Like humans, dogs aren’t generic; they come in different sizes with different traits. Choosing the best dog for your family may involve a little more than just buying a dog because it looks cute. You may need to do a little research to know if your dog’s characteristics will blend with the kind of family you have.
Every dog has its unique traits, depending on the breed. While some dogs are large, others are small; while some are friendly, others are more reserved; while some are stubborn, others are eager to please and easier to train. All these factors largely depend on a dog’s breed.
If you’re in London and are looking to get a new pet dog for your family, this article is especially for you. London has a wide variety of dog breeds and is home to over 340,000 dogs. In no particular order, here is a comprehensive list of the most popular dog breeds in London.
1. French Bulldog
French Bulldogs are one of the most popular dog breeds in London and all over the world. They look like tiny English Bulldogs, but have distinctive, large ‘bat ears.’ They don’t bark a lot, are adaptable and exceptionally affectionate. They weigh up to 28 pounds and can live for 10–12 years.
French Bulldogs enjoy going on walks with their human companions and easily make friends with other animals and most humans. They can be stubborn, so it’s best to train them from a young age with the help of professional dog trainers like HNH Dog.
2. Golden Retriever
This is a large dog breed with an average weight of 65–75 pounds and a life span of 10–13 ears. They’ve got beautiful golden, curly hair—though some can have straight hair. They’re trustworthy, easy to train, highly intelligent, and friendly.
Golden retrievers are energetic—perfect for active families. They have also proven to be very effective in search and rescue missions. Hence, you’ll typically find them in law enforcement, and see them working as service and therapy dogs.
They’re a great option for families; they get along well with strangers and are playful and gentle with children.
3. Labrador Retriever
The number one dog in the world is, naturally, also a favorite in London. These are sporting dogs with a weight of 55–80 pounds and a life span of 10–12 years. The Labrador Retriever with its loving, endearing eyes and floppy ears is an athletic dog with a high energy level. They come in three colors: yellow, chocolate, and black.
Friendly and very hard-working, they’re a great option for families looking for a disability assistant or therapy dog. They’re usually trained to help in law enforcement, search missions, and as companions for children with autism.
4. Pug
This dog breed has a round, flat face, big dark eyes surrounded by wrinkles, and a small nose. They have a distinctive comical face. They weigh about 14–18 pounds and can live for 12–15 years.
Pugs are companion dogs and are notoriously affectionate. They’re also friendly toward kids. They’re playful and crave human attention a lot and often feel sad when ignored. But they’re also stubborn and may require a little training to turn them into the perfect family pet. Left untrained, they’ll have everyone wrapped around their little paws and run the household.
Because of their facial features and compressed skulls, they can snore loudly; They’re also more prone to eye injuries because their eyes are large.
5. Field Spaniel
Cousin to the Springer and Cocker Spaniel, the Field Spaniel is sensitive and docile, yet up for anything during play time. They weigh 35–50 pounds and can live with your family for 12–15 years.
Spaniels are competent hunters, and they’re extremely fond of water and love to retrieve. They also tend to roam and can be quite resolved toward strangers. Overall, though, they’re very affectionate and love attention. The Field Spaniel is a loving dog, very trustworthy around kids, and requires gentle training to adapt to a new family.
6. Dachshund
This popular dog breed weighs about 16–32 pounds and has a life span of 12–15 years. Dachshunds are fearless and lively. They’re also excellent hunters and often ideal for small-game hunters and survivalists.
Their versatility makes them a great choice for families too. They’re unfriendly towards strangers but are very affectionate to their family. Dachshunds are mild-mannered dogs and can be an excellent family dog if introduced early and trained properly.
7. German Shepherds
This dog breed weighs about 65–90 pounds and can live for 7–10 years. German Shepherds are highly courageous and incredibly smart; they’re also hard workers and enjoy a challenge.
German Shepherds are among the most versatile breeds in the world. Hence, you’ll find them as service dogs, family companions, show dogs, therapy dogs, etc. Because they love to please their humans, they’re easy to train. This breed is usually friendly toward their own family, but won’t trust strangers easily. To get the best out of your German Shepherd, train it from an early age.
8. Border Terrier Dogs
These cute dogs weigh 11–15 pounds and have a life expectancy of 12–15 years. They’re small dogs with big personalities and high energy levels. They’re also loving, intelligent, and fearless.
Border Terriers play a lot—almost as much as they love. They can be quite nosy as they love to dig and search for prey, so you’ll need to train your Border Terrier properly. Left untrained, he will need constant supervision as he’ll tend to wander away and get lost in his search for prey.
9. English Bulldogs
An English Bulldog particularly unique with its loose skin, large round head, a nose that is pushed in, dark set eyes, hanging jaw, and small ears. Despite their looks, though, they’re easy-going dogs and are quite friendly and easy to train.
English Bulldogs weigh 50–54 pounds. They’re dependable and loving, friendly to children, and love human attention. They’re also super courageous and can be very aggressive towards other animals, especially other dogs.
They’re not for active families as they have low endurance and may have difficulty breathing in hot weather.
10. Beagles
Beagles are some of the friendliest dogs around. They weigh about 18–30 pounds, have floppy ears and a muscular build. They mostly have tricolor coats, but can also be red and white, or lemon and white.
They’re friendly with children and other pets. With adequate training, they can be wonderful companions to both adults and children. Their unique ability to track scent accurately makes them excellent choices for patrol dogs, small-game hunters, and search and rescue missions.
Conclusion
London is home to a variety of dog breeds, and each breed has unique traits. Before you get a family dog, be sure to research the best dog breed that will fit in with your lifestyle.
Remember that all dogs need training—it will make your family and your dog happy if he or she is obedient and well behaved. Also, if you have kids in the house, get a breed that is known to be trustworthy around children.