How to choose a dog to match your lifestyle

The right dog is not the one you like in a photo but the one that fits your everyday life: how many hours you are out, how much you move, who lives with you and how much brushing, cleaning and paying you are prepared to do for the next ten to fifteen years. The MSD Veterinary Manual notes that picking the wrong dog causes stress for both the family and the dog and often leads to behaviour problems. This guide goes lifestyle by lifestyle – flat and a job, active runners, a family with children, older owners, a first dog – and says what to look for and which breeds from our directory belong there.

First, take an honest look at your everyday life

Before you look at breeds, answer five questions; according to VCA and MSD these are what decide whether a dog will be happy with you:

Six lifestyles and the dogs that fit them

The selection below is based on the data in our breed directory (suitability for a flat, for beginners, for children, and activity level) and on the principles set out by MSD and VCA. It is not a list of "best breeds" but a starting point: every dog is an individual, and mixed breeds are often an excellent choice, although MSD notes that with a mixed-breed puppy it is harder to predict how big and active it will become.

Size is not a measure of energy

The most common mistake is equating "small dog = little work". MSD says explicitly that size does not tell you how active a dog will be: some small dogs need a lot of exercise, while some big ones, such as the Great Dane, are fairly lazy as adults. Very active dogs such as the Jack Russell terrier need room to run and, according to MSD, may not do well in flats, while working dogs like the border collie need a job or they get bored and act out. In our directory every breed has an activity level from 1 to 5: for a flat and a job look at 2–3, for running and hiking at 4–5.

What a breed once did, it still does

Breeds were selected for specific tasks over centuries, and according to VCA those genetics shape behaviour in the home: working breeds tend to be high-energy, herding breeds tend to chase whatever moves, guarding breeds patrol fences and doorways, hunting breeds follow their noses, over and under fences, and racing breeds need safe places to run fast. VCA advises researching what a breed or mix was intended to do and considering whether that "programme" fits your family's wishes. A herding dog in a flat with no job is not a calm dog but an unhappy one.

Coat, climate and how much grooming really is

Looks are not everything, but grooming is daily work. According to VCA, dogs with a continuously growing coat – poodle, Havanese, Maltese and many others – need clipping every three to six weeks, which belongs in the budget. Long-haired dogs need regular brushing but, VCA notes, tend to shed less; short-haired dogs shed more but tangle less. Dogs with a thick double coat, such as huskies and malamutes, may struggle in hot weather according to VCA and MSD; short-nosed breeds (pug, French and English bulldog, Boston terrier) often have narrow nostrils and airways, VCA says, and overheat easily, so they need a cool space and care in summer. If a pug for the flat tempts you, plan for summer before you buy. How often to brush is covered in our guide How often should you brush your dog.

Puppy or adult, breeder or shelter

Both have advantages. According to MSD, puppies fit easily into families and form strong bonds, but they need a great deal of attention, training and supervision, especially during house-training and teething, and more veterinary care at first. An adult dog needs time to settle, but you already know how big it is and what its temperament is like. VCA adds that dogs reach social maturity at around two years and are always learning, at any age; every interaction teaches them something, so a basic manners class is a good idea for every new dog.

Where to get one: MSD recommends registered breeders where you visit the litter and see the parents, and shelters and rescue organisations, which have mixed breeds and purebred dogs too; when buying through an advert, ask to see the parents and ask about vaccinations, parasite control and neutering. Regulation (EU) 2026/1818 will oblige sellers to hand the buyer proof of identification and registration and the dog's species, sex, date and country of birth and breed. Breeders with litters in Slovenia and Croatia are in our breeder directory; for adoption see the shelters.

Three myths about choosing a dog

"A big dog does not belong in a flat." It depends on energy, not kilograms: MSD gives the Great Dane as an example of a big but lazy dog and the Jack Russell terrier as a small one that does not thrive in a flat. Energy and training decide, not weight.

"A small dog is less work." A small dog is less food. Coat care (clipping every 3–6 weeks for many small breeds), training and exercise are the same or more.

"A mixed breed is always easier." Mixed breeds are often healthy and adaptable, but MSD notes it is harder to predict a mixed puppy's final size and activity. Knowing the parents helps.

Frequently asked questions

Which dog breed is suitable for a flat?

One with moderate energy that copes with a few hours alone and does not bark at every sound; in our directory these are marked as suitable for a flat, for example the Havanese, bichon frise, Cavalier King Charles spaniel or whippet. According to MSD the measure is activity, not size.

Which breed is suitable for a beginner?

Breeds that like to cooperate and forgive mistakes: Labrador retriever, golden retriever, cavapoo, labradoodle, bichon frise. Whatever the breed, VCA and MSD recommend a basic training class for every new dog.

Which dog is suitable for a family with children?

A patient and stable one: Labrador retriever, golden retriever, beagle, Bernese mountain dog. MSD warns that small, lively dogs often do not tolerate children's rough play, and that children should never be left alone with a dog.

How much time a day does a dog need?

The RSPCA says at least one outing a day where it can explore and play; working and herding breeds, according to MSD and VCA, need much more plus a job for the mind. Add feeding, grooming and training: an hour a day is the minimum for any dog.

A puppy or an adult dog from a shelter?

A puppy needs more training, supervision and early veterinary care (MSD); an adult dog needs time to settle, but you already know what it is like. If time is short, a calm adult dog is often the better choice.

Is it true that a dog must not be left alone during the day?

The RSPCA says never to leave a dog alone long enough to become distressed; how long that is depends on the dog. If you are out for a full working day, plan for a walker, daycare or a dog-friendly workplace.

In closing

Choose a dog for the life you live, not the one you are planning. If you are torn between two breeds, take the less demanding one: a dog you can manage is happier than a dog you admire. Which traits to compare when choosing between specific breeds is explained in our first guide How to choose the right dog breed for your home, and every breed with its activity and grooming data is in the dog breed directory.