If you happen to be in the market for a purebred dog, there are over one hundred varieties to choose from. They each have their own traits and temperaments. They also come in large and small sizes.
You may be wondering what the most popular dogs in the United States are. According to the American Kennel Club’s registration figures for 2006, the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever and German Shepherd lead the large dog breed category and the Yorkshire Terrier, Daschund and Poodle lead the small dog breed category.
The Labrador Retriever has held the number one spot in popularity since 1991. And if you were familiar with this breed you wouldn’t question why. The Lab is a friendly, kind, intelligent, loving, loyal and eager to please pet who loves to play. They belong to the sporting dog group and are considered to be the original water dog, since they have a short double water resistant coat and an otter tail. Their strong legs allow for swimming and running. The Lab is easily trained and has a reliable temperament, making them an excellent choice for children. They are non-aggressive towards humans and other animals. They are also energetic and need a lot of exercise. Exercise will keep them happy and out of trouble.
If you want a people lover pet, then look no further than the Golden Retriever. The Golden Retriever is a sturdy, heavily muscled, trustworthy and highly trainable breed. They have a golden colored medium length coat, feathered tail, a broad head, and powerful muzzle. They are gentle with children and need to be around people to be happy. This trait makes them excellent family dogs. They excel at obedience training and love to please their owners. They are highly energetic and need plenty of exercise otherwise they can become destructive. Because they love people so much, they don’t make the best guard dogs.
The German Shepherd is also a well muscled animal that will reach up to 80 pounds when mature. They have a double, medium length coat, dark eyes and a long strong muzzle. Their smoothly curved body is longer than it is tall. They are confident, direct, fearless and willing to serve as a companion, a watchdog, herding dog, or guide dog for the blind. They are loyal and courageous and full of life. They are also outgoing and friendly but are suspicious of strangers.
If you’re in the market for a feisty little animal the Yorkie is one to fit the bill. The Yorkshire Terrier has a long silky blue and tan coat, parted from the face down the spine. They belong to the toy terrier group, and although small in size, they believe themselves to be much bigger. This spunky terrier thrives on adventure and trouble. They are energetic, loyal, clever and brave. They have a great affection to their owners and, as equally, a great suspicion of others. This, along with their keen sense of hearing, makes them a great watchdog. They make better pets for older children and don’t require a great deal of exercise, making them a good pet for apartments or small houses. They are very difficult to housebreak and are quite noisy.
The Daschund is also known as the wiener dog because of its long body. They have crooked legs, loose skin and a barrel shaped body. They make great pets, since they are fun, playful and loyal. They are also courageous, strong willed, clever and smart, but it can be challenging to train them. Although stubborn, the Daschund makes a great watchdog, alerting its owner of intruders by barking.
The Poodle is a good-natured dog that seems to possess almost human like qualities. They trot with their heads held high with a certain air of dignity about them. They are proud, intelligent and active animals. They make great companions, good family dogs and watchdogs. They are affectionate and devoted, if treated well, and can get along with other animals. They are also easy to train. They require human companionship and frequent grooming, making them one of the most expensive breeds to maintain.
The top three dogs in both the large and small dog categories have some wonderful qualities to establish them as good additions to any family. Yet each is distinctive in its own right. It is no wonder they are among the most frequently chosen pets.
Matthew Hick
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/top-three-dog-breeds-large-and-small-121880.html
What are your top three favorite dog breeds for small, medium and large dogs, and why?
I know, mutts are nice, too. = )
Large a Neufie. Medium a Dachshund (must be because I have 2) and Small? none
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Morkie, Akita Shepherd, and Great Danes are my favorites. I own the Akita Shepherd, my aunt has a Morkie, and Great Danes are beautiful.
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Large: Great Pyrenees, have two wonderful with my goats/ducks
but I love my Max 
Medium : Australian Shepherds, very intelligent, beautiful, loyal forever.
Small : JRT, I have one and may never get one again
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Here’s a good list that shows breed with potential to ‘go large’. from the biggest to the smallest.
http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/characteristic/potential-for-weight-gain
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I love Great Danes, Cocker Spaniels and I have two favorite smalls — chihuahuas and dachshunds (i own these 2 breeds)
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Large: Hovawart
Medium: Swedish Vallhund
Small: Papillon
They all suit me perfectly.
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Mutt
Small- Papillon or Chinese Crested. Both are active breeds that can readily participate in dog sports, yet settle down when the game is over.
Medium- Border Collies. I love their energy and enthusiasm for work.
