Afghan Hound
Dignified, aloof, graceful, elegant and sensitive. Tolerant and aloof with children.
Size: 63-74cm (25-29in)
Weight: 23-27kg (50-60lb)
Coat: Very long and fine, daily grooming
Lifespan: 12-14 years.

Basset Hound
Placid, affectionate, stubborn and gentle. Good with children.
Size: 33-38cm (13-15in)
Weight: 18-27kg (40-60lb)
Coat: Smooth and short.
Lifespan: 12 years.

Beagle
Bold, friendly, very active, alert and curious. Good with children.
Size: 33-40cm (13-16in)
Weight: 8-14kg (18-30lb)
Coat: Short and dense, tip of tail is white.
Lifespan: 13 years.

Bichon Frise
Happy, lively, vivacious and affectionate. Good with children.
Size: 23-28cm (9-11in)
Weight: 3-6kg (7-12lb)
Coat: Fine, silky with soft corkscrew curls. White in colour and needs daily grooming.
Lifespan: 14 years.

Border Collie
Tenacious, keen, alert, responsive, sensitive. Good with children but may chase or nip in play.
Size: 46-54cm (18-21in)
Weight: 14-22kg (30-49lb)
Coat: Medium length, smooth with soft, dense undercoat. Coat will bring dirt in from outside.
Lifespan: 12-14 years.

Boxer
Playful, exuberant, inquisitive, devoted, outgoing, agile, strong. Very playful with children but maybe too much for young children. Can have breathing difficulties.
Size: 53-63cm (21-25in)
Weight: 25-32kg (55-70lb)
Coat: short and smooth.
Lifespan: 10-12 years.

Bull Terrier
Courageous, feisty, tenacious, obsessive and obstinate. Good with children if raised with them. Needs protection in high ultraviolet conditions.
Size: (English) 53-56cm (21-22in)
Weight: 24-28kg (52-62lb.)
Coat: short, flat and glossy.
Lifespan: 11-13 years.

Bulldog
Kind, courageous, tenacious, alert, bold, affectionate and stubborn. Good with children. Needs extra cleaning because of folds of skin.
Size: 31-36cm (12-14in)
Weight: 23-25kg (50-55lb)
Coat: Fine, short and smooth.
Lifespan: 8-9 years.

Cattle Dog Blue Heeler
Loyal, protective, alert and courageous. Tolerant to children. Maybe aggressive to strangers unless socialized.
Size: 43-51cm (17-20in)
Weight: 16-20kg (35-45lb)
Coat: smooth, straight, hard topcoat with short dense undercoat.
Lifespan: 12 years.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Sporting, lively, gentle, affectionate and friendly. Very good-natured with children. Needs regular exercise.
Size: 31-33cm (12-13in)
Weight: 5-8kg (12-18lb)
Coat: long and silky. Needs daily grooming.
Lifespan: 9-11 years.

Chihuahua
Alert, spirited, bold, friendly and affectionate. Good with children but may be injured by boisterous children.
Size: 15-23cm (6-8in)
Weight: 1-3kg (2-6lb)
Coat: long haired - medium length, soft. Smooth coated - smooth and soft.
Lifespan: 14-18 years.

Chow Chow
Aloof, independent, stubborn, strong-willed, quiet and loyal. Not very tolerant of children.
Size: 46-56cm (18-22in)
Weight: 20-32kg (45-70lb)
Coat: Thick, dense and straight with soft, woolly undercoat. Requires regular grooming and is prone to overheating. Has a blue/black tongue.
Lifespan: 11-12 years.

Cocker Spaniel
Happy, affectionate, busy, exuberant and wilful. Tolerant of children.
Size: 38-41cm (15-16in)
Weight: 13-14.5kg (28-32lb)
Coat: flat, silky, medium length and well feathered. Requires daily grooming.
Lifespan: 12-14 year.

Collie
Sensitive, aloof, affectionate and gentle. Will tolerate children.
Size: 51-61cm (20-24in)
Weight: 18-30k (40-66lb)
Coat: Outer coat long, profuse and straight with soft, furry undercoat. Daily grooming is required.
Lifespan: 12-13 years.

