Breeds and species
All animal breeds
Explore character, care and the everyday life you could share.
97 animals in this selection Each has a story.
Animal list
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Dogs Golden Retriever
FamilyApartmentBeginner The Golden Retriever is a large, friendly and highly trainable breed that originated on a Scottish estate in the 19th century, bred to softly retrieve shot wat… 10 – 12 yrsLarge -
Dogs Cavapoo
FamilyApartmentBeginner The Cavapoo (Cavoodle) is a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a toy or miniature Poodle – a soft, teddy-like small dog with an exceptionally … 12 – 15 yrsSmall -
Dogs Lagotto Romagnolo
FamilyApartmentBeginner The Lagotto Romagnolo is a curly-coated Italian breed from the wetlands of Romagna, the only breed in the world bred specifically to hunt truffles. Its coat do… 14 – 17 yrsMedium -
Dogs Papillon
FamilyApartmentBeginner The Papillon is a small French-Belgian companion breed, best known for its large, upright ears shaped like butterfly wings, which gave the breed its name. Desp… 13 – 16 yrsSmall -
Parrots Budgerigar
BeginnerActive The budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) is a small parrot native to the arid interior of Australia and, since the mid-1800s, one of the most thoroughly domest… 8 – 15 yrsSmall -
Dogs Bichon Frise
FamilyApartmentBeginner The Bichon Frise is a small, cheerful breed of Franco-Belgian origin with a dense curly white coat, known for its strong bond with people and friendly nature. … 14 – 15 yrsSmall -
Terrarium animals Leopard Gecko
Beginner The leopard gecko is one of the most recommended reptiles for beginners – calm, tolerant of handling, and it doesn't grow too large (roughly 18–25 cm, 50–80 g)… 15 – 20 yrsMini -
Dogs Labradoodle
FamilyApartmentBeginner The Labradoodle is a Labrador–Poodle cross combining the former's friendliness with the latter's brains and lower-shedding coat. It is a cheerful, sociable, tr… 12 – 14 yrsMedium -
Parrots Cockatiel
BeginnerActive The cockatiel is a small, social Australian parrot known for its mobile crest of feathers, widely considered one of the best beginner parrot species. 12 – 20 yrsSmall -
Cats British Shorthair
ApartmentBeginner The British Shorthair is a sturdy, round-faced pedigree cat known for its dense, plush 'teddy bear' coat and calm, independent temperament. Descended from anci… 14 – 20 yrsLarge -
Dogs Maltipoo
FamilyApartmentBeginner The Maltipoo is a small cross between a Maltese and a toy or miniature Poodle – a soft, plush companion that barely sheds. It is a cuddly, cheerful, adaptable … 12 – 15 yrsMini -
Dogs Toy Poodle
FamilyApartmentBeginner The Toy Poodle is the smallest of four size varieties within one FCI-recognized Poodle breed (Standard No. 172), with France listed as the official country of … 13 – 16 yrsSmall -
Dogs Goldendoodle
FamilyApartmentBeginner The Goldendoodle is a Golden Retriever–Poodle cross – a teddy-bear-like dog with a wavy or curly, often lower-shedding coat. It is exceptionally friendly, pati… 12 – 15 yrsMedium -
Cats Ragdoll
ApartmentBeginner The Ragdoll is a large, slow-maturing cat breed that originated in 1960s California, known for an exceptionally calm and trusting temperament toward people. Th… 12 – 17 yrsLarge -
Rabbits Mini Rex
Beginner The Mini Rex is a dwarf rabbit breed known for its distinctive velvety coat, calm temperament and compact build, popular with families and first-time owners. 8 – 10 yrsSmall -
Dogs Boston Terrier
FamilyApartmentBeginner The Boston Terrier, nicknamed "the American Gentleman," is a small, friendly and adaptable companion dog with a short black-and-white coat, developed in Boston… 11 – 13 yrsMedium -
Aquarium Fish Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta)
Beginner The Siamese fighting fish is a colourful, long-finned aquarium fish from Southeast Asia, often sold in small cups with no heater or filter – research shows tha… 3 – 5 yrsMini -
Parrots Senegal Parrot
Beginner The Senegal Parrot is a compact, intelligent and comparatively quiet West African parrot, popular as a starter medium-sized bird for beginners, though it often… 20 – 30 yrsSmall -
Cats British Longhair
ApartmentBeginner The British Longhair is the long-coated variety of the British Shorthair, produced by crossbreeding with Persians and Angoras, and it shares the same placid te… 12 – 16 yrsLarge -
Dogs Havanese
FamilyApartmentBeginner The Havanese is a cheerful, adaptable Cuban companion dog with a long silky coat, officially recognized as Cuba's national dog breed. Today's worldwide populat… 13 – 16 yrsSmall -
Parrots Bourke's Parrot
Beginner Bourke's Parrot is a small Australian parrot in soft pinkish-brown colours, regarded as one of the quietest and calmest parrots of all. It is most active at da… 10 – 15 yrsSmall -
Dogs Maltese
FamilyApartmentBeginner The Maltese is a toy companion breed with a pure white, silky, floor-length coat and roots in the central Mediterranean, where similar small dogs are believed … 12 – 15 yrsSmall -
Cats American Shorthair
ApartmentBeginner The American Shorthair is a muscular, even-tempered North American breed descended from working cats brought by settlers and kept on farms, not from British sh… 14 – 18 yrsMedium -
Dogs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
FamilyApartmentBeginner A gentle, affectionate royal companion devoted to human company, but burdened with two of the most extensively documented inherited conditions in dogdom: heart… 9 – 14 yrsSmall
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Load moreHow to choose the right pet or breed
Do not choose by appearance alone. Temperament, size, activity level and daily care needs matter just as much.
Think about how much time you can spend on grooming, training, play and companionship. Beginners often do best with breeds whose needs are clear and manageable.
Be careful with broad health claims: some breeds may be more prone to certain issues, so speak with a veterinarian or a responsible breeder.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose the right breed?
Start with your lifestyle: space, time, experience, preferred activity level and grooming commitment.
Which pet is suitable for beginners?
Beginners often do better with pets that have clear needs, a stable temperament and manageable care.
Is size the most important factor?
No. Size matters, but temperament, activity level, grooming needs and suitability for your home are just as important.
What can I find on Živalce?
A breed and species encyclopedia in Slovenian, Croatian and English, editorial care and nutrition advice with cited sources, six directories — vets, grooming salons, dog schools, hotels and boarding, shelters and breeders — the “Which pet is right for me?” quiz and a search across the whole site. A free account adds a Corner for your own animals.
Is the health content veterinary advice?
No. The content is informational and prepared under our editorial policy with sources; it does not replace an examination or treatment by a veterinarian. If your animal has a health problem, see a vet — immediately in an emergency.
How do I list my business (vet, salon, dog school, hotel, shelter, breeder) in a directory?
Through the application form of each of the six directories. Listing is free and the editors review it before publication; once claimed, you edit your listing from your account, and you can request a change or removal at any time through the contact form as well.
What does a user account give me?
In My Pets you add profiles of your animals with a photo, keep a care journal, record weight and set reminders. The records are private and visible only to you; you can delete the account at any time.