How to Select the Right Dog Breed for You and Your Family
By Cynthia P. Gallagher
In the perennial debate between cat people and dog people over which pet is most popular, even nationwide statistics can’t definitively resolve the issue. Among households with pets, cats outnumber dogs because of multiple felines within individual homes, but more pet-owning households have dogs as their pets of choice. An account of the store-front water bowls and help-yourself treats around town on a pleasant autumn day confirms Annapolis’ love affair with our canine companions.
Dogs come in as many shapes, sizes, and personalities as people do, and choosing the right breed for you can be as complex as The Bachelor’s final rose ceremony. Dog ownership is a privilege and a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. Before you begin shopping for that one special pooch, you have some homework to do.
Historically, the various breeds we know today did not exist. Dogs were classified according to the work they performed or the region where they performed it. Instincts like herding and ratting endure in dogs’ genetic composition despite recent centuries of “retirement” to companion life. Before you set your heart on a specific breed, research its origins and characteristics for any behaviors or requirements you may find unacceptable.
Are you ready, willing, and able to commit wholeheartedly to about a decade of emotional, physical, and financial responsibility for a dog? Visit our website at WhatsUpMag.com and take the test.
Once you’re ready for dog ownership, you must now ponder an equally important question: what do you want in a dog? With more than 150 recognized dog breeds of varying characteristics, the choices can be overwhelming. This checklist can help clarify your expectations:
- Small, Medium, or Large? When deciding what size dog you want, consider where you live, the type and size of your residence, your physical capabilities, household members, and general lifestyle.
- Temperament is one of the most important traits to evaluate when choosing a pet dog. Do you want an energetic dog to jog with, or a mellow lap dog? How about trainability and tolerance of children? Take the trouble to learn which breeds have the qualities that best match your own.
- Male or Female? Gender does not determine personality or behavior, despite once-popular belief. The mating urge, however, can incite male roamers and female escape artists. Spaying/neutering usually solves this issue.
- Puppy or Adult? The puppy siren call is powerful, but it also means time-consuming training, sleep loss, temporary adherence to his schedule, and patience, patience, patience. Potential dog owners who want to skip this upheaval may prefer an adult dog purchased from a breeder or adopted from a shelter.
- Pet or Show Dog? If you want to enter the world of dog showing, look for a puppy who is “show-quality,” conforming closely to the published breed standard and with champions in his lineage. A “pet-quality” puppy is in no way inferior as a healthy, loving companion; he just isn’t a good candidate for conformation showing. He usually costs less than his show-quality littermates, but the happiness he brings is priceless.
- Long or Short Hair? In addition to a breed’s specific grooming needs, consider any allergic humans in your household. Dog-dander allergies can make life miserable for the sufferer, no matter how conscientious you are about grooming and housecleaning. A breed with hair instead of fur, such as the Maltese or the Poodle, doesn’t shed and can live happily with an allergic human. Hair growth requires regular clipping or shaving, just like ours.
- Breed-Specific Health Issues Different breeds are prone to different health conditions; learn about them. This doesn’t mean that a dog will definitely develop an affliction associated with his breed, or that dogs of certain breeds won’t develop diseases more commonly seen in others. It just means that thorough research of your intended breed includes learning about potential health problems commonly seen in that breed. Reputable breeders screen their dogs for potential health and temperament problems, and will have the paperwork to back it up.
The computer age has brought knowledge to our fingertips. Educating yourself on all the important issues of dog ownership is too easy to ignore. For example, an internet search of “dog breeds under 20 pounds” or “dog breeds with short coats” can streamline your quest for the right kind of dog and help you locate breeders, rescue organizations, or animal shelters. For broad-spectrum information, search out “dog breed temperaments” or “allergy-friendly dog breeds.” The more you know, the better you can plan for a happy, fulfilling life with your dog.
Use these trait-specific examples to jump-start your own search for your perfect pet, remembering that every rule has exceptions:
Suitable for Apartments or Urban Living
Yorkshire Terrier (Terrier Group): developed in the 19th century by English miners in the northern county of Yorkshire to rid the mineshafts of rats.
Chihuahua (Toy Group): the oldest breed on the American continent and smallest in the world.
Pekingese (Toy Group): the favorite breed of the imperial family in Peking for many centuries.
Bichon Frise (Toy Group): a lively, intelligent breed derived from the Maltese in the 15th century.
Good with Children of All Ages
Portuguese Water Dog (Working Group): a breed of unknown origins who, for many centuries, assisted Portuguese fishermen.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Terrier Group): nicknamed “the nanny dog” because of his fondness for children, despite origins in fighting and baiting.
