How to Choose the Right Dog for You
and Your Family
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Choosing the right dog for you (and your family), whether a purebred or a
mixed breed, is one of the most important decisions you can make when deciding
to add a dog to your family. A dog is a commitment for the life of the dog and
as such, the decision should not be made on impulse, but rather after careful
thought.
Don't rush the process of selecting
your new puppy or dog. Understanding the dog's needs and matching them to your
own requirements leads to a happy relationship for both of you.
Asking yourself these questions can
help with your choice:
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Why
do you want a dog?
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How
much time can you spend exercising, training and grooming?
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Do
you want an active pet or a couch potato?
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Do
you have children?
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Do
you live in an apartment, in town or in a rural area?
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Are
you a first-time dog owner?
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Can
you afford a dog? Not just the initial cost, but food, supplies and
veterinary care must be considered.
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Following is a list of books and
websites to aid you with your research.
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Different breeds have different
characteristics. While it is impossible to completely predict what a certain
breed will be like, understanding the general characteristics of the various dog
groups can aid in the selection process.
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Sporting
Dogs
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Sporting dogs were developed to
search for and retrieve game birds and waterfowl; a few hunt small mammals.
General characteristics: high energy,
friendly, tractable, focused, fun loving, non-territorial and low protection, a
desire to please, not dominant.
Members of this Group include
Pointers, Labrador Retrievers, Irish Setters and Cocker Spaniels.
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Hounds
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The Hound Group
includes both Scenthounds, which track their prey by air or ground scent, and Sighthounds,
which sight and chase a fleeing animal.
General characteristics: excellent
senses, independent, non-territorial, not dominant. Scent hounds are adaptable,
accepting, bold, and social with other dogs and people but may see cats and
other small animals as prey. Sight-hounds are the swiftest canines, quiet,
placid and aloof.
Members of this Group are very
diverse and include Beagles, Afghans, Greyhounds, and Dachshunds.
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Working
Dogs |
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These dogs were bred to
guard flocks, patrol estates, pull loads and sleds, aid fishermen,
and rescue people.
General characteristics: alert,
loyal, courageous, hardy, confident, territorial, protective, persistent and
dominant. They take their jobs seriously and are more content with work. Their
size and strength alone make many working dogs unsuitable as pets for the
average family.
These dogs must be properly trained.
Some of the members of this Group are
Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Siberian Huskies and Mastiffs.
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Terriers
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Terriers were bred to hunt and kill
vermin. They typically have little tolerance for other animals, including other
dogs.
General characteristics: feisty,
busy, energetic, confident, curious, courageous, tenacious, dominant, many
retain strong prey instinct.
Some of the members of this Group
include Cairn Terriers, Airedales, Parson Russell Terriers (Jack Russell) and various Bull Terriers.
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Toy
Dogs
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Toy breeds were bred and kept as
companions and still fulfill that roll. Personalities vary widely. They are
excellent companions for the elderly, but families with young children may be
better suited to a larger breed.
General characteristics: playful,
loving, cuddly, spunky, devoted to owners; some are timid; must be house pets;
most have desire to please; some are vocal.
Some of the members this Group
include the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Toy Poodle, Chihuahua, Pug, Pekinese
and Papillon.
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Non-Sporting
Dogs
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Dogs were once
classified as Sporting, so when these breeds came along, they were
dubbed Non-Sporting. Because they were developed for so many
reasons, dogs in this group have varying instincts and don't share
characteristics.
Some of the members of this Group
include Bulldogs, Poodles (not Toy), Dalmatians, Chow Chows and Chinese Shar
Peis.
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Herding
Dogs |
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Herding dogs were originally bred for
instinct and decision-making capabilities in herding livestock.
General characteristics: confident,
courageous, active, problem-solvers, strong chase instinct, loyal, territorial,
protective instinct and independent thinking.
Some of the members of this Group
include German Shepherds, Collies, Australian Shepherds and Corgis.
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All-American Dogs
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All-American Dogs, once called
“mutts” are not an AKC "Group", but rather a mixture of breeds in those
groups. All-American Dogs are the original dog, the dog who befriended
humankind, the dog from whom all the current breeds were developed.
In 2009 the AKC changed the rules governing entries in Agility and Obedience/Rally
Trials to allow All-American Dogs to compete. All-American Dogs must be
registered in the Canine Partners Program. Check the AKC website for
more information (www.akc.org/caninepartners)
If an
All-American Dog is your desire, learn about the groups or breeds from
which the parents came. This will give you some idea of what
characteristics to expect from the mix.
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Where
To Get Your Dog
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If you have decided on a purebred
dog, find a reputable breeder. Ask questions about health and guarantees, their
experience in the breed, their reasons for breeding, and ask to see the parents
and the environment in which the puppies are raised. It is advisable not to buy
from pet stores because they often purchase their puppies from puppy mills noted
for their unsanitary conditions and poor breeding. Also beware of backyard
breeders where the animals may be of inferior quality. Check with breed rescue
or your local animal shelter.
If you are looking for an All
American Dog, please adopt one from your local animal shelter. You will save
a life and help ease the pet overpopulation. At the same time you will be
reducing the demand for purebred dogs, which creates so many poorly bred dogs
doomed to short, sickly, unhappy lives.
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What's
Next?
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After you have your puppy or dog,
give him the best possible start you can by enrolling in an obedience class.
Training not only makes your dog easier to live with, but also creates a lasting
bond between you and your dog.
Clarion Canine Obedience Club offers
classes in Puppy Kindergarten and Beginner Obedience. All of our classes take a
positive approach to training. Our instructors are members who have proven their
ability in AKC obedience competition.
Puppy Kindergarten classes focus on
socialization, basic commands such as sit, down, stand, come and walking on
lead, problem-solving techniques and basics of grooming.
Beginner Obedience classes focus on
basic home obedience by strengthening the basic commands and teaching the more
formal heel command.
For more information about our
classes go to our home page
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