We reached out to Isabel Ludick, marketing director, brand coordinator and avid animal advocate at PetKeen, to get an expert opinion on our furry friends. “Dogs are the most popular domesticated pet worldwide with almost 500 million dogs kept as pets globally," she told us. "That's a lot of good boys (and girls)!” 

When asked what the best thing about dogs is, Isabel went on to reaffirm why so many of us have an affinity for them. “People love keeping dogs as pets because they offer unconditional love and loyalty to their owners. [They] are always happy to see us, and they have endless affection to give! They don't judge us and they never get bored with us! Dogs truly are humans' best friends!”

We also asked Isabel if it’s common for dogs to have distinct personalities, and she answered with a resounding yes. “Each pup has a very unique personality. There are no two dogs with the exact same personalities. Similar perhaps, but never identical. Like humans, dogs are born with a certain set of individual characteristics. Other than that, and breed-specific traits, dogs' personalities are formed by their genes, their puppyhood and their relationship with their owner.”

Lastly, we asked Isabel about breed specific characteristics, and she informed us that, “Each dog breed comes with a general group of traits that are shared by dogs in the same breed with varying degrees. Although these breed-specific traits are mostly prevalent in dogs who fall in a certain breed category, these traits can be influenced by many factors. The most notable factors would probably be the mixing of breeds, ownership and training. But yes, different dog breeds have different traits and each individual dog also has their own unique characteristics. Another reason why dogs are so special!” 

There you have it folks, an expert opinion affirming how special our fluffy companions are. So the next time someone mocks you for treating your dog like a child, just inform them of the depth of your doggo’s personality.  

One of the greatest things about dogs is the wide variety that their species possesses. You could have a chihuahua chilling in your handbag while you’re at the grocery store, or you could have a great dane galloping through your backyard giving rides to your neighbor’s small children. It’s amazing how many dog breeds there are; in fact, the exact number is not universally agreed upon. The Federation Cynologique International recognizes 360 breeds officially, but there are potentially over a hundred other experimental breeds at the moment.

PetKeen breaks down the history of dog breeds on their website, and apparently, just 2 centuries ago, there were very few established breeds. During the Victorian era, however, it became popular to start experimenting and creating new ones. Nowadays, it’s a complicated and time consuming process to gain recognition for a new breed. There are population and popularity requirements that must be met, then there must be generations of history and national kennel clubs specific to the breed as well. Lastly, the breed must be approved by a federation, some of which require years of competing in dog shows before deeming a breed eligible to register officially. PetKeen notes that “since 2010, only 25 new breeds have been officially recognized by the American Kennel Club”.

Once a breed is officially recognized, they’re then placed in one of seven classifications, along with similar breeds. The first classification is working dogs. This group includes many of the world’s oldest canine breeds that have been used for centuries to help humans in their work. Some popular breeds include boxers, great danes and rottweilers. 

Next up is sporting dogs, which are known for aiding hunters. They’re usually great swimmers and have thick coats for protection in the wildnerness. Some famous sporting dog breeds are labrador retrievers, cocker spaniels and German shorthaired pointers.    

After sporting dogs, it only makes sense to have a non-sporting classification as well. This is the most diverse group, as it includes all the breeds that didn’t quite fit into any other category. Popular non-sporting dogs include poodles, dalmations, bulldogs and many more.

Then we have herding dogs. The name is self explanatory, as these dogs were bred for herding livestock and have high levels of intelligence. Herding dogs are also commonly used in police and military work. Popular breeds include German shepherds, border collies and Pembroke Welsh corgis. 

The next classification, terrier dogs, were bred to sniff out rodents and other small vermin. Terriers also include “bully” breeds as well, which were originally intended for “more dangerous pursuits, including bull-baiting”. Some of the most common terrier breeds include bull terriers, Scottish terriers, and West Highland White Terriers.

Hound dogs are the next group, which are popular for hunting and broken down into two categories: sighthounds and scenthounds. Popular hound breeds include beagles, dachshunds and greyhounds. 

Lastly, the beloved classification including the tiniest dog breeds is the toy group. Toy dogs are bred “strictly for companionship” and are great options for those living in small apartments or older citizens who can’t take their pets on extremely long walks. There are many popular toy breeds including chihuahuas, pugs and shih tzus.

Many of these photos from “what kind of dog is this” feature dogs exhibiting strangely human-like behavior. According to Wag, dogs are great at observing and mimicking our behavior. “They are in tune with people’s emotions and facial expressions; the closer bond a dog and human have, the more likely the dog is to mimic. This is also called emotional contagion. Research has shown that if you have a personality trait like laid back or neurotic, your dog will mimic that trait, too.” Dogs are famous for being great at learning new tricks, it makes perfect sense for them to pick up human tricks too! 

Dogs add so much joy to our lives, but we’re not all in a place where we can have them as pets. That’s why accounts like “what kind of dog is this” are so wonderful. Those of us living in tiny apartments can live vicariously through the people sharing their adorable fluffy companions online. Remember to upvote all your favorite doggos, and let us know in the comments which ones you would love to take home with you!