Popular dog and cat breeds
Short, honest guides to the most popular breeds: temperament, how much exercise and grooming they need, and what they suffer from. Useful whether you're choosing a pet or already living with one.
Dogs
- German Shepherd DogThe German Shepherd is one of the smartest working breeds: it serves with police, border guards and search-and-rescue teams, yet stays a devoted family dog.
- Labrador RetrieverThe Labrador is the world's most popular family dog: kind, sociable and patient. Labradors make the best guide and therapy dogs.
- Siberian HuskyThe Siberian Husky is a sled dog with blue eyes and endless energy. Beautiful and friendly, but one of the hardest breeds for a first-time owner.
- Yorkshire TerrierThe Yorkshire Terrier is a small dog with a big dog's personality. One of the most popular apartment breeds: it barely sheds and fits in a bag.
- PomeranianThe Pomeranian is a fluffy ball with a fox-like face. Small, cheerful and very photogenic, one of the trendiest breeds of recent years.
- ChihuahuaThe Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed in the world and one of the longest-lived. It comes in smooth and long coats.
- French BulldogThe French Bulldog is a compact companion with bat ears and a calm temperament. Perfect for an apartment: it barks little and doesn't need long walks.
- DachshundThe Dachshund is a short-legged hunting dog bred to go to ground. It comes in standard, miniature and rabbit sizes, with smooth, long or wire coats.
- PugThe Pug is a small companion dog with a wrinkled face and a curled tail. It was bred purely to keep people company, and it excels at the job.
Cats
- British ShorthairThe British Shorthair is plush, round-eyed and unflappable — the teddy bear of the cat world and one of the most popular breeds anywhere.
- Scottish FoldThe Scottish Fold has ears folded flat to its head and an owl-like face. It's very popular, but the breed carries a serious hereditary problem you should know about before buying.
- Maine CoonThe Maine Coon is one of the largest cat breeds: males weigh up to 10–11 kg, with ear tufts and a plumed tail. The ‘gentle giant’ of the cat world.