STRONGDOGZ™

Far too many people buy a new dog on impulse. Whether they are in the window of a pet store or a cardboard box in front of your local grocery, cute canine faces have been known to wither the decision-making abilities of otherwise sensible adults. This mother of all impulse buys is a mistake. After all, we’re talking about a creature that will basically be a member of your family, often for a decade or longer. Thus, it’s essential that you think through what you’re looking for in your new canine companion well in advance.

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Be aware that different breeds of dogs have vastly different temperaments. When purchasing your dog this should be just as much of a consideration as its appearance. For instance, some people like dogs that resemble wolves. They may be attracted to breeds such as the Siberian Husky or the Alaskan Malamute. If they purchase one of those breeds purely on the basis of looks, however, they may be disappointed to find that they are not as easy to train as the German Shepherd, another dog that retains some physical similarities to the wolf. Many Husky and Malamute buyers also purchase the dog with the notion of using them for protection — only to learn that these breeds are typically quite shy and retiring.

Some people are taken with dog breeds because of how they are represented in movies or on television. But these portrayals can often be misleading. When Disney released its live-action version of “101 Dalmatians”, we had a dozen of the spotted pooches in our kennel within six months. Most of them were brought in by the parents of children who had fallen in love with the dogs because of the movie. But what Disney didn’t share with filmgoers was that Dalmatians are high-strung and often deaf — two big surprises for owners hoping to replicate movie magic in their living rooms.

The key to choosing a new dog responsibly is research. Local bookstores and libraries are usually extensively stocked with titles about different breeds. Online quizzes can use your criteria to help you sort through breed options (though the results should never be taken as conclusive unless they confirm your other research). The American Kennel Club’s website is also a great resource for learning the specific traits of the breeds that you’re interested in.

These are the questions you should ask yourself before purchasing a new Puppy or Dog

What type of breed do I find physically attractive?  Do you want a small dog or a large dog? Do you want a stocky mastiff type or a slender greyhound type? Do you want prick ears, cropped ears, or flat ears? Do you want a dog with a short coat or a long coat? Should your dog have a short, round face or a long, pointy face?

What type of physical activity level do I prefer?  Do you bike and want a dog that will jog along with you? Or would you rather have a dog that wants nothing more than to curl up next to you on the couch?

Is your dog going to live primarily indoors or outdoors?  Certain breeds like Boxers, Dobermans, and Boston Terriers have very little coat and do not do well kept outside. You should know whether a breed has a problem with extreme temperatures before you buy.

What level of trainability do you desire?  Certain hounds and terriers take great effort to train, although there are still plenty of owners who prefer them for their appearance and personality. By contrast, Herding, Sporting, and some Working breeds are usually easier to condition. This owes in large part to the genetic and historical backgrounds of these breeds. Dogs that were bred to work independently or in packs (such as terriers and sled-pulling breeds) have retained some of that independence throughout the years. Of course, trainability has to be defined by the task at hand. If you’re looking for a dog to root out vermin or lead a fox hunt, terriers and hounds may be exactly what you’re looking for.

How protective do you want the dog to be?  Only a small percentage of dogs are suitable to be trained protection dogs. Some breeds will bark and make a lot of noise, but will back down when push comes to shove. If you are looking for an authentic protection dog, you should limit your search to the Working and Herding breeds — and only some of those are qualified to do the job. Breeds such as the German Shepherd, Belgian Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Boxer, Bouvier, Bull Mastiff, Rottweiler, Pit Bull, and Doberman will do. These breeds can be wonderful guard dogs, but it is also important to train and socialize them so that they can remain good canine citizens while still offering you protection.

How friendly do you want your dog to be with other dogs and strangers?  This can vary substantially between breeds. Gun dogs such as Retrievers and Spaniels have a good reputation for cordiality because they have been bred to work around other dogs and people. As a counterexample, Terriers are notorious for fighting with each other.

How much grooming do you want to be responsible for?  Many long-coated breeds will need a monthly grooming appointment to keep their coats from getting matted. Many owners convince themselves that they can handle this responsibility on their own, but they often end up only grooming the top coat, while missing the many layers beneath. This allows mats to form against the skin and leaves the dog in real pain (and, sometimes, causes infection). The only way to prevent this matting is to keep up with proper grooming or to shave the coat down to a reasonable length.

If you are able to give definitive answers to each of these questions, you have successfully narrowed down your options and should be ready to choose your new dog.

STRONGDOGZ™ KENNELS