Choosing a Dog
Choosing a dog involves many factors that should be taken into account. Whether it be the size of your home, your financial position, your working requirements, family, holidays, neighbours, a balanced approach should be assumed. The article below is aimed at directing you towards choosing the correct type of dog for your home AFTER your own social, financial and health position has been taken into account. Please remember a dog is for life and a poor choice will lead to either heartbreak for the dog or heartache for yourself.
Think carefully about the arguments, puppy v. adult re-homing dog and pedigree v. mongrel. They are all lovely and can all have their problems. If you are not an experienced dog owner, good advice is to obtain a book on dog behaviour and training prior to getting the dog and to acquaint yourself thoroughly with the ways and wants of our canine friends.
Canine Characteristics
There are a series of canine characteristics that are important to consider when choosing a dog breed as a pet :
1) size of dog
2) coat type
3) temperament
4) ease of training
5) energy levels
6) exercise requirements
7) noisy dog breeds
8) potential health problems
9) the role of the dog
Size of Dog
Generally the large breeds of dog are not suitable for elderly owners, mild-mannered ladies or people who live in apartments. There are a few large breeds that can adapt to life in an apartment as long as they get a good daily walk and a twice weekly run in the park. Large size breeds bring with them large feeding and veterinary drug bills. Large breeds must be fed carefully to avoid overly rapid growth and orthopaedic problems. Large dog breeds will also take up more room in small apartments, however there are a few contradictions, a low energy Newfoundland may effectively take up less space than a high energy Jack Russell Terrier. The large and giant breeds of dogs can be good with children if they are raised with children but because of their size they can be clumsy and may bowl toddlers over easily. Many of the giant breeds can be very slobbery producing copious quantities of saliva, many owners resort to taking towels with them where ever they go to clean up the mess produced by their pets. Small breeds of dog are probably unsuitable for families with active children or elderly or infirm householders that may trip over a small dog.
Examples of Giant Dog Breeds - Height at shoulder and weight
- Great Dane 28 to 30 inches 120 to 150 lb.
- St. Bernard 25 to 27 inches 150 to 170 lb.
- Newfoundland 26 to 28 inches 110 to 150 lb.
- Irish Wolfhound 30 to 32 inches 105 to 120 lb.
- Bullmastiff 24 to 27 inches 100 to 130 lb.
- Pyrenean 25 to 30 inches 90 to 125 lb.
- Rottweiler 22 to 27 inches 85 to 115 lb.
- Bernese Mountain Dog 24 to 27 inches 65 to 110
lb.
Coat Type
Long coated breeds and double coated breeds shed almost constantly, modern central heating makes even short coated breeds shed intermittently. If a potential owner is unable to groom a dog due to lack of time, handicap and they have insufficient funds to pay a professional groomer then they should avoid breeds with these requirements. Many small dogs make excellent companions for elderly people but if the dog require lots of grooming and the owners are unable to do this due to arthritis in the hands and wrists then there is an immediate problem. Long coated breeds can easily pick up all manner of vegetation in their coat form certain environments which can cause skin irritation or worse if it goes undetected. Owners of long coated breed need to be very virulent for grass seeds in the coat at certain times of the year as they can penetrate beneath the skin if not removed quickly after a walk.
Professional grooming is required for all the Poodles and the Bichon Frise. Also the wire-haired terriers need professional grooming to remove dead hair to maintain coat texture and colour. This adds to the cost of maintaining these breeds of dogs but greasy, wire haired breeds are better than light, fluffy, heavy shedding breeds for people with allergies. Recently a shampoo has been developed for use on pets that will reduce the effect that their hair has on people with allergies. This can be very useful if you are having guests in your house that may be allergic to your pets. (Bio-Life International Ltd, Petal Cleanse Shampoo).
Breeds of dog with oily coats can develop unpleasant, doggy smells.
Breeds with very short coats can suffer in cold climates due to the poor insulation characteristics of their coat. Lost heat energy cannot always be replaced by increased eating this results in fat being burnt to provide energy. The burning of superficial fat results in the loss more insulation so compounding the problem of heat loss in the short coated breed. A good solution to these problems is to provide short coated breeds with jackets in cold climates or to provide very high energy food.
