Humans, over centuries of controlled breeding, have engineered all of the ancient and contemporary domestic dog breeds known today. The results are dogs that have overwhelmingly strong instincts to perform desired helpful tasks with excellence due to their specifically developed physical and mental traits. All information in this article applies to mixed breeds as well, since one or more breeds are usually dominant in the mix and will exert powerful influence. Mixed breed dogs can sometimes be trickier to understand since latent influences may not be expected. Please read on:
Understanding Dog Breeds is a Life or Death Matter
Many thousands of dogs each year wind up as unclaimed strays in animal shelters, or are brought in and surrendered by frustrated owners due to unacceptable behavior. This usually is due to the breed being unsuitable for it's owner's lifestyle. I have seen, in my years of employment at animal care facilities, dogs brought in because it:
- Runs away from home.
No surprise since the dog is an un-neutered hound breed, engineered to dig, leap fences, chase prey and follow his nose!
- Bites the neighbors.
No surprise since it's an unconfined, untrained guarding breed!
- Destroys the house while alone all day.
No surprise since the dog is a high-energy herding breed, engineered to take orders and to work all day, every day!
- Won't listen.
No surprise because the dog is a hardheaded, single-minded terrier, bred to hunt down and kill rats independently, with no supervision!
- Is a lousy guard dog.
Again, no surprise since it's a companion breed expected to be friendly and to love all visitors politely!
What Does it Mean to Me?
The task that each breed has been engineered to do has a profound effect on the dog's outlook and skills. For example, a dog developed to be an excellent guard has a powerful bark and bite, keen hearing and is suspicious of strangers. By contrast, a breed developed to be a royal lady's companion dog has a sweet, cuddly, infantile psychology and is friendly by nature. A dog designed to herd livestock must have unflagging high energy, an uncanny ability to read body language, and a keen desire to take direction from it's handler. Further, a breed of dog developed to provide entertainment by fighting other dogs has no need to be attuned to the wishes of humans, but instead has innate and intense aggression towards other dogs, a high pain threshold and a devastating bite.
Additionally, many breeds are notoriously in need for specific extra attention lest serious medical concerns arise. For example, many people fall in love with the wrinkles of breeds like the Pug, Shar-pei and Basset Hound. But those cute wrinkles often harbor fungus that, when unchecked, often can trigger ulcers, foul odors and other problems - health concerns that could mean big expenses down the road - are you OK with that?
Learn About Dog Breeds and Stay Out of Trouble
With this in mind, find out all you can about a breed of dog before you take the plunge and get one. This also true even of mixed breed dogs, since one or more breeds will still have a large influence over the mixed breed dog. Develop a sense of the tasks you would like your dog to do BEFORE buying. Would you like your dog to guard the house - or be friendly to all visitors at your home office? Would you like your dog to follow along while you ride your horse - or be happy in a tiny apartment? These kinds of thoughts and planning ideas are critical to your dog's happiness with you. Simply put, don't plan on making your dog into something it is not. It probably won't work.
Where Can I Start Learning About It?
Your local animal shelter are excellent sources of information. Ask questions, get phone numbers - and listen to the true stories - shelters are where problems resulting from poor choices come home to roost. Tragically, the innocent animals always pay the price of human errors. Benefit form these people's experience and you won't be part of the problem! Keep an open mind - try to avoid cruising the kennel area at first. Don't fall in love until you are well versed on your situation and your needs. Keep learning until you feel informed about dog breeds, and about your choices. The knowledge you gain will be insurance towards a healthy and satisfying long-term relationship with your dog.
The Internet and the library are also wonderful resources, especially information from the many rescue groups that specialize in handling one certain breed - often these people know all about that breed and will be very happy to share what they know. Many of these groups have extensive Web sites and newsletters with stories of successes and pitfalls with regard to their focus breed.
Another outstanding way to get top-notch information about dog breeds is to travel to a large dog show and spend the entire day. Walk the back paddock and bench areas, talk to the breeders and handlers and take pictures! The show people and their dogs will most likely be very busy and distracted, but there is a wealth of information and observations to be gathered by visitors who are patient, polite and friendly.
