First
and foremost you need to ask yourself why you want a dog.
Is it for
companionship, exhibition or showing, protection or security,
working or trialling, sport and recreation, or a pet for the
family?
You
need to decide whether you want a small, medium or large dog,
quiet or active. The size and location of your premises will
have a bearing on the size of dog you choose. Generally,
a large dog is not suitable for a townhouse or units.
Neither are they particularly suitable for elderly owners or
invalids. However, some large, agile dogs will adapt well
to confined living as long as they get a good daily walk,
and some are gentle enough that anyone with a firm voice and
confident manner can easily handle them. Small dogs may
be unsuitable for families with active young children or elderly
or infirm relatives who could trip over a small, bouncing body.
Some dogs are lethargic and others are very energetic.
Active families would be happier with a pet that can jog, hike,
and play ball, and more sedate humans would most likely prefer
a quieter animal. Although very appealing Basset Hounds, Dachshunds,
and Corgis are not jogging companions, and Airedales, German
Shepherds, and Border Collies are not typical couch potatoes. Also bear in mind
many small dogs have just as high an activity level as larger
ones, they just don’t need as much space!
There are
many different types of coat, all need grooming and almost all
will drop hair. Long-coated
and double-coated dogs shed, shed, and shed some more, leaving
tufts of hair to float about the house. Meticulous housekeepers
and workers with little or no time for grooming will be
happier with dogs that don't fill the house and car with doghairs
at the change of seasons.
Brushing is needed to remove
the dead hair from wire-coated terriers and poodles, and professional
grooming is necessary to maintain the correct texture and color
in wirehaired terriers. These breeds are generally better than
heavily shedding breeds for owners with allergies.
Dogs with oily outer coats can develop a doggy odor that can
be unpleasant.
Males
are usually a little larger and stronger than females.
Make
sure the size and strength level of your dog matches that of
your children. If you are not planning to show or breed, spaying
or neutering (desexing) is highly recommended. A bitch comes
into season at least once, or twice a year and must be confined
and kept away from males for some weeks. Many health risks for
a bitch are minimized once spayed.
As you learn about
the different breeds, remember the purpose for which a particular
breed was developed, for example a Working dog or a Gundog,
active in mind and body, will require regular occupation and
a lot of exercise.
Training
Some breeds are
fairly easy to train, and some are quite difficult. The breeds
that were designed to work independently of man require lots
of persistence and firmness for training while those that work
closely with their owners are easier to teach.
If you
lack time and patience to deal with a dog that is difficult
to train, then an older dog may be a better idea. Intelligence
is not necessarily an indicator of trainability; smart dogs
often have their own agenda and require firmness on the part
of their owners.
As a rule, terriers, hounds, and utility
dogs are tough to train because of their intelligence and independent
natures. Working and herding dogs are easier to train. The sharpest-working
obedience breeds are Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers,
Border Collies, German Shepherds, and Shetland Sheepdogs, those
that traditionally work well with people.
How
do I learn about the different breeds?
A good place to start is to look in books or
on the internet, go to dog shows or obedience clubs where you
can talk to owners and see a number of breeds.
Visit
friends and relatives with dogs and ask them about their experiences.
Find out about characteristics and attributes of various breeds
by talking to breeders and contacting breed clubs.
Dog shows give prospective puppy owners an excellent opportunity
to view the many breeds available and the chance to talk to
breeders and exhibitors. It also allows you to see dogs of all
ages, so you will get a good idea of what the adult will be
like in size and temperament. Shows are scheduled each weekend
that represent many breeds, a group of breeds or a single breed.
Details and dates are available at ACT Shows and Trials as is
written information on breeds, and contact details for breeders
and breed clubs.
Most breeds have some hereditary conditions.
Ensure you find out about these and any other potential health
problems to be watched for. Once you have narrowed down your
field it is time to learn more specific details about your chosen
breed and visit some breeders.
Breed
and group temperament can be generally described, but there
is latitude within that description for individuality. Thus
Akitas are declared to be tough animals, loyal, aloof, dominant,
aggressive to other animals, and often challenging. However,
many Akitas are sweet and cuddly, love small critters, will
climb in laps if allowed, and are anything but aloof and dominant.
Terriers are scrappy, yappy, tough, and independent, but
Airedale Terriers bond very closely to their humans and are
somewhat protective. Hounds follow their eyes or noses and are
often oblivious to human presence, but Dachshunds bond closely
with their families and Greyhounds and Whippets are sweet, gentle
pets.
Deciding
on a breed of dog is a very important decision.
A dog will be a part of the family for a dozen or more
years. The commitment to feed, shelter, and nurture a family
friend for that amount of time should be based on careful choosing
of a breed to fit the family circumstances.
A
responsible person will choose a pure bred dog because the behaviour,
appearance and size of the dog is predictable!