Owners must also check eyes, ears and nails weekly and be prepared to give appropriate attention if needed. Occasionally it is necessary to shampoo dogs if they become dirty or as part of a treatment for a skin condition. This is not an easy task with large, lively or heavy coated breeds.
Temperament
Breed and Group temperament can be described but it must be understood that there is a range of temperaments within any description.
Typically Akitas are tough, loyal, aloof, dominant animals that are aggressive towards other dogs an challenging towards humans. However many are mild mannered, crave affection, and enjoy the company of smaller animals.
Terriers are typically yappy, nippy, tough, independent, high energy animals that are happy to roam and difficult to train. Airedale Terriers however bond very closely with their owners and are very protective of them.
Hounds are lead by their eyes or noses and are often unaware that they have owners but Dachshunds bond closely with families and Greyhounds and Whippets are very mild and gentle pets.
The best way of assessing the temperament of a puppy that you are considering purchasing is to meet the mother and ideally the farther too. The attitude of the dog and the bitch are important, how do they greet you, can you take a toy from them, can you pet and groom them easily?
Ease of Training
Ease of training varies from breed to breed. Dog breeds that have been developed to work independently of humans such as the Sight-Hounds and Terriers require persistence and firmness when training. Breeds that have been developed to work closely with humans such as Herding dogs and Retrievers are much easier to train. If an owner has not got time to devote to training and cannot afford a personal dog trainer then they would be advised to get a breed that is easy to train or to get a pre-trained adult dog. A good source of adult dogs are canine rescue centres.
Intelligence is not necessarily an indicator of trainability, clever dogs have their own agenda and don't want to become slaves to their owners. Intelligent, independent dogs that are difficult to train include Terriers, Hounds and Northern breeds such a Siberian Huskies. The easiest breeds to train and the starts of obedience competitions are Golden Retrievers, Border Collies, Labradors, German Shepherds and Shetland Sheepdogs.
Energy Levels
Some dog breeds have naturally higher mental and physical energy levels than others. These are the breeds that have been developed to perform high energy tasks such as herding , chasing game or vermin, running behind carriages or even just playing fetch all day in a French Palace. If high energy breeds do not have their energy channelled appropriately they will either become fat or develop behavioural problems associated with boredom. High energy breeds require patience and skill to train but if an owner is successful then such dogs can excel in obedience or agility competitions. Some typical high energy breeds are Dalmatians, Jack Russell Terriers and Border Collies. The best approach to training such breeds is a combination of socialisation, early training and supervised access to temptation. Once basic obedience is established to burn off excess energy it is a good idea to try agility classes.
There are some high energy breeds that have low exercise requirements this includes breeds such as the Bichon Frise, Papillon and Pomeranian.
Exercise Requirements
The exercise requirements of different breeds varies enormously.
Dogs with low exercise requirements do not need long walks, just sufficient to maintain muscular tone and bowl stimulation. Many Toy breeds have high energy levels but are small enough to be able to get sufficient exercise running around an apartment. Dog breeds with low exercise requirements include :
Basset Hound, Dachshund, Whippet, Bichon Frise, Bulldogs, Shih-Tzu, Lhasa-Apso,
Corgi, Norfolk Terrier.
Dogs requiring moderate levels of exercise need short daily walks and twice weekly long walks around a park or some kind of formalised play such as Frisbee. Dog breeds with moderate exercise requirements include :
Boxer, Rottweiller, Mastiffs, Doberman, Great Dane, St. Bernard, Newfoundland
Bernese Mountain Dog, Chow Chow, Old English Sheepdog, Briard, German Shepherd Dog,
Jack Russell Terrier, Irish Wolfhound, Greyhounds, Retrievers.
Dogs requiring high levels of exercise do not do well in apartments or cities and need intense daily exercise. Dog breeds with high exercise requirements include :
Pointers, Setters, Dalmatians, Border Collies, Springer Spaniels, Weimaraner,
Foxhound.
