With over 300 breeds, dogs (along with cats) are the most popular pets in the world. When it comes to adorable dogs, price isn’t everything, although your bank account would beg otherwise. What is the first breed that comes to your mind when you think about dogs? Below are the five most popular dog breeds and their character traits!

Labrador Retriever

The most popular dog breed since 1991 has been the Labrador Retriever. Labrador Retrievers originated from the Canadian province of Newfoundland in the 1500s and are known to be exceptionally smart. They are thought to have been brought to the Americas by farmers who saw them as great hunters, swimmers, assistance dogs, and service dogs. Labrador Retrievers have thick tails and webbed feet, allowing them to swim easily. They come in different colors, black, yellow, chocolate, and different sizes. They have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years and are outgoing, intelligent, kind, agile, trusting, and gentle. They are people-pleasers and are children-friendly but tend to be protective of their families. They shed a pretty good amount of fur but need grooming every half a month, if not more. Labs have high energy levels so you will need to walk them twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. If you purchase Labs from a breeder, it is around $2,500. When adopting, the price really depends on the adoption center.

French Bulldog (Frenchie)

The French Bulldog, also known as Frenchie, originated in France and is the crossbreed of the Toy Bulldogs from England and the local Parisian ratters. This breed is perfect for those who don’t have time to take their dogs on walks, have fur allergies, and work at home as they have the tendency to have separation anxiety. They are companion dogs, meaning they are loyal and will stay by your side. They are great family dogs as they do well with young children and are very social. They have a life expectancy of 10 to12 years and are typically tan or brindle and white. When purchasing a Frenchie, the average price is $2,900, but adopting is always an option.

Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers were first introduced in the Scottish Highlands and used primarily for hunting birds on water or land. They are good with young children as they are affectionate, social, and loyal. People with fur allergies won’t appreciate these dogs because they have moderate to severe shedding and require grooming every two weeks or shorter. Golden Retrievers need two to three walks a day and will help you meet your health goals such as jogging or playing frisbee. They come in varying colors, from dark golden to light golden, and have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. Their prices range from $1500 to $3500 for a pure breed but rescuing them from a shelter can cost anywhere from $35 to $300.

German Shepherd

German Shepherds were found and bred, not surprisingly, in Germany in the late 1800s. They are able to herd sheep or other livestock and are intelligent, curious, stubborn, alert, obedient, protective, and loyal. German Shepherds are one of the most common breeds in police K-9 units because of their stamina and commitment to completing a task. They make great guard dogs and are family-friendly if trained properly. If they aren’t trained properly, they will have the tendency to bite anything and everything they see: hands, feet, furniture, etc. They come in various colors, such as black, black and tan, red and black, and black and silver. They have seven to ten years of life expectancy, but the oldest German shepherd has lived up to 18 years. They can cost anywhere from $1500 to $3000 because it’s not easy to raise them as pups.

Poodle

Poodles originated from Germany and are now the national dog of France. Poodle originated from the German word “pudelin”, meaning “to splash in the water”. This is suitable for this dog breed as they are great swimmers, thanks to their moisture-resistant coat and webbed feet. Poodles are affectionate with families, are great with young children, and have little to no shedding throughout the year. They have a higher energy level and need an average of 60 minutes of exercise a day. They have a life expectancy of 10 to 18 years and come in a variety of colors. They cost anywhere from $500 to $2000 depending on what type of poodle.

In conclusion, there are approximately 340 dog breeds, each one having unique characteristics that makes them perfect in their own little way! If you don’t mind what breed you want to raise and don’t want to get too attached to the dog, you can always consider foster care where you can help raise dogs and give them back as soon as they are cared for enough to be independent.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Arista