A dapper, tuxedoed charmer with big eyes and an even bigger sense of fun.

• Natural comedian. Bostons tend to be playful entertainers who love making their people laugh.
• City-sized companion. Compact and adaptable, they usually settle happily into apartments and busy households.
• People person. Bostons often want to be involved in everything, preferably from your lap.

A compact charmer who takes life at an easy pace and thrives on couch time together.

• Velcro companion. Frenchies usually want to be near their people, so expect a shadow from room to room.
• Low-key energy. They tend to prefer short strolls and long lounges over marathon fetch sessions.
• Quiet type. Frenchies are often among the quieter breeds, leaning on expressive faces instead of barking.

A confident, good-humored companion who adores their people and loves to play.

• Devoted to family. AmStaffs tend to be affectionate, people-focused dogs who want to be near their humans.
• Playful athlete. They usually bring strength and enthusiasm to games, so sturdy toys are a smart buy.
• Eager to please. With their people, AmStaffs are often soft-hearted and keen to get things right.

A muscular, people-loving companion famous in Britain as a devoted family dog.

• People person. Staffies tend to adore humans of all sizes and greet them with full-body enthusiasm.
• Playful powerhouse. They usually love a vigorous game and put their whole heart into playtime.
• Soft with the family. Behind the muscle is typically a cuddly dog who wants to be close to their people.

A bold little hound with a big personality and a nose for adventure.

• Brave beyond size. Bred to face badgers underground, Doxies often carry themselves like much bigger dogs.
• Dedicated digger. Tunneling instincts run deep, so blankets, gardens, and couch cushions may get excavated.
• Alert announcer. Many Dachshunds take doorbell duty seriously and announce visitors with gusto.

A whip-smart herding dog who is happiest with a job, a yard, and a busy family.

• Needs a job. Aussies tend to invent their own work if you do not provide it, so puzzle toys and training help.
• Herding radar. Circling and gently steering kids, dogs, and even vacuum cleaners is classic Aussie behavior.
• Devoted teammate. They usually bond closely with their people and love learning new skills together.

A lion-maned, blue-tongued companion with a calm, cat-like independence.

• Blue-black tongue. The distinctive tongue color is a Chow trademark almost no other breed shares.
• Dignified reserve. Chows tend to be aloof with strangers and quietly loyal to their own people.
• Tidy homebody. They are usually clean, quiet, and content with moderate exercise.