Do You Know What Breed of Dog is Right for You?

Did you know that 70% of dog owners do not do any research on dogs before they adopt one?  Did you also know that nearly two-thirds of pets adopted were returned within the first two months. Choosing a puppy is a balancing act between your head, your heart, and your instincts. Let me tell you the short story of Nabucco.

This is my purebred German Shepherd, Nabucco, whom I adopted in March, 2020, on Friday the 13^th.  A contractor who was remodeling my backyard deck held up his iPhone one day and showed me a photo of “Gio” as he was then known.  He said he had a client who owned a pet store, and one of his customers came in and asked if anyone was looking for, or willing to adopt, a German Shepherd puppy.  His landlord wanted the dog gone because it was “too big.”  The owner had three days to “get rid” of the dog.

Fast forward, two days later, the owner drives 60 miles to my home with Gio. I opened the front door, and the gentleman was standing there with the pup standing next to him.  The moment, THE MOMENT, that I saw the dog, I knew he was mine.  He was a stunning dog, and well-behaved. 

The owner and I took Gio for a short so that I could see how he behaved on a leash, and in questioning the owner, I learned that this well-intentioned man, who wanted to find the pup a good home, really didn’t know that much about German Shepherds, from his weight to his age.  After a successful meet and greet with my other pups, I purchased Gio and with him came his paperwork and medical history.  I learned that I was Gio’s (now known as Nabucco) fourth owner in seven months.

Think about that. The poor pup was passed around to three other owners, who obviously got in over their heads and had no idea about raising a puppy, or in this last owner’s case, how big the dog was really going to get. 

Don’t let this happen to you.

With that said, let me take you through eight points to consider when searching for the right puppy.

Point #1: Why do you want a puppy? Why do you want a dog?

Because it’s not going to be a puppy forever.  Do you want it for companionship, a play buddy for the kids or another dog?  Are you looking for a jogging, hunting, hiking buddy? Are you looking for a pup for protection?

Take an in-depth look at yourself, your family, your lifestyle and habits. Are there individuals with disabilities, medical issues, elderly people. Because if you look at your situation in its entirety, then you’ll set yourself up and the puppy you select for success. 

Remember this, the dog of your dreams may not be the right pup for you
 (and your family) at this time in your life.  

Also, when adopting a puppy, I know this will be hard, but try not to be overwhelmed by cuteness, or what dog breeds other family members, your friends and neighbors have, and what they recommend.  This is going to be your pup, and YOU have to live with it, not them. 

Point #2:  How much do you want to spend on a puppy?

What you are willing to spend on the puppy should be decided before you begin your puppy search. Puppies can range from $60/$70 that you might pay to your city/county animal care and control, to an average of $350 for a pup from a private shelter or rescue to several thousands of dollars, if you go to a breeder, or, choose a pet store.  

There are many people, and you may be one, who will outright refuse to spend thousands of dollars on a puppy from a breeder when there are so many homeless pups in shelters. However, keep in mind that where and from whom you choose to adopt a puppy is not a one-size-fits all approach. Some people are ill-equipped to deal with the behavioral and emotional challenges that adopting a pup from a shelter can sometimes bring, and/or, they simply feel more comfortable wanting a purebred dog, and knowing a pup’s lineage, temperament and medical history.  And with purebred dogs, the cost is predicated on supply and demand.  

If you have absolutely no idea what kind of dog you want, there are seven dog groups developed by The American Kennel Club based on the dog’s function and heritage, and are universally recognized:  Toy, Terrier, Non-Sporting, Sporting, Hound, Herding and Working. I urge you to visit akc.org and learn about the dogs in these groups to find the best breed for you and your family.

And even if you are not interested in a purebred dog, but choose to adopt a mixed breed, acquainting yourself with breed characteristics is still very helpful because all mixed breeds are what – a combination of purebreds. 

Point #3: Adult size and weight – Very Important

Not only does size and weight equate to what you’ll spend on owning the dog, but consider if the dog becomes ill, injured and is immobile. Will you or someone else be able to lift the dog into a car if veterinary care is needed? 

Remember my story of Nabucco. He was rehomed because of his size. So many times, people forget, or simply do not realize, how big that puppy is going to get.  No matter what size your house and its living space, think of the puppy as volume within that space, both indoor and outdoor. As an example, the German Shepherds I’ve owned/own – their adult weight has been in the 80-to-95-pound range, and at average height (5’7”), I don’t have to bend over to pet them. That little Shepherd pictured, my Olympia, grew into a 90-lb thigh-high roadblock that I had to maneuver around anywhere I went in the house.

Another size and weight point – THE BARK. Generally, the larger the dog, the bigger the bark.  Now, their bark may not bother you and you may find it comforting as a warning to strangers. However, if it’s squirrel season, or they see other dogs and people, then their barking becomes more an annoyance that you want to avoid before your neighbors start calling you. 

As to small and medium-size dogs, keep in mind that small dogs/toy dogs can also be something of a handful because they can get under your feet, and you or someone else can easily trip over them (if you’re not forever looking down when you walk as I do), or they can stuck under furniture, (I’ve had that happen too), and can pass through fences or railings, unless you have a bumper on them, etc.

