Often times we fall in love with how a specific breed looks or
is portrayed in the media without fully researching the breed’s traits and
characteristics. For instance, Dalmatians were very popular after Disney
released 101 Dalmatians – all those spotted pups capture the hearts of many
people. Dalmatian owners can attest to
this breeds large size, strength, energy and stamina having been bred to run under or along-side of
horse-drawn carriages. These dogs would not do well in an apartment or
setting where they could not run and play or were left alone for long periods
of time.
Another example is
Wishbone the Jack Russell Terrier in PBS’s popular children’s program. On the program the dog is portrayed as cute,
smart and loyal. While the Jack Russell Terrier has all those traits is also
can jump vertically five feet clearing or scaling a fence easily. These dogs
believe they are the pack leader and need to be shown authority by their human companion
otherwise the Jack Russell Terrier will be difficult to train. Additionally, bred
as hunting dogs, they have instincts to chase, explore, bark and dig. They can
become aggressive with other animals and people if not given the proper
training and attention.
As you can see, it is
important to investigate the breed you’re interested in before committing to
the lifelong care of a canine companion.
Below are five helpful tips and a couple of resource links to get you
started. Please feel free to post your insights and experience with choosing a
dog in the comments.
1.
Research, research, research.
2.
Talk to owners of the breed you like, find a
forum like the one at dogcheapsleeps.proboards.com and ask questions.
3.
Visit dog parks and observe dogs and owners. Ask
questions.
4.
Consider your needs and the dog’s needs when
making a choice.
5.
Make sure the dog you choose will have a
lifetime home in your home.
Resource Links:
