So many dogs – so many choices. Is it any wonder that choosing a dog isn’t easy? Aside from the sheer range of dogs available, there are compatibility issues to consider as well. One very important compatibility issue is a dog’s activity level and how well that level fits within your lifestyle.

What kind of person are you? A sports fanatic? A video game fan? A traveler? A troglodyte? Whatever lifestyle you have, you must make sure that your dog of choice fits into its schedule. An active dog fits well into a jogger’s, biker’s, or camper’s lifestyle because the dog can participate in its owner’s activities. A more mellow dog will be content watching you play video games all day if that’s your thing, but it’s a mistake to try and train an active dog to do so. That’s not only cruel, it’s nearly impossible. An active dog that doesn’t have the proper outlet will destruct its environment out of boredom or result to neurotic behaviors (self-chewing, needless scratching, etc.).

Of course these example circumstances are extremes. There are plenty of variants in-between. There are moderate lifestyles and there are moderate dogs to complement them. Peruse the following list designed to make choosing a dog a little less confusing. Because it focuses on the activity levels of some pretty popular dogs, you can find a suitable candidate within each of the 8 basic dog groups.

Northern Breeds

High: Siberian Husky
Moderate: Akita
Low: Chow Chow

Herding Dogs

High: German Shepherd
Moderate: Collie
Low: (none!)

Gun Dogs

High: English Setter
Moderate: Cocker Spaniel
Low: (none!)

Guardian Dogs

High: American Bulldog
Moderate: Doberman Pinscher
Low: Mastiff

Scenthound Dogs

High: American Foxhound
Moderate: Beagle
Low: Basset Hound

Sighthound Dogs

High: Pharaoh Hound
Moderate: Whippet
Low: Greyhound

Terrier Dogs

High: Pit Bull
Moderate: Miniature Schnauzer
Low: Skye Terrier

Companion Dogs

High: Dalmation
Moderate: Bichon Frise
Low: Chihuahua