Brittany Spaniel (Sporting Group): a playful, affectionate breed of French or English European origins (nobody knows for sure).
Better Suited to Older Children
Airedale (Terrier Group): named after the river Aire in Yorkshire, England, and developed a century ago from an ancient type of working terrier and the Otterhound.
Dalmatian (Non-Sporting Group): a distinctive-looking breed once used as “carriage dogs” to guard the cargo of a horse-drawn coach when the driver spent the night at a country inn.
Samoyed (Working Group): a classic sled dog named for a Siberian population of hunters and fisherman known as Samoyeds.
Unpredictable with Children
Akita (Working Group): a native of the Japanese region of Akita and for centuries was bred for fighting and big-game hunting.
Chow Chow (Non-Sporting Group): an all-purpose dog of northern Chinese origin known for its unique black tongue.
Great Dane (Working Group): a large, stately breed resulting from a cross of ancient mastiff-like warrior dogs with Irish greyhounds.
Requires Regular, Heavy Exercise
Vizsla (Sporting Group): a sleek, affectionate hunting dog native to Hungary.
Rhodesian Ridgeback (Non-Sporting Group): indigenous to Southern Africa, loyal, intelligent, strong, and athletic.
German Shepherd Dog (Working Group): developed in 19th century Germany from farm dogs and today hailed as the world’s leading police, guard, and military dogs.
Requires Light Exercise
Toy Poodle (Toy Group): a tiny version of the water retriever breed (thought to originate in France) whose hair needs frequent grooming but is hypoallergenic.
Saint Bernard (Working Group): a huge, powerful breed commonly associated with alpine rescue.
French Bulldog (Non-Sporting Group): a small, native French variety of several bulldog-type breeds whose snub nose makes breathing difficult when overheated or overweight.
Requires Weekly Grooming
Pomeranian (Toy Group): a small, fluffy breed developed in the Prussian region of Pomerania.
Havanese (Toy Group): a long-haired, native Cuban breed that was a pampered lapdog of the aristocracy.
Alaskan Malamute (Working Group): one of the oldest sled breeds, descended from the Arctic wolf, and named for the Alaskan tribe known as Mahlemuts.
Requires Daily Grooming
Shih Tzu (Toy Group): a long-haired, long-lived breed developed in Tibet and brought to the Forbidden City of Peking.
Newfoundland (Working Group): a huge breed with a sweet nature to match named for the once-British-owned north-Atlantic territory of Newfoundland where it excelled at water rescue.
Afghan Hound (Hound Group): a sight hound prized in ancient Egypt and Afghanistan who is now a companion dog whose silky hair needs frequent brushing.
Minimal Shedding
Italian Greyhound (Toy Group): a similar, ancient version of the Greyhound whose short, sleek coat offers little protection from cold temperatures, outdoors and in.
Bullmastiff (Working Group): bred by English gamekeepers from a mastiff and a bulldog to guard against poachers.
Chinese Crested (Toy Group): the hairless variety of this breed has hair only on its feet, tail, and head. The Powderpuff variety has a full coat, but its small size means relatively little shedding.
Heavy or Constant Shedding
Rough Collie (Herding Group): the famous “Lassie” breed’s luxuriant coat needs frequent care.
Golden Retriever (Sporting Group): the golden’s coat constantly renews itself for maximum protection from the elements.
German Shepherd Dog (Herding Group): this multi-faceted breed has a coat adaptable to all kinds of weather, and it sheds accordingly.
Cynthia P. Gallagher is a member of the Dog Writers Association of America and the author of four single-breed guide books. Writing fiction as Cynthia Polansky, she is also the author of novels Far Above Rubies and Remote Control. Visit both personae at Cynthiapolansky.com.
About Our Famous What’s Up? Dog, Callie
One of many variations within the Sporting Group, the English Setter is a lively, sweet-natured, elegant dog originally developed about 400 years ago from several European bird-hunting breeds. The word "setter" refers to the semi-seated position the dog assumes when he's discovered game. He can be a barker and digger but early, comprehensive training can prevent bad habits. The English Setter's gentle, friendly disposition makes him a popular family companion.
Per the AKC, the 2007 most popular breeds in America were the:
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Golden Retriever
5. Beagle
6. Boxer
7. Dachshund
8. Poodle
9. Shih Tzu
10. Bulldog
A Breed of Our Own
In 1807, two Newfoundlands were rescued from a shipwreck off the coast of Maryland and subsequently mated with local retrievers. After proving so useful at hunting in the Chesapeake Bay, the offspring became the foundation of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, a recognized member of the AKC Sporting Group.
Tags:
cynthia p. gallagher
dec 08
More Articles