Top 10 Dog Breeds – How to choose the right dog for yourself?
Right from a tender age, you’ve probably always had a liking for pets, and as you grew momentarily, you would sometimes ask your parents or guardians as the case may be to get you a dog but their reply as always been that you still have to grow up to a certain stage where you can distinguish likes from infatuation for animals and also know how to take care of it. This continues for sometimes until one day when you think you are finally matured to take care of much more than just a puppy. However, with the so many options available, you really have to do adequate researches and gather enough information as much as possible to get that dog that suits your lifestyle.
Choosing a dog is very much like selecting a friend. It could turn out to be a commitment for a lifetime or worst still a regret instead of passion that may never resurrect. This is to say that “particular” dog may or not may not be your fancy. It is therefore of utmost importance to select a fur mate that meets your compatibility from any angle starting from basic personality mannerisms to shared interest.
Factors to Consider when Choosing a Dog
To make this a reality, there are certain factors you need to consider to make your dog-keeping experience worthwhile some of which includes – the kind of lifestyle you lead, your income rate, spare time for taking care of your pet, psychological and mental state on how to relate with animals. There is also need to consider the people living in your vicinity as well as check out if the present apartment you stay is fit to accommodate your dog(s) comfortably.
Having carefully considered that, you can now start thinking of the kind of dogs you would like to have. Is it male or female dogs? What size is preferable to you? Would you prefer to get a dog from your locality or would you prefer a purebred dog? And finally, do you have time for intensive care for long-haired dogs or would you rather go the dogs with short hairs?
It is however very sad to know that too many people with good intents make wrong choices when opting for a buddy as a companion, only to be disappointed at the end as they are not able to meet up with the responsibility attached to nurturing it.
Different Species of Dogs
Okay, now that you have the list ready, it is now time to get to know the different varieties that exist as well as the different character traits, checking out for their compatibility with what we have up there.
Herding Dogs: This kind of dogs are naturally “sociable” to everyone around them. They relate freely as they have a stimulation of to be healthy and happy but can be very destructive when lonely. They also have a trait of independence of loyalty, fierce, independent and highly intelligent. Some of the dogs that fall under this category include Welsh Corgis, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Australian Shepherds. Sometimes Boxers are also counted into this category although they actually are “working dogs”.If you are planning to focus on this breed of dog, you need to know that you are to the good extent of work. However, if you have a strong personality to lead and meet up with the requirements, then you are sure to reap the positive limitless rewards as they make quite a good and interesting companion.
Sporting Dogs: The next breed we will be talking about is, the sporting dog. Just like the name suggests, this breed of dog is pro-active, possess high energy level with keen instincts in water. Above all this, this dog has so much of a likable character as they are cheerful and easy going. The dogs are easy to train and which allows them to be used mostly for sports or as hunting companions or sometimes made the hunter. Some perfect examples of such dogs are English Setter, Pointers, English Cocker, Golden retrievers, Labrador Retrievers and German Shorthaired.
Non-Sporting Dogs: This breed of Dogs differ a lot from one another, and another is that they are quite much. Some may exhibit traits of playfulness, adaptability, cheerfulness, anxiety, and loyalty while some others may display courage, commitment, dignity unfriendliness characters. If you are considering to start with this kind of dog, you really have to ask questions, confirm answers and do extra research, take for examples: the Poodles and Bulldogs (a perfect classification of this breed). It is quite easy to train a Poodle due to their high level of intelligence but can be quite troublesome if there is nothing to keep them busy while Bulldogs on their own part are great companions to be kept in apartments as they lead a more reserved and laidback lifestyle but the fact that they bull-headed makes them quite stubborn and hard to train. Other examples of non-sporting dogs include Boston Terriers, Chows Chows, Dalmatians, and Shiba Inu.
Hound Dogs: These species of dog are infatuated with scents and also have the eyes of an eagle. Once they want to get something, it is almost impossible to stop them. Although they have quite a commitment to their owners, their immense love of rodents can make them betray that commitment. Don’t be surprised that you might be having a stroll out with your dog someday and somehow you discover it is no longer following you. This might be as a result that it has possibly sighted a squirrel or perceived a likable scent and then gone in search of it. Aside from the houndiness of this kind of dogs, it is quite a companion as it has the propensity to get into mischief when jaded. They are energetic and can be fun to be with, and if you are smart enough, you can turn their excellent nose wok into an opportunity for training and master-mindedness. Hound dogs do have a mind of theirs making them very hard to train so. Therefore, you might be required to do a “recall” training if you want them to remain on-leash in your environs. Some of the popular ones amongst them include Dachshunds, Beagles, Greyhounds, Bloodhounds and also Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
Feisty Terrier: These group of dogs comes in different sizes, colors, and silhouettes. It ranges from pint-sized to fairly large and then to large, from chunky – svelte. These breeds are sociable, attractive, full of life, high-spirited, assertive, tenacious, audacious, shrewd, independent and make remarkable candidates for agility training. Although their area of socialization is often within their own breeds, their owners and with themselves but with early exposure to other packs, they can reluctantly mix up with other. Just like Herding dogs, you would need to establish the imperative status of a leader in their minds early enough if you are planning to keep them. Norwich Terriers, Yorkshire Terriers, American Staffordshire, and Russell terriers are some of the examples of dogs under this category.
Toy Group: Dogs under this group are usually tiny and diminutive in stature. They are formidable and courageous so it would be nice if you are fooled by their size. It is a great experience when they are kept in the apartments as they double up as a good companion and they need just an average amount of exercise. Just like earlier said, do not in any way be fooled by their trifling sizes as they are very alert fearless affectionate and proud. They can detect the slightest irregularities around. As per their training, they have different approach and personalities as some are quick and to learn while some require patience and extra training all due to their small stature., so take time to study the one that suits you and your lifestyle. Chihuahuas, Maltese, or Papillons and Havanese are some of the examples we have.
Mixed Category: This kind of dogs have a jumbled descent. This is to say they are blended with all sorts of breeds to a super endearing compendium. They have a diversified gene which complements their fitness composition. They have a personality that is influenced by their gene pool making them at an advantage over their purebred counterparts. Of course, this is to be expected or what do you expect from a dog that has the courageous and friendly gene of the Dachshund combined with the pro-active nature of Sporting dog, if not to be a healthy bloom of dog. Starting from the environments they grew up as a puppy coupled with the time they spent with their mother and other siblings also with the experiences gathered from the outside world before finally settling for the shelter of a home, it is obvious that such dogs will have various characteristics. They have the mammoth ability to love and strong desires to please their newly found pack.
Conclusion
So finally you have the list of some of the varieties of breeds of dogs and their qualifications, I would say that you are formally ready to start exploring on the very kind of dog you really want. Having a dog as your companion is quite fun and very rewarding as it does not only mean having a sense of belonging but also bolster your mental well-being. Ensure to choose the right dog will surely lead to a long-lasting, happy and successful relationship. Wishing all best of luck in your quest in choosing fur mate.
Top 10 Breeds
The following breeds are the most chosen ones in the US. This does not include mixes of the below