College students experience high rates of stress, isolation, anxiety, and depression, according to a 2017 report by the American College Health Association. Pets have been shown in studies to raise people’s oxytocin levels by 300 per cent, a hormone that decreases anxiety and lowers blood pressure. And what better pet than an adorable dog!

Different dog breeds have distinct characteristics, abilities, and personalities. Although certain breeds are well-suited to college life, others may not thrive in such a setting. So, you must be careful when selecting your four-legged friend.

A person’s best friend is a puppy, and we all enjoy spending time with our furry companions. And so, not everyone can own a dog and devote ample time and attention to it. As a college student, you can consider your options before adopting or purchasing a puppy. You must be certain that you will be able to provide it with the nurturing and compassionate atmosphere it needs. Here are the dog breeds that are best suited to a student’s lifestyle.

Golden Retrievers

Golden retrievers are one of the most common dog breeds in the United States, and it’s easy to see why: they’re quite affectionate and playful, and they’re also very amusing. They’re both fairly intelligent and enjoy pleasing their owners, making them one of the best breeds to train. However, before you set your sights on a golden, you should be aware that they come with a lot of obstacles that you’ll have to overcome to provide a happy life for your dog and keep your sanity.

Golden retrievers, for example, have a lot of energy and need a lot of space, so you’ll have to take them to the park every day. They still have separation anxiety, but they’ll be sad to see you go every morning. However, if you live in a large house (with a large yard) and have many roommates, a golden retriever may be a good fit.

Poodle

While poodles are mistakenly thought to be a fancy breed that requires a lot of upkeep, this is not the case. These small, energetic animals are ideal for students, particularly if you’ve never had a dog before. What makes them special is that they are still happy to go; they like adventure, and they have the energy and agility to go on road trips or weekend getaways. Poodles have a lot of stamina, so they’ll motivate you to stay busy as well. It’s ideal for students who fall into a rut easily. With a poodle at your side, you’ll never be bored.

Basset hounds

Basset hounds are described as “strong little dogs.” They only stand 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder, but their low-rider frames pack 50 to 60 pounds of muscle, hair, and fat. The droopy expressions and long, trailing ears of basset hounds make them instantly identifiable.

Aside from their amusing look, basset hounds make excellent dogs for college students. They are outgoing, engaging dogs that are both reasonably intelligent. They won’t freak out if you go to class in the morning (they’ll probably just go back to sleep), and considering their rabbit-hunting history, they’re fairly low-energy pups.

The most significant disadvantage to basset hounds is their proclivity to bark and howl anytime they feel like it. This is a common problem with hound dogs, but think about how important peace is to you and your roommates before getting one of these cute dogs.

Shih Tzu

Small breeds are often better for college students, and the Shih Tzu is unquestionably one of the most endearing small breeds available. Shih Tzus, in particular, are excellent dogs for people who live in tiny apartments like those seen in many college dorms. Since they have low energy levels, regular walks are normally sufficient to meet their exercise requirements. Shih Tzus also have the potential to deal with a moderate amount of alone time, which is one of their best qualities. These proud little dogs will normally adjust well to your routine and will take care of your house while you are out.

Shih Tzus need daily brushing, and you’ll want to keep an eye on your new pet’s weight since these dogs seem to gain weight as they get older, so make sure you (or your roommates) don’t overfeed him with treats or giving him too much human food. However, this is a smart idea for any breed, since human food can upset a dog’s appetite, and certain human foods can also be harmful.

Pug

You probably aren’t even reading this at this stage. You probably saw the picture above and fell in love, and you’ve already started searching for respectable breeders in your area so you can get your pug. Understandably, they’re such adorable puppies. Pugs are one of the most suitable dogs for first-time dog owners. They’re affectionate, caring, playful, and sweet, and they get along well with other people and animals. They’re a perfect breed for apartment dwellers, and although housetraining them isn’t always easy, crate training will also help them understand the rules about bathroom time.

However, there are a few things to consider before getting a pug. The adorable little face, for example, will cause him some issues. Pugs are classified as brachycephalic breeds, which means their faces are shortened. This triggers respiratory problems, which you’ll have to monitor for the rest of his life. Furthermore, pugs with shorter faces find it impossible to do stuff like swim or ride in flights; in particular, many airlines do not accept snub-nosed breeds on planes due to the risk involved.

Boston Terrier

The Boston terrier, also known as “The American Gentleman,” is an excellent breed for college students. They’re little, polite, and intelligent, and they normally don’t go insane if you leave them alone at home. They also adapt well to apartment living and are simple to train. Boston terriers are well-behaved dogs. They don’t shed much, don’t drool much, and aren’t as tough to housetrain as some other small breeds. There isn’t anything you can say negative about Boston terriers.

The main reason that Boston terriers are likely to present a problem for college students is because of their high energy levels – these dogs need a lot of exercise for such a small breed. However, despite the fact that you’ll get to take your new Boston terrier on everyday walks or play fetch in the backyard when you get home from school, he’ll wear out easily due to his short legs.

English Bulldog

For certain college students, the English bulldog (now often referred to as a bulldog) is an excellent choice. Bulldogs, another example of a “fat little puppy,” can weigh up to 50 pounds and stand just 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder. They don’t have a lot of stamina, so they’re easy to keep fit, and they’re very affectionate with their owners.

The willingness of bulldogs to deal with alone time is one of their strongest qualities. When you go to work in the morning, the bulldog will not throw a fit or become destructive; instead, he will take a walk around the house, explore his food dish, and then go find a warm spot to nap before you return. But, they drool a lot and shed a lot as well. Their shorter faces have put them at risk for a variety of health problems.

Lhasa Apso

While these tiny little terrors won’t be able to fend off a bear or stranger, they’ll always let you know when danger is brewing, and they’ll try their utmost to scare the attacker away by barking nonstop. Most Lhasa Apsos nowadays lead more peaceful lives. They’re barely charged with anything other than being a horse, and it’s a role they shine at. While they are love dogs, Lhasa Apsos can be shy around strangers. Despite their proclivity to follow their owners around, Lhasa Apsos seem to spend time alone very well.

You’ll need to get your Lhasa Apso groomed on a daily basis, so factor it into your budget before getting one of these puppies. They are mostly apartment-friendly dogs, but they can be difficult to housetrain, so you’ll certainly want to invest in a proper crate for training purposes.

Chinese Crested

For college students, the Chinese crested is an outstanding breed. They’re thin, soft, and affectionate, with only moderate workout requirements. They’re both very distinctive-looking dogs that can attract attention and evoke a lot of “awwwws” from your neighbours. They’re also intelligent dogs that are relatively simple to train.

Chinese crested dogs’ worst flaw is their clinginess; they don’t want to be left alone for long stretches of time. If you live with many roommates, this shouldn’t be a major issue so the dog won’t be home too long. If you live alone, though, you may want to reconsider having a Chinese crested.

Pomeranian

Pomeranians are the perfect breed for college students because they are one of the cutest, most adorable, and fuzzy dog breeds. When their owner leaves the home, certain dog breeds have separation anxiety. Pomeranians don’t have separation anxiety, which is why they’re ideal for you, a student who is gone for the majority of the time. Not to mention that they like to be alone with their toys and love their company. Since knots will quickly lead to a skin infection, their hair will need extra care and brushing.