The compact but muscular Australian Cattle Dog, also called Blue Heeler or Queensland Heeler, is related to Australia’s famous wild dog, the Dingo. These resilient herders are intelligent enough to routinely outsmart their owners.
A boisterous and charismatic droving dog from Scotland, the shaggy-coated Bearded Collie (“Beardie” to his friends) enjoys outdoor exercise in all weather. Bred to be independent decision-makers, they can be willful but are always friendly.
The smart, confident, and versatile Belgian Malinois is a world-class worker who forges an unbreakable bond with his human partner. To deny a Mal activity and the pleasure of your company is to deprive him of his very reasons for being.
The Belgian Sheepdog is a highly trainable herder whose versatility and intelligence is the stuff of canine legend. This is a breed built for hard work, and plenty of it. These sensitive souls crave human companionship and abhor neglect.
The elegant, agile Belgian Tervuren is a bright and self-assured herding dog of medium size, known to be affectionate and possessive with loved ones. Lots of hard work and challenging play is heaven for this tireless, do-it-all dog.
A remarkably bright workaholic, the Border Collie is an amazing dog—maybe a bit too amazing for owners without the time, energy, or means to keep it occupied. These energetic dogs will settle down for cuddle time when the workday is done.
They don’t build ’em like this anymore. Burly and barrel-chested, the tousle-coated dog of Flandres is from a time and place where a dog had to work like … well, a dog. These smart and steady all-purpose workers make excellent watchdogs.
The Briard packs so much loyalty, love, and spirit into its ample frame that it's often described as a "heart wrapped in fur." The dashing good looks of these muscular Frenchmen radiate a distinct aura of Gallic romance and elegance.
A purebred dog (or money dog) typically refers to a dog of a modern dog breed with a documented pedigree in a stud book and may be registered with a breed club that may also be part of a national kennel club.
Up until 1983, the breeds in the Herding Group were part of the Working Group. All Herding breeds share an instinctual ability to control the movement of other animals. These breeds were developed to gather, herd and protect livestock. Today, some like the Belgian Malinois and the German Shepherd Dog are commonly used for police and protection work. The herding instinct in these breeds is so strong that Herding breeds have been known to gently herd their owners, especially the children of the family. In general, these intelligent dogs make excellent companions and respond beautifully to training exercises.
Not too big; not too small: These dogs are the definition of a happy medium, and probably why they show up on our list of most popular dogs year after year. Their playful and kind personalities make for excellent additions to families. Some are calmer by nature, like the Bulldog or the Whippet; others are more energetic like the Brittany or the Shetland Sheepdog. No matter what, they’re friendly and obedient, and love to please.
So, you are ready to bring a dog into your home. Obviously, your intention is to have that new four-legged member of the household around for a very long time to come.
Since dogs can become such integral members of a family, it is only natural to want them around for as long as possible. And when you have kids, it’s nice to bring a pup into the home and have that pup grow into adulthood with your child.
It’s important to know that there are some breeds out there that tend to be hardier than others. In general, most dogs have lifespans that are similar, ranging anywhere from 10 to 13 years old.
There are certain breeds however, that have significantly shorter lifespans. Then there are some breeds that surprise us and live a very long time, sometimes up to 15 years and beyond.
Some of the longest living breeds of dog have been known to have instances where they have lived 20 years or longer, although that is rare.
That’s a pretty long time for a dog – it works out to be about 140 years old in human years!
Also, something to keep in mind when choosing your new dog is that when you go with a purebred pooch, though they may have a great pedigree, sometimes their health can suffer and their lifespans can be shorter.
Deciding to go with a mutt instead means you could have a dog that may live longer. It’s also worth noting that smaller dogs tend to have the longest life spans, while larger dogs have the shortest.
Either way, seek out a dog with an amazing personality and tons of vitality, and you will have a source of joy for many years to come.
Dogs with double coats boast and undercoat and an outer coat. In short, their coats are made up of long, guard hairs under which there is a denser, woollier and usually much softer undercoat. The denser the undercoat happens to be, the fluffier a dog's coat tends to be and the more grooming they need to prevent tangles and mats from forming.
The outer guard hairs serve to repel any moisture and they help get rid of any dirt whereas the softer undercoat acts more as an insulation that keeps dogs warm during the colder winter months and cooler when the weather is hot in the summertime. As such, a double coat should never be shaved because it takes away the barrier that protects dogs from the damaging UV rays of the sun.
As you kick those workouts up a notch to prepare for your best bod ever, bringing your dog along for the exercise can be a wonderful way for you to enhance your bond while helping you both stay healthy. We’ve asked American Kennel Club spokesperson Lisa Peterson to share a list breeds that can help keep you fit, along with some tips for beginning an exercise routine with your dog.
While any of these breeds may be perfect for your active lifestyle with proper training, it’s also important to learn as much as you can about a potential pet’s behaviors, temperaments and certain medical conditions before making a commitment to one.