Contents
Is a Dog the Right Pet For You?
How to Choose a Dog Breed
The Ten Most Popular Dog Breeds
How to Choose an Individual Dog
Where to Get Your Dog
How to Bring Your New Dog Home
Responsible Dog Ownership
Children and Dogs
Dog Health and Nutrition
Veterinary Care for Your Dog
How to Groom Your Dog
How to Train Your Dog
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How to Choose a Dog Breed
Over the millennia, dogs have been bred selectively for particular traits and qualities, including appearance, personality, domestication, and even hunting ability. A dog breed refers to a group of dogs that share a common origin and characteristics, including:
- Appearance
- Personality
- Exercise needs
- Coat
- Trainability
- Compatibility with people and other animals
The typical set of traits that define a particular breed is called the breed standard.
Breed Traits and You
As you think about what type of dog you might want to own, it’s important to consider two things:
- The traits you value in a dog
- The traits that will work well in your living environment
To make sure your experience with the dog you bring into your family is a good one, you also need to consider what a dog needs and what you can provide for it. The following table will help you think through the most important breed traits and what they might mean to you.
Trait |
Considerations |
|
Appearance |
There’s no point getting a dog that doesn’t make your heart melt. Research different breeds for dogs with looks that speak to you. |
|
Personality |
Different breeds may be affectionate or independent, calm or excitable, etc. Consider what you want from your dog before picking a breed. |
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Exercise needs |
Dogs that need lots of exercise require both an energetic owner and lots of space to romp. Dogs that need less can thrive with a less active owner and in smaller spaces, such as apartments. |
|
Grooming needs |
Some breeds need more grooming than others, depending on the type of coat they have. This requires either a lot of time (if you do it yourself) or extra expense (if you pay professional groomers). |
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Trainability |
Some dogs are easy to train, while others are independent and challenging. Inexperienced dog owners are usually happier with the more cooperative breeds. |
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Compatibility |
Choose a breed that will mesh well with the inhabitants of your household, including children and other pets. Some breeds get along well with almost any person or animal, while others are fiercely territorial and do best living alone with only their adult owners. |
Mutts
Dogs with pedigrees, or family trees, that are entirely within a single breed are called purebreds. But many dogs, especially dogs adopted from shelters, are mutts—descended from a mix of breeds. Whereas purebred dogs have a consistent physical appearance, mutts look like a mix of the various dogs that make up their pedigree. For example, the first dog pictured is a purebred black Labrador retriever; the second is a Labrador retriever–German shepherd mutt.
Mutts and Personality
It’s possible to predict a mutt’s general personality traits based on its mix of breeds. You may be able to find out the mix of breeds from the shelter or person from whom you get the mutt. If not, a vet can probably help you identify the mix.
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