Living with a dog is an important decision that commits you for a long period of time, and it should be taken responsibly, since depending on the breed a dog can live between 10 and 20 years. So before you get a dog, you should think about which breed fits your lifestyle.
Dog groups
As far back as Ancient Rome, dogs were classified according to their abilities and divided into "herding," "hunting," and "household" dogs. Later, in the 18th century, Buffon tried to classify them by ear shape and divided them into thirty breeds with erect, drooping, and semi-erect ears. Cuvier proposed a division into "guard dogs," "mastiffs," and "spaniels," based on skull shape. Since the 1950s, the International Cynological Federation (FCI) has created its own classification of the various breeds into ten groups. Every group is defined as "a set of breeds sharing a certain number of clear, transmissible traits." The first group includes herding and cattle-guarding dogs (with the exception of the Swiss mountain dog), the second is pinschers and schnauzers, molossers, and Swiss mountain dogs. The third includes terriers, the fourth dachshunds, and the fifth spitzes and primitive-type dogs. The sixth group includes scent hounds, related breeds, and similar dogs, the seventh is pointers, and the eighth retrievers and water dogs. The ninth group is companion and toy dogs, and the tenth is sighthounds. That's why, for most people living in urban areas, dogs belonging to the ninth group are recommended.
This is a small, cheerful, and playful dog originally from France. It's a small white dog with distinctly white fur and a small build. Bichons are very intelligent, so they learn new tricks with ease. They're great for urban living and small apartments. They aren't excessive barkers and are known for rarely barking, which makes them ideal pets, especially for inexperienced owners. They love company and are happiest surrounded by people or other dogs, and they adore group walks. Their lifespan is between 14 and 15 years.
The Chinese Crested weighs only between two and two and a half kilograms and has a very distinctive look. It loves children and other animals, and it's suitable for people who are allergic to dog fur. It's very lively, loves to hop around, run, and dig holes. It loves climbing to get over obstacles. It's very attached to its owner, loves being petted, and loves sitting in its owner's lap. This isn't an aggressive breed at all – they love children and don't bark excessively. They live between 13-18 years.
Very pleasant in nature, it loves to play once it's outside. It's adaptable, which makes it suitable for both houses and apartments. It's described as a fun, loyal dog that's devoted to its family. It's very intelligent, adores children, and loves playing with them. It gets along well with other dogs, and even with cats if they grew up together. Because of its intelligence it's easy to train, although it can also be stubborn. It lives between 10-14 years.
This is an old breed originating from Tibet. It's very intelligent and ideal for families with children. It's hardy, lively, and energetic. It shows love for its family, isn't aggressive, and gets along well with other animals. They're usually reserved with strangers and don't like being petted by them. They can also be stubborn, so they need an owner who will act as their "pack leader." They usually live 13-15 years.
It originates from Northern Italy and is characterized by its white color. If trained and socialized at a young age, it can be very intelligent. It learns quickly, loves children, and gets along wonderfully with children as well as other pets. These are playful dogs, very devoted to their owner. They don't like being alone, so it's not recommended to leave them alone for more than four hours. They don't bark too much, but they're protective of their owner and family. Despite being small, they'll always alert owners to any danger. They live between 12 and 15 years.
It has recognizable long, soft fur, and it got its name from King Charles. It's cheerful, good-natured, and recognizable for always wagging its tail when happy. They adore their owner and love sitting in their lap. They enjoy time outdoors, in nature, and on outings where they can show their full playfulness. They're not fans of commands, so a lot of patience is needed. They love children and other pets, don't like being alone, so it's not recommended to leave them alone in an apartment for long periods. They can be kept in an apartment, but they still prefer a yard where they can run around and explore. They live 12-15 years.
A tiny dog originating from China. It's recognizable by its long, beautiful coat. It comes in all colors, but the most prized are those with white fur and tufts on the forehead and tail. It adores the company of its two-legged friends and also loves other dogs. It's very attached to the family that took it in and tolerates children's mischief. It loves to bark, and its bark is piercing and quite strong for a dog of such small size. It needs to be socialized and taught manners from an early age, otherwise it can become grumpy, stubborn, and distrustful. It lives 12-14 years.
Poodles come from Germany and Central Europe, and are divided into toy, miniature, medium, and standard. They used to be duck hunters and circus performers, and today they're beloved pets around the world for their cheerful nature and playful character. They don't shed and are odorless, which makes them an excellent choice for people with allergies. They're recognizable by their proud gait, almost regal bearing. They're also prized for their intelligence, which is why they need constant stimulation, since a poodle that's constantly learning and picking up new skills won't get bored and won't show the destructive behavior it's prone to otherwise. A poodle enjoys pleasing its owner and responds best to training with treat rewards. It's a fast-learning breed, so its owners very rarely have problems with it. It lives 15 years or longer.
It comes from Mexico and is officially considered the smallest dog in the world. It has an interesting look and is one of the most popular breeds today, since it can even fit in a bag. Still, regardless of its size, they're energetic and quite loud barkers. It's also interesting that they bond with one person and don't like new people around them. They're not especially fond of small children, so they're not recommended for people with young children. They live 12-20 years.
A small, grumpy dog, very stubborn and remarkably self-assured and smart. It's very loyal to its owner, but not especially fond of strangers. It's not recommended for families with very young children. This breed is independent, but always craves attention. They love enclosed spaces and aren't prone to excessive activity. They live 12-14 years.
It comes from China but is very popular worldwide because of its looks and its gentleness with children. They rarely show signs of aggression and adapt well to their family. If you're calm, they'll be quiet and obedient, and if you're active, they'll follow your every step. They're very sensitive to their owners' moods. Naturally, they're excellent napping partners, since they spend a lot of time sleeping. They can also be a bit cheeky if you don't give them food or treats on time. They live 12-15 years.
The Maltese is a small, lively dog that adores walks and play. It's cautious around strangers, but devoted to its family. They're very affectionate and can be spoiled. They love sleeping in bed with their owner and love children too. They learn quickly, but only if you reward their effort. Since they're very bonded to people, being separated from them causes them anxiety. They live up to 15 years.
In recent years they've become very popular in Serbia. They have a good character, are sensitive, and get along nicely with everyone, but they love most the person who takes care of them. They're full of love for everyone around them, but they can show aggression toward other dogs. They're often headstrong and insist on having things their way. Like other bulldogs, they're not overly active, so it's enough to take them out for a walk twice a day. They live 9-11 years.