Corgi Pembroke Cardigan
Alert, active, outgoing, steady and confident. Good with children. May nip at heels in play but can be easily trained out of this.
Size: Cardigan - 27-30cm (10.5-12in), Pembroke - 25-30cm (10-12in)
Weight: Cardigan - 11-17kg (25-38lb), Pembroke - 9-12kg (20-26lb)
Coat: Medium length, straight with good undercoat, dense undercoat in the Pembroke.
Lifespan: 12-14 years.

Dachshund
Gentle, courageous, docile, outgoing, versatile and good tempered. Good with children.
Size: 20-25cm (8-10in)
Weight: 6.5-11.5kg (15-35lb)
Coat: Long haired - soft and straight (daily grooming is required. Smooth haired - dense, short and smooth.
Lifespan: 14-16 years.

Dalmation
Great endurance, outgoing, friendly and exuberant. Good with children if raised with them.
Size: 56-61cm (22-24in)
Weight: 23-25kg (50-55lb)
Coat: short, hard and sleek. White in colour with black/brown spots
Lifespan: 12 years

Doberman Dobermann Pinscher
Bold, responsive, alert, strong-willed, loyal and obedient. A natural guard with children. Dogs from some lines may be aggressive to strangers and other dogs.
Size: 65-69cm (25.5-27in)
Weight: 30-40kg (66-88lb)
Coat: smooth, short and glossy
Lifespan: 12 years.

German Shepherd
Attentive, alert, steady, loyal, self-assured, sensitive and responsive. Good with children.
Size: 58-63cm (23-25in)
Weight: 34-43kg (75-95lb)
Coat: Straight, hard outer coat of medium to long length with thick undercoat. Regular grooming to remove dead hair.
Lifespan: 12-13 years.

Jack Russel Russell Terrier
Active, resilient, courageous, tenacious, independent, feisty and exuberant. Good with children if raised with them. Could be snappy.
Size: 23-26cm (9-12in)
Weight: 4-7kg (9-15lb)
Coat: smooth haired and rough haired varieties.
Lifespan: 12-18 years.

Labrador Retriever
Kind, responsive, keen, biddable, enthusiastic and friendly. Good, patient with children. Commonly known as Guide Dogs.
Size: 55-57cm (21.5-22.5in) Retriever - 51-61cm (20-24in)
Weight: 25-34kg (55-75lb) Retriever - 27-36kg (60-80lb)
Coat: short, dense without wave or feathering. Retriever - flat or wavy with good feathering.
Lifespan: 12-13 years.

*For more in-depth information on this dog breed, please refer to my guide on the Labrador in the Reviews & Guides section.

Lhasa Apso
Assertive, alert, steady, confident, aloof and stubborn. Good with children if raised with them.
Size: 25-28cm (10-11in)
Weight: 6-7kg (13-15lb)
Coat: topcoat long, heavy, straight, hard with moderate undercoat. Daily grooming required. Hair needs to be trimmed from eyes.
Lifespan: 12-14 years.

Maltese Terrier
Lively, alert, sweet-tempered, affectionate. Good with children.
Size: 20-25cm (8-10in)
Weight: 2-3kg (4-6lb)
Coat: long, straight and silky. Needs daily grooming and regular clipping.
Lifespan: 14 years.

Old English Sheepdog
Biddable, bold, faithful and affectionate. Good with children but may be clumsy.
Size: 56-61cm (22-24in)
Weight: 29.5-30.5kg (65-67lb)
Coat: profuse, of good harsh texture with thick undercoat. Requires prolonged, daily grooming.
Lifespan: 12-13 years.

Pekingese
Alert, courageous, loyal, calm, aloof, independent and stubborn. May be injured by young or boisterous children. Likely to snore.
Size: 15-23cm (6-9in)
Weight: 4-5.5kg (10-12lb)
Coat: long, straight with profuse mane and thick undercoat. Profuse feathering on ears, back of legs, tail and toes. Requires daily grooming.
Lifespan: 12-13 years.

Pomeranian
Vivacious, extrovert, lively and affectionate. May be injured by young or boisterous children.
Size: 22-28cm (8.5-11in)
Weight: 1.8-2.5kg (4-5.5lb)
Coat: long, straight, harsh topcoat with soft, fluffy undercoat. Requires daily grooming.
Lifespan: 15 years.

