DOG BREED CHARACTERISTICS
WHEN TRYING TO DECIDE if a particular dog breed is right for you, it helps to know a little bit about the care the
animal will require. This information was designed to give you a general idea of how a dog will behave as an adult.
Not all dogs will conform to these guidelines (there’s an exception to every rule), but usually a dog follows some
basic breed characteristics.
Dogs generally do not view a human under the age of thirteen as being a leader (dominant pack member) and
usually do not take commands from a young person for this reason. Do not get a dog for a child and expect the
child to train the dog. A child and dog should be allowed to play together as peers, but the training should be the
adult’s responsibility.
The following is a list of codes for adult dog size, exercise requirements, coat care and temperament characteristics
to help you decide if a particular breed is right for you.
Size
Giant: 100 lbs. and up
Large: 50 lbs. up to 99 lbs
Medium: 20 lbs. up to 49 lbs
Small: 19 lbs. and under
Exercise: Walks, Games, Trips to Dog Park and any activity with a human
Extreme:
Maximum:
Moderate:
Minimum:
More than an hour a day spent running free in a fenced area.
At least an hour a day, half of which should be spent running free in a fenced area.
Half an hour a day, some of which should be a fast game of fetch in a fenced area.
All dogs need some exercise, fresh air and a change of scenery, but these dogs can manage with just
a daily game with their owners in a fenced area.
Coat Care: Brushing and Combing
Maximum:
Moderate:
Minimum:
Shedding:
Groom at least 20 minutes each day; professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks
Groom at least 30 minutes twice a week and professional grooming every 6 months
Grooming once a week to keep skin and coat healthy, bath no more than once every four months
(E) Extreme shedding, (S) Seasonal extreme shedding, (H) Heavy shedding
(M) Moderate shedding, (L) Light shedding, (N) No shedding.
Behavior Characteristics
Friendly:
Social:
Greets everyone as a friend; can rapidly bond with anyone who is friendly and may even bond with
people who dislike dogs; good in large crowds and accepts a lot of handling
Usually a “one family” dog; bonds well with family members; can accept a family friend after some
playful interaction; comfortable in medium-sized crowds, but learns to avoid people who don’t
like dogs
AHS: Dog Breed Characteristics
Rev. October 1, 2007
A small family dog that is usually described as “accepting” of attention; slow to accept family
friends, but will form a weak bond after many pleasant experiences; uncomfortable in crowds greater
than five and will ignore strangers or sniff them and walk away
Usually a one-family dog; shy with most strangers and can become a “fear-biter” if not properly
socialized when young; will form a permanent bond with its owner, but will avoid most small children
children: Very good
dogs:
(G) Good,
cats:
(G) Good,
small pets: (G) Good,
with children, more so than adults
(M) Moderately (P) Poor
(M) Moderately (P) Poor
(M) Moderately (P) Poor
Airedale Terrier
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
Am/Eng Foxhound
Am/Eng Staffordshire
Bull Terrier
Am Water Spaniel
