How to decide which dog breed traits would best suit your personality and lifestyle, so you can choose the best dog breed for your family.

How To Buy a Good Dog
by Michele Welton
Read this book BEFORE you get a dog. You'll learn how to choose the right dog and the right place to get your dog -- while avoiding all the wrong dogs and the wrong sources.

My dog buying book

There are many characteristics (traits) that a dog might have.

Cara Takahashi:
"I wanted to express how much I am enjoying your web site. Everything I have read so far is right on the money! I am a trainer by profession, a rescuer and a purebred exhibitor. I will be picking up your book as soon as I can and sending people to your web site, for what I can honestly say is the best advice I have seen on buying a dog - period."

Size, brushing, trimming, shedding, exercise, attitude toward other dogs and cats, recommended fence height, obedience and trainability.... these are just some of the traits or characteristics you should consider when choosing a dog breed.

Ms. Joey McDonald:
"Your insight and expertise in raising dogs is unlike anything I've ever read or seen before. You truly have a gift, and I'm just so glad that you've shared it for clueless people like me. I'm also so glad that I found this now, before I got a puppy, so that I can be completely prepared for when I finally get my little companion. I'm going to recommend your site to everyone I know who has a dog!"

Some breeds are good with children, but many breeds are too fragile, too feisty, or too potentially aggressive. Some breeds are good with cats, but many breeds are predatory chasers. Some breeds are easy to train, but many breeds are stubborn, independent, and very challenging to train.

Bill Ford:
"You are a wonderful writer -- your dialogue is so down to earth, so compelling. I have by no means read everything...yet. But it is certain I will. Your style of writing is not only a compelling read, it is certainly informative and on an educational level that anyone can readily understand. Bravo! I have bookmarked your web site as a place to go for some serious down-to-earth, logical, realistic and up to date canine information. I am very impressed not only with the wealth of information you provide but in how it is so well presented."

People often make the mistake of thinking that the only thing that counts when choosing a dog is whether he meets THEIR needs in some way. That’s wrong. You also have to consider the DOG’S needs -- ALL of his needs -- and whether you’re able to provide for those needs or not. Every breed has different needs.

Dog Breed Traits

By Michele Welton, Copyright © 2008. May not be reprinted without permission.

There are many different TRAITS (physical characteristics, mental characteristics, emotional characteristics, behavioral characteristics) that a dog might have.

He might be small, medium-sized, or large.
He might need lots of brushing, or not much brushing.
He might shed a lot, or hardly at all
He might need a lot of exercise.
He might be a peaceful dog, or more on the aggressive side.
He might be easy to train, or more stubborn.
And so on.

Which dog breed traits are right for YOU?

Which dog breed traits would be best for YOU depends partly on which ones you find most appealing.

But only partly!

Which traits would be best for you also depends on whether you’re able to DO whatever those traits require you to do.

For example, you might admire the athleticism and high energy of a Border Collie. But athleticism and high energy are ONLY a good match for you if you can DO all the activities and exercise that athleticism and high energy requires!
Don’t have the time? Then athleticism and high energy aren't good matches for you -- and you’re not a good match for an athletic, high-energy dog -- no matter how "appealing" he is.

People often make the mistake of thinking that the only thing that counts when choosing a dog is whether he meets THEIR needs. That’s very wrong.

You also have to consider the DOG’S needs -- ALL of his needs --
and whether you’re able to provide for those needs or not.
Every dog breed has different needs.

Some breeds need extra socialization to keep them from becoming aggressive or shy. Some breeds need a home without children or cats. Some breeds need an extra high fence. Some breeds need an experienced owner who knows how to handle dominant or stubborn dogs.

So for each dog breed trait, don’t just ask yourself if you like that trait. Also ask: "What does this trait require from me, and can I provide that?"

Dog breed traits to consider

1. Size

Tiny and small dogs have very different needs compared to large and giant dogs. Don't acquire a dog at either end of the size spectrum until you learn what those needs are and whether you can really provide them.

2. Brushing

For some dogs, you need only brush dirt and loose hair from their short coat. Other dogs require brushing and combing twice a week to prevent mats and tangles. And dogs with a long coat require a dedicated routine of 10-20 minutes, every other day, else their coat will be an ugly, matted mass.

3. Trimming/clipping

Some coats require that you use scissors or electric clippers to remove longish hairs around the feet, chest, and stomach, and also trim around the anal area and groin so these areas stay clean and sanitary. Some coats require significant trimming or clipping -- the entire coat must be scissored or clipped several times a year.

4. Shedding/allergies

Many people want a non-shedding dog, but the only breeds that don't shed at all are hairless breeds. Next, there are a small handful of breeds that shed very lightly. Then there are about two dozen breeds that shed lightly.The majority of breeds are average shedders, which means that in our temperature-controlled houses, they shed very small amounts of hair all through the year PLUS a heavier 3-week shedding period each spring and fall. Finally, some breeds are heavy shedders. They shed small amounts of hair throughout the year, and so much hair during their spring and fall shedding seasons that the chunks need to be raked out with a special shedding brush.

5. Attitude toward children

When you’re trying to choose a dog, the issue of children can be a real problem. The reality is that from a dog’s perspective, children are NOT like adult human beings at all.

I've written a book called How To Buy a Good Dog that talks very frankly about choosing a safe breed for children. For many reasons (all of which are covered in the book), the majority of purebred dog breeds are not suitable for children under age 10. I'll tell you which breeds I DO recommend for young children, which breeds I don't recommend, and which breeds are the very worst choices. Learn more about the book.

More dog breed traits...

Amount of physical exercise
Amount of mental exercise/activities
Recommended fence height
Risk of aggression toward people
Risk of aggression toward other dogs
Attitude toward cats and other small pets
Obedience/trainability
Lifespan
Cost

In the U.S., there are about 200 purebred dog breeds, and lots and lots of crossbreeds and mixes. As you research each dog breed, you should compare how well the breed matches you in the 14 traits listed above.

These 14 dog breed traits are fully discussed in my book:
How To Buy a Good Dog.

Dog breed consulting service If you don’t want to do all of this research on your own, if you want some assistance....

I do offer a Dog Breed Consulting Service where you answer 38 questions about the characteristics you're looking for in a dog and I’ll recommend suitable breeds for you.

Learn about my Dog Breed Consulting Service

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