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The Right Dog For You

You've decided that you want a dog.

You realize the commitment that you are making. You are willing to invest the time, energy and money necessary to make this relationship work for you and your future dog. With those decisions behind you there are lots of questions left to answer. In choosing the type of dog you want, you need to consider your specific needs and lifestyle, the space you have, and your activity level. The breed, age and sex of the dog will be important factors in your decision.

The American Kennel Club recognizes over 140 breeds and there are just about that many different shapes and styles of mixed breeds. So which one should you get? In some instances, your individual needs or lifestyle may guide you to your choice. Other people may have fewer restrictions and they are able to choose from a wide range of breeds without making a mistake.

And then do you really want a purebred? There may be advantages of choosing royalty from the "Heinz 57" clan.

Which sex will be better for you, a male or female? Does it make any difference once they’re spayed or neutered?

You also need to consider whether you want to start with a puppy or an adult dog. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Usually the time you have available combined with what you want in a dog should help you to make this last decision.

What characteristics should your new dog have?

The dog you select should be one that closely fits your lifestyle and what you perceive your needs to be. To say there is one and only one correct dog for an individual just isn’t so.

Does Size Make a Difference? In our practice we have as a client an eighty-year-old, 110 pound lady. Some might say that when choosing a canine companion, because of her physical structure, she should restrict herself to a lap dog. In her case, nothing would be farther from the truth. Although she has no background as a professional dog trainer, she and her 100 pound male Rottweiler get along perfectly with her always being in control. At the other end of the spectrum, we have 220-pound men that have difficulty handling their 15-pound mixed breed. People vary greatly in their ability to train and care for dogs. Their physical size, age, intelligence, financial worth or occupation mean very little on which dog they should have.

Will Your Dog Have a Specific Purpose? The first, and most important, question you must ask yourself is what purpose your new canine companion will hopefully serve in your life. Some may acquire the animal to satisfy very specific needs. It may be used as a hunting partner in the field, a guard to protect the home through barking or its aggressive appearance or behavior, a playmate and learning experience for children, etc. In most homes however, its role will simply be that of companionship. That is to say, it will be a four-legged friend that you enjoy being with regardless of your activity.

Every specific use or role for a dog comes with other subsets of choices. Individuals obtaining a dog for bird hunting must choose animals that are best suited for their type of hunting. Will it be for the upland field where a dog will be moving through cover all day? Some of these breeds will point the approximate location of the game (English Pointer); others will attempt to flush the bird into flight (English Springer Spaniel) while others are along only for the retrieve. Some are commonly asked both to hunt for birds in the upland fields and to retrieve over water.

Some animals used to guard a home or business from intruders only need to bark and a Poodle or Bichon Frise may suffice. They are telling whoever might be out there that it is impossible to enter the building quietly. Other dogs in the protection field need to display an intimidating appearance. Few breeds fill this bill better than a Doberman Pinscher or Rottweiler with lips curled back exposing their teeth. Other dogs that work in actual law enforcement capacities must sometimes be able to truly depend and protect with their physical abilities. This will probably mean a large dog that has the ability to knock a man off his feet.

If the dog is acquired for companionship alone, he can come with an infinitely wide range of characteristics as to size, haircoat, general appearance, and behavior. Almost any member of the canine specie regardless of its lineage would be acceptable.

What is Your Activity Level? Your activity level dictates to a certain degree what type of a dog will best fit with you. A jogger can handle almost any breed providing the dog can keep up with him. A backpacker that hopes his four-legged friend can carry part of the weight needs a strong but not necessarily large counterpart. An elderly person that wants a lap dog certainly wouldn’t choose a St. Bernard.

How much Space Do You Have? The amount of space available to the pet should also be considered as it relates to the activity level and overall size of the dog. Someone who has a rural home surrounded by 80 acres can probably accommodate any breed while the person living in a fifth floor, one room apartment may not want a 200-pound Great Dane. So many dogs are housedogs, i.e. they spend the vast majority of their life within the owner’s home. If this will be your situation, look at your home and yard and be realistic about the amount of exercise your pet can achieve within those confines. Remember that before they partnered with us, dogs in their natural state spent all of their time outside. They lead very active lives and only a few of those living with us today have given up very much of their natural desire for exercise.

A small active dog is obviously easier to accommodate than a large one but sometimes size will be found to be a moderator of behavior. A Yorkshire terrier may seem, and probably does, go ninety miles per hour all day long. However, adults of one of the giant breeds like a Saint Bernard typically sleep 16 to 18 hours a day. That is why some larger breeds often do so well in apartments or smaller homes.

How much Grooming Are You Willing to Do? Most dogs with longer haircoats need more care. Longhaired dogs are usually a disaster if they are outside in long grass, weeds or brush. Their coats become matted and filled with everything they can snare. This may entail special grooming and frequent trimming, brushing or baths. Some owners enjoy keeping their pet looking its best while others consider it a burdensome chore. In either case, while this may not be a problem while the animal is a puppy, later in life she will require additional time or expenses for the owner.