Noisy Dog Breeds
In today's society potential owners should be aware that noisy dogs could cause them many problems with their neighbours. Noise pollution is taken seriously by Environmental Health Inspectors of Local Authorities and they have significant powers to resolve problems. Most breeds of dog have the potential to be noisy particularly is they are left for extended periods but some have a tendency to be noisier than others. The Guardian Breeds who have been developed to protect their territory can be particularly noisy when they detect strangers approaching. Breeds of dog that tend to be noisy include :
Terriers, Small Poodles, most Working breeds, Collies, Norwegian Elkhounds,
Finnish Spitz, Beagles, Doberman, Rotweiller, German Shepherd Dog
Potential Health Problems
The large and medium breeds are subject to a number of joint problems including hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow and shoulder osteochondrosis desicans (OCD). Breeds prone to these problems require careful feeding and exercise in their puppy hood and adolescence. Long backed breeds such as Dachshunds and Bassets are susceptible to slipped discs. Some Terriers and the smaller Poodles and Spaniels are prone to side slipping knee caps. West Highland White Terriers are subject to a bone crumbling disease of the ball of the hip joint.
Many breeds, especially collies, are prone to inherited eye problems.
There is a suspicion that some breeds are subject to an inherited tendency to have allergic skin disease. Some breeds with many skin folds such as the Shar Pei are prone to skin infections.
Breeds that have been developed with pushed in noses, the brachicephalic breeds, such as Boxers, Pekinese, Pug, Bulldogs and Shih-Tzu have breathing problems due to restrictions in their airways.
Some breeds are prone to heart problems, Caviller King Charles Spaniels, Irish Wolfhounds, Newfoundland's and Boxers are just a few.
Irish Wolfhounds and Yorkshire Terriers are over-represented in the liver condition of portosystemic shunts where abnormal blood vessels by-pass a proportion of the liver.
Several breeds have blood clotting problems including haemophilia (von Willebrand's disease) this is commonly seen in Dobermans.
Small breeds tend to be long lived, Giant breeds tend to be short lived.
Breed Clubs and Responsible breeders have made every effort to try to eliminate these problems from their breed. This is achieved by screening potential breeding stock and only using unaffected dogs as parents. A good example of this is the British Veterinary Association (BVA) Hip Dysplasia Scheme. Responsible breeders will be able to produce certificates on request confirming that the parents of a puppy have been screened and have been found to be satisfactory for breeding purposes. It must be remembered that even if the parents are free of a complaint this is not a 100% guarantee that the pup will be free of this problem due to the complex nature of genetics and possible environmental influences.
Deep chested and giant to large breeds are susceptible to stomach gas and subsequent twisting of the stomach (gastric bloat and dilation complex). If not recognised promptly this can prove fatal. Owners of such breeds must be aware of this and have to feed and exercise their dogs carefully.
The Role of the Dog
This is a very important point, many breeds have been developed for specific purposes over many generations and it is completely inappropriate to expect a dog to fulfil a role for which it has not been developed or can easily adapt too. Some potential owners have very specific roles in mind for their dogs these may match the tasks for which certain breeds have been developed. The classical dog roles are; hunting partners in the field, guards to protect people, livestock or property, herding breeds to control flocks of sheep or herds of cattle or playmates for children. In most homes the dogs primary role will be one of companionship. Potential owners still need to consider how their lifestyle will fit with the breed of their choice, are you sedentary or do you need a jogging partner, do you live alone or are there frequent visitors to the home who must be greeted not warned away.
Choosing a Dog Breed
If you have decided that you want a dog but you are uncertain which dog breed will best fit your life style then this is the article for you. There are many breeds of dog and there is almost certainly one to fit your life style. By evaluating a number canine characteristics and your life style it is possible for you to select the right breed for you. If you have selected the breed of dog for you by making honest judgements about your lifestyle then that dog will have a happy life with you. It works both ways, the dog and owner should have a mutually beneficial relationship with each other.
One of the best definitions of a breed is "a line of descendants perpetuating particular hereditary qualities". In general terms this means the characteristics of a dog breed are predictable. Puppies from a small dog breed will grow into small dogs. Predicting the characteristics of a mixed breed dog are not as easy. So if your life style suggests that a dog with particular characteristics would best suit it then you would be advised to select a breed of dog and not to go for the luck dip of a mixed breed. If you are an experienced dog owner with an adaptable life style then a mixed breed will probably be fine for you.
