SELECTING THE TYPE & TEMPERAMENT OF DOG

Every person's idea of the ideal dog varies. This is why we have so many different and diverse breeds including the mixed breeds, which many people admire and love. The advantage of buying a pure bred dog is that to a large extent, you know what the dogs final appearance, size and temperament is going to be.

Unfortunately, with a  cross-bred puppy you can get a 'pig in a  poke', i.e. no idea of final appearance (including coat type), size temperament. The fact that many turn out to be nice individuals is, I think, a reflection on the good overall qualities of the dog in general

If you wish to lead a quiet and sedentary life, do not pick a boisterous, noisy dog; if, however, you have a large backyard full of half-grown children, nothing is better at keeping the children company, and for tiring them out! There are usually several breeds that you would like, and various sizes that are suitable for you, your family and situation. These days there is even a computer service to help you to select the right dog.

Selection should be made according to the size of dog you prefer, the temperament that you like, the amount of care (grooming, exercise etc.) needed, the size of your backyard, whether you have children and their age group, and finally what you want to do with the dog and the dog to do for you.

Unfortunately, most people do not really think enough about the type of dog that is suitable for their situation and conditions, let alone whether the temperament suits in the first place. 

A featherbrained dog may suit many people and is quite often a very affectionate pet that is very good with children, but many people are  driven dotty by a dog that refuses to learn what they consider fairly elementary rules of conduct. In the long run, it is better for the dog, the owner and all concerned that the nature of the dog is fairly compatible with the nature of the owner.

Consideration must be given, if there are children, to whether the dog's temperament is suitable to cope with 'midget adults'. Some dogs (more commonly males), will not tolerate very small children or toddlers. It seems to me that the smaller the child in relation to the dog's size, the lower the dog's regard in relation to dominance; i.e. dogs quite often, consider that small children are below them in order of dominance and they feel that if the child annoys them, then they are within their rights to retaliate. These dogs need to be very firmly taught that it is they, and not the child, that is suffering from delusions -I do not believe that any dog should be allowed to get way with such behaviour, Generally a good stint of obedience training will bring such dogs back into line.

If you are not a firm type of person,  do not get a dog that requires firm handling; get an amenable dog that wilt not be overpowering to your personality. As women often feed and care for dogs, this should also be taken into account, since it is they, (not the ’man' of the house) who have to deal with the dogs and their idiosyncrasies, and if they are not capable of being sufficiently firm, problems can often develop.

Many of the more popular 'macho' breeds are purchased by the husband, but the wife is the one that has to live with it, feed it and cope with disciplining it. The husband comes home, the dog recognizes firmness when it is applied and behaves, which in turn can create quite, a lot of marital difficulties as the husband may never quite believe that his 'Rambo' would do anything like bailing up the person who feeds it!

  The size of the area that you live in can be very important. An active dog that needs plenty of room, to run around, e.g. a German Shorthaired Pointer, will obviously get very bored and often destructive when kept in small backyards. The same dog, kept in an adequately large area, can be happier and non-destructive. Little breeds are obviously in their element when they have (to them) a positively enormous backyard that a German Shorthaired Pointer would sneer at! This is not to say that the smaller dogs would not enjoy living in the great outdoors. Some larger breeds, e.g. Great Danes or St Bernards, are very sedentary, and can rarely bestir themselves to go for a walk. Many German Shepherds would secretly prefer to be lounge lizards on a permanent basis, yet love to go exploring with their own personal 'god' on the lead behind them.

  Small areas such as apartments are, to my way of thinking, not particularly suited to any but the smallest breeds, unless the dog, are very regularly allowed access to parks and other open areas. Even then, many may become bored and can become rather 'crabby' in nature.

Information contained from - "The New Dog Owner's Manual" - Written by Dr Karen Hedberg