Why does one breed appeal to a person over another? Why do some of us love the size, looks and temperament of a Great Dane and others would never own anything but a Toy Poodle?
Every breed has their pros and cons. As a prospective puppy buyer/dog owner, you must be aware of the traits, both good and bad, of the breed you are considering. Many pet owners own the breed they do because of an impulse buy. Sometimes this works out fine and other times dog owners find out, too late, that this is not such a wonderful breed (for them) after all. Sadly, it's the innocent dog that suffers when it gets placed in a new home, returned to the breeder or, worst of all, taken to the pound!
Each breed was developed with a definite purpose in mind. Each breed (or most anyway) have breed specific health and or temperament problems of which you should be aware. Some breeds have coats that need hours of grooming to keep the dog in good shape. Some breeds shed more than others. Some breeds are very active and hyper while others are quiet and sedentary.
Because different breeds have different characteristics, it's a good idea to first define exactly what traits you want in a dog. Do you want a large dog, medium or small? What is the main purpose of having the dog, other than companionship? Do you want the dog to hunt with you? Do you want a dog that is a good guard dog? How about children? If you have them, you want to be assured that the breed you choose is going to get along with the kids. And if you do have children, what age are they? A dog breed that tends to be very hyperactive and aggressive would not be a good choice with very small children as the dog will likely do damage if it jumps on the kid and play bites. However kids in the 10 years and up range would probably thoroughly enjoy an active outgoing playmate.
What about grooming? How much time are you willing to spend on this chore? What about shedding? Some dogs don't shed at all and others shed almost constantly. How much noise are you willing to put up with? What about trainability? Some breeds are notoriously difficult to housebreak and/or train while others practically discipline themselves. If your interest is obedience, seek out those breeds that excel in the field. If you're a hunter and have visions of fall days in the duck blind with your trusty dog, you wouldn't go out and buy a Chinese Crested. If you hope to own a dog that will be around for 15 to 16 years, don't purchase a large breed.
Lana Hampton makes it easy to find the dog information you want. Visit her site today for the latest dog information.
It is hard to get an early diagnosis of lyme... Read More
Rabbits are one of the most popular pets, apart from... Read More
For the first 8,000 years of their relationship with humans,... Read More
Stroking your cat can be good for your health! It... Read More
Do you make a lot of trips to the vet's... Read More
Boy or Girl?How can you tell whether your Goldfish is... Read More
This is general information on Discus, a member of the... Read More
What is Separation Anxiety?When you leave the house, it is... Read More
One of the reasons I strongly encourage horse owners to... Read More
Why use a crate:When used properly and not abused, crates... Read More
If the "tweet, tweet" of little beaks is in your... Read More
So what does it mean to float a horse's teeth?... Read More
For some 25 years I have alerted the public to... Read More
What does doing natural preventative care mean? I thought vaccinating,... Read More
As pets go hamsters are fairly easy to take care... Read More
According to recent statistics, an astounding 65% of all U.S.... Read More
Have you ever dreamed of living with a bobcat or... Read More
Taurine, a water-soluble amino acid, has recently become the topic... Read More
Are you nuts? You think banging your finger with a... Read More
The idea of picking up a horse's hooves can intimidate... Read More
Canine Diabetes: A Serious Dog Disease That is Completely ManageableCanine... Read More
Tips to getting the right GoldfishGoldfish are a temperate breed... Read More
Introducing your puppy to the crate should be an easy... Read More
I'm a pariah among the dog fanciers in my community.... Read More
Lonely, bored, tired of eating that same old stick, then... Read More
Twenty-six percent of the dogs at the six Los Angeles... Read More
Humming birds are wonderful birds that are smart, playful, and... Read More
Has your pet recently been coughing, eating less, or being... Read More
When I had a Toy Poodle, I used a small... Read More
Beautiful as they are, Boston Terriers have some genetic traits... Read More
You may wish to consider a chinchilla as a possible... Read More
As you likely know already, horses have at least 10... Read More
Even if you haven't had a run-in involving your pet... Read More
Almost without exception, breeders will advertise that their favorite terrier,... Read More
A breed of dog called a Boxer is very family-oriented... Read More
While your friends and family are amazed that you're raising... Read More
How can my child benefit from having a pet?1.Social skills... Read More
Which is the noisiest species of all? Nope, not the... Read More
Occasionally, some of us get to do work that is... Read More
Wether it be on a vacation to your favorite resort,... Read More
Yesterday we talked a little about the 6 Keys for... Read More
Let's face it ? Fido and Fluffy are an important... Read More
Part2: Does your puppy want to be crate trained?Yes! in... Read More
Are you concerned when your dog or cat eats grass,... Read More
If you are considering opening a dog day care, then... Read More
We have a long history with domesticated animals and even... Read More
When it comes to the art of giving, a gift... Read More
By Jeffrey Rolocopyright 2004 AlphaHorseIn the dating world many men... Read More
'I named all kittens, although they were all stillborn.' 'My... Read More
Of the thirty-three terrier breeds (most of which were first... Read More
Pet Pet |