15 Best Breeds for Type A vs. Type B Personalities

15 Best Breeds for Type A vs. Type B Personalities

By: Cal Orey

According to Dr. Stanley Coren, these breeds fit the personality type to a T. But note, there are exceptions due to canine individuality, genetics, lifestyle and age.

Type A's

  • Airedale
  • Belgian sheepdog
  • Border collieShetland Sheepdog Book
    Shetland Sheepdogs are handsome work dogs that are closely related to the larger Collie, which they closely resemble. They also make wonderful ho...

  • Brittany
  • Cairn terrier
  • CollieShetland Sheepdog Book
    Shetland Sheepdogs are handsome work dogs that are closely related to the larger Collie, which they closely resemble. They also make wonderful ho...

  • Dalmatian
  • Fox terrier
  • Irish terrier
  • ParsonJack Russell Terriers Book
    Books in Barron's Complete Pet Owner's Manuals series present basic information on a wide variety of pets for new or soon-to-be pet owners. Ad...
    Russell terrier
  • Siberian huskyHuskies Book
    Best known as sled dogs, Huskies also make handsome, affectionate, and loyal house pets.Barron’s Huskies Book provides detailed advice on genera...

  • Springer spaniel
  • West Highland white terrier
  • Whippet
  • Yorkshire terrier

    Type B's

  • Basset houndBasset Hounds Book
    One of the most photogenic, gentle, and lovable of all dogs, the basset can also be stubborn and independent, which means that it usually requires fir...

  • Bloodhound
  • Boston terrierBoston Terriers Book
    Barron's Boston Terriers Book. The alert, friendly Boston Terrier is easy to groom and readily adapts as a good household companion. Titles in the...

  • BulldogBulldogs Book
    Although bred originally for the sport of bullbaiting, modern bulldogs are typically civilized, loyal, and charming companions, if sometimes given to ...

  • Cavalier King Charles spaniel
  • Clumber spaniel
  • French bulldogBulldogs Book
    Although bred originally for the sport of bullbaiting, modern bulldogs are typically civilized, loyal, and charming companions, if sometimes given to ...

  • Great Dane
  • Great Pyrenees
  • Irish wolfhound
  • Newfoundland
  • Saint Bernard
  • Pekingnese
  • Pomeranian
  • Pug

    Canine Partners That Work Best for Your Work

    According to Drs. Mark Goulston and Stanley Coren, these breeds are your best bets:

    1.
    Journalist/Type A: A busy journalist should have a low-maintenance Type B dog that is perfectly willing to be at home, says Dr. Coren. And calm doesn't hurt either.

    2. Executive Secretary/Type A: A low-key Type B is best if she brings her work home or is staying at work a lot.

    3.Cocktail Waitress/Type B: A Type A/Type B [see "Middle-of-the-Road Dogs"] is best because she's going to need quiet time; and sometimes want to go out for a run and get away from it all.

    4. Fast Order Cook/Type A: Type B is ideal because when you come home you're dog-tired. "You do not want a dog bouncing around saying 'I need a walk' or 'I need to play.'"

    5. Hair Stylist/Type B: Type B dogs are your best bet for these good conversationalists because they're apt to hang around and appear to be paying attention when you're using your pup as a soundboard.

    6.Teacher/Type B: A/B dogs are good if you bring your work home because you're going to need low interference -- but you'll also get lots of social interaction.

    7. Accountant/Type B: Type A is perfect for you because your sedentary predictable lives really can benefit from the sparkle which you can get from a go-getter Type A dog.

    8. Real Estate Broker/Type A: Type B is best because you're away from home so much that you'll need your classic low-maintenance dog.

    9. Hostess/Type A: Type A/B is a hostess' best bet because a restaurant is apt to require social contact sometimes and also othertimes be in a flurry of activity.

    10.Doctor/Type A: A harried doctor that responds to emergency calls requires a Type B dog, whereas, Type A is good for the 9 to 5 physician because watching the dog's activity takes your mind off things.

    Middle-of-The-Road Dogs

    According to Dr. Stanley Coren, some dogs are neither Type A or Type B. The in-betweeners or can have both qualities such as the retrievers. "The goldenGolden Retrievers Book
    Barron's Golden Retrievers Book instructs owners on general canine care, whether they keep their Retriever as a hunter or as a home companion. Boo...
    retrieverGolden Retrievers Book
    Barron's Golden Retrievers Book instructs owners on general canine care, whether they keep their Retriever as a hunter or as a home companion. Boo...
    and the LabradorLabrador Retrievers Book
    The docile, friendly, affectionate lab makes a fine household pet and is very good with children. Barron's Labrador Retrievers Book provides ...
    retriever are dogs that are relatively adjustable. They're perfectly happy just being around you. But if you take them outside, they'll play vigorously."

    Adds Dr. Nicholas Dodman, "What people are looking for is a dog that is calm when they want to be calm, and one that likes to go out and chase a ball when they want to go out and chase a ball. It's sort of like finding the ideal spouse." In other words, you can get the best of both worlds with a dog which has both Type A and Type B traits.


    This article was first published in Puppies USA Annual.

     
    Printable Version
     
    Have a Pet Question?
    Send Your Pet Question to Dr. Jon
    and His Staff of Veterinarians Ask Dr. Jon
    Dr. Jon's Newsletter
    Yes! Send Me the Latest Health Information, Pet Tips, Pet Stories and more...
     
     

    Related Articles

    • 1 Top Dog Breeds of 2004

      Once again, the Labrador retriever is America’s favorite purebred, according to registration numbers tallied by the American Kennel Club. This marks the 15th year in a row that the Labrador ranks at the...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2 Understanding AKC Breed Groups

      The American Kennel Club's list of pure breeds contains detailed information on everything from appearance to attitude, offering a virtual life story for your pet. It is the country’s largest breed registry,...

      Read MoreRead More
  • Related Articles
    • 1Top Dog Breeds of 2004

      Once again, the Labrador retriever is America’s favorite purebred, according to registration numbers tallied by the American Kennel Club. This marks the 15th year in a row that the Labrador ranks at the...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2Understanding AKC Breed Groups

      The American Kennel Club's list of pure breeds contains detailed information on everything from appearance to attitude, offering a virtual life story for your pet. It is the country’s largest breed registry,...

      Read MoreRead More
     

    Over 10,000 Veterinarian Approved Articles

    Related Articles
    • 1Top Dog Breeds of 2004

      Once again, the Labrador retriever is America’s favorite purebred, according to registration numbers tallied by the American Kennel Club. This marks the 15th year in a row that the Labrador ranks at the...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2Understanding AKC Breed Groups

      The American Kennel Club's list of pure breeds contains detailed information on everything from appearance to attitude, offering a virtual life story for your pet. It is the country’s largest breed registry,...

      Read MoreRead More