Toy Standard Poodle
Spirited, good-natured, biddable, affectionate, calm and dependable. Good with children
Size: Miniature - 28-38cm (11-15in),Standard - 37.5-38.5cm (15in), Toy - 25-28cm (10-11in)
Weight: Miniature - 12-14kg (26-30lb), Standard - 20.5-32kg (45-70lb), Toy - 6.5-7.5k (14-16.5lb)
Coat: very profuse and dense. Does not shed.
Lifespan: Miniature and Toy - 14-15 years, Standard - 11-13 years.

Pug
Homely, friendly, industrious, sociable, gentle, playful, obedient and busy. Good with children but may be injured by young or boisterous children. May snore.
Size: 25-28cm (10-11in)
Weight: 6.5-8kg (14-18lb)
Coat: fine, short, soft and glossy.
Lifespan: 13-14 years.

Rottweiler Rottie Rotty
Bold, courageous, confident, calm, biddable and protective. Good with children if raised with them.
Size: 58-69cm (23-27in)
Weight: 41-50kg (90-110lb)
Coat: short, thick and glossy
Lifespan: 11-12 years.

Samoyed
Alert, affectionate, good-natured and independent. Good with children.
Size: 46-56cm (18-22in)
Weight: 23-30kg (50-66lb)
Coat: thick, close, soft and short undercoat with harsh hair growing through. Requires daily prolonged grooming.
Lifespan: 12 years.

Schnauzer
Alert, reliable, biddable, inquisitive, eager and persistent. Good with children if raised with them. Tends to bark excessively.
Size: Miniature - 33-36cm (13-14in), Standard - 46-48cm (18-19in)
Weight: Miniature - 6-7kg (13-15lb), Standard - 14.5-15.5kg (32-34lb)
Coat: harsh, wiry with dense undercoat. Requires daily grooming and regular clipping.
Lifespan: 12-14 years.

Scottish Terrier
Dignified, sensible, independent, reserved, courageous, bold and stubborn. Tolerant with children if raised with them.
Size: 25-28cm (10-11in)
Weight: 8.5-10.5k (19-23lb)
Coat: harsh, dense and wiry topcoat with short, dense and soft undercoat. Coat needs hand-stripping or clipping twice a year.
Lifespan: 13-14 years.

Shetland Sheepdog Sheltie
Alert, gentle, active, affectionate, responsive and reserved. May be timid with boisterous children.
Size: 36-37cm (14-14.5in)
Weight: 6-7kg (14-16lb)
Coat: long, harsh-textured, straight topcoat with soft, short undercoat. Mane and frill very abundant, forelegs well feathered. Requires regular grooming.
Lifespan: 13-14 years

Shih Tzu Shitzu
Active, alert, friendly, independent. Good with children if raised with them. May snore.
Size: 25-27cm (10-11in)
Weight: 4.5-7.5kg (10-16lb)
Coat: long, dense topcoat with good undercoat. Requires daily grooming and hair clipped and tied from eyes.
Lifespan: 12-14 years.

Silky Terrier
Energetic, determined, courageous, keen, alert, friendly and responsive. Good with children. Puppies may be injured by young children. May bark excessively.
Size: 22-23cm (8-9in)
Weight: 4-5kg (8-10lb)
Coat: long, fine and glossy, silky texture. Requires careful daily grooming. There is no undercoat so the dog may be cold in winter.
Lifespan: 14-16 years.

Staffordshire Terrier Staffie
Courageous, tenacious, affectionate, bold and feisty. Very good with children if raised with them. May have a hard play bite when young.
Size: 36-41cm (14-16in)
Weight: 11-17kg (24-38lb)
Coat: smooth, short and close.
Lifespan: 11-12 years.

Yorkshire Terrier Yorkie
Alert, spirited, friendly, courageous, tenacious and stubborn. May be injured by young or boisterous children.
Size: 22.5-23.5cm (9in)
Weight: 2.5-3.5kg (5-7lb)
Coat: long, straight, fine and silky texture. Requires daily grooming and long hair on the top of the head should be clipped or tied up out of the eyes.
Lifespan: 14 years.

I hope this Dog Breed and Puppy Guide has helped you find the dog breed suitable to you, your family and lifestyle. If you have any questions, please feel free to Contact Me. For more information, please sign up for my newsletters by adding my eBay Store to your Favourites