What dog breed should I get?
The start of a great relationship with a dog starts by choosing the right dog for you.
The start of a great relationship with a dog starts by choosing the right dog for you.
March 21, 2019
It might seem I’m a little repetitive on this topic, but I can’t emphasise enough how important getting the right match of dog for you is. Many of the problems I see in clinic start with this mismatch.
There are 400-500 different breeds of dogs, and among them, there are thousands of cross breeds and lines of breeds that all have different idiosyncrasies. It comes down to combining your needs and wants of a dog with the attributes of various breeds to get the ideal match. The better suited you and your dog are, the more fun and happier your time together will be!
Here are some things to consider when deciding on a breed of dog:
All dogs need exercise, but this varies greatly from breed to breed, so it is important to match the dog’s level with your own. You don’t want to deprive your dog of something as important as exercise, or it may manifest into other issues later on. Plus, a well-exercised dog is a relaxed dog that’s less likely to cause chaos! Different breeds are bred for different purposes like work, guard and companion so they vary in exercise needs too.
Consider your family size, house size, land size, other animals on the property and are you urban or rural? Dogs need a contained environment, especially in their younger years when they are curious and prone to wandering and following their nose. Obviously, a larger area is better for a larger dog, and a small toy dog will be quite content with a smaller area.
Do you want a very independent and self-sufficient dog, perhaps if they’re at home while you’re at work? Or would you prefer a very affectionate and loving companion dog? Do you want a dog that will be protective and alert you when people enter your property? Or do you have a busy household with lots of comings and goings, that will make it best for you to have a quieter dog that doesn’t make much of a stir? Do you want a dog that isn’t likely to want to chase other animals on your property, or do you need a dog with some hunting drive?
Do you want to spend a lot of time training your dog in agility and obedience, or would you rather a playful and cuddly dog? Do you want or need your dog to perform any specific tasks?
Do you want a dog with a woollen coat for anyone in the house with allergies? Also, consider any breed-specific ailments – certain breeds are prone to various congenital, medical and psychological problems, such as cleft palate, blindness, hip dysplasia, fearfulness and deafness, to name just a few.
If you are choosing a pure-bred dog, it’s important to choose an excellent breeder to ensure they don’t have the congenital defects I mentioned above. Some breeders “line breed” which can cause negative recessive traits being thrown up far more often. A good breeder will begin house training and socialisation, be able to give you good nutritional advice and tell you more about the breed and its qualities.
Alternatively, choose a hybrid (cross-breed) where you will benefit from hybrid vigour. The advantage of hybrids is that you often get the best of both breeds, and out-crossing like this improves general health, provides psychological benefits and can often result in higher levels of trainability (among other things) as an outcome. I personally like cross breeds.
If you can, I’d recommend getting a puppy at 8 weeks old. This is the beginning of the critical formative period and is the most important time in your dog’s development. It is the time when pups naturally leave the den and start to meet the rest of the pack. You and your family are in essence “the pack” and building that relationship during the formative period is essential to ensure a well socialised, well-rounded dog.
With so many rescue dogs in need of a loving forever home, I always recommend that you adopt a dog from your local animal rescue shelter (like the beautiful Rose Marie here in this photo!).
Often the people that work or volunteer there will also be able to help assist you in making the choice about which dog will suit you best. Just ensure you are confident and have experience with dogs if you are choosing an adult rescue dog. Otherwise if you’re a first time owner then get a rescue pup as an option.
In this blog, I delve into the detail of the original breed purpose and common traits of many of New Zealand's most popular breeds. If you're considering a Labrador, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Poodle, Border Terrier, Jack Russell, Schnauzer, Greyhound, Border Collie, Staffy, German Shepherd or Chihuahua - read this blog!
If you’re getting a pup, my Virtual Puppy School will guide you through everything you need to know to raise and train a puppy into a beautifully well-behaved dog that is bonded to you for life!
If you’re adopting an adult dog or older rescue, you may find they have a couple of behavioural challenges, but don’t worry, you can teach an old dog new tricks. My Virtual Dog School will guide you through how to train your dog and correct any behavioural issues in a way that achieves amazing results, lovingly.
Good luck with finding your new family member!
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