FURST THINGS FURST
Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.
There is not nearly enough information out there about the first step anyone should take when thinking about getting a new dog. It may seem silly but hear me out. As a proffessional trainer I see clients every day with the WRONG dog for them. Not only does this cause problems for the family, but it can be devastating for the dog. Many people choose a dog based on looks, and any dog professional will tell you that should be the last consideration. Dogs have needs, and every breed is different. Which is a beautiful thing, when owners are well informed and honest with themselves. Make sure you can fullfill all of the needs for the breed you choose.
Know YOURSELF. What do you enjoy? What are your hobbies? What does your day to day life look like? This is very important when deciding if dog ownership is right for you, as well as what breed of dog you will connect and build a relationship with.
Time, money, and dedication. In the long and short of it, those are the three things you will need to be a successful dog owner. We can get into that later, but first things first… what dog is going to make you happy? Sure, puppies are adorable….BUT you are NOT buying a puppy. You are buying a DOG. Choosing the right breed to fit your lifestyle is going to make things a lot easier for both you AND your dog.
And no, I do not mean take one of those 3 minute quizzes you found on Facebook… Do some actual research! Take your time, talk to other dog owners, breeders, trainers, professionals…. because this is truly one of the most important decisions you will make on your journey to dog ownership.
There are seven main groups of dog breeds, working dogs, sporting dogs, herding, non sporting, hounds, terriers, and most recently toy breeds. These groups classify breeds based on characteristics and the functions they were originally bred for. It is not so much essential to narrow your search to one particular breed, but to one particular group. None of these groups are “bad”, however not all of these groups are meant for the traditional dog owner. You CAN NOT change a dog’s genes. You can not train these genetic characteristics out of the dog. You have to know this upfront. Otherwise, it is going to be a constant struggle. You can however learn to incorporate these characteristics into your dogs day to day life, IF you have a compatible lifestyle.
Ok, so now that I have explained why it is important to know the types of dog breed groups, let me explain a little about each group and why it should help you narrow down the perfect companion for you.
I am not going to go into detail about which breeds fall in which category. I just want to get you started with your research. Most people don’t even know dogs are categorized in this way, so understanding this breakdown will put you miles ahead in making an informed decision.
Let’s start with working dogs, this group of dogs consist of sled dogs, protection dogs, and guard dogs. Now, I would not recommend any breed in this group for 95% of dog owners. Why? They are extremely intelligent, strong, and of large stature. Which means they will require intense training, and exercise. They are the most difficult dogs to train in a normal family home setting. This group of dogs are just as it says WORKING dogs, they NEED a JOB. If you are just looking for a family dog or companion dog, traditionally breeds in this category are not for you.
Next, sporting dogs. These dogs are high energy, but intelligent. They are relatively easy to train but require bounds of exercise. If you live an active lifestyle and are interested in dog sports this group is for you. The most popular sport for this group is hunting, being that is what these dogs were originally bred for. But if hunting is not your thing, there are many other dog sports that incorporate this groups talents. Some examples are : agility, dock diving , and even obedience.
Herding dogs, very similar to sporting dogs in the way of high energy and need for exercise. Herding dogs are a little more difficult though because they will exhibit behaviors that most dog owners do not approve of. They are known for a high prey drive, which means they may not get along with other pets in the home, and can even be problematic with small children. They also communicate with their mouths and are known to nip at ankles and pant legs. They can also be more difficult to train, they are typically very independent and what some may call stubborn or strong willed. They also love to chase things that are moving, such as vehicles, bicycles, and joggers…. yet another problematic behavior for most people.
Non-sporting dogs, this group is merely all other dog breeds that do not fit into any of the other 6 categories. However one thing that they do share in common, is that they were all bred to interact with people. This makes them great companion dogs.
Hounds, this group is mainly known for their speed and prey drive. They are also the escape artist of the dog world. Hounds are the most common type of dog known to run away from home on pursuit of an interesting scent. Sometimes traveling miles away from home. This group can be problematic in large cities or heavily urbanized areas due to the potential threat of traffic. They are normally good with children, however their high prey drives make them unsuitable roommates for small animals especially birds. However, if you are looking to do nose work, search and rescue, or need a tracking dog, this is your group.
Terriers were created to hunt vermin, and then later bull terriers were bred for horrible pursuits such as bull-baiting. These dogs can make great companion dogs, but require a higher level of training and responsibility of the owner. This group of dogs is known to have higher levels of dog aggression as well as even human aggression. It is in their genes. Now, do not hate me, I love all dogs. But knowledge is power. It is in how you raise them, and the steps you take as a responsible dog owner.
And lastly, toy breeds. Toy breeds are extremely popular for city and apartment dwellers due to their size. They were also bred for companionship. They are attentive and loyal, and small enough to fit in your purse (if that’s your sort of thing…) Toy breeds are the easiest group of dog to train and coexist with. They do not require tons of exercise, and they are content just being with you during your day to day life. But don’t expect your teacup chihuahua to join you on your morning hike…
I hope that this has helped you take the first step in choosing the perfect dog for you. Trust me, your future dog will thank you!
Have questions? Need advice? Comment below and I will try to help!