Great dog breeds for millennials

Written by:
October 29, 2018
Dmytro Zinkevych // Shutterstock

Great dog breeds for millennials

Most millennials, now mostly in their 30s and early 40s, are tackling adult milestones later than previous generations, with one exception: pet ownership. As it turns out, millennials love pets. According to the 2025 American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey,  in the U.S. at 30%.

With so many millennials becoming parents to cats, dogs, and more, 麻豆原创 explored which canine breeds fit their young adult lives. 麻豆原创 considered dog breed data from the American Kennel Club, Animal Planet, and PetMd, alongside millennial traits and generational trends reported by a variety of sources. With by the AKC, there are enough variations among breeds to complement a variety of millennial lifestyles.

Read on to see which four-legged companions could be dubbed millennials' best friends.

Rescue dogs

Members of a generation may find themselves more at home with a rescue dog than one purchased from a breeder. , of course, but it can introduce unknown behavioral and health factors鈥攕omething potential owners will want to keep in mind.

Pug

These pups are , suiting the whims of millennials who have yet to settle down. Their "squished" facial features also provide a number of expressions for their owners, making them especially photo-friendly鈥攁 perk for the first generation to always have a camera in their pocket.

Labrador retriever

Labs are , so it's no surprise they're by the American Kennel Club. They're also known to be great with kids, and with more than a million millennials becoming moms every year, this trait could be a factor in their popularity.

Poodle

Poodles, with their fluffy fur, are good for allergy-sufferers since they shed so infrequently. They're also often bred with other dogs, . Millennials who like balking trends and going back to basics will appreciate the original, known for its intelligence.

Shiba Inu

Internet-savvy millennials will recognize the Shiba Inu as . Even those unfamiliar with its web-based notoriety can still appreciate their fox-like features. They're in good company too, since the Shiba Inu is the .

Yorkshire terrier

Those inspired by celebrity millennials like and Hilary Duff may be interested to know that both owned Yorkies. They're a great fit for those who are on these small pups, since they can be slow to house-train, and their long fur need lots of brushing. Owners agree their compact size and classic cuteness more than makes up for the extra work.

Pembroke Welsh corgi

A dog described by the American Kennel Club as of all small house dogs, a corgi could be a great fit for a younger millennial new to dog ownership, as well as a seasoned pet-owner. The , having owned generations of corgis herself.

Siberian husky

Millennials who dream of taking their canine companion for long runs will appreciate this sled dog's . With new , Siberian huskies could fit right into their owners' healthy lifestyles.

Pomeranian

Owning one of the  could appeal to a number of tech-savvy millennials. Weighing in at no more than 7 pounds, Pomeranians offer more than just constant cuteness. They're also vivacious and lively, into homes of all sizes.

Great Dane

This is another breed with multiple famous members, including Scooby-Doo, Marmaduke, and the Jetsons' Astro, these dogs are described by PetFinder as both . Great Danes can weigh up to 100 to 120 pounds, as much as an adult human, and easily help fill the growing homes of millennials.

Shih Tzu

Shih Tzus' , make them a great fit for ready to dote on their pets. They're also especially affectionate with kids, so millennials who already have or plan to have families will likely appreciate Shih Tzus loving nature.

English bulldog

Bulldogs , suited for single millennials as well as those with kids. Their distinct features鈥攔ound faces, loose jowls, squished snouts鈥攁lso separate them from other dog breeds, a trait that could certainly appeal to .

German shepherd

Holding fast as the , many of the German shepherd's distinctive features also make them excellent service, therapy, and work dogs. Millennials who are up for the challenge of keeping these intelligent dogs engaged will benefit from the protective traits that few other canines rival.

Boxers

It's hard to argue with the American Kennel Club's distinction of "." That doesn't necessarily mean that a boxer pairs with all stages of millennial life鈥攖hese are powerful pups that could overwhelm small children, so millennials with young families may want to steer clear for now.

Miniature schnauzer

Members of the generation that just might find a kindred spirit in the miniature schnauzer. Its distinguishing facial fur, along with its lovable and energetic personality, make it a fun breed, particularly for millennials with young families. Matching mustaches for owners is encouraged, but of course, not required.

Dachshund

Few dogs have the esteemed history that "weiner dogs" do, and perhaps even fewer have transformed it into . While their small size makes them seem accessible to people of all ages, daschunds are best with adults, so millennials without kids should take note of this spunky breed known for its love of digging holes.

Samoyed

While not necessarily one of the , the Samoyed has a distinct smile that makes it endlessly camera-ready. Not everything millennials do is for the clicks, but when your dog is described by Animal Planet as if a "cloud of marshmallow fluff gained sentience and legs," could anyone blame owners for uploading their latest Samoyed pics?

Parson Russell terrier

Millennials who grew up with "Frasier" will remember Eddie, who was also named the in the American Kennel Club's Pop Culture rankings. And of course, there's . If these famous examples are proof, these .

Pekinese

With more and more , a breed that merely "" might suit them. The sophisticated demeanor of the Pekinese could easily appeal to owners in adult-only households.

Mastiff

The generation who grew up with Harry Potter might remember Hagrid's beloved Mastiff, Fang. Potential owners looking for more than just an association with the wizarding world, however, will likely appreciate their mellow disposition paired with their massive size, and heart-melting, droopy faces.

Boston terrier

Arguably , millennials looking to bring a hint of tongue-in-cheek glamour to their lives will appreciate the tuxedo markings of a Boston terrier. These small dogs are , too, making them a great match for urban millennials.

Beagle

Millennials raised alongside Snoopy may be drawn to the breed for sentimental reasons, or they just might appreciate the same things as Charlie Brown. . They also make excellent family dogs, which contributes to the fact that they're the .

Golden retriever

Another breed for a number of years, golden retrievers are great for millennials who want loyal and playful companions. Described by PetFinder as "," retrievers work especially well for sporty millennials who can keep up with their need for daily exercise.

Dalmatian

Perhaps it's nostalgia for the classic Disney film, or the familiar image of that spark an interest. Whatever a dog owner's motivation, Dalmations can be excellent companions. , making them a great match for owners able to dedicate lots of time and attention to their physical activity and wellbeing, as .

St. Bernard

With an , St. Bernards will likely take up lots of space in both the homes and the hearts of their owners. As millennials who grew up with might recall, they can be especially devoted to their families. Roll over, Beethoven.

Border collie

Millennials who want a smart, lively companion might find that in a Border collie. Extremely intelligent and highly energetic, Border collies have been dubbed by Animal Planet as "four-legged eggheads." Their size makes them better for older children; they are great pets for millennials who have already started families.

Great Pyrenees

Animal Planet compares picking out a Great Pyrenees to taking a polar bear home from the zoo. Rightfully so: their large size and fluffy coats give these dogs a robust, majestic appearance. for these extra-large pups will find them to be gentle giants.

Cocker spaniel

Formerly America's most popular breed, Cocker spaniels are still by the American Kennel Club. Millennials, , might find their dip in popularity to be endearing. The pups themselves are irresistible with their merry and playful demeanor.

Maltese

While a generation may have mixed feelings about a breed once , those willing to look past the luxurious associations will likely be glad that they did. Millennials who want a loyal, playful lapdog will find just that in the Maltese.

Australian shepherd

may appreciate the weatherproof coat on these medium-sized animals. Australian shepherds, which , require plenty of exercise, so they would do well with owners ready to take them out on regular adventures. Their tendency to nip also means that millennials without kids may prefer them.

 

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