Archive-name: dogs-faq/selecting-a-dog
URL: http://www.duke.edu/~hendrix/choosing.html
Last-modified: 05 Sep 1995

=======
There are over 50 FAQ's available for this group.  For a complete
listing of these, get the "Complete List of RPD FAQs".  This article
is posted bimonthly in rec.pets.dogs, and is available via anonymous ftp
to rtfm.mit.edu under pub/usenet/news.answers/dogs-faq/faq-list, via
the Web at http://www.zmall.com/pet_talk/dog-faqs/lists/faq-list.html, or via
email by sending your message to mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with
send usenet/news.answers/dogs-faq/faq-list
in the body of the message.

This article is Copyright (c) 1995 by the Author(s) listed below. 
It may be freely distributed on the Internet in its entirety without
alteration provided that this copyright notice is not removed.  
It may NOT reside at another website (use links, please) other
than the URL listed above without the permission of the Author(s).  
This article may not be sold for profit nor incorporated in other 
documents without he Author(s)'s permission and is provided "as is" 
without express or implied warranty.
==========


How Do I Pick the Right Breed for Me?

   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
     * Introduction
     * Questions to consider
     * Resources
          + Faqs
          + Books
          + Shows, clubs, breeders
     * Every dog is an individual
       
   
   
   
   Introduction:
   
   Whether you're thinking of getting a purebred dog or a mix, you should
   take the time to do some research into dog breeds. If you're thinking
   of a mix, it will make your shelter search much easier if you have in
   mind "something like a lab" or "some kind of terrier." Also, you will
   know more about dogs having gone through the search. And if you think
   you already know what breed you want, you may want to look at some of
   these resources anyway--you may find that the perfect breed is
   something you'd never considered before.
   
   The Newsgroup rec.pets.dogs.breeds exists to discuss the many breeds
   of dogs out there, and we're glad to offer suggestions when you want
   to choose a breed. You can expect people in the group to take your
   request seriously, and either suggest breeds or point you toward
   resources which may help you choose for yourself. You can--and
   should--also expect to hear the negatives as well as the positives
   about a breed. This is not intended to scare you away, but you should
   be really sure the breed you choose is the right one. There are over
   400 breeds of dog in the world, and no one breed is right for
   everyone.
   
   You can help people advise you effectively if you give some
   information up-front--
   
   
   Questions to consider when you're looking for a dog:
   
     * What size is right for you?
       Don't just ask for a "good-sized" dog--for some people that means
       25 pounds, for others it means 75. If you can't figure out weights
       that exactly, are you looking for something the size of a Cocker
       Spaniel or a German Shepherd Dog?
       
     * How much space do you have?
       This is related to the last question, but not really dependent on
       it--it's quite possible to keep a large dog in a small space,
       provided you can give it plenty of opportunities for exercise
       outside the house or apartment. But keep in mind that if your
       house is very small, a Newfoundland may take up all the available
       floor space. On the other hand, some very large breeds are quite
       inactive while their smaller cousins will be constantly on the go.
       That Newf takes up the whole living room rug, but he might just do
       better there than, say, a Jack Russell Terrier, an extremely
       active small dog.
       
     * How much exercise can you give this dog?
       Some can get by with a short walk, others need to run for hours
       every day. Take an honest look at what you're willing and able to
       do with your dog; consider both your schedule and your athletic
       abilities.
       
     * Where will the dog live?
       A lot of people feel very strongly that all dogs should live in
       the house, and almost any dog will do well inside if it's given
       enough exercise. If your dog will be spending a lot of time
       outside, you must consider your climate in choosing a breed--some
       cannot tolerate heat, others are equally incapable of being out in
       the cold. If your dog must live outside, be sure that it has
       adequate (enclosed, covered, maybe even heated) shelter, and make
       an extra effort to spend time with your dog. And don't expect a
       Bernese Mountain Dog to live outside in the summer sun!
       
     * How much grooming are you willing to do?
       Are you willing to spend the time required to keep a long soft
       coat free of tangles and mats? How about the money to have a dog
       professionally groomed on a regular basis--say, every 2 months for
       non-shedding breeds which need to be clipped? Even dogs that are
       fairly low-maintenance can go through periods of profuse shedding
       during which their coats need extra attention. And all dogs, even
       hairless ones, need to have their nails, eyes, and ears taken care
       of.
       
     * What do you plan to do with your dog?
       Do you want a loyal couch potato? A jogging partner? A good
       watchdog? Or do you want to start exploring the many activities
       you can do with your dog--things like obedience, agility, hiking,
       herding, hunting or any of the many others out there? This will
       also affect your breed choice because, for example, most toy
       breeds just don't make very good frisbee dogs.
       
     * What past experience do you have with dogs?
       This question shouldn't be taken to suggest that you shouldn't get
       a dog if you haven't already had one--everyone has a first dog at
       some point. But there are breeds that are not recommended for
       first-time owners. If you have had dogs before, think about what
       you liked about them--it can be very useful information, since
       nobody would recommend a Border Collie to someone who had always
       loved the relaxed attitude of Mom and Dad's Basset Hound.
       
   
   Resources:
   
   FAQs:
   An ever-increasing number of breed-specific FAQs (including most of
   the breeds mentioned here) is posted in r.p.d.info. They are a very
   good resource, and they all give the negatives about their breeds and
   not only the positives. They are an excellent place to start
   researching a specific breed, and some of them are better than some
   breed books.
   
   Even if your favorite breed is not among those FAQs, you should read
   the FAQ entitled "Getting a Dog." It goes into a lot more detail than
   this document can about the steps you should take when you get a new
   dog. Also, depending on whether you want an adult dog or a puppy, you
   should check out the "Your New Dog" and/or "Your New Puppy" FAQs.
   
