Dog Breeds in Canada – Complete Breed Profiles

Looking for the perfect dog breed for your Canadian lifestyle? Whether you live in a snowy northern town or a bustling Toronto condo, our Dog Breeds in Canada directory helps you find the right match. Explore profiles with details on temperament, size, grooming, and which breeds thrive in Canada’s unique climates.

Explore our expert-curated directory of dog breeds—featuring traits, size, temperament, care needs, and more to help you choose the ideal canine companion.

Large Munsterlander sitting on a forest path, black-and-white coat with feathering, calm gaze, centered portrait with lush green background.

Large Munsterlander

The Large Munsterlander is a versatile German gun dog—athletic, intelligent, and people‑oriented. Best for outdoorsy families who enjoy training, long hikes, and real field work.

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Sussex Spaniel with a rich reddish-brown coat sitting on a dirt trail covered in autumn leaves, looking gentle with its tongue out and long, wavy ears.

Sussex Spaniel

The Sussex Spaniel is a charming, steady, and affectionate gundog known for its golden-liver coat, soulful expression, and low, sturdy build. Bred for flushing game in dense cover, this breed works at a slow and deliberate pace but possesses remarkable endurance. Loyal and gentle with family, the Sussex Spaniel thrives in a loving home that can provide moderate daily exercise, companionship, and plenty of affection.

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Parson Russell Terrier with a white coat and brown markings sitting on a dirt trail in a forest, looking lively and alert with perked ears.

Parson Russell Terrier

The Parson Russell Terrier is a bold, quick-witted, long-legged terrier bred in 19th-century England to pursue fox to ground. Athletic, cheeky, and people-oriented, “Parsons” thrive on training games, brisk walks, and dog sports like agility and earthdog. If you’re wondering “Are Parson Russell Terriers good apartment dogs?”—yes, for active owners who provide daily exercise and enrichment. “Do Parson Russell Terriers shed?”—moderately; smooth and broken coats both shed.

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A photograph captures a Bullmastiff sitting attentively on a dirt path in a forest, showcasing its muscular build and fawn coat with a black facial mask.

Bullmastiff

The Bullmastiff is a powerful, dignified guardian—calm at home, courageous when needed, and famously devoted to family. Bred to silently apprehend poachers, the breed is confident, affectionate, and relatively low-energy indoors. If you’re asking “Are Bullmastiffs good family dogs?”—yes, in experienced homes with clear rules and early socialization. “Do Bullmastiffs drool?”—often. “Do Bullmastiffs shed?”—light to moderate. Heat management, joint care, and polite-manners training are musts.

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Great Bernese puppy with fluffy tri-colored black, white, and brown coat sitting on a forest trail, portrait style with green background

Great Bernese

The Great Bernese combines the gentle protector instincts of the Great Pyrenees with the Bernese Mountain Dog’s affectionate loyalty—a giant, family-centered hybrid.

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A photograph captures a fawn-colored, medium to large-sized Chinook dog sitting on a forest trail, looking alert with floppy ears and a friendly expression.

Chinook

The Chinook is a rare, people-oriented American sled dog—gentle, eager to please, and bred for stamina over speed. Calm and cuddly at home yet athletic outside, Chinooks shine in skijoring, canicross, hiking, and carting. If you’re asking “Are Chinooks good apartment dogs?”—yes, for active owners who meet exercise and enrichment needs. “Do Chinooks shed?”—moderately year-round with heavy seasonal coat blows. “Are Chinooks hypoallergenic?”—no. Focus on socialization, recall, and coat care (don’t shave the double coat).

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Belgian Laekenois

The Belgian Laekenois is the rare, rough-coated member of the Belgian Shepherd family. Athletic, watchful, and devoted, the Laekenois thrives with experienced owners who enjoy training and daily activity.

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A photograph captures an Anatolian Shepherd Dog with a light tan coat and black face, sitting attentively on a dirt path in a green forest setting.

Anatolian Shepherd Dog

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a large, rugged guardian breed developed over thousands of years to protect livestock in the harsh terrain of Turkey. Known for their independence, intelligence, and unwavering loyalty, these dogs are natural protectors that excel in working roles. While not a typical family companion, with proper training and early socialization, Anatolians can be calm and devoted pets in the right environment. Their stoic nature and strong guarding instincts make them well-suited to rural settings and experienced owners.

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Maremma Sheepdog sitting on a forest path, thick white double coat and calm expression, centered full-body portrait

Maremma Sheepdog

The Maremma Sheepdog (Maremmano‑Abruzzese) is a serious Italian livestock guardian - calm, independent, and deeply devoted to its flock and family. Best for rural, experienced homes with secure fencing and clear jobs to do.

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A photograph captures a fawn-colored Shar Pei dog with deep facial wrinkles sitting calmly on a dirt path in a lush green forest.

Chinese Shar-Pei

The Chinese Shar-Pei is a medium, sturdy guardian/companion known for its sculpted wrinkles, tiny tulip ears, and blue-black tongue. Calm, confident, and devoted to family, Shar-Pei are naturally reserved with strangers and benefit from early socialization and clear routines. If you’re asking “Are Chinese Shar-Pei good apartment dogs?”—yes, for owners who meet exercise and training needs. “Do Chinese Shar-Pei shed?”—low to moderate. “Are Chinese Shar-Pei hypoallergenic?”—no. Care priorities include skin/ear health, eye care (entropion), and monitoring for Shar-Pei Fever/amyloidosis.

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Dog Breeds Popular in Canada

Canada’s #1 family dog for decades.

Adaptable and winter-ready.

Bred for cold climates.

Great for active, rural lifestyles.

Apartment-friendly in urban areas.