners and the best all-round breed for any owner, although no single breed is the best choice for all owners. The Retriever is intelligent and easy to train, loving and loyal, and its use in a wide variety of service dog roles

The Spinone Italiano is a loving and loyal companion pet but was bred for hunting and, as such, has high energy demands. They like to be heavily involved in all family activities and are especially well suited to life with an active, outdoor family looking for a lively companion. The breed can struggle with separation

The Tibetan Mastiff is a giant dog breed that was originally used to guard livestock. Although still used as guardians for cattle, Tibetan Mastiffs are also popular pets, and they are regularly seen in the show ring. They can be hesitant around strangers but will typically follow the lead of their human, so they will

Although originally bred to hunt and kill rats, a reduction in the breed’s size as a result of intentional breeding saw the Affenpinscher become a companion dog rather than a working dog. Today, the breed is a loving companion that gets along best with adults but despite being loyal dogs, they don’t usually want to

The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a gun dog that originates from Wales and was first bred to spring game for its hunters. Today, it makes a good all-round pet, potentially adapting to life in an apartment and generally getting along with people and other animals. It does have high energy requirements, however, and they do

The Norfolk Terrier is an amiable little dog, measuring up to 12 inches tall. They are alert, lively, and playful, and known to be good with children: a combination that makes them especially popular with young families, and they will form very close bonds with their humans. However, the Norfolk Terrier also makes a good

With an appearance similar to that of a Greyhound, the Azawakh is a sighthound that hails from the Sahara, where this ancient breed was originally raised to work as a hunter, livestock guardian, and herder. While it might look like a Greyhound and is a very agile dog, it can’t reach the same kind of

The White Shepherd is a cousin to the German Shepherd. Although white German Shepherds have existed naturally as long as the original breed has been in existence, White Shepherds were intentionally bred in the US during the 20th Century before making their way to Switzerland, where they have been named the White Swiss Shepherd. Bred

The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier originally comes from Ireland. It is a friendly and relatively easy terrier that is even considered a reasonable dog for first-time terrier owners, although experience with training is generally recommended. They can adapt to life in an apartment but the coat does need plenty of grooming. They benefit from a good

The Greyhound is best known for its incredible speed. They can run at up to 40 miles per hour on average, but this hunter is not built for stamina, and its tendency to spread out and lounge on the sofa has earned it the nickname of the “world’s fastest couch potato.” It is a sensitive

There are hundreds of different dog breeds recognized around the world, and they have unique characteristics and pros and cons. While the Labrador is beloved for its loving nature, the Great Dane is adored for being soft and gentle despite its mammoth size. Some are preferred for their looks, including unusual coat colors. A black