Dog Breed Traits: Which Canine Characteristics Are Right For You?
By Michele Welton. Copyright © 2000-2010
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------There are many different TRAITS or CHARACTERISTICS (physical, mental, emotional, behavioral) 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 two hours of daily exercise, or only a couple of short walks.
- He might be a peaceful dog, or more on the pushy or 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" you find him.
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 unrealistic -- and wrong.
You also have to consider the DOG'S needs,
and whether you're able to provide for those needs or not.
Every dog has different needs.
- Some dogs need extra socialization to keep them from becoming aggressive or shy.
- Some dogs need a home without children or cats.
- Some dogs need an extra high fence to keep them confined.
- Some dogs need an experienced owner who knows how to handle dominant or stubborn dogs.
So for each dog breed trait (like "large size" or "long coat" or "energetic and playful"), 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, when choosing a dog
- 1. Size
- Dog breeds come in sizes that might be labeled Tiny, Small, Medium, Large, and Giant. Each size has different needs, but dogs at the extreme ends of the size spectrum (Tiny and Giant) have VERY different needs. You shouldn't choose the size og dog you "want" -- you should choose the size of dog you're sure you can provide for.
For example:- Tiny dogs are DIFFICULT TO KEEP SAFE. The leading cause of death in tiny dogs is accidents. They get stepped on, sat on, squeezed too tightly, or hit on the head by a falling object. They fall or jump from too high. They're injured by larger dogs playing too rough. They squeeze through the narrowest openings and are lost forever.
- Tiny dogs are DIFFICULT TO RAISE. You have to walk a fine line being extra-careful about their safety, yet requiring them to stand on their own four feet and be as polite and well-behaved as a larger dog. Spoiling a tiny dog (carrying him around like a doll or baby, making excuses for him if he acts rudely or defiantly) will turn him into a yappy, neurotic, nasty little creature.
- Tiny dogs are HARD TO HOUSEBREAK. Their miniaturized organs make it hard for them to last very long without needing to go to the bathroom, and often the urge comes on them so quickly that they can't make it to their potty area. In addition, their "mistakes" are hard to see. If they can sneak behind a chair or under the coffee table to "go", they quickly develop the bad habit of "going" in the house. Some tiny dogs are never fully housebroken.
Can you provide the safety, caution, discipline, and patience that Tiny dogs need? If not, you might be better off with a Small dog instead.
At the other extreme, Giant dogs make dignified, impressive companions if you have enough space for them, if you can handle a huge dog -- and if you have patience, because Giant dogs take a very long time to grow up. They act like puppies and teenagers for a full two or three years, which means they're bouncy and clumsy and tend to knock things over. They settle into calm, mature adults for another two or three years, and then develop serious health problems such as cancer or heart disease. They age rapidly, and pass on at 6 to 10 years old.
Can you provide the space, control, and patience that Giant dogs need? Can you deal with (and pay for) their health problems as they mature? Are you prepared for their short lifespan?
Those are just some examples of considering what each size of dog needs in terms of care.
- 2. Brushing
- With some dog breeds, you need only brush dirt and loose hair from their short coat. Other dog breeds require brushing and combing twice a week to prevent mats and tangles. And dogs breeds with a long coat require a dedicated routine of 10-20 minutes every other day or so, else their coat will be an ugly, matted mess (and mats are painful!). Alternatively, you can have long coats sheared short every few months so they're easy to brush.
Again, an example of how you shouldn't just choose a coat that looks appealing to you. Ask yourself: "Can I really commit to the amount of care it's going to need?"
- 3. Trimming/clipping
- Similarly, the coats of some dog breeds (like Golden Retrievers and Papillons) require that you (or a groomer) use scissors or electric clippers to remove longish hairs around their feet, chest, and stomach every few months, and also trim around the anal area and groin so these areas stay clean and sanitary when your dog goes to the bathroom. Some coats (like Poodles, Bichons, Cocker Spaniels, Miniature Schnauzers, and wirehaired terriers) require significant trimming or clipping -- the entire coat must be scissored or clipped several times a year.
- 4. Shedding/allergies
-
- Many people, understandably, would like a non-shedding dog, but the only breeds that don't shed at all are hairless breeds. (Every dog with hair sheds.)
- There are about a half dozen breeds that shed very lightly, and 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 problem, because from a dog's perspective,
children are not like adult human beings at all. Children move with unpredictable, herky-jerky movements. They bump into things, drop things, and knock things over. They trip and fall. They jump up and down, hit and kick things, yell and cry. From a dog's perspective, a child is a very different creature from a teenager or an adult.
I've written a book called How To Buy a Good Dog that talks frankly about choosing a safe dog for children. For many reasons (all of which are covered in the book), the majority of purebred dog breeds are not suitable for young children. I'll tell you which breeds I DO recommend for young children, and which breeds I don't recommend. Learn more about my book.
More dog breed traits...
- Amount of physical exercise required
- Amount of mental exercise (challenging activities) required
- Recommended fence height
- Risk of aggression toward people
- Risk of aggression toward other dogs
- Attitude toward cats
- 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.
OR
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
OR
You'll find a great deal of helpful information about dog breed traits
and how to sort out which traits are best for you in my book . . .
Everything you need to know about choosing and buying a good dog
 "Read this book BEFORE you get a dog. Don't make the mistakes other puppy buyers have made, or you might end up with an unhealthy, bad-tempered pet."
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How To Buy a Good Dog . . .
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