Choosing the Breed of Dog That's Right for You

Have you ever longed for a loving partner who’d ask for only a pat on the head, a kind word and a place to sleep? If so, you are not alone. Many people experience the joy of sharing their lives with a furry, canine partner.

Canine. That’s Latin for dog. You know, those large, four-legged animals that have been with humankind since the beginning of time?

We tell the story in our classrooms of how we domesticated Grandfather Dog, The Wolf, and made him our companion. Would the tale (or is that tail?) be different if we were to ask them?

Dogs are similar to wolves. Both hunt for their food, live in large groups called packs and can even interbreed.

What does all of this have to do with Fido? Plenty. Dogs have more in common with their cousins than not. That means you must understand your reasons for wanting a dog. Unlike their feline (cat) counterparts, dogs require a fair amount of care.

Each member of a wolf family has his or her own place in the hierarchy. If you picture a typical human family, with the father and mother at the head, the teenagers and preteens next and babies last, you’ll understand. A wolf pack consists of the Alpha Male and Female first, and then the rest based on rank. Every member has his or her own place and the group could not survive otherwise. The lowest member, the Omega, eats last. This is not good or bad; it just is. Dogs are no different than wolves in that respect. Members of your family, dog or human, must have their place. Someone must lead and someone must follow.

Raised from a pup, a dog will generally see you as the Alpha, and will adjust its rank. It is content to follow you, as long as you understand that even though they are considered property, you don’t “own” a dog.

Dogs have many needs that must be met. Some are basic to survival, i.e., eating. Others, like romping through the park, are for general well being. The most important thing you can offer your dog is attention.

The first question you should ask yourself, is whether you want the added care and expense of a cute puppy, whom you can mold to your lifestyle, or if you’d rather adopt an older dog that may require a bit less care but may have a harder time fitting in.

Watching Rascal grow from an untrained, clumsy pup who can’t catch a fly let alone a Frisbee, to a well-muscled, confident dog that is the hit with all the girls at the beach, is something to be proud of. Getting to that well-adjusted adult from that ‘cute’ puppy takes work. Exploring your reason(s) behind adopting a dog should be your first thought.

Will you be gone much of the time? Work long hours? Are you a full-time student? Unlike their feline counter-parts, dogs need plenty of attention and care. They need to be walked at least twice a day (more if you live in an apartment or a small house with no fenced-in yard) and played with often.

A puppy compounds the problem; they may need to relieve themselves six to eight times throughout the day. Are you prepared to let the little tyke out first thing in the morning? Mid-morning? Noon? Mid-afternoon? Dusk? Just before bedtime? If someone can’t be home with the pup for the first few months, consider getting an adult dog. Older dogs have usually been house-trained.

The next question you should ask is: Is the dog a companion for you, a child or another member of the family?

Children often outgrow their need for a dog and the once-adored member is discarded or becomes aggressive from lack of human interaction.

If it’s for a child, make sure that both the dog and child are under constant supervision while they’re together. In addition, many dogs are not suitable as pets for small children. Labs, Golden Retrievers and Collies (think Lassie) are well known as being good with children.

However, some breeds that you wouldn’t think of as dangerous could easily become so with a child pulling their ears or tail. Cocker Spaniels, while good with older adults, would not be a good choice for a little kid. Neither would an active dog, such as a terrier (think Frasier). Many times their enthusiasm gets them into trouble. Definitely none of the toy breeds; the child may hurt them through play.

So, why are you getting a dog? Is it to keep grandma company or to play with the kids?

If you have a task in mind, it is easier to narrow your breeds down. You don’t want a Rottweiler for Grandma, but you might want a Labrador Retriever for the kids. Throughout history, man has bred the dog for specific tasks and many of our dogs today still retain those instincts. Pit Bulls were bred to fight other dogs; German Shepherds to herd sheep.

With research and common sense, you’ll soon learn that not all dogs are right for all people.

Besides, if it all gets too complicated, you could always purchase a goldfish. Then again, you can’t play fetch with a goldfish.

If you enjoyed this article, please rate it and link it to your friends.

Other articles of mine that you may enjoy:

Raising Chickens for Fun and Profit

To view all my articles, visit my Profile.

Follow me on Twitter, "akeetlebeetle" for alerts to new articles.

If you would like to write articles and get paid for them, follow this link and sign up for your free Bukisa account and start earning today! I will help get you started.