If you are ready to buy or adopt a new dog, you may find the initial choice overwhelming. Go to any animal shelter or pet rescue center and you’ll be stunned by the wide variety of choice. So many dogs! Different shapes, sizes, colors, fur types, personalities, inherent behaviors (though these are not absolute), and genetic predispositions.
However, as you’re walking up and down the rows of kennels, rest assured that certain breeds will catch your eye and make you go, “Oh wow.” But just because you find that dog stunning, doesn’t mean it is the right breed for you or your lifestyle.
What Types of Breeds Exist?
The classifications are:
Working, Herding or Pastoral, Sporting or Hunting, Toy or Companion, Guard, Mutt. Do Google them all before you begin.
RULES OF THUMB – BREED GUIDE
NOTE: These are not absolute to each dog, but are the breed tendencies
Working dogs are often large breeds capable of pulling carts, carrying loads, and doing heavy lifting, so to speak. Some of them are guarding breeds, whether they guard a property or a herd. Some of the breeds are very low key, for instance, with a couple brisk walks a day, a Great Dane can be an apartment dog. Some of them are stronger minded, like the Akita, and will need a firm leader and exercise to drain energy that could be put towards destructive habits.
Herding Dogs are often high energy, highly intelligent animals that need stimulation and lots of exercise. For example, Border Collies are not good apartment dogs, and should have a large yard or property, as well as a life to lead (though this applies to all dogs to some degree!). They are not content being sedentary, can bore easily, and can turn to negative behavior if not provided a stimulating life. The same goes for many Australian herders like the Koolie, Blue Heeler, Australian Shepherd, and Kelpie. There is also the Briard, Bearded Collie, and Bouvier des Flandres.
Pastoral Breeds or Livestock Guardian Breeds are often large and gentle, with a deep sense of loyalty to their herd, and family. In general, they have a protective nature, especially towards children. They can make excellent companion animals, but a large property is best. They are generally not suited to urban or suburban living. These breeds include Maremma Sheepdogs, Anatolian’s, Tibetan Mastiffs, and Great Pyrenees, Komondor, and Kuvasz.
Sporting or Hunting Dogs are often high energy dogs. They are not a dog for an apartment unless you are taking them out with you to be active for hours every single day. They generally require firm training and are not content with a sedentary life. These include most Terriers (even the little ones), Scent Hounds such as Coonhounds and Foxhounds, Sight Hounds such as Deerhounds, Whippets, or Greyhounds, Water dogs like Retrievers or Setters or Pointers.
Toy or Companion dogs have no other function but to keep us company, or warm. They have no working purpose. Technically, any dog can be a companion in the right setting, but these dogs were actually bred for it. Energy levels vary greatly, but they’re all small enough for apartments or townhouses. (While some terriers are strictly companion, others were bred for a working purpose. The Terrier family is broad spectrum). These include Maltese, Poodle, Chihuahua, Boston Terriers, various Bulldogs (not to be confused with the Guard Bulldogs), Pugs, Italian Greyhound (a tiny worried looking version of the larger), Japanese Chin, and many more.
Guard Dogs are can vary greatly also. They are usually a medium to large dog, though not as large as Pastoral dogs. Often they are strong willed, fearless, and deeply loyal, and bred and trained to be discriminating so they aren’t guarding everything from everyone. The breeds include Rottweilers (originally a working dog), American Bulldog, Dogue de Bordeaux, Dobermans, Cane Corso, Malinois (Belgian Shepherd Dog), Chow Chow, Rodesian Ridgeback, and Shar Pei.
Mutts or Crossbreeds. Crosses or mutts may still stick to the dominant breed tendencies, or may break them all. These dogs are best assessed on an individual basis.
What Breed Fits my Lifestyle?
Before you pick your breed, you need to be truthful and clear with yourself about your lifestyle. Ask yourself these questions:
Time Considerations: Are you home a lot, or not? Are you super busy all the time, but not in a way that a dog could join you? Are you away on business or pleasure every other weekend? Do you even have time for a dog?
Housing Considerations: Do you live on a large or small property? Do you live in an apartment or own a townhouse or a detached house? Do you rent or own?
Personal Considerations: What is the energy of the household? Is there always something going on? Is your home high traffic? Is it loud and chaotic, or peaceful and quiet? Are you highly active, or a couch potato? Or are you somewhere in between?
Answer these questions, and you will have cut down the list of breeds.
I’ve given you a brief glance at what you should study in order to choose the correct breed. Again, any dog can be a companion animal, and each dog is an individual and may not keep to breed standards or tendencies. Choose with care, knowledge, and consult people with experience.
Also, with any breed, be willing to put time and money into training, to make your dog the absolute best dog (regardless of breed) that he or she can be.
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