Are you planning to bring a new dog into your home? If you are, it can be such an exciting time, but it’s also a time to do some research to determine which breed is a good fit for your lifestyle.

It’s hard to look beyond the aesthetic appeal of a dog to really drill down to which personality traits are the right fit. But at the end of the day, those are the things that will matter, as different dog breeds are suited for different homes. For example, choosing a dog for life in the city is completely different than choosing a dog for life in the country.

Dogs for City Life

City dwellers often live in an apartment or condominium, which can be an issue for large dogs that need a lot of room to roam. These homes usually have shared walls with neighbors who don’t appreciate barking dogs. They also normally do not come with yards, which poses a couple of problems. First, it will not give you a space for your dog to have free playtime, so dogs with high energy that need a lot of exercise won’t have an easy outlet for getting their energy out. Second, your dog will have to be walked outside several times a day to relieve himself rather than simply going out into a yard to do his business.

Keeping all these considerations in mind, here are a few top dog breeds for city life:

• Pugs – Pugs only need one good play session each day to keep them satisfied, and can easily play indoors because of their size.
• Boston Terriers – Boston Terriers do not require a lot of exercise and are sensitive to weather, so enjoy being indoors much of the time.
• Dachshunds – Dachshunds require only one good walk a day, so no yard is necessary for excessive playtime.
• Miniature Pinchers – Min Pins are big dogs in small bodies. They have very lively personalities, but can get all the exercise they need indoors.
• Greyhounds – Not interested in a small dog? A Greyhound is a great choice for a city dweller who wants a big dog. They are giant couch potatoes and contrary to their ‘speedy’ reputations, do not need a ton of exercise. A couple of walks a day is sufficient.

Dogs for Country Living

The country is full of large, open spaces where dogs are free to roam. Nearest neighbors can be miles away, and country dwellers tend to spend a lot of time outdoors. Dogs without much stamina, like the Bulldog, may not be able to keep up with the pace. There is a much higher chance of running into predators like coyotes and hawks when living in the country as well. A small dog that can be easily preyed upon would not be a good fit.

Consider these dog breeds, which can keep up with the demands of country living:

• Border Collies – Border Collies are very intelligent and energetic, and need to have a ‘job’ to do or they will become bored or destructive. They make great herding dogs, so life in the country is ideal.
• Labrador Retrievers – Labs need plenty of mental and physical exercise daily, and love to swim and retrieve, making them great for families who spend a lot of time outdoors.
• German Shepherds – German Shepherds require daily mental and physical exercise, so they are perfectly suited for adventures in the countryside.
• Bernese Mountain Dogs – Bernese Mountain Dogs were originally used as farm dogs to perform duties such as guarding and herding flocks, and they will easily slip right back into that lifestyle if given the chance.

Do you live in the city or the country? Which dog breed have you found is a good fit for you?

Heather Reynolds is a pet lover and internet journalist at Trupanion, North America’s fastest growing pet insurance company. Trupanion offers a simple, customizable pet insurance policy with no payout limits and 90% coverage of veterinary bills. Enrolled pets receive lifetime coverage for diagnostic tests, surgeries, and medications if they get sick or are injured, with no incident, annual or lifetime limit.