The 14 Best Dog Breeds for College Students
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Moving to college is a new experience for most people. Living by yourself for the first time can be daunting. Some students decide to help combat the loneliness by investing in a canine companion.
Even if you are moving into a small space like a dorm or an apartment, there are still dog breeds that could be options for you. Certain breeds fit a college lifestyle better.
- Outgoing
- Friendly
- Adaptable
- Low to medium-energy
- Small size
Outgoing dogs enjoy groups of people meeting up and are more social with strangers. Friendliness plays into that as well. You want a dog that you do not have to worry about when introducing them into new situations and new people all at once.
Adaptability in a pup means that they can adjust well to a variety of living spaces. Many times, these are smaller dogs or those with a docile temperament in the home. It makes it easier for them to live in apartments or small houses shared with other people.
Another tip is to avoid breeds that have a notorious reputation for lack of housetraining. For example, a French Bulldog ticks all the previous boxes but is stubborn about housetraining. This stubbornness can cost you your renter’s deposit and create even more issues that a stressed-out student doesn’t need.
Without further ado, below are the top 14 dog breeds that are good dogs for college students!
Top 14 Dogs for College Students
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel needs to be among those considered a perfect little pup for a student. They are a small-breed dog without being too tiny. However, it is their personality more than their size that makes them an excellent choice. They are gentle, calm, and affectionate.
These Spaniels love to explore and sniff around, but it doesn’t take too long before they are tired and ready for attention. They cannot be left alone for too long because they can struggle with separation anxiety.
2. English Bulldog
English Bulldogs might seem intimidating to some people and perhaps an odd choice. However, they can be a terrific pup to have around. They are incredibly low-maintenance because they do not need too much exercise. English Bulldogs are surprisingly friendly as well. They love to get attention and laze around for long hours.
3. Papillon
“Papillon” is French for butterfly. It represents the way that the hair in and around their ears puffs outward to seemingly form wings. That, combined with their fox-like faces, makes them an adorable addition to a college student’s life. They are small dogs and are highly adaptable to living in a small apartment. They are also quite pleasant. The most maintenance that they will need is consistent brushing for their glorious coat.
4. Borzois
The Borzois is a medium-sized dog that borders on being a large breed. They are a lovely breed with a calm demeanor and a down-to-earth manner that makes them extremely manageable inside the home. They are also brilliant and not that vocal. The Borzois does need quite a bit of exercise, so they are best paired with a runner or someone who needs extra motivation to make time outdoors.
5. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are a well-known large-breed dog that is easy to manage and encouraging to have around the home. They are often used as emotional support dogs because they have boundless patience and high adaptability and sociability levels. They need plenty of exercise, although a couple of walks a day does the trick.
6. Poodle
Poodles come in three different sizes: standard, miniature, and toy. Each of these has similar characteristics even though they vary widely in sizes. For a college student, a smaller size can be more appropriate for a smaller living space.
They are thought to be a snobby dog breed, but they are an excellent choice for first-time dog owners in reality. Their intelligence allows them to almost manage themselves. They are also surprisingly affectionate toward the people they love, and they have a hypoallergenic coat.
7. Pug
If you have gotten your mind set on a little dog, then a Pug might be the best choice for you. They do not need much exercise and have an extremely low-maintenance coat. They can be difficult to housetrain, but crate training can help. If you are more of an active person, such as a runner or hiker, Pugs won’t suit you well. They have a brachycephalic face that keeps them from breathing well in intensive situations.
8. Greyhound
Greyhounds have a calm and controlled demeanor when they are inside your home. They love fuzzy blankets that they will pull from couches and cuddle under for hours. They also have the added benefit of getting you to go out running.
They might be a bigger dog, but they do not express this by tearing up furniture or knocking things over. Most of their size is in their height, so they become an incredibly graceful dog.
9. Irish Wolfhound
Irish Wolfhounds are a breed similar to that of the Greyhound in the expression of their energy. They are calm indoors and get along well with almost any other living thing. It makes them easy to have around crowds of people. Irish Wolfhounds need plenty of exercise each day, so ensure that you have enough time between classes to take them out frequently.
10. Labrador Retriever
If you are looking for a medium-sized dog and prioritize friendliness, the Lab is about the best choice you could find. They are easy to maintain with the right amount of exercise each day. There is no such thing as a stranger for these dogs, and their happy personalities can be a buoy throughout difficult times.
11. German Shepherd
German Shepherds might seem like a hit and miss because they have an old reputation for aggression. However, this is not how they were bred, and it is mostly down to their training. German Shepherds are a more serious dog bred initially by Germans to be one of the easiest dogs to breed globally. This characteristic makes it easier for them to adapt to your lifestyle and listen during various scenarios.
12. Dachshund
A small breed dog perfect for an apartment dwelling is the Dachshund. Their name means “badger dog” because they chased badgers into their holes and fished them out in Germany. Nowadays, Dachshunds prefer to spend their days sleeping and hanging out with their favorite people. They do not need to go far to get their fill of exercise for the day and are pleasantly low-maintenance.
13. Border Collie
The Border Collie is a friendly dog that has boundless energy. They are considered a working-class dog and need plenty of space to stay active. This means that they do not do well in smaller living spaces. However, if you share a home with a yard, they tick most of the other boxes. They are also good for getting you out of the house and keeping your study breaks regular.
14. Beagle
Beagles are another happy-go-lucky breed that gained popularity from movies. They can be quite vocal and may need extra training to stop barking and irritating neighbors. They are a smaller breed and a friendly one, making them easier to handle as a college student.
Although adopting a dog might seem like the easiest option to banish loneliness during the difficult college life transition, dogs do need to be looked after properly. Ensure that you purposefully schedule a time to set apart for caring for your dog, so you are ready for whatever they bring into your life.
See Also:
- 14 Colleges That Allow Dogs or Cats — Everything You Need to Know!
- 20 Best Dogs for First-Time Owners in Apartments (With Pictures)
Featured Image Credit: Mattia Marasco, Shutterstock
