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Dr. Mark is a veterinarian. He has been working with dogs for more than 40 years.
With the large number of dog breeds that have been developed in the last 100 years, it seems there is a dog out there for everyone! But do you know how to select the breed of dog that is best for you?
There are a few important considerations you need to look into when selecting a new dog, so please take the time to choose carefully. There are breeds that do not shed much and do not bark much, lazy dogs that can be left alone during the day, active dogs, dogs that are great with kids, dogs that make good watchdogs, and some others that are just good at being a companion.
A dog is not like a new purchase that you can just dump or return if you change your mind. With proper health care, your dog is going to be a part of your life for the next ten or fifteen years! So, what kind of dog should you get?
If you live in an apartment or rent a house, you may be faced with restrictions and your landlord may require that you only have a dog under a certain weight. Does that mean you cannot find a great dog?
You can find a great dog no matter what the size of the breed. The main reason that many small dogs have such a bad reputation is that they are not properly trained. If you do get a small dog, treat him just like you would a larger breed from the get-go. Take him to obedience classes and make sure that he is properly socialized. A big dog is in no way better than a small dog and vice versa.
There is no such thing as a “best breed." Certain dogs were developed for special purposes. Although they make acceptable pets, breeds that were developed for personal protection, like the Doberman, will probably be happiest if they have a job to do. Others, like the Maltese, do fine with a soft couch and a comfy bed.
Some breeds are better for some lifestyles, and some are not well suited to various lifestyles or environments and will be unhappy in their new home. A Border Collie, for instance, has a lot of energy and is not the type of dog that should be locked up all day long in an apartment. Similarly, a Pug shouldn’t be owned by an “Ironman” who wants to take his dog on 20-mile hikes in the mountains.
Do plenty of research. Start out with books that discuss all of the breeds you might be interested in and if you think you have found out what type of dog you want, research even further. The breed books written about the individual breeds are usually terribly biased, so it would be a good idea to talk to just a few people that own the particular breed you are interested in.
I have owned large dogs like Pit Bulls, Siberian Huskies, and Rottweilers, small dogs like the Maltese and the Pomeranian, as well as a Lhasa, a Shepherd, and several dogs of questionable ancestry and medium size. I have also had the joy of working with dogs of many different breeds in veterinary practice and training classes. As you can see, I have no breed preference. Siberian Huskies were perfect at one point in my life, my Maltese was great when I lived in Chicago, but at the moment, I have a pit bull cross from a backyard breeder. They were all great.
As long as you are not getting a dog just for show, it is fine to have a rare breed. Keep in mind that the requirements for care are not any different, and only get one of these dogs if he meets all of your other needs.
Having a purebred dog can be important, and not just because of your new ability to show him off to your neighbors! When you get a purebred, you know what your dog is going to look like and how big he will be when he is older, and maybe more about his personality.
Unfortunately, all purebreds are descendants of show dogs and are selected for their looks in the show ring. Many of them have traits that make them less than healthy, and other purebreds all trace their ancestry back to a few dogs that carried a genetic disease. There are numerous examples, like hip dysplasia in German Shepherds, bleeding disease in Dobermans, back problems in Dachshunds, eye problems in Pugs, etc..
Getting a mixed breed dog does not mean that your dog will have no health problems. If you get a Lab/Rottie cross, and both parents had bad hips, you may find that your crossbred develops hip dysplasia early. I have seen numerous "designer dogs" that had serious problems despite being mixed.
This decision on whether or not to have a crossbred puppy is really up to you, and no dog should be looked down upon because he does not have “papers."
When selecting a new dog, most people think about the dog's size and other physical characteristics. Does the dog shed? Does the dog bark much? Is the dog too rambunctious for an apartment?
Actually, finding a dog that suits your personality is the most important part of getting a new dog. Make sure her personality fits yours. If you are quiet and spend most of the day sitting at your computer and writing articles on the internet, you need a quiet dog who will be satisfied with the attention you give and then sit around quietly. If you are into taking long hikes and want a companion for camping, find a dog that fits that style of life. Are you a runner? A rancher that needs a dog to run the cattle? No matter which dog you choose, she will need to be walked and groomed, but look at every dog you can and find one that is right for you; remember, there is a dog out there for all sorts of people.
Even getting a specific breed does not guarantee you will be free from problems. There are horror stories about aggressive Golden Retrievers, lazy Border Collies, hyperactive Maltese, and Siberian Husky guard dogs. The only thing you can do is pick the right type of dog and then make sure that she has been evaluated properly and will fit your lifestyle.
Several of my dogs did not technically fit my lifestyle based on their breeds, but the particular dogs I selected turned out to be perfect companions! Yours can be too.
cjjRogers on June 22, 2017:
You are very correct - there are so many beautiful dogs needing a loving home.
There are rescues for purebred dogs also. I did join and get accepted to 2 GSD rescue places. Unfortunately finding a rescue; good with other dogs + cats + kids + people + small animals etc proved to be a challenge.
I now have a 5month old pup whose owners after only 2 weeks found they could not cope (he was 12wks when I got him). I think too many people do not realise the time and attention which goes into raising a pup.
