Choosing a Dog [Breed]

Many folks factor their lifestyle into their considerations when choosing whether or not to get a dog and what breed(s) might be a good fit for them. Some don’t. Don’t be those people. …kidding…but also, seriously. Being aware of different breeds habits, lifestyle preferences, temperaments, etc is so important when deciding on what direction you want to go in with your next pup. And of course we advocate for adopting, not shopping! But even in a shelter environment, having some background knowledge in different dog breeds can help in the selection process. Definitely better than saying “that dog looks cute!” and taking them home.

Several factors go into breed selection. Genetic variation, purpose-bred traits (herding, hunting, etc), size, temperament, energy levels, trainability/intelligence, social tendencies, prey drive, guarding behaviors, etc. When you are looking at your lifestyle and what is important (or not important) traits in your dog, this can be a good guideline for what types of dog breeds to focus on. Don’t forget to consider your own environment, inside and out. Do you have a fenced in area to let some energy out? Do you love to run and you want a dog to keep up? Are you in a really hot climate? Do you want a dog that is happy as a clam cuddling up with you in your studio apartment? Are you happily child-free now but open to the possibility of kids in the next 15 or so years? All important factors to consider to make sure you are giving the best life possible to your future pup!

One quick way to learn more about how your own lifestyle might gel with different breeds is to take the American Kennel Club’s breed selector tool. Who doesn’t like a fun quiz!? My result gave me several very fancy, niche breeds that I would never actually get since my next dog is coming right out of a shelter, but also confirmed my dog breed of choice, American Staffordshire Terrier (Staffies!) is a great fit for my family and lifestyle.

Even when looking at a mixed breed shelter dog, having an idea of what the main breed (or breeds) the dog is identified as and what those breeds were bred to do is very important. Here’s a very simple outline of the different groups and some examples:

Sporting Group

· Golden Retrievers, labs, pointers, etc

· Developed for hunting and retrieving

· High energy, strong food drive, eager to please

· Need substantial exercise and mental stimulation

Working Group

· German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Huskies, etc

· Developed for jobs requiring strength, endurance, and independent decision making

· Loyal to family but not always strangers

· Need structured activities, early socialization

Herding Group

· Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Corgis, etc

· Developed to control livestock movement

· Strong work drive, sensitivity to movement and sound

· Need mental challenges, adequate work outlets, energy release

Terrier Group

· Airedales, American Staffordshires, Schnauzer, etc

· Developed to hunt vermin independently

· Confident, energetic, strong prey drive

· Need consistent training and socialization

Toy Group

· Bichon, Chihuahua, Pug, etc

· Developed as companions who form strong bonds with their owners, but not as interested in independent activities

· Suspicious of strangers, big personalities, strong opinions

· Need extra socialization to prevent excessive barking or snapping

Hound Group

· Beagles, BloodHounds, Daschunds, etc

· Bred to follow trails independently with incredible nose sensitivity and selective hearing

· More independent than other breeds

On a final note its important to reiterate that we are not advocating to find one breed you need to have and going to a breeder. We fully support and encourage you to find a reputable shelter or foster program. These folks can take your breed preference(s) and make sure they find you a great fit that is already (or soon to be!) within their system. If you want a particular breed many have waitlists. And if you have reasons to go with a breeder, please do lots of homework to make sure you are going with a licensed, reputable breeder and not a puppy mill disguised as a responsible establishment.