This is Part 3 in our 7-part series on pet adoption
Part 1: Should I Adopt a Puppy or an Adult Dog?
Part 2: 4 Important Decisions to Make Before Adopting a Dog
Coming Next:
Part 4: 15 Tips for Socializing Your Puppy
Part 5: 6 Steps to Introduce a New Dog to Your Current Dog
Part 6: 10 Tips for Adopting a Cat
Part 7: 5 Steps to Introducing a New Kitten to Your Resident Cat
Are you trying to decide which type of dog would be the best fit for your personality?
With so many breeds out there, it can be hard to narrow down your options. Fortunately, you don’t have to look any further than your Enneagram personality type.
Read on for nine points about breeds of dog that fit each Enneagram personality type.
Disclaimer: This information is not scientifically based – it’s just for fun! And, just as humans fit several Enneagram personality types, so do dogs. You’ll notice that some breeds appear in multiple categories.
Type One: The Reformer
Enneagram Ones are known for their idealism and perfectionism. They are principled, purposeful, and self-controlled.
Breeds that are highly intelligent, loyal, protective, inquisitive, eager to please, and have a strong work ethic are ideal for Ones.
Some self-assured breeds may be challenging to train, but once trained, they are respectful and reliable.
- Samoyed
- Australian Shepherd
- German Shepherd
- Japanese Chin
- Tibetan Spaniel
- Boston Terrier
- Bull Terrier
- Shih Tzu
- Poodle
Type Two: The Helper
Enneagram Twos are caring, interpersonal types. Twos are people-pleasing givers who thrive on helping others.
Breeds known for their gentle, friendly, loving, and loyal personalities make excellent companions for Twos, because they’re affectionate and eager to please.
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- German Shepherd
- Dutch Spaniel
- Belgian Sheepdog
- Bichon Frisé
- Maltese
- Havanese
Type Three: The Achiever
Enneagram Threes crave high-energy activities and enjoy being in the spotlight. They are success-oriented, driven, and image-conscious.
Threes need an energetic, outgoing canine companion who can keep up with their active lifestyle and turn heads when they hit the town together.
- Chihuahua
- Pomeranian
- Labrador Retriever
- Bulldog
- Beagle
- English Foxhound
- Brussels Griffon
Type Four: The Individualist
Enneagram Fours are sensitive souls. They tend to be self-absorbed and temperamental and are also expressive, creative, and dramatic.
Fours gravitate towards breeds with sweet, gentle, laid-back personalities who will happily snuggle up during quiet moments at home, and who also know how to mind their own business.
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Havanese
- French Bulldog
- Australian Shepherd
- English Bulldog
- Akita
- Border Collie
- Miniature American Shepherd
- Dutch Sheepdog
Type Five: The Investigator
Enneagram Fives are intense, perceptive, thoughtful, analytical, and can be secretive and isolated.
Fives appreciate intelligence, independence, loyalty, and adaptability in their canine companion. They enjoy breeds that are easy to train and can adjust to a variety of lifestyles.
- Greyhound
- Beagle
- Poodle
- Bloodhound
- Chow Chow
- Tibetan Mastiff
- Jack Russell Terrier
- Rat Terrier
Type Six: The Loyalist
Enneagram Sixes have an innate need for security and protection. They tend to be anxious and suspicious as well as responsible, engaging, and committed.
It makes sense that Sixes would opt for larger, highly intelligent, loyal breeds with a strong independent streak. Sixes prefer good-natured breeds that offer plenty of protection against potential intruders while still providing lots of love and affection when needed.
- German Shepherd
- Siberian Husky
- Boston Terrier
- Chinook
- Greyhound
- Pug
Type Seven: The Enthusiast
Enneagram Sevens are busy, fun-loving, and spontaneous. They’re distractible, scattered, and versatile.
Sevens need a naturally extroverted dog that is friendly, affectionate, and has a zest for life. Sevens gravitate toward breeds that require plenty of exercise but who also love lounging and watching TV with their owners on lazy days.
- Boxer
- Bulldog
- Beagle
- Dachshund
- Pomeranian
- Corgi
- Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
Type Eight: The Challenger
Enneagram Eights are self-confident, powerful, dominating, decisive, willful, and confrontational.
Eights might feel overwhelmed by smaller dogs, and often opt for low-maintenance breeds that require minimal grooming but still provide all the love they could want from a canine companion.
Eights respond well to charismatic, strong-willed dogs known for being loyal and protective, yet still loving and affectionate.
- Doberman Pinscher
- Chihuahua
- Bulldog
- Tibetan Mastiff
- Tibetan Terrier
- Tibetan Spaniel
- Maltese
- Labrador Retriever
Type Nine: The Peacemaker
Enneagram Nines are easygoing, self-effacing, agreeable, complacent, and non-confrontational.
Nines respond well to gentle, affectionate, laid-back dogs that are loving and loyal. Often, Nines like medium-sized breeds that offer all the attention a Nine could want without taking up too much space in the home.
- Border Collie
- Australian Cattle Dog
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Golden Retriever
- Cocker Spaniel
- Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
No matter your Enneagram personality type, there’s sure to be a breed perfect for you.
In the comments, let us know which breed(s) you feel the most affinity for. Does your favorite breed match your Enneagram personality type?