Breed Trait Reference for Shelter Dogs: Temperament, Lifestyle Fit, Care & Costs
Use these profiles as reference points to understand temperament, energy level, grooming needs, and home compatibility—including monthly ownership costs. Then confirm the individual dog's behaviour and health with the shelter and your vet or trainer.
Many shelter dogs and mixes share traits with one or more breeds. Use these profiles as a starting framework, not a guarantee.
Start here
Start here before comparing breeds.
Beagle Guide: Temperament, Care, Pros & Cons
Learn about Beagle temperament, barking tendencies, exercise needs, size, lifespan, and how these traits can show up in shelter dogs and mixes.
Size: MediumEnergy: Moderate to HighShedding: ModerateBarking: HighWith Kids: OftenExercise: 60–90 min/dayBorder Collie Guide: Temperament, Care, Pros & Cons
Learn about Border Collie temperament, extreme energy levels, size, lifespan, trainability, exercise needs, and how these traits can show up in shelter dogs and mixes.
Size: MediumEnergy: Very HighShedding: ModerateBarking: Moderate to HighWith Kids: Yes (with supervision)Exercise: 90–120+ min/dayBoxer Guide: Temperament, Care, Pros & Cons
Learn about Boxer temperament, energy levels, size, lifespan, training needs, shedding, and how these traits can show up in shelter dogs and mixes.
Size: LargeEnergy: HighShedding: Low to ModerateBarking: ModerateWith Kids: Yes (with supervision)Exercise: 60–120 min/dayBulldog Guide: Temperament, Care, Pros & Cons
Learn about Bulldog temperament, size, lifespan, exercise limits, shedding, health considerations, and how these traits can show up in shelter dogs and mixes.
Size: MediumEnergy: LowShedding: ModerateBarking: LowWith Kids: Yes (with supervision)Exercise: 20–40 min/dayDachshund Guide: Temperament, Care, Pros & Cons
Learn about Dachshund temperament, size, lifespan, barking tendencies, exercise needs, shedding levels, and how these traits can show up in shelter dogs and mixes.
Size: SmallEnergy: ModerateShedding: Low to ModerateBarking: HighWith Kids: DependsExercise: 30–60 min/dayFrench Bulldog Guide: Temperament, Care, Pros & Cons
Learn about French Bulldog temperament, size, lifespan, exercise needs, shedding, apartment suitability, and how these traits can show up in shelter dogs and mixes.
Size: SmallEnergy: ModerateShedding: ModerateBarking: LowWith Kids: Yes (with supervision)Exercise: 30–60 min/dayGerman Shepherd Guide: Temperament, Care, Pros & Cons
Learn about German Shepherd temperament, size, lifespan, trainability, exercise needs, shedding, and how these traits can show up in shelter dogs and mixes.
Size: LargeEnergy: HighShedding: HighBarking: Moderate to HighWith Kids: Yes (with training)Exercise: 60–120 min/dayGolden Retriever Guide: Temperament, Care, Pros & Cons
Learn about Golden Retriever temperament, size, lifespan, heavy shedding, grooming commitment, exercise needs, and how these traits can show up in shelter dogs and mixes.
Size: LargeEnergy: Moderate to HighShedding: Very HighBarking: Low to ModerateWith Kids: YesExercise: 60–90 min/dayLabrador Retriever Guide: Temperament, Care, Pros & Cons
Learn about Labrador Retriever temperament, size, lifespan, shedding, exercise needs, training challenges, and how these traits can show up in shelter dogs and mixes.
Size: LargeEnergy: HighShedding: HighBarking: ModerateWith Kids: YesExercise: 60–120 min/dayPoodle Guide: Temperament, Care, Pros & Cons
Learn about Poodle temperament, size variations, lifespan, shedding levels, grooming commitment, trainability, and how these traits can show up in shelter dogs and mixes.
Size: Varies (Standard, Miniature, Toy)Energy: Moderate to HighShedding: LowBarking: ModerateWith Kids: YesExercise: 45–90 min/dayPug Guide: Temperament, Care, Pros & Cons
Learn about Pug temperament, size, lifespan, shedding levels, exercise limits, health considerations, and how these traits can show up in shelter dogs and mixes.
Size: SmallEnergy: Low to ModerateShedding: HighBarking: LowWith Kids: Yes (with supervision)Exercise: 20–40 min/dayRottweiler Guide: Temperament, Care, Pros & Cons
Learn about Rottweiler temperament, size, lifespan, protective instincts, training needs, exercise requirements, and how these traits can show up in shelter dogs and mixes.
Size: LargeEnergy: Moderate to HighShedding: ModerateBarking: Low to ModerateWith Kids: Yes (with training)Exercise: 60–90 min/dayShih Tzu Guide: Temperament, Care, Pros & Cons
Learn about Shih Tzu temperament, size, lifespan, grooming needs, shedding levels, exercise requirements, and how these traits can show up in shelter dogs and mixes.
Size: SmallEnergy: Low to ModerateShedding: LowBarking: Low to ModerateWith Kids: Yes (with supervision)Exercise: 20–40 min/daySiberian Husky Guide: Temperament, Care, Pros & Cons
Learn about Siberian Husky temperament, size, lifespan, extreme energy levels, shedding, exercise requirements, and how these traits can show up in shelter dogs and mixes.
Size: Medium to LargeEnergy: Very HighShedding: Very HighBarking: Low (but very vocal)With Kids: Yes (with supervision)Exercise: 90–120+ min/dayYorkshire Terrier Guide: Temperament, Care, Pros & Cons
Learn about Yorkshire Terrier temperament, size, lifespan, grooming needs, barking tendencies, shedding levels, and how these traits can show up in shelter dogs and mixes.
Size: SmallEnergy: ModerateShedding: LowBarking: HighWith Kids: DependsExercise: 20–40 min/day