Dog breeds, temperament and training
Breed tells you what a dog was bred to do, which shapes energy, focus and quirks. It doesn't tell you everything about your dog.
The Pawfessor app has a breed guide for all 350 breeds in its list.
BeagleMedium · High energyMerry and sociable
Border CollieMedium · Very high energyThe most trainable of all breeds
ChihuahuaToy · Moderate energyDevoted to one person
French BulldogSmall · Low energyClownish and affectionate
German ShepherdLarge · Very high energyLoyal and protective of their people
Golden RetrieverLarge · High energyGentle and eager to please
Labrador RetrieverLarge · High energyFriendly with everyone, rarely a guard
Siberian HuskyLarge · Very high energyFriendly, not a guard dog- AkitaLarge · Moderate energyDignified and loyal
- American Pit Bull TerrierMedium · Very high energyAffectionate and eager
- American Staffordshire TerrierMedium · High energyConfident and people loving
Australian ShepherdMedium · Very high energySmart, busy working dog- Belgian MalinoisLarge · Very high energyIntense and driven
- Bernese Mountain DogGiant · Moderate energyGentle, calm family dog
- Bichon FriseSmall · Moderate energyCheerful and friendly
- BoxerLarge · Very high energyPlayful and bouncy well into adulthood
- Bucovina ShepherdGiant · Moderate energyCalm, fearless guardian
- Cane CorsoGiant · Moderate energySerious, protective guardian
Cavalier King Charles SpanielSmall · Moderate energyGentle and affectionate- CavapooSmall · Moderate energyGentle and affectionate
CockapooSmall · High energyFriendly and playful
DachshundSmall · Moderate energyBold and curious
DalmatianLarge · Very high energyEnergetic and playful- Doberman PinscherLarge · Very high energyLoyal, alert and sensitive
- English BulldogMedium · Low energyCalm, sweet and people focused
- English Cocker SpanielMedium · High energyMerry and affectionate
- GoldendoodleLarge · High energyFriendly and social
- Great DaneGiant · Moderate energyGentle giant
- HavaneseToy · Moderate energySociable and cheerful
Jack Russell TerrierSmall · Very high energyFearless and full of energy- LabradoodleLarge · High energyFriendly and clever
- MalteseToy · Moderate energyGentle, playful lap dog
- Miniature PoodleSmall · High energyBright, lively and people focused
- Miniature SchnauzerSmall · High energyAlert and spirited
- NewfoundlandGiant · Low energySweet and patient
Pembroke Welsh CorgiSmall · High energyBold and clever- PomeranianToy · Moderate energyLively and bold
PoodleLarge · High energyVery clever and athletic- PugSmall · Low energyCharming and sociable
- Romanian Carpathian ShepherdLarge · High energyBrave flock guardian
- Romanian Mioritic ShepherdGiant · Moderate energyProtective shepherd's guardian
- RottweilerLarge · Moderate energyCalm, confident guardian
- Saint BernardGiant · Low energyPatient and kind
- SamoyedMedium · High energyFriendly, the smiling dog
- Shiba InuSmall · Moderate energyIndependent and cat-like
- Shih TzuSmall · Low energyAffectionate and outgoing
- Staffordshire Bull TerrierMedium · High energyLoves people, especially children
- Toy PoodleToy · Moderate energyBright and affectionate
- VizslaMedium · Very high energyGentle and very affectionate
- WeimaranerLarge · Very high energyEnergetic and loving
- West Highland White TerrierSmall · High energyConfident and cheerful
- WhippetMedium · Moderate energyQuiet and gentle indoors
- Yorkshire TerrierToy · Moderate energyBig personality in a tiny body
No breed with that name yet. Every dog can use the same training basics: start with the dog training guides.
How to use breed information
Read a breed profile as a set of likely tendencies. A Border Collie probably needs a job, a Beagle probably follows their nose, a French Bulldog probably overheats more easily. Plan for those, then watch your own dog and adjust.
Choosing a breed
If you’re still choosing, match energy and care needs to your life: how much time you have for exercise, your space, grooming, and how much training you’re ready to do. A rescue dog’s adult personality is easier to see than a puppy’s.
Frequently asked questions
Does breed determine behavior?
Partly. Breed shapes tendencies such as energy, chasing or guarding, but individual dogs vary a lot, and early life and training matter just as much.
What is the easiest breed to train?
Breeds developed to work closely with people, like retrievers, poodles and herding dogs, often learn fast. Any dog can be trained with rewards and patience.
What if my dog is a mix?
Look at the traits you actually see. A mix's needs come from the dog in front of you, not a label.