Australian Kelpie
Australian Shepherd
Australian Terrier
Basenji
Basset Hound
Beagle
Bearded Collie
Bedlington Terrier
Belgian Malinois
Belgian Tervuren
Bernese Mtn. Dog
Bichon Frise
Blk/Tan Coonhound
Bloodhound
Border Collie
AHS: Dog Breed Characteristics
Rev. October 1, 2007
Coat Care
L
L
L
H
S
H
H
M
L
H
M
L
H
M
E
M
N
H
M
H
N
H
H
M
Good w/ small pets
Good w/ cats
Good w/ dogs
Good w/ children
Behavioral Characteristics
M
M M T
M
M M DT
B
Solitary
Tolerant
Sociable
Friendly
Shedding
Minimum
Moderate
Maximum
Minimum
Moderate
Exercise
Barks / Digs
Size
Trainability
Breed
Affenpinscher
Afghan Hound
Maximum
(VT) Very Trainable, (T) Trainable, (DT) Difficult to train
(B) Tends to Bark, (D) Tends to Dig
Giant
Trainability:
Barks/Digs:
Medium
with
with
with
with
Large
Good
Good
Good
Good
Extreme
Solitary:
Small
Tolerant:
P
M
P
G
P
P
M
P
M
P
P
M
P
M
P
T
T
DT
DT
DT
M
G
M
M
P
M
G
M
M
M
M
M
G
M
M
M
G
P
M
M
P
M
G
M
P
M
M
G
G
M
G
P
G
P
M
M
P
M
G
M
P
M
M
G
G
M
G
P
T
VT
VT
T
DT
DT
DT
T
DT
VT
VT
VT
VT
DT
DT
VT
BD
B
B
B
D
B
B
B
B
AHS: Dog Breed Characteristics
Rev. October 1, 2007
Size
Exercise
Coat Care
L
M
M
H
M
M
M
M
L
L
M
M
Behavioral Characteristics
M P P VT
M M M T
G G G
T
M M M T
M M M T
P M M DT
M M M VT
M M M T
P G G DT
P M M DT
M P P DT
P M M T
Barks / Digs
Trainability
Good w/ small pets
Good w/ cats
Good w/ dogs
Good w/ children
Solitary
Tolerant
Sociable
Friendly
Shedding
Minimum
Moderate
Maximum
Minimum
Moderate
Maximum
Extreme
Small
Medium
Large
Giant
Breed
Border Terrier
Borzoi
Boston Terrier
Bouvier de Flandres
Boxer
Briard
Brittany Spaniel
Brussels Griffon
Bullmastiff
Bull Terrier
Cairn Terrier
Cavalier King Charles
Spaniel
Chesapeake Bay
Retriever
Chihuahua
Chinese Crested Dog
Chow Chow
Clumber Spaniel
Cocker Spaniel, Am
Cocker Spaniel, Eng.
Corgi, Cardigan Welsh
(tail)
Corgi, Pembroke
Welsh (no tail)
Collie, Smooth Coat
Collie Rough Coat
Curly-coated Retriever
Dachshund (all)
Dalmatian
Dandie Dinmont
Terrier
Doberman Pinscher
Dogue de Bordeaux
(French Mastiff)
English Bulldog
English Setter
Eng. Springer Spaniel
English Toy Spaniel
BD
BD
B
BD
M
M M
M
T
M
L
H
M
M
M
L
P
G
P
M
G
G
P
M
G
M
M
G
G
M
M
G
M
M
G
G
M
DT
T
DT
T
VT
VT
T
L
M M
M
T
B
L
M
M
L
L
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
G
M
M
M
T
T
T
T
T
DT
B
B
L
M
P M
M M
M
M
VT
T
M
M
M
M
P M
M M
M G
G G
M
M
G
G
DT
T
VT
T
B
B
B
BD
D
AHS: Dog Breed Characteristics
Rev. October 1, 2007
Barks / Digs
Good w/ small pets
Good w/ cats
Good w/ dogs
Good w/ children
M
P
P
T
B
M
M
L
H
G
P
M
M
G
M
M
M
G
M
M
M
VT
T
VT
DT
L
L
L
M
L
L
M
L
L
M
H
L
M
H
M
L
M
M
L
M
L
H
H
M
G
G
G
P
M
M
G
P
G
M
P
P
P
G
P
M
M
M
M
P
G
P
P
M
P
M
P
M
M
G
P
G
G
P
M
M
G
P
M
M
P
G
P
G
P
M
M
M
M
P
M
M
G
P
G
G
P
M
M
G
P
M
M
P
G
P
G
P
T
DT
DT
T
DT
T
DT
T
T
T
T
DT
T
DT
VT
DT
DT
T
T
T
DT
T
DT
Solitary
L
Tolerant
BD
BD
Sociable
Behavioral Characteristics
M G G VT
M G G VT
M P P VT
M P P VT
M G G
T
P M M VT
M P P
T
Coat Care
Friendly
M
M
L
M
L
H
L
Shedding
Minimum
Moderate
Maximum
Minimum
Moderate
Maximum
Extreme
Exercise
Trainability
Size
Small
Medium
Large
Giant
Breed
Field Spaniel
Flat-coated Retriever
Fox Terrier (smooth)
Fox Terrier (wire)
French Bulldog
German Shepherd
German Shorthaired
Pointer
German Wirehaired
Pointer
Golden Retriever
Gordon Setter
Great Dane
Great Pyrenees Mtn.
