Picking the Right Puppy: Part 1- Breed Type

While we all know there are a lot of different types of dogs out there I bet you didn't know that there are well over 300 different breeds world wide and that's not counting all the mixes breeds. Often we are drawn to a look of a dog and maybe know very little about the type. As a child I loved Husky and Scotties but after growing up and knowing that I couldn't handle a Husky's fur type nor a Scottie's stubbornness I found the breeds that were right for the family.

So even if you don't want to go to a breeder and get a purebred dog you still have to know the type of dog you want from a rescue or shelter, don't think you can just go around and look at the cuteness without knowing something about their ancestry. All too often that's how they ended up in those places, the first owners didn't know how to 'deal' with the dog and it became too much for them. For today I will break down the 7 AKC groups into common traits but there are too many separate breed types and mixes to cover. If you find a group or breed you like research it thoroughly to know behavior, temperament, size, coat care, medical issues and anything else that might be important to you.

Sporting Group: Retrievers to Spaniels to Setters to Pointers
This group is known for hunting, they like to have jobs and to do something, don't be surprised if playing fetch for hours is the dog's favorite thing to do. Most shed with a few wire-haired dogs with low shedding, most in this group are not recommended for allergies. Knowing if your breeder was breeding for show (more coat and bone usually) or sport (thinner, taller, less coat usually) will help with knowing how much drive the dog will have. Great dogs for active families, must socialize and do impulse training.

Hound Group: both sight and scent hounds
This group is almost two put together, sight and scent. Sight hounds are taller, thinner and have big bursts of energy. These have to always be on leash outside of fencing because running after prey is so instinctual to them, they will run and quickly. Made for lure coursing and fun for many families. Scent hounds have the long drape ears and typically thicker bodies, these dogs were made to sniff. Known for continual energy but not as much interest in you as the ground they can sniff out any food or even people. Also ones you want to make sure they are contained on leash or fenced as they will follow the trail to the end.

Working Group: Mastiffs to sled dogs to guard dogs
This group is known to having bigger high drive working dogs, knowing what the breed you like's job was is important. Guard dogs have a bad rap but they can be very sweet with socialization and training, they tend to strongly bond with the family. Don't forget that the short coats are easy care but still shed often. Some of the dogs worked in the water and you might have a hard time keeping them out or finding a better use of the energy, don't be surprised if your kiddy pool is theirs now. Also you have sled dogs which have stores of energy and aren't afraid to use them. They can be a bit stubborn but with the right motivation you can have them pulling you on skis or in a cart in no time. For all these dogs having something for them to do is very important or they will drive you nuts with their energy. Most of these dogs have high shedding coats as well so don't be surprised to find it everywhere in the spring and fall.

Terrier Group: From rough wire coats to smooth coats and a couple soft coats too
 These dogs are all known to get prey animals often 'going to ground', they can be terrors if you don't have an outlet for their behaviors. Often called stubborn they do have a mind of their own but with the right motivation they will love to work with you if not exactly for you. The rough wire coats are often seen in this group and should be 'plucked' or hand stripped for a better health rather than cutting like a softer coat, originally they would do it naturally on bushes and such. Smooth coats again are easier but shed more frequently.

Herding Group: sheep to cattle they'll be rounding them up
Once again these dogs are ones that need a job or they will drive you nuts, but often are good with training and direction. Depending on the breed they can be really good with families to needing lots of socializing to be good with anyone, so be aware of the breed. Most will have a shedding coat with  the puli being able to make cords (or dreads) instead. Often you'll find this group wanting to know where all of it's family is and if possible to group them where they can see you all, thus the herd is together. Tons of energy and lots of fun if put into the right direction.

Toy Group: little guys
These were made to be companions and smaller than most other groups. This group has the most allergy safe dogs as well as lower needs for exercise thus you see them more often as pets. Not to say that you don't need to give them some training and fun things to do too. Looking at coat types know that the long silky will need grooming as much as the fluffy poodle, but the short and combo coats will shed. This group gets a bad rap for being snippy but with socialization and proper handling (ie kids need to play gently with small dogs) they are very loving.
 
Non-Sporting: All the rest
This group is the odds and ends group, any breed that didn't fit completely in another group ended here. While there are lots of loving companions they were just a little too big for toy group, such as Lowchen or Bichon. There are also the Poodles who look all fluffy but can and do still hunt and are very active. So looking at this group find a breed and look it over for more information as they are very different for each other.

Remember this is just an overview of the groups, if you find a breed check it out thoroughly before committing to that one (or a mix of them). Next we will look at places to get your puppy!

Groom Easy

Do you often hear from your groomer that your dog is matted and when you try to comb your dog at home they fight, bite or run. Read on and it will help not only you, but your dog and groomer as well.  This also works for shedding dogs that don’t like to get brushed but instead of a comb use an appropriate brush for their coat.

Duncan in need of a grooming.

Start with a freshly groomed dog with no mats, often this means that you’ll have a dog that was just shaved down, remember that it grows back quickly enough. Get a metal tooth comb and some great treat that they never had before (think dehydrated fish). Now you need to gauge at what point your dog is slightly worried about the comb but not fearful, this might be just showing the comb while restrained slightly.

Mekos getting groomed, notice he's slightly uneasy but not in a panic.

Once you have your start point do the motion (showing the comb), then give a treat and release the dog. What you want to happen is to pair the comb with happy thoughts of food, so when you do get to comb the hair the dog will enjoy the experience. When you start seeing happy responses when the dog sees the comb then work your way to the next worry point, such as putting the comb on the back hair. Repeat each step remembering to do the movement then the treat, never at the same time or the treat before the combing as this doesn’t lead to long-term training.

This lovely was so good for brushing with just a little work at home!

As you get your dog more and more used to the comb at the same time you are combing the dog out daily in small areas so that no mats arise. This is the big secret to keeping your dog mat free. Spend a little time combing them at least weekly if not more often while you are even watching TV. This will help you bond, get the oils from the skin to the coat for less smell and help achieve the look you want for your pet’s haircut with a mat free coat.

For more information or for help achieving your goals please contact Dog Obedience & Guidance Training or D-O-G-Training.net.