The most important step in choosing the right breed is to make a list of the traits and qualities you would most prefer to find in a dog. Consider the following things:
Boston Terriers are intelligent, excellent with children, and love to travel.
Size - The larger the dog, the more it will eat. And the more it will eat, the more it will... well, how much are you willing to spend to feed a dog and how much work do you want to do cleaning up after it? If you have small children or an elderly person in your household, a large dog may be too much for them to handle. Although the "gentle giant" breeds are relatively sedate as adults, they can still be rather boisterous as puppies!
Droolers
Light Shedders
Size
Low Exercise
High Exercise
Good with Children
Good with Pets
Some small dogs can be very dependent, demand a lot of attention, may not be as good with young children, and are prone to yapping. However, they are great if you are a retiree who has a lot of time to devote to them, if you like to take your dog with you wherever you go, or if you desire constant companionship.
Dog Hair Tolerance - How much dog hair are you willing to tolerate on your floor, furniture and clothes? How much time are you willing to spend grooming your dog? Are you willing to accept the extra expense for a dog that requires professional grooming?
If you are willing to tolerate more dog hair in the house and don't mind spending time on grooming (it's a wonderful bonding time for you and your dog), go ahead and enjoy the luxuriant coat of a Samoyed or seek out the Lassie-lookalike you've dreamed of having since childhood! If not, you should seek out a breed with a shorter coat that requires less maintenance. If you are extremely finicky about cleanliness, find a non-shed breed, but be prepared to pay for grooming services. You may want to contact local grooming shops first, to find out exactly how much it will cost to have your dog groomed and how often it will need to be done.
Barking Tolerance - Some breeds of dogs are known to be quieter than others. Some hunting dogs like Beagles and Coon hounds are known to "bay." Some dogs bark only when the doorbell rings while others bark every time a plane flies overhead. How much and what type of vocalization are you willing to tolerate from a dog?
Sex of the Dog - This is a personal preference that usually has nothing to do with the quality or temperament of a dog. However, there are some physical differences between the sexes. Consider the fact that males are often larger than females and they do like to tinkle on trees and bushes. Females of a breed tend to be smaller than the males, some take more time to housetrain, and sterilization procedures are more complicated and often more expensive.
Dogs are complex creatures and as such, each dog has a combination of personality traits. The following are individual personality traits, none of which are considered negative (although dogs that fall into an extreme of any of these traits should be avoided as pets):
Submissive - These breeds are always willing to please and are generally easier to train. They make wonderful family pets.
Independent - Independent dogs do not crave as much human attention and acceptance. They have their own mind and they like to use it. This can be a very valuable trait for police dogs, search and rescue dogs, or for pet owners who do not want an excessively demanding dog. However, these dogs can also be more challenging to train.
Labrador Retrievers are not only excellent hunters; they make wonderful family pets as well!
Laid Back - These dogs are calm and quiet. They may not be the best choice for families with active children who need a dog with more energy to play, however, they are wonderful if you prefer a quieter lifestyle.
Energetic - Energetic dogs require more time for exercise or they may become bored and destructive. The more energy they have, the more time and exercise they will require. Energetic dogs are best for active people who enjoy walking or jogging, or for children who can match the dog's energy level. Many herding, hunting or working dogs are bred to have a lot of stamina and require mental and physical stimulation to keep them happy. In some cases, they may require more room to run.
Intelligence - Some breeds are known to learn easier and faster than others. You might think everyone wants a smart dog, but intelligence has its drawbacks too! Smart dogs may require more mental stimulation in the form of on-going training or a "job" that requires the use of their intellect.
Most dogs fall into the medium intelligence category and are easy enough to obedience train for most people. Breeds considered the lowest on the intelligence scale often have a very high aptitude for a specialized purpose, but may not be the best choices for pets.
One-Person Dogs vs. Family Dogs - Some breeds are known to be one-person dogs and can still make wonderful family pets, but they tend to attach themselves to one person in particular. Family dogs are those dogs that will respond to family members equally, however, most dogs will still tend to favor the person who trains it, feeds it and/or spends the most time with it.
Time - How much time will you have to care for your dog, including feeding and watering, exercising and grooming? How much time will your dog be left home alone? If you travel frequently, can you take your dog with you, or do you need to make pet sitting arrangements? Calmer dogs tend to fare better when left home alone frequently. All dogs thrive on routine, so if your job requires odd hours, long shifts or frequent travel, consider the benefits of a doggie daycare center or a daily dog walking service.
Facilities - How large is your home or apartment? How large is your yard? If your dog must be taken on a leash outside, are there any open spaces available for a good run? Is your yard fenced? If not, how will you keep the dog in your yard?
Size does not determine how much room a dog will need. A Great Dane may do well in an apartment if his needs are met, while a Jack Russell Terrier would be bouncing off the walls for lack of space. Greyhounds and Whippets may need a good open space for a run to keep them happy.
Climate - Some dogs are more sensitive to extremes of climate. Obviously, a thick-haired Norwegian Elkhound would be horribly uncomfortable in the heat of Texas and an almost hairless Chinese Crested would find hardship in the harsh winters of the UP. But keep in mind that some breeds can be trimmed shorter to keep cool during the summer and others can sport doggie coats to keep warm in the winter.
Family Members - Are there small children in the household? Are there elderly persons in the family? The right breed for you must also be the right breed for everyone else in the household if pets and people are to live in harmony. Choosing a breed that appeals only to you may cause problems with other household members.
Other Pets - Do you have other pets, and if so, what type? Some breeds are known to be more tolerant of other pets, although most dogs, if raised with other pets as puppies, will learn to get along with animals of other species. Dogs in general are very social and enjoy the company of other dogs, but pairing a puppy with a geriatric dog may become torture for the older dog. Jealousy may also arise when adding a new canine member to the family, so be prepared to deal with this problem if you have other pets.
Once you have decided which physical characteristics and temperament attributes you desire in a dog, and what kind of environment you have to offer, you can begin to research breeds to determine which ones may fit your wants, needs and lifestyle the best. The more research you do, the fewer surprises you will face when you finally adopt a dog into your life!
Shetland Sheepdogs require regular grooming to keep their plush coats beautiful.
Research the Internet - Many sources exist on the internet to find breed descriptions or contact breeders. In addition, there are several sites with questionnaires to provide ideas for dog breeds that may fit your preferences and lifestyle. Questionnaires can be a lot of fun to do, but don't take the results too seriously. They should be used only as a source of ideas.
Read Books - When you've narrowed your search down to a few specific breeds, you can visit the library and find breed books which will give more in-depth information on the breeds that interest you. Learn everything you can about your breeds of choice before looking for that perfect dog!
When researching particular breeds, you also need to consider the health problems that are common with those breeds. Breeds with exaggerated physical traits can be prone to problems, such as breathing problems for those with extremely short snouts, back problems for those with excessively long backs, ear problems for those with disproportionately long ears and growth problems for the giant breeds.
In addition, some breeds are prone to hereditary problems such as hip dysplasia, blindness and deafness. Become familiar with the hereditary problems of your chosen breeds and make sure the parent dogs have been tested for them.
When you've settled on one or two breeds you think will work well for you, then comes the fun part--puppy shopping! When you've reached this point, please see our article on "How to Choose the Right Puppy".
Dog Breed Info Center
Open Directory Project
American Rare Breed Assn.