Is the Sex of the Dog Important to You? Many future pet owners take little consideration into whether they get a male or female. They may plan to spay or neuter the dog and assume that the care and problems for either sex will therefore be the same.

Female and male dogs have unique differences in their personalities and these should be taken into consideration. Again we will admit there are probably as many exceptions to the rules as there are generalities about the two sexes, still some are frequently noted.

In their wild state, dogs are members of packs and constantly compete with other members for position within a dominance hierarchy. Many domestic dogs also challenge their human pack mate to determine their boundaries or in some cases for actual dominance. This is usually much more pronounced with male dogs, especially in those that have not been neutered. This often requires that the owner have more of a "take charge" attitude during training and thereafter.

If an owner of any dog, be it male or female, remains in control these dominance issues rarely become a problem. Still, for future owners who perceive themselves to be of a more timid nature, selecting a female dog can lessen the chances of these types of problems being encountered.

Another trait of male dogs, whether they are neutered or not, is their habit of lifting their rear leg while urinating. In wild and domestic dogs this is part of territorial marking. They deposit their urine on elevated or vertical objects leaving their scent for other dogs to note. For most owners, this causes little or no problem. However, some gardeners don’t like it as their bushes and shrubs are killed from the high nitrogen levels found in the urine of dogs. Some believe that neutering will prevent the dog from "lifting his leg" – not true!

Unneutered male dogs tend to "roam" or travel - sometimes great distances - seeking out females in heat. Leashes, fences, kennels or cable tie-outs curb this but there must be a lot of frustration bottled up in a restrained male dog that senses a nearby female that is in season ready to breed! Neutering, especially if done before one year of age will usually prevent this roaming behavior from developing. However, if an adult dog has made a habit of roaming for prospective mates it may continue even after sterilization.

Female dogs are typically easier to train especially during the housebreaking phase and grow up to be calmer pets. This statement, of course, is an over generalization as there are many exceptions. The major problem with female dogs, if they are not sterilized, are their once or twice yearly heat cycles and all problems associated with them. And if these are not dealt with correctly, the animal may become pregnant!

Is the Age of the Dog Important to You? For most prospective owners, getting a dog means bringing home a two-month-old puppy. This is a decision that you need to think through carefully. For some first-time dog owners a puppy is the worst possible choice.

There are disadvantages in starting out with a puppy versus an adult dog. It is always more difficult to determine the ultimate personality of any dog when it is evaluated during its first few weeks of life. Remember that if we use the old adage about one year in a dog’s life is equal to seven or more years in that of a human, then a seven-week-old puppy you may be looking at is approximately a year old in human terms. Anyone would admit that it is nearly impossible to judge a human’s personality from what you are seeing as they lie in their crib!

Many experienced dog fanciers and trainers would remind us that this is a two-edged sword. While we may not be able to predict the future personality of the puppy, by starting with a dog of this age we will be able to have a greater effect on its development and ultimate behavior. Dogs are just like people in that many traits of their personality are a result of their genetic background. However, they are also a product of their surroundings. A puppy that finds itself in a loving home with lots of attention given to it will probably turn out much differently than a littermate that was tied to a tree in the backyard and whose only exposure to humans comes in a once-a-day feeding. By choosing a puppy, you have the potential to have a much greater affect on their personality than if you started with an adult.

Selecting a puppy versus an adult typically means you will spend a lot more time in training. That includes everything from housebreaking through leash training and verbal commands. Additionally, puppies have to grow through some less-than-delightful phases such as eating shoes, chewing on everything in sight, frequent trips to the veterinarian for vaccinations and wormings, additional expenses for neutering and so on. The selection of an adult dog bypasses most of these. Without exception, dogs take a lot more of your time during their first year of life. To many, this is the best part and they love the involvement – other potential owners simply struggle to find the extra time.

Puppies, even with all their additional requirements, are usually more expensive to purchase. There simply is a greater demand for them. They are cute, very appealing bundles of joy and it has become the typical method of acquiring a new dog. Many breeders have a long waiting list of prospective buyers. Older dogs on the other hand are often given up because their owners discovered they couldn’t give the time required or realized that having a dog wasn’t for them. Adults aren’t as cute as puppies and the market for them is much smaller. Typically they do not command high prices. In fact, many go "free to a good home".

There are several advantages in choosing an older dog versus a puppy. One is the predictability of what you will have in the future. The model you will have for the next several years is standing right in front of you. You can judge his temperament, size, whether he will shed excessively or not, etc. Additionally, with the help of your veterinarian, you can determine if he has any medical problems such as hip dysplasia. With a puppy we can sometimes only guess if conditions such as these will develop later in its life but when examining an adult most of these problems have already reached a diagnosable stage even if the animal is not yet showing signs.

Do You Want a Purebred or Mixed-Breed Dog? Should your new dog be a purebred or a mixed breed? For many, the answer to this question is obvious because subconsciously they are only thinking about purebred dogs. The thought of having anything else never even enters their mind. When they were growing up, their parents had English Setters so they automatically look for an English Setter.

