Information on The Top 5 Dog Breeds

There are hundreds, even thousands, of different dog breeds in the world today. If choosing one of the best breeds is something you want to do, this article will give you some information on the top 5 dog breeds available. If you're like most people, you probably have a good idea of what type of dog you want, but is the breed you're looking at in the top 5? Let's take a look at the top 5 breeds, in no particular order.

1. The Golden Retriever

It should come as no surprise that the Golden Retriever is among the top 5 dog breeds in America. They are well mannered, intelligent dogs that make great companions. They train easily and are patient with children as well as adults. The Golden Retriever is sociable and has attributes that make it a great watchdog. It is commonly used for hunting, tracking and drug detection. Golden Retrievers love to please their masters and excel in obedience competitions. Their life expectancy is between 10 and twelve years.

2. The Labrador Retriever

There is a legend in Canada that says that the Lab is a cross between a Nordic dog and an otter. While not entirely true, you can tell that this dog loves the water and its ancient ancestors were trained in the northern parts of Canada to jump into icy water and haul fishing nets back to shore. Their primary role in the field is hunting. Labradors are a well-balanced, friendly and versatile breed that can adapt well to a wide range of functions. They are fond of families and children, very intelligent and easy to train. They also make great watchdogs like the Golden Retriever but do not make good guard dogs. They work well as guide dogs, police dogs and bird dogs and are reputed to be a mellow breed which makes them excellent family dogs.

3. The German Shepherd

The German shepherd is also ranked among the top 5 dog breeds in America. They are very active as well as fearless; though they are not naturally hostile dogs, they can be trained as police or military dogs. Although they are fearless and outgoing, they are extremely patient and protective with children in the family. They are also are extremely loyal family members. However, it does take them some time to get accustomed to strangers.

4. Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie for short, is a smaller dog but you wouldn't know it from its personality or temperament. This dog struts with self-confidence everywhere it goes and is often be stubborn and hard to house break. They need consistent training and can be aggressive toward strange dogs and small children. Yorkies were bred specifically to hunt, which they do instinctively, so they must be leashed when you walk them. Their life expectancy is between 12 and 15 years.

5. The Beagle

Most people will likely be surprised that the Beagle is among the top 5 dog breeds in America. They like children and are usually very friendly toward people and other dogs. The only drawback with a Beagle is they tend to bark and howl a lot; this can become quite annoying, especially in the middle of the night. They need firm training because they have strong personalities. As Beagles were also bred to hunt, they need to be leashed when you take them for a walk.

Finding the right dog breed to fit your lifestyle and your personality is just as important as finding clothes that fit correctly. Any dog that you are considering for adoption will be part of the family and needs to fit into every part of your schedule and lifestyle.

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