Large- Newfoundlands. They are just big fluffy dogs that love everyone and everything. Nothing is more unstoppable than a Newfie that is determined to play.
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Small= I fancy my Chihuahua/Cocker Spaniel mix. Also like Italian Greyhounds.
Medium= I like the "old style Daschund" shown here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Olddachshund.jpg
Mine died.
Large= Either American Bull Dogs, Greyhounds, hairy Mastiff-type dogs, and Wolf/Dog Hybrids and Tamaskans.
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Small: Shiba Inu…my aunt has one and they have the most endearing personalities ever! Very independent but VERY smart!
Medium: Chesapeake Bay Retriever…I grew up with Chessies. I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t have one by my side.
Large: German Shepherd…have ALWAYS been my FAVORITE breed! I own one now and no other can compare.
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(Small) Westie cos their SOOOOOOO cute! (Medium) Probably a Border Collie cos their good in every way really. (Large) Doberman cos their very reliable. I do like all dogs but they are my favorite for those three categories.
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Large
Doberman-loyal, intelligent, protective
Mastiff-loyal, gentle giant
Beaucaron-intelligent, loyal, protective ,
Medium
American Cocker Spaniel- playful, easy to train
Australian Shepherd- intelligent, high energy, easy to train
Standard Schnauzer- intelligent, fearless
Small
Border Terrier-energetic, terrier personality
Beagle- playful, typical hound personality
Pembrook Welch Corgi- intelligent, easy to train
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small Shih Tzu
medium shelty
large german shepherd
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Small -
1) Papillon
2) Yorkshire Terrier
3) Dachshund
Medium-
1) Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
2) Springer Spaniel
3) Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Large-
1) German Shepherd
2) Siberian Husky
3) Golden Retriever
I have chosen these particular breeds to be my top three in each category because all the individuals that I have met out of each breed had great temperaments and were just all around wonderful dogs.
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my top 2 fave small breeds are miniature schnauzers and poodles (I have had a miniature schnauzer once and am currently the pet parent to a miniature poodle)
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Small:
1)Jack Russel: A favorite among the horse community, Wiry and always happy to see you
2) Daschund: The ones I know LOVE to play and are very affectionate.
3) Papillon: So Cute! Their hair and spunky attitudes crack me up!
Medium:
1)Lab (Any): Beautiful and willing dog. I have a Black lab who is my protector and mostly companion
2) Husky: Very intelligent dog with vibrant eyes and pleasing nature
3)Collies: (Any) Very graceful and smart, sharp dog. Yay Lassie!
Large:
1) Irish Wolf Hound: The said to be the largest breed of dog: loyal, and also has a natural watch dog look, although they are very friendly and children oriented.
2) Alaskan Malamute: A Huge dog (I think it probably holds some sort of Pulling record) Very friendly, intelligent, and obedient. A Clydesdale to the dog world
3) St. Bernard: A very gentile, and docile dog. Love Beethoven, Havn’t seen Cujo, and NEVER will.
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Dog owner a lover
Large a Golden Retriever
Medium a Dachshund
Small a yorkie
I have one of each….except a Golden Retriever!
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Dog owner
Large: Newfoundland
Medium: American Pit Bull Terrier
Small: Toy Poodle
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LARGE: Golden Retrievers, they are just so loving, loyal and playful. not to mention, cute!
MEDIUM: Laberdoodle, very well behaved, cute and curly. Grooming can get pricey though.
SMALL: Bichon Frise, I have two. They’re playful, cute, and very lovable. Definitely lap dogs. Be sure to train them well though or they’ll grow to be little boogers.
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Small – Fox Terrier, I had one for 13 years, very smart
Medium – Cocker Spaniel I have had 2 and they are so soft and lovable
Large – Great Dane – my favorite of all brands. We had a total of 4. The gentle giant only wants to be loved and occasionally sit on your lap. Ask me for pictures.
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Small – Pembroke Welsh Corgi. They are the most adorable dogs I have ever seen.. Their little legs and the ears. -squeals- Too cute!
Medium – Siberian Husky. So beautiful and wonderful temperaments (so friendly). I love the Siberian personality too, who wouldn’t like a dog that can play a battle of wits with you and keep up?
Large – Irish Wolfhound. I love those dogs.. They are just gorgeous dogs.
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Large: Great Dane. I’ve always loved the look of them.
Medium: German Shepherd (compared to a Dane, GSDs are medium), because I grew up with GSDs.
Small: Papillon…a big dog in a little body.
And I love my mutts too!
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