Everyone seems to have an idea of what the perfect dog would be. This may be based on past experiences. Maybe it’s the type of dog you grew up with or, more commonly, a dog that you saw on TV. Unfortunately this is not the best way to choose a dog. The way a dog looks and the behavioral traits it exhibits have no connection. I see dog owners who are experiencing problems that could have been avoided by being better educated about the breed they chose. Different breeds are better suited for different environments, owner personalities and lifestyles.

When choosing a dog you should look at what purpose it was originally bred for. This counts for mixed breeds, too. Was the dog bred for herding? Was it bred for its protective capabilities? Was the dog bred to pull a sled through sub-zero temperatures? Was the dog bred to chase rodents out of their dens? This information will give you an idea of what to expect from your dog’s behavior.

The herding dog will want to chase anything that it sees moving, that includes you, your children and any other pets in the house. A dog that was bred to be protective will need an owner who is confident and will provide that dog with appropriate structure to redirect its protective/aggressive tendencies. Being a long distance runner would certainly help if you own a dog bred to pull sleds or herd other animals. These dogs are ready to run and if they can’t, they will use up that energy in ways that you may find undesirable.

I highly recommend the book, The Perfect Puppy: How to Choose Your Dog by its Behavior, by Benjamin L. Hart, DVM. This book clearly outlines the different breed characteristics. So make an educated choice then fall in love with your new dog.