Dog breeds have been developed over many generations to fix desired characteristics that identify a dog as belonging to a particular breed. The appearance and personality of the pure-bred dog are relatively constant and have been selected to fulfil particular tasks. All the worlds breeds of dogs can be traced back to four types of wolf ancestors.
- North American wolf : is the ancestor of the northern breeds such as the Alaskan Malamute, numerous Inuit dogs and some prehistoric North American dogs.
- Chinese wolf : is the ancestor of some prehistoric North American dogs, Chow chow, Pekinese, and various toy spaniels.
- Southern Indian and Middle Eastern wolves : are the ancestors of a broad range of breeds from sight-hounds to mastiffs.
- European and Asian wolves: are the ancestors of shepherd dogs, spitz breeds, terriers, gun dogs, spaniels, bloodhounds, pugs and bulldogs.
Nomadic tribes, trade routes and the spread of civilisation have contributed to the dispersal and development of many breeds of dog and the extinction of others. People have developed breeds to refine dogs to fulfil particular tasks. Hunters developed dogs to hunt and retrieve game and birds, terriers to hunt pests, and hounds to chase rabbits. Nomadic people developed breeds to haul goods on sleds or carts. Warriors and Noblemen developed breeds that would fight or defend property.
The English and American Kennel Clubs place dog breeds in various groups which give an indication as to the original purpose of the breed.
English Kennel Club Groups American Kennel Club Groups
- Gundog Sporting
- Hound Hound
- Working Working
- Terrier Terrier
- Toy Toy
- Utility Non-sporting
- Pastoral Herding
An indication to the group breed traits can be found from the above links. It is also important to consider a series of particular canine characteristics are important when choosing a breed of dog:
- size of dog
- coat type
- potential health problems
- ease of training
- exercise requirements
- temperament
- noisy breeds of dogs
- energy levels
- role of the dog
More information on these canine characteristics can be found on the above links.
Having considered the various group breed traits and important canine characteristics we then have to match these up with your lifestyle criteria:
- How much space do you have?
- How long will the dog be left for each day?
- How much exercise can you give a dog?
- Where will the dog live?
- How much grooming are you willing to do?
- What do you plan to do with your dog?
- Are you an experienced dog owner?
- Do you have children?
- Are there any old or invalid householders?
- Can you afford to care for and feed a dog?
- Are any householders allergic to pets?
More detail on these life style indicators can be found on the above links.
By now you should have a good idea of group breed traits and of important canine characteristics and of important lifestyle criteria that influence your breed choice. You may even have an idea about the dog breed for you but a few words of caution. There are a series of rare dog breeds that may fulfil all of your particular criteria but it unlikely that they will be easily available and they are likely to be expensive to purchase. In addition many of these rare dog breeds are have personalities that are not fully evaluated and characterised. If you are not an experienced dog owner then I would not advise you to select a rare dog breed but I would guide you towards one of the more well known breeds. The top ten dog breeds vary from year to year and country to country but some of the regular contenders are the Labrador, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Cocker Spaniel, West Highland White Terrier, Poodle, Beagle, Dachshund, Dalmatian, Yorkshire Terrier, Bichon Frise and Pomeranian. Dog breed information for these more popular breeds can be found on the links. The appearance, personality and problems of these dog breeds are well known and understood so you can predict reasonably accurately what your pet will be like. Of course there is some variability within a breed and some lines or strains of a breed may have subtly different characteristics to others. There can be quite a difference between show strains and working strains of some breeds of dog. There are a number of potential sources of puppies but your best chance of getting a dog which is typical of the breed is to purchase your puppy from a responsible breeder. This is because the best indicator of what your puppy will be like is the mother and father and a responsible breeder will be willing for you to meet the mother of the pups and possibly the father. There are other ways of acquiring a puppy or even an adult dog the pros and cons of which are discussed in finding a dog.
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Choosing a Dog - March 2004
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'Choosing a Dog' from Isabelle Vets
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