8 Best Dogs For Homes With Stairs - Best of Home & Garden

3 experts answered: Pete, Carol, Brandon

What is the best dog for homes with stairs?

To help you find the right dog for your household, we asked business leaders and dog lovers this question for their thoughts. From German Shepards to Collies, there are several dog types and breeds that can navigate stairs with ease.

Here are the eight best dog breeds for homes with stairs:

Labrador Retrievers
German Shepherds
Corgis
Athletic, Medium Sized Dogs
Herding Dogs
Shiba Inu
Mixed Breeds
Collies

Labrador Retrievers

Pete NewstromCEO · Arrow Lift

Being a company that installs stair lifts, we’ve seen customers with stairs in their home own dogs who are low maintenance and provide excellent companionship. Labrador Retrievers seem to be a common favorite of our customers due to their ability to bond with owners and easily climb stairs due to their large size. Plus, labs are very alert and protective of their owners, meaning that they may sound the alarm if anyone unfamiliar stops by.

German Shepherds

German Shepherds are great companions and an excellent breed for those with larger homes! Because they are very active and high-energy dogs, climbing up and down stairs is no problem at all. With that said, as they get older, they are prone to hip dysplasia, so I would recommend feeding them the right diet along with supplements to keep them healthy and happy.

Nikitha Lokareddy, Markitors

Corgi is the best dog for a home with stairs. I could say for certain, as my house is full of stairs, and my Corgi is totally comfortable with it. The breed is also small-sized, easy to carry around, and friendly with kids and older people. I'm very happy with my dog and totally recommend this breed to anyone.

Jill Sandy, Constant Delights

Although there are many dogs that would thrive in a home with stairs, I would recommend selecting a breed that does not have a genetic predisposition for the potential development of hip-dysplasia which is more prevalent in large or giant breed dogs, therefore the selection of an athletic medium-sized breed might be best and there are a number of wonderful options to choose from.

If you have stairs in your home, the best option is to get a medium to larger size dog. You want to avoid getting a breed known for hip issues, such as German shepherds or tiny/toy breeds. Just the same, dachshunds are known to have back issues and wouldn’t be the best choice for a home with that setup. That said, herding dogs, bully breeds, and retrievers are all good bets for dogs that can easily climb stairs without health concerns.

Dogs like Golden Retriever and German Shepherd have a slightly sloping back due to which their hindlegs and hips have to bear most of their body weight. While climbing up the stairs, their hips and hind legs are further strained. Repeated strenuous activities like climbing up the stairs may aggravate an existing minor hip condition. Dogs with a straight spine and equal distribution throughout the body have better chances of adjusting to the stair-life. Breeds like Shiba Inu, Akita, German Shorthaired Pointer have greater endurance for a home with stairs as their entire body weight is evenly distributed and well borne by all four legs.

Siddhika Bhat, Wag a Bond

There are plenty of dogs that can live comfortably with homes with stairs, depending on your wants and needs. Herding dogs, retrievers, and bully breeds are also outstanding choices. Labs or golden retrievers are obvious options if you want a goofy, easy-going puppy. A mixed breed like Labradoodles or Goldendoodles may be a nice choice if you want a smaller dog. Several people have stated that rescuing a rambunctious dog with a proven strong cat disposition is often a good choice, and mixed dogs are usually better than purebreds.

Tammi Avallone, Five Barks

Since stairs present a challenge for smaller dogs, it is better to consider a mid to large size breed when moving into a multiple-floored home. You may also want to steer clear of dogs with genetic aging issues. For example, German shepherds tend to have hip problems later in life, and dachshunds are known for back problems. Collies are good bets for multi-floored homes. These herding dogs thrive on exercise, and stairs provide a workout. Since these pups are adept at navigating steep hillsides, stairs should be no challenge.

Michael Alexis, TeamBuilding

What is the best dog for homes with stairs?

Labrador Retrievers

German Shepherds

Corgis

Athletic, Medium Sized Dogs

Herding Dogs

Shiba Inu

Mixed Breeds

Collies