Thinking about getting a dog? This test shows which breeds are not suitable for you
From loyal Labradors to spirited Chow Chows, Britain is home to 225 different dog breeds. But choosing the right one for your lifestyle isn’t always easy.
To help, Purina has developed a test that identifies which breeds are best suited to you—and which you might want to avoid.
The Purina Dog Breed Selector takes into account everything from your past experience with dogs to your daily routines. It even asks about the type of walks you enjoy, your preferred dog size, and whether you’re concerned about foaming or drooling.
At the end, the test provides a personalized list of breeds categorized by suitability: Perfect Fit, Great Fit, Good Fit, and Not Fit. Each breed comes with a photo and an explanation of why it may or may not suit you.
“Our breed selector helps match a dog’s natural predispositions to your lifestyle,” Purina explains. “If you and your dog enjoy the same activities, you’re more likely to have a happy and fulfilling relationship.”
How the Test Works
The test consists of 16 questions divided into five categories: Experience, Exercise, Appearance, Behavior, and Environment. Each question offers three or four possible answers.
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In Experience, you might be asked: “How much training would you like to do with the dog?” Choices include: “I don’t mind,” “I’m happy to do the basics,” or “I want a dog I can train to a high level.”
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The Exercise section asks about the type of walks you prefer.
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Appearance covers your dog size preferences.
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Behavior may include questions like: “Do you want your dog to get along with other dogs?”
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Environment asks practical questions such as: “Do you have a garden?”

Real-Life Test
Daily Mail journalist Shivali Best tried the test, pretending to have no prior experience with dogs, living in an apartment without a garden, and seeking a calm companion. The results? Only the Greyhound came out as a perfect fit, though Purina noted this breed typically requires a large yard and extra supervision around children. Meanwhile, 157 other breeds—from tiny Pekingese to giant Dobermans—were considered unsuitable.
“Remember: every animal deserves a loving home,” Purina emphasized. “Exploring different breeds can also help you consider adopting an animal in need of care.”
Take the test at https://www.purina.co.uk/find-a-pet/dog-breeds/breed-selector

