Dog breed selector

The quiz is the interactive selector. Each answer adjusts a numeric score on our catalog:

1. Home. Apartment boosts our apartment-fit lean and penalizes large size. House with outdoor access boosts large or high-energy dogs.
2. Household. Kids uses our kids lean. Seniors or living alone favors lower energy and some alone-time tolerance.
3. Size. Small, medium, or large is a hard filter unless you pick “no preference.”
4. Activity and daily time. We compare your week to each breed’s energy score (1–5).
5. Coat. Short, medium, long, or curly is a hard filter unless you leave it open. Curly is often chosen for less visible shed—it still needs grooming.
6. Temperament vibe. We boost breeds whose catalog tags include the word you picked (friendly, smart, loyal, playful, calm).

Ranked results show relative fit, not a perfect dog. AKC’s veterinary corner: a mismatch on activity or living conditions is how dogs end up rehomed. Take the quiz when you want a shortlist in about two minutes—no email.

AKC: if you hike, a short-legged dog may be a poor partner; if you live in an apartment, size may be an issue. Our cards use three size bands—small, medium, large—not AKC’s seven groups. Catalog examples:

• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel — small, 13-18 lbs
• Beagle — small, 20-30 lbs
• Labrador Retriever — large, 55-80 lbs

Browse small, medium, and large hubs, or best dogs for apartments. Energy still matters more than square footage alone.

AKC: pick a dog whose approach to life matches yours—don’t expect a Pug to be a Border Collie. Our energy field is 1–5. The quiz maps “mostly relaxed” to 1–2, “moderately active” to 3, and “very active” to 4–5. Low daily time also penalizes high-energy breeds.

• Bulldog — energy 2/5 · Low energy requiring short walks and indoor play.
• Greyhound — energy 3/5 · Surprisingly low energy. Short bursts of exercise followed by long naps.
• Border Collie — energy 5/5 · Very high energy requiring extensive daily exercise and mental stimulation.

Side-by-side: compare energy. High-drive herding types: herding dog breeds. Quieter homes: best dogs for seniors.

AKC: even if you use a salon, plan weekly home grooming; heavy coats can need daily work. Our coat types are short, medium, long, and curly. Choosing one in the quiz drops every other type.

• Doberman Pinscher — short · Low maintenance. Weekly brushing and occasional baths.
• Golden Retriever — long · Requires regular brushing (2-3 times per week) to prevent matting. Sheds heavily twice a year.
• Poodle (Standard) — curly · High maintenance. Requires professional grooming every 4-6 weeks and daily brushing.

Lower visible shed is not allergen-free. See hypoallergenic dogs and best dogs for allergies. Fluffy coats: fluffy dog breeds.

AKC: guardian types can be wary of busy visitor traffic; all dogs cost food, vet care, toys, and training, and large dogs usually cost more to feed and medicate. ASPCA’s 2021 national planning table lists a dog first-year total of $3,221—not a per-breed quote. ASPCA adoption advice: match personality and energy to your daily life, and let shelter staff help play matchmaker.

• Golden Retriever — Friendly, Intelligent, Devoted, Trustworthy
• French Bulldog — Adaptable, Playful, Smart, Affectionate
• Havanese — Affectionate, Intelligent, Energetic, Loyal

Families: best family dogs and best dogs for kids. First dog: first-time owners. Rescue: dog rescue.

AKC: popularity and TV dogs are a weak reason to choose. Research parent-club health tests, then meet dogs. A responsible breeder or shelter will ask about your lifestyle; if they don’t, be wary. Open two finalists in Compare, read each profile, and treat quiz percentages as a sorting hat—not a contract.

Still exploring catalogs? Common dog breeds (AKC 2025 registration ranks) and all breeds A–Z. Want to guess breeds from photos instead? That’s the picture quiz—a different tool.