DOGGIE DOG BLOG

Posted By: David Harris

How do I know what breed I should select?  Well, I was hoping to cheat on this question and send everyone off to one of those breed selection quiz sites.  Unfortunately, before I could do that I decided to take the test myself.  I went to four different sites, followed the instructions carefully and took the quiz.  None of the sites I went to even came close to selecting dogs that were suitable for me (In my opinion).  None of the quizzes I took selected German Shepherds or Dobermans.  I have owned German Shepherds all of my life, breed German Shepherds for close to twenty five year and know more about GSD’s than any other breed and I know a considerable amount about most breeds, so that is saying something.  In the last four years I have began training and breeding high quality working line Dobermans as well.  But, as I said, none of the breed quizzes selected either of these two breeds for me.

So, that leaves me doubtful as to their validity as a selection tool.  I think that if you are old enough to think about and care about such questions, then you probably know well enough the type of dog you like by now.  Start with the basics.  Large, medium, or small.  Then move onto the factual.  To groom or not to groom.  Some breed require extensive grooming and don’t suit my lifestyle.  To shed or not to shed?  High energy or laid back? Protective or not known for protective instincts?  Cuddly or Independent?  Diggers? Barkers? Destructive?  Ease of Housebreaking?  Ease of Training?

One very important thing you would learn about any breed you consider is what was the breed bred for?  What was it’s purpose?  For example if you are looking for a breed that will want to look to you for direction and care what you think then I would not select a Coon Hound.  That breed was purposefully breed for their independent nature.  They want to hunt and don’t really care if you follow along.  They were bred to bark so the hunters could find them.  That should tell you something about their nature.  All breeds were bred for a purpose.  Understand that purpose and you will come closer to understanding if that breed will suit you.  I personally like breeds that check in.  Look to me for direction and work well as a team.  Herding breeds all have that nature to some degree.  German Shepherds (German Sheep Herding Dogs) are the epitome of this nature in my opinion.  They are very sensitive to their handlers commands, have the drive necessary to do the work I like, but are willing to work as a team, but can also problem solve and work independently.  Look closely at their original use and you will understand this better.  Sheep are stupid so working with them takes finesse.

Now the real questions is where should one garner the answers to these questions.  Here is a pitfall to be aware of.  Breeders and breed specific website’s will be your best source of information about a particular breed.  But, and this is a very, very big BUT; They are very bias when it comes to their breed.  So, it’s buyer beware times three.  Some will be honest and tell you what their breeds are really like late at night when the doors are closed and the lights are turned down low, but most cannot help sugar coating the breed that they personally care so much about.  So, do your homework.  Deal with high end breeders that breed for the love of the breed and do not need to curry favor from buyers.  Those breeders can often be a pain in the you know what, but they will be honest when they tell you that this breed isn’t suitable for your lifestyle.

Ok, here is what I really think about breed selection.  Ask a trainer.  Trainers are the ones that have to deal with these breeds at their best and their worst.  As a trainer I am constantly tasked with helping people learn to deal with the breed they have selected for whatever reason they selected it.  I don’t have the luxury of pushing the rewind button and getting them to select the breed that I think is best suited for them.  So, I have learned a great deal about the breeds that breeders never have to encounter in their perfect world of pre-selected owners.  I have to take and deal with what comes my way the same as most trainers do.  So, ask a trainer with at least ten years of full time training experience what they think of a breed and you will get a pretty straight answer.  You may not like it, but you will get it

Another way to learn about a breed to go watch them interact.  Dog shows, Dog Parks, Group Training Classes are all good places to see a variety of breeds being themselves.  As an outside observer you should get a very good feel if this breed would suit you or not. 

Talk to the owners of this breed.  See if you seem compatible with them.  Are they the type of person you would hang out with?  If so then this breed could well suit your lifestyle.  If the answer is a big fat no.  Then I can’t imagine you loving the breed that these people love so much.

As a lover of observation, nature and common sense I think with a little time spend observing, assessing yours and the breeds true nature and a dose of common sense you can make a selection without the help of a fancy breed selection quiz.David Harris
Owner
Animal Resorts & Training Center
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