Ivan 's blog

In this article, we will get acquainted with 15 interesting dog breeds, and talk about their suitability for different lifestyles, care requirements, physical activity, possible challenges, and approximate prices. At the end, we will also discuss how to choose a healthy, genuinely purebred dog. 🐶

1. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Approximate price: $1,200–$2,500 USD

Temperament: playful, intelligent, energetic, and fond of water. This breed was developed to assist in hunting waterfowl.

Not suitable for: people who are away from home all day and can offer the dog only short walks.

2. Lagotto Romagnolo

Approximate price: €1,500–€2,800

Temperament: intelligent, curious, hardworking, and eager to learn. This breed is known for its ability to search for truffles.

Suitable for: people who love nature, scent games, and mental activities with their dog.

Not suitable for: people who want a dog that requires absolutely no grooming.

3. Swedish Vallhund

Approximate price: €1,000–€2,000

Temperament: energetic, intelligent, attentive, and hardworking. Despite its small size, this breed has the energy characteristic of a herding dog.

Suitable for: active families, people who enjoy walks, and those who want a small but resilient dog.

Not suitable for: people who want a quiet apartment dog with minimal activity requirements.

4. Stabyhoun

Approximate price: €1,200–€2,000

Temperament: loyal, attentive, usually calm at home, but active outdoors.

Suitable for: families who love nature, long walks, and outdoor recreation.

Not suitable for: people who want the dog to spend most of its time sitting in the yard without activities.

5. Schipperke

Approximate price: €900–€1,800

Temperament: small, energetic, confident, and alert. It often behaves as if it were a much larger dog.

Suitable for: people who live in small apartments but are ready to spend regular time engaging with their dog.

Not suitable for: people who want a calm, unobtrusive, and quiet dog.

6. Coton de Tulear

Approximate price: €1,200–€2,500

Temperament: friendly, playful, affectionate, and inclined to form a close bond with people. The historical homeland of the breed is Madagascar.

Suitable for: people living in apartments, couples, and families who want a small companion dog.

Not suitable for: people who are frequently away from home or do not want to take care of the coat.

7. Barbet

Approximate price: €1,200–€2,200

Temperament: friendly, intelligent, fond of water, and hardworking.

Suitable for: active families and people who enjoy water activities.

Not suitable for: people who do not want to deal with coat care or prefer a dog that requires very little exercise.

8. Spinone Italiano

Approximate price: €1,200–€2,200

Temperament: patient, kind, gentle, and attached to its family.

Suitable for: families who want a large, friendly companion and can provide regular walks.

Not suitable for: people who have a very small apartment and cannot provide long walks.

9. Finnish Lapphund

Approximate price: €1,200–€2,000

Temperament: friendly, intelligent, sensitive, and usually well adapted as a family dog.

Suitable for: families, including those with children, as well as people living in cold climates.

Not suitable for: people who do not want to brush the dog regularly or have difficulty tolerating hair in the home.

10. Tibetan Terrier

Approximate price: $1,000–$2,000 USD

Temperament: intelligent, sensitive, attached to its family, and often cautious around strangers.

Suitable for: a single person, couple, or family that wants a medium sized companion with regular walks.

Not suitable for: people who want a dog requiring minimal care or who leave the animal alone for long hours.

11. Armenian Gampr

Approximate price: $200–$800 USD, if offered for sale

Temperament: powerful, independent, resilient, and possessing a pronounced instinct to protect its territory.

Suitable for: rural homes, people involved in livestock farming, and experienced owners with large properties.

Not suitable for: people living in small apartments, those with little time to spend with a dog, or people without experience managing large dogs.

When choosing a Gampr, lineage, the temperament of the parents, health, and the reliability of the breeder are important. Give preference to responsible breeders who work with recognized specialists or organizations involved in preserving the breed.

12. Kuvasz

Approximate price: €1,000–€2,000

Temperament: loyal, independent, alert, and protective.

Suitable for: homes with large properties and experienced owners who understand the characteristics of guardian dogs.

Not suitable for: people who want a dog that immediately welcomes all guests in a friendly manner or who cannot provide a secure fence.

13. Puli

Approximate price: €1,000–€1,800

Temperament: energetic, intelligent, alert, and hardworking herding dog.

Suitable for: active families and people who want to teach their dog various tasks.

Not suitable for: people who do not want to maintain the coat or prefer a calm, less active dog.

14. Berger Picard

Approximate price: €1,300–€2,200

Temperament: hardworking, intelligent, active, and independent.

Suitable for: nature loving families and experienced owners who are ready for regular exercise and training.

Not suitable for: people with a sedentary lifestyle who want to limit the dog to only short walks.

15. Xoloitzcuintli (Xolo)

Approximate price: $1,500–$3,000 USD

Temperament: attentive, loyal, often calm, and attached to its family. Both hairless and short coated varieties are found, as well as several size varieties.

Suitable for: people who appreciate dogs with a unique appearance and are ready to pay special attention to skin care.

Not suitable for: people who want a dog whose skin requires almost no care or who cannot provide weather appropriate protection.

How to Choose the Right Breed and Avoid Buying a Mixed Breed

Start with your lifestyle. How much time do you have for walks? Do you have a yard, small children, or other animals? Are you ready to brush the dog regularly and pay veterinary expenses?

Check the pedigree documents. Ask whether the dog is registered with a recognized canine organization, for example, an FCI member national organization. Pedigree documents confirm registered ancestry, but by themselves they do not guarantee health or temperament.

Meet the puppy's mother and, if possible, the father. Observe their health, behavior, and attitude toward people. Also check the environment in which the puppies are being raised.

Ask for the parents' health examination results. The list depends on the breed. For some breeds, examinations of the hip and elbow joints, eyes, heart, or hereditary diseases are important.

Do not take a puppy at an excessively young age. In many countries, the usual minimum age is eight weeks, but local laws and the requirements of a particular breed or breeder may differ. Check that vaccination, parasite treatment, and veterinary records are available.

Beware of suspicious sellers. If a seller refuses to show the puppy's living conditions, does not provide documents, pressures you to make a payment, or constantly offers puppies that are immediately available without asking questions, it is better not to rush.

Consider a DNA test as an additional tool. Some tests can assess breed ancestry or certain hereditary risks, but they do not replace official pedigree documents or a veterinary examination.

💰 Also Remember the Long Term Costs

The cost of a dog is not limited to the purchase price. Over the years, you will need to pay for food, vaccinations, preventive treatment, supplies, training, and sometimes professional grooming or expensive medical treatment.

A low price does not always mean there is a problem, just as a high price does not guarantee a healthy dog. What matters are the documents, health examinations, the condition of the parents, and the breeder's responsibility.

Final Thought

The best dog does not necessarily have to be the most popular, the most expensive, or the most beautiful. It is the dog whose physical, mental, and social needs correspond to your actual capabilities.