Dr Mark (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on June 30, 2012:
Thanks those are my Siberian Huskies, back in the day!
wetnosedogs from Alabama on June 30, 2012:
All my dogs are from the humane society. I guess our personalities fit, I can be quiet one day(like my laid back chow mixes), then another day it's all an adventure(like my lab mix). We work around each other and it seems to fit well.
I love the picture of the dogs playing.
Dr Mark (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on May 24, 2012:
Thanks for the input. I really hope people read your advice since there are a lot of great dogs to be found in shelters, and im my experience they are usually a lot healthier
Brittany from Buffalo, NY on May 24, 2012:
It's not necessarily better to buy a dog from a breeder. Selective breeding and inbreeding still put purebred dogs at risk for health problems. Plus there are many irresponsible breeders out there today. Please consider adopting your dog from a shelter. I have two mixed breed dogs (German Shepherd/Husky and Beagle/German Shepherd) and they are the most well-behaved, easily trained dogs I've owned. Just because a shelter dog is older doesn't mean he will be less trainable or less a part of your family. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks—it's a matter of love, patience, and wanting to develop a healthy relationship with your pet.
Choose a dog whose personality matches your own. While you may think a purebred GSD is your ideal dog, just remember that you may end up with an overly-aggressive GSD, or one who is too independent. Not all purebreds are perfect. Don't hesitate to visit the dogs at your local shelter: you never know who you'll find.
Finding the right companion dog is a very individualized process. Every person is unique and has different needs and desires. The same can be said for every breed and individuals within that breed. The best companion dog for an outdoorsy trail runner will need to be active. But the best companion for an avid reader will be happy cozied up on the couch.
Because everyone’s needs are so different, we’re going to focus on the dogs that make the best general companions. There are many breeds that were originally used for hunting and guarding, but many breeds were also developed for the sole purpose of being lapdogs. In this list, outside of a few exceptions, we’re going to focus on the dogs that were bred to stay by their owners’ sides, keep their laps warm and sit at their feet all day.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the smallest of the spaniels and has been bred to be a loyal companion for generations. They are very affectionate, gentle dogs that do well with little exercise and enjoy relaxing on the couch.
The Basset Hound was originally a hunting dog but has evolved into a goofy, loyal companion. They do well in homes with children and require relatively little exercise despite their size.
The Italian Greyhound is the smallest of the sighthounds and makes an excellent lapdog and companion. They are very low maintenance but do not do well in cold weather, so should either be clothed in sweaters or kept inside. They are very sweet dogs that are ideal for someone looking for an easily managed breed.
Just about every kind of dog can turn out to be a great companion for a child, but there are some breeds that are particularly known for their love of children. Beagles and boxers are good for little kids who love to romp and play, dachshunds are great for gentle, older kids, while Labrador retrievers and Saint Bernards adore having children of all ages to play with and protect.
There are hundreds of breeds of dog in the world and our four-legged friends come in all shapes and sizes. And, like humans, they’re all different.
Lots of people make the mistake of choosing a dog by appearance without doing any research into whether they’ll be able to provide for the behavioural needs of that dog. Most dogs have been bred for a purpose and will still have natural instincts, whether it’s guarding, hunting or herding. We hope this guide will help you learn a little more about the difference between dog breeds and what breeds can make the best family dogs.
We’re going to explore the seven groups that The Kennel Club divides breeds into. Don’t forget that this is a rough guide and that the characteristics and natural instincts of dogs vary within each group, so if you’re thinking of a particular breed make sure you do your homework first.
Other factors are also extremely important in shaping your dog’s character – particularly the environment they were born in and raised as a puppy. So it’s important that if you want your dog to live in your home as a family pet to choose a puppy that has been born and raised in a family home. For more advice on this, please read choosing the right dog.
In this group it’s size that matters. These dogs are here because they’re small but they’re a mixed bag. Many have been bred as companions while others were intended for vermin control and need a job to keep them busy.
The key things to remember about this group is that these dogs can make great pets but tend to be high maintenance in their own way, whether that’s because they need lots of grooming or lots of exercise. But one thing goes for all of these dogs – even though they’re little, they still need to lead an active life and should be treated as dogs, not handbag accessories.
Maybe you have already guessed or thought about this, but you will get a more accurate answer here. Hopefully, this test will also give you a chance to look deeper into yourself. It can provide an opportunity for you to know yourself better or even improve yourself as a person.
Dogs have been humanity’s most loyal and trusted companion since 14,000 years ago. After all these years, they have become familiar with various human behaviors. They can help humans perform many tasks, like hunting, herding, moving loads, protecting, and mostly in the past century assisting the military and police in detecting drugs or other dangerous stuff. So there is definitely, a deep connection and sort of mutual understanding between dogs and human beings.
Among all the animals, dogs are the ones that resemble humans the most in terms of temperament. By going through the “what dog breed are you?” quiz, you will satisfy your curiosity and have a little fun by finding out what kind of a dog you would have been if you were not born human.