Point #4: Activity level of the dog

Some breeds are happy with once-a-day exercise and not that much of it.  Other breeds love exercise and chasing around. But, every dog needs some type of daily exercise, whether play time with a sibling, or with you and/or your family. This again is where your space comes into play.  It’s one thing if you have a sizable backyard or go running/walking every day, but if a dog doesn’t get that exercise, it can become bored, and bored leads to mischief, or worse barking, which your neighbors and/or landlord will not appreciate.  So be honest with yourself and the type of lifestyle you lead, and then find a puppy that will fit in with it as it grows into adulthood.

Point #5: Temperament (also very important)

Temperament is not a physical characteristic, nor is it learned behavior like down, sit, stay.  It can be summed up as the personality of the dog.  And the personality of the puppy is based on genetics, its parents/grandparents, how the breeder began socializing it when it was born – in other words, how it was touched, spoken to, handled, when it first entered the world.  Some breeds, based again on the seven AKC groups are more rollicking and fun vs. calm and cozy, others more social and affable vs. stoic and aloof.  A dog whose function is guarding a flock or you (think Cane Corso, Giant Schnauzer, for example) is going to have a different makeup than a dog who’s basically a lap warmer/companion (think Boston Terrier, Bichon, Greyhound – and yes, Greyhounds are notorious couch potatoes), or a jogging mate (think Weimaraner, Viszla, for example).

No matter the breed temperament, all pups can be loving, loyal companions.  Each breed of dog and how it reacts to you, depends on you.  A breeder, or the shelter workers, or the rescues/fosters can only do so much.  How a dog interacts with you, your family and friends, strangers and other dogs and pets, that’s in your hands, literally, and your voice.  For me, as a dog owner, my hands are on my pups almost all the time.  When I pass by them, I give them a pet, I talk to them, they’re in my lap, next to me in the chair, they’re by my side. 

Point #6: Health issues

This is another really important area to consider, which at the time of puppyhood, you pay little attention to.  However, certain breeds are pre-disposed to health-related issues, e.g., hip dysplasia, more commonly found in some of the larger breeds like the St. Bernard, Bernese Mountain dog, German Shepherd, but can also be found in smaller dogs, as well as coronary problems, brain tumors, degenerative myelopathy, which is basically disintegration of the spinal cord, and then of course, the Big C, cancer. 

Cancer is being more commonly found in adult dogs than it used to be.  Studies have been done and research is continuing how commercial diets and specific ingredients are affecting a dog’s long-term health. When you own a breed that in later years, develops problems that need thousands of dollars of surgery and/or therapy, or has to be put to sleep, it can make an emotional wreck out of you, not to mention put a strain on your finances and family life.  When researching a breed of puppy, don’t forget this important aspect.  While there is pet insurance available these days, most insurance will not cover genetic disorders that are predominant in certain dog breeds.

Point #7: Housing restrictions and insurance

If you are renting or live in community where there is a homeowners’ association, make absolutely certain before you decide on a puppy and bring it home, that the size, weight and breed of dog is allowed.  Again, think my Nabucco. Given up by his owner because his size was incompatible with his rental agreement. I can tell you that owner was in tears when he said good-bye to him in front of my home.  Don’t let that happen to you.

And then there’s insurance.  Not health insurance for the pet, which is another topic for another post, but homeowners’ insurance.  Some insurance companies do have restrictions as to which dogs they will and will not cover if an incident happens, whether on your premises or not.  The insurance companies may charge you a larger premium, or depending on the company, may not cover specific breeds/mixed breeds at all.  Depending upon where you live, you may also want to carry an umbrella policy and personal liability insurance for extra protection.

Point #8: Gender, Coat, and Life Expectancy (purely subjective)

Gender—do you want male or female?  Males, of course, are larger and heavier than females.  Females are attributed to being slightly more protective of their human, and with males, you do have more territorial marking habits to be aware of.  I have male and female Shepherds, and when it comes to protective barking and watchfulness overall, my female edges out my male.  But whether you choose a male or female is entirely personal preference and based upon your own personal interaction with the dog.

Coat – do you want short-haired, long-haired, medium thick coat, double-coated, or very little shed. Probably, the more important question to ask yourself is how much shedding you can, (and other family members), stand.  There is no dog on this planet that does not shed. Dogs shed. Sometimes heavier depending on the season, but they shed year-round. Period. If you don’t have a good vacuum, get one.

Life expectancy – Small to medium size dogs tend to live longer, 14-18 years, or more, than the larger, giant breeds which can live anywhere from 8-14 years.

All of these points and considerations that I’ve mentioned in this chapter can mean the difference between a lifetime of love and happiness for you and the dog, or a lifetime of and tolerating the dog until it dies or is surrendered to a shelter, or worse, ignored, neglected or God forbid, abandoned. 

I strongly encourage you to visit American Kennel Club (AKC.org) to learn as much as possible about the different breeds.  For even more specific information about your desired puppy’s breed, google breed-specific association websites, such as Golden Retriever Club of America, which are excellent resources of information about the breed as well as being able to find a breeder.

If you need assistance in helping find the perfect pup for yourself or your family, please contact me at thepupmommy@comcast.net