Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly
Temperament
Fearless, Alert, Spirited, Intelligent.
Health problems to know about
- Hip dysplasia
- Hereditary eye disease
- Von Willebrand disease
- Congenital heart disease
Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.
Daily care
An hour of exercise a day plus training or a dog sport to keep the mind busy. The short coat needs only a weekly rub-down. Socialise early, as they make keen guards.
A good fit for
Experienced owners, active homes, people who enjoy training and want an alert watchdog.
Probably not ideal for
First-time owners, homes with small pets, people away all day.
Sources
Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.
