Every breed has its own strengths and its own everyday challenges. A Beagle’s nose, a Husky’s coat, a Border Collie’s brain and a French Bulldog’s love of the couch all shape the problems owners face. Find your dog’s breed below to see the most common problems and the solutions that help. Mixed breed? Look at the breeds in the mix, then browse our dog problems guides.
Find breeds by problem
Which breeds shed the most?
Siberian Husky, Samoyed, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Great Pyrenees, Bernese Mountain Dog, Akita and Pembroke Welsh Corgi. See our dog shedding guide.
Which breeds shed less?
Poodle, Bichon Frise, Maltese, Havanese, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Goldendoodle and Aussiedoodle. Low shedding still means regular grooming.
Which breeds tend to bark or howl a lot?
Beagle, Basset Hound, Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Jack Russell Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer and Siberian Husky. Start with why dogs bark at everything.
Which breeds need the most exercise and mental work?
Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Australian Cattle Dog, Belgian Malinois, German Shorthaired Pointer, English Springer Spaniel and Dalmatian. Bored working breeds often destroy things when alone.
Which breeds are more prone to separation stress?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Italian Greyhound, Bichon Frise, Havanese and Labrador Retriever. Read how to help a dog with separation anxiety.
Which breeds find recall hardest?
Independent and scent-driven breeds like the Siberian Husky, Beagle, Basenji and Shiba Inu. See how to teach your dog to come when called.
Which breeds suit apartment life?
Often the French Bulldog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Havanese, Shih Tzu, Boston Terrier, Pug and Maltese, as long as their daily needs are met.
Which breeds need early socialisation and experienced handling?
Guardian and powerful breeds such as the Akita, Cane Corso, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, Dogo Argentino, Beauceron and Giant Schnauzer thrive with reward-based training, structure and a confident owner.
Which breeds are sensitive to heat?
Flat-faced breeds like the Pug, French Bulldog, Bulldog, Boston Terrier and Boxer need extra care in hot weather. Talk to your vet about breathing and exercise.
Small breeds
- Bichon Frise
- Boston Terrier
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Chihuahua
- Dachshund
- French Bulldog
- Havanese
- Italian Greyhound
- Jack Russell Terrier
- Maltese
- Miniature Pinscher
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Pomeranian
- Pug
- Shih Tzu
- West Highland White Terrier
- Yorkshire Terrier
Medium breeds
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Aussiedoodle
- Australian Cattle Dog
- Australian Shepherd
- Basenji
- Basset Hound
- Beagle
- Border Collie
- Bulldog
- Bull Terrier
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi
- Cocker Spaniel
- Dalmatian
- English Springer Spaniel
- Goldendoodle
- Miniature American Shepherd
- Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Poodle
- Samoyed
- Shiba Inu
- Siberian Husky
Large breeds
- Akita
- Beauceron
- Belgian Malinois
- Boxer
- Doberman Pinscher
- Dogo Argentino
- German Shepherd
- German Shorthaired Pointer
- Giant Schnauzer
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
- Rottweiler
Giant breeds
Does breed decide everything?
No. Breed gives tendencies, but every dog is an individual. Age, health, routine, training and environment matter just as much. Use the Dog Problem Solver to find help for your dog’s situation.
Share your breed experience
Own one of these breeds? Tell other owners what works for your dog in the Dogs.solutions Community.