Dog
Greyhound
Harrier
Ibizan Hound
Irish Setter
Irish Terrier
Irish Water Spaniel
Irish Wolfhound
Italian Greyhound
Jack Russell Terrier
Japanese Chin
Keeshond
Kerry Blue Terrier
Komondor
Kuvasz
Labrador Retriever
Lakeland Terrier
Lhasa Apso
Maltese
Manchester Terrier
Mastiff
Miniature Pinscher
Newfoundland
Norwegian Elkhound
B
B
B
BD
B
B
D
B
AHS: Dog Breed Characteristics
Rev. October 1, 2007
Size
Exercise
Coat Care
M
M
Barks / Digs
Trainability
Good w/ small pets
Good w/ cats
Good w/ dogs
Good w/ children
Solitary
Tolerant
Sociable
Friendly
Shedding
Minimum
Moderate
Maximum
Minimum
Moderate
Maximum
Extreme
Small
Medium
Large
Giant
Breed
Norwich Terrier
(ears up)
Norfolk Terrier
(ears down)
Old English Sheepdog
Otter Hound
Papillon
Pekingese
Petit Basset Griffon
Pharaoh Hound
Pomeranian
Poodle, Toy/Mini.
Poodle, Standard
Pug
Puli
Redbone Coonhound
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Saint Bernard
Saluki
Samoyed
Schipperke
Scottish Deerhound
Scottish Terrier
Schnauzer, Mini
Schnauzer, Standard
Schnauzer, Giant
Sealyham Terrier
Shar Pei
Shetland Sheepdog
Shih Tzu
Siberian Husky
Silky Terrier
Skye Terrier
Soft-coated Wheaten
Terrier
Sussex Spaniel
Tibetan Spaniel
Tibetan Terrier
Behavioral Characteristics
M M M T
M M M T
H
M
M
M
M
L
M
N
N
L
N
H
L
L
M
M
S
H
M
M
L
L
L
M
L
M
M
S
M
M
M
M
M
G
M
G
G
P
M
M
M
P
M
P
P
M
M
M
M
G
M
M
P
P
M
P
G
G
M
M
P
M
G
M
G
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
P
M
P
P
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
P
M
P
G
G
M
M
P
M
G
M
G
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
P
M
P
P
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
P
M
P
G
G
M
M
P
M
DT
DT
VT
DT
DT
T
DT
VT
VT
T
DT
DT
T
T
T
T
DT
DT
DT
DT
T
T
T
DT
DT
VT
T
DT
T
T
T
M
M
M
M M
G G
M M
M
G
M
T
T
T
BD
B
B
B
B
BD
B
BD
B
BD
B
D
B
Size
Exercise
Coat Care
L
M M
P P
M M
M
P
M
T
DT
T
L
M
M
M
P
P
P
P
DT
VT
L
M
G G
M M
G
M
T
T
M
P
P
DT
www.azhumane.org
©2006 Arizona Humane Society
Barks / Digs
Trainability
Good w/ small pets
Good w/ cats
Good w/ dogs
Good w/ children
Tolerant
Solitary
Behavioral Characteristics
P P P DT
L
L
M
For more information, please visit
AHS: Dog Breed Characteristics
Rev. October 1, 2007
Sociable
Friendly
Shedding
Minimum
Moderate
Maximum
Minimum
Moderate
Maximum
Extreme
Small
Medium
Large
Giant
Breed
Toy Manchester
Terrier
Vizsla
Weimaraner
Welsh Springer
Spaniel
Welsh Terrier
West Highland White
Terrier
Whippet
Wirehaired Pointing
Griffon
Yorkshire Terrier
P
BD
BD
B