   There are also a number of breed-specific e-mail lists--look for them
   in the "Complete list of dog-related mailing lists" post, also in
   r.p.d.info. These lists can be quite busy, but they're full of
   knowledgeable (and talkative!) people who are dedicated to their
   breeds.
   
   Books:
   There are lots of breed books out there. Most of them are picture
   books, which offer pictures and some very basic information about the
   breeds, but little else. Here are three books which will give you more
   direction as far as choosing a breed, with more detailed breed
   descriptions including information on temperament, honest discussion
   of the breed's problems, and help in making the decision.
   
   
     * Hart, Lynette A. The Perfect Puppy. WH Freeman. 1987. ISBN
       0-7167-1829-4. This covers only about 65 breeds' temperaments, but
       makes a greater effort to be objective than some other sources.
       Lists health defects in particular breeds.
       
     * Lowell, Michele. Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide. Holt and
       Co. 1991. ISBN 0-8050-1892-1. Far more comprehensive than Hart's
       book, with useful warnings about health defects to watch for in
       specific breeds.
       
     * Tortora, Daniel F. The Right Dog For You. Fireside, Simon &
       Schuster Trade Books. 1983. ISBN 0-671-47247-X. Offers a complex
       decision procedure, with lots of questionnaires to alert you to
       the potential significance of various features of breed behavior
       and physical characteristics. This is one of the few books that
       will discuss, candidly, negative aspects of a particular breed.
       
   Of these three, the Tortora book has the most hands-on search
   procedure--in it, you work through a series of questionnaires,
   eliminating breeds until you are left with only a few at the end of
   the book. However, it's badly in need of updating--it covers only 123
   breeds recognized by the AKC as of the late '70s. Since that time, the
   working group has split into the working and herding groups, and over
   a dozen new breeds have been recognized--and that's only in the AKC.
   The Lowell book lists more breeds, but without the detail of Tortora's
   questionnaires. I recommend using Tortora's book to find out the
   questions he asks, and referring to Lowell for a more complete set of
   breed descriptions. In looking at other dog books--and at information
   from breed clubs, for that matter--look for honest information about
   activity and temperament, not just about sizes, coats, and colors.
   
   Dog Shows, Clubs, and Breeders
   Consider going to a dog show in your area. You can't learn everything
   about a breed when you see it at a show, but it's a good way to get a
   handle on which breed is which, and a good way to meet local breeders
   if you've already chosen a breed.
   
   If you can't get to a show, at least try to meet some adult dogs of
   your breed in the flesh--more than one, if you can find them. Do you
   know someone who has one? Does a friend of a friend have a dog you can
   meet? Is there a dog park, dog beach, or dog club in your area where
   you could meet some dogs and ask lots of questions? Never buy a dog
   just because you liked its picture in a book.
   
   Get in touch with the national breed clubs ("parent club") for the
   breeds you like. They will have information packets on their breed,
   and they will put you in touch with local clubs and breeders.
   
   Also, see if there's an all-breed Kennel Club in your area (the AKC
   can put you in touch)--it's a good way to meet local breeders and
   their dogs, and to find out about dog activities going on in your
   area. Find out if your club has a breeder referral service--if they
   do, the breeders they refer you to will be those who breed according
   to the club's code of ethics.
   
   
   Once you've found your dog
   
   Purebred dogs certainly have temperamental as well as physical traits
   that are typical of their breeds. After all, breeds were created for
   specific purposes; keep the dog's original job in mind when you watch
   its behavior, and don't be surprised when your new Malamute loves to
   pull. But you should also remember that every dog is an individual.
   When books or people on a newsgroup say "Sock Retrievers make good
   hunters" or "Carolina Temple Dogs are good watchdogs", they're talking
   about the average for the breed, but any individual in a breed may
   vary widely from that average. Pick your individual dog carefully, and
   don't be afraid to ask the breeder or rescue group or shelter staff
   lots of questions about your individual dog's temperament.
   
   Whatever breed or mix you choose, remember that no breed is perfect.
   If anyone--whether it's a book, a breeder, or a poster to a newsgroup
   tells you that an entire breed has no health or temperament problems,
   get a second opinion. All breeds have problems, and someone who
   really cares about the improvement of their breed will be aware of
   them and tell you what they're doing to ameliorate them. Do lots of
   research so you can be prepared to ask about the problems specific to
   your chosen breed, whatever it is. Again, these negatives are not
   meant to scare you away from a breed, but to let you know what to
   expect--Akitas, for instance, are beautiful, noble, dignified animals;
   but you'd be in for some trouble if you got one without knowing that
   many of them tend toward aggressiveness and therefore need a great
   deal of training and careful handling. This doesn't mean that Akitas
   can't be wonderful pets, but only that you have to be prepared to do
   the work they need and deserve when you get one.
   
   All dogs should be trained--the small ones as well as the big ones. A
   puppy kindergarten or basic obedience class will help you socialize
   your dog and teach her basic manners, it will make her a better
   companion, and will help you bond better when you're first getting to
   know each other.
   
   Don't think that getting a dog with a reputation for being smart will
   get you out of training, either--very intelligent dogs usually need
   more training than the others rather than less, since they can use
   their fuzzy brains to get themselves in so much trouble. All dogs
   deserve training and some work to do, but the smartest ones will make
   work for themselves if they aren't given any, usually at the expense
   of your house.
   
   A steady, well-behaved, housebroken, quiet, loyal dog doesn't come out
   of nowhere, but it can be found in any breed--if the owner is willing
   to work at developing that relationship.
   
   Good Luck, Be a Responsible Dog Owner ... and Have Fun with your
   New Dog!
   
    Amy Hendrix
    
   