It is ironic that many future dog owners seek out a purebred without any idea of what breed they might want. They never consider a mixed or "Heinz 57". Before you leap into a selection between the 145 or so currently listed and officially recognized breeds, you need to understand the differences and pros and cons of a "canine blue-blood" versus what’s often referred to as a mongrel.

There are differences between purebred and mixed breed dogs, but they are mostly in what the buyer wants or perceives. Several hundred years ago humans started with wild or free-roaming canines and brought them into their lives. Originally, they were used to help us with our work. In various parts of the world, different basic models as to shape and size were used for these initial transformations into domestication. Over the years, dogs have become less important as a working partner and most are simply thought of as a companion. Regardless of their role in our world, from the very start we have continually tried to alter the dog's abilities, behavior, size, shape, color, conformation, etc. to fit some purpose or goal that we had. This was done through selective breeding. At some point in time, a standard is established and these animals are sanctioned as a unique breed. With the stroke of a pen on an official looking document, they are transformed from a mixed breed to a purebred.

Possible advantages of purebred dogs:

If you are seeking a dog and need it for a specific purpose, you may be better off choosing a purebred that has been selectively bred with those traits in mind. While it is often said that any dog can be trained to do anything, you may be wiser to use the years of experience and efforts of others than try to start on your own. For example, someone who is interested in showing, herding, hunting, scent work or other specific tasks would be better off choosing a dog from one of the breeds that have been devoted to those specialized fields. Through generations of selective breeding, these traits have been refined and strengthened well past those found in the general population of dogs.

For some people their choice as to which dog they should get is based on their own physical makeup or problems. If a respiratory condition or allergy means you should not be around dogs that shed excessively, you should select a breed that's appropriate for your own health. Certain kinds of dogs are well known for their non-shedding characteristics. In reality, they do shed but generally much less than typical breeds. Examples are the various Poodles and Schnauzers. In these situations in which a specific physical trait such as the amount that an animal sheds is important in your dog, it is probably better to choose a purebred. It would be very difficult if not impossible to predict the degree of shedding that a mixed breed puppy will display as an adult.

Some dog owners find certain dogs more attractive than others and simply must have one that looks like that. It would be foolish for them to choose a different breed or one of mixed lineage. If someone knows what they want their dog to look like as an adult, but are starting with a puppy, they need to choose a member of that breed to insure they get what they want a year later.

Some dog breeds are known for having certain personalities or behavior patterns. You can select one that matches yours or what you would prefer to see in your pet. Golden Retrievers are known for their laid-back, calm personalities. To some that is the perfect dog. Others however would prefer a more out going, excitable dog. Still others might want an animal for protection of their home. Certain lines of some breeds have been bred for this type of work and are therefore a natural choice.

Some advantages of mixed breeds:

Keep in mind when thinking about purebred dogs that many man-made alterations in the basic structure and behavior from the original historical canine model have brought along some disadvantages. Some dogs, especially those with short noses that at times seem to be pushed back into their heads may have difficulty breathing or giving birth to their puppies naturally. Excessively large or giant breeds usually have shorter life spans, often by several years. Breeds with excessive skin folds are generally more prone to bacterial skin infections.

In other purebreds, harmful or unwanted characteristics have arisen. Whenever breeders select for one trait they may unknowingly select for many others. Hip dysplasia is a degenerative and often severely debilitating disease of the hip joint of dogs. It is transmitted from one generation to the next through genetics. This condition is rare in wild dogs. Any condition that decreases the overall ability of a wild animal to compete in their world is quickly eliminated through natural selection. However, through human engineered selective processes, this condition has become common in several breeds. Breeding has, it would seem, unknowingly potentiated the genetically transferred information that controls this disease. Today, concerned and ethical breeders work very hard to eliminate undesirable traits from their breeds. They truly care about the animals they produce and their future.

When considering your choice between a purebred and mixed breed, don't forget the cost. Mixed breed models are usually free or go for only a small adoption fee. In some households this can mean the difference between getting a dog or not. We promise you the child that receives his first puppy will rarely care about its color, hair coat, size or the price paid.

Summary

The dog you bring home will hopefully be a part of your life for several years. For this partnership to be the best for both of you, it’s important you make the right choice.

If you feel you don’t have the knowledge to make these decisions, talk to dog breeders, trainers, veterinarians and other pet owners. All people, whether they are specialists or not, love to talk about their animals and there is a wealth of information available just for the asking. Read as much as you can about the different types or breeds of dogs.

Sometime in this process take time to consider the needs of the dog. Consider your surroundings and lifestyle. Make sure the dog fits into the environment you will be able to provide. Remember the word relationship and how it’s a two way street with each party making both commitments and compromises. In this case, the majority of these burdens will fall on your shoulders. And that’s fair because you are the one who gets to make all the choices.

© 2000 Drs. Foster and Smith, Inc.
Reprinted as a courtesy and with permission from
PetEducation.com (http://www.PetEducation.com)
On-line store at http://www.DrsFosterSmith.com
Free pet supply catalog: 1-800-323-4208

This page is sponsored by Happy Tails Dog Training.

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