Choosing a Puppy according to his/her Energy level

If you already have made the decision to adopt or buy a dog, here below you will find three (3) lists with the breeds categorized by their levels of energy. However, keep in mind that although the breed is important, is also important to interact with those puppies you are interested in to check their behavior before taking them home.

A dog’s energy level is the single most important factor to consider when choosing a dog, says celebrity dog trainer and YouTube star Zak George. 

Here’s how to evaluate a low-energy dog, a medium-energy dog, and a high-energy dog.

Figuring out a dog’s energy level is the easiest way to categorize whether or not a dog is right for you. Of course, there are other factors you might think about such as size, puppy versus an adult, and a mixed breed versus a purebred. However, energy is certainly the most important one.

So, how do you choose a dog based on energy level? We’ll outline the different levels so you can figure out where a dog fits. However, keep in mind that when first meeting many dogs, their energy is likely to be very high due to the excitement of greeting someone new. Make sure you ask the breeder or shelter worker what the energy level of the prospective dog is like during his down time. Also, try to visit the dog multiple times to get a more complete sense of what his personality is like.

Low-Energy Dogs: Level One

Because these dogs lie around most of the time, they make a great companion for a relatively inactive person. These couch potatoes require a few short daily walks, and then they’re happy snuggling next to you for the rest of the day. Low-energy dogs are not typically motivated to learn very advanced tasks, nor are they likely to be impressive athletes. However, they’ll likely make up for it in good behavior, and you won’t have to put in as much effort to train them as you would need to for a higher-energy dog.

How to spot a low-energy dog: Untrained low-energy dogs may wag their tails and come up to you, but they’re usually not the type to incessantly jump. Look for the dog who interacts with people and other dogs but does not engage in sustained, vigorous play. When considering a dog who seems to be low energy, first make sure that you rule out sickness or a recent change in the dog’s environment as the cause of his calmness. That way when you get home you won’t be in for any surprises, like finding out that the dog is actually a little Energizer bunny!

Low energy dog breeds:

In terms of gentler, less active breeds, choose from some of the following (mixed) breeds.

·         Basset Hound

·         Bloodhound

·         Bolognese

·         Bulldog

·         Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

·         Chow Chow

·         Dogue de Bordeaux

·         French Bulldog

·         Italian Greyhound

·         Maltese

·         Mastiff

·         Neapolitan Mastiff

·         Pekingese

·         Pug

As with any adoption, take time to get to know the individual dog before assuming they’re low key based on breed. There are always exceptions.

Medium-Energy Dogs: Level Two

These dogs are mellow most of the time, but they will have bursts of energy. They are great for the person who wants a hands-on role in training and teaching; medium-energy dogs are good at almost everything, though they may not be perfect at anything. If you want a dog to go running with or to play with at the park, but you’re not looking for exceptional physical talent, then one of these may be your best choice. Most people will do very well with a medium-energy dog.

How to spot a medium-energy dog: When you first meet an untrained level two dog, you are likely to encounter some jumping. Don’t be turned off by this, as a dog who jumps or seems a bit pushy is simply a dog who wants to interact with you. Medium-energy dogs typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house, but they’ll calm down fairly naturally after five to 10 minutes without a ton of encouragement from you. Before you take home any pet, it’s important to know what it eats.

Medium energy dog breeds:

·        Akita

·        American Bulldog

·        Bichon fries

·        Border terrier

·        Boston terrier

·        Bullmastiff

·        Chihuahua

·        Chinese crested

·        Cocker Spaniel

·        Dachshund

·        English Cocker Spaniel

·        Great Dane

·        Great Pyrenees

·        Greyhound

·        Havanese

·        Irish Wolfhound

·        Japanese Chin

·        Komondor

·        Lakeland Terrier

·        Lhasa Apso

·        Miniature Schnauzer

·        Newfoundland

·        Pharaoh Hound

·        Pomeranian

·        Puli

·        Rodesian Ridgeback

·        Saint Bernard

·        Saluki

·        Shiba Inu

·        Shih Tzu

·        Staffordshire Bull Terrier

·        Tibetan Mastiff

·        Tibetan Spaniel

·        Tibetan terrier

·        Xoloitzcuintli

High-Energy Dogs: Level Three

Without regular exercise, high-energy dogs are always raring to go; they can play all day and night. Generally speaking, the more energy a dog has, the more teachable he is. You’d be shocked by what some level three dogs can learn: riding bikes, walking on their front paws, and leaping off docks without fear, to name a few. However, you’ve got to dedicate a lot of time to making sure these dogs get plenty of mental and physical exercise—if you don’t, all that pent-up energy can lead to destructive behaviors, and training can become very challenging. High-energy dogs are typically best for a person who has the time and motivation to commit to some serious training.

How to spot a high-energy dog: Look for the dog who runs up to you and jumps like crazy or insists that you play tug-of-war or fetch by constantly bringing you a toy. These dogs usually have a tail that wags at a hundred miles an hour. They may stare at you enthusiastically as though they’re saying, “Let’s play!” They seem to never tire and will engage with you as long as you’re willing. Put a lot of thought into whether or not a level three dog is right for you, as they are generally the highest maintenance of all dogs.

High energy dog breeds:

Outdoor enthusiasts, adventurers, exercise lovers, and those with an active lifestyle gravitate towards energized dogs. Here are a few of the favorite breeds for those with a penchant for active fun.

 · Airedale Terrier

·         Alaskan Malamute

·         American Eskimo dog

·         American Foxhound

·         American Pitbull Terrier

·         American Staffordshire Terrier

·         Australian Cattle Dog

·         Australian Sheperd

·         Australian Terrier

·         Barbet

·         Basenji

·         Basenji

·         Beagle

·         Beagle

·         Bearded Collie

·         Belgian Malinois

·         Biewer Terrier

·         Bloodhound

·         Boerboel

·         Border Collie

·         Borzoi

·         Boxer

·         Bullterrier

·         Cairn terrier

·         Cane Corso

·         Cattle Dog

·         Chinese Shar-Pei

·         Chinook

·         Collie

·         Dalmatian

·         Doberman Pinscher

·         Dogo Argentino

·         Dutch Sheperd

·         German Shepherd

·         Giant Schnauzer

·         Golden Retriever

·         Irish Setter

·         Irish Terrier

·         Jack Russell Terrier

·         Jack Russell Terrier

·         Labrador Retriever

·         Miniature Pinscher

·         Old English Sheepdog

·         Papillon

·         Pointer

·         Poodle

·         Rottweiler

·         Samoyed

·         Siberian Husky

·         Silky Terrier

·         Standard Schnauzer

·         Weimaraner

·         Yorkshire Terrier

Again, it’s a good idea to spend time with your new potential adoptee to get a gauge on their personality, temperament, and lifestyle needs. 

It is always advisable to ask your veterinarian for recommendations on choosing the right dog breed to match your energy level and your lifestyle. 

Sources: be.chewy.com, ovrs.com, rd.com