How should I pick the right puppy for me and my family?
I've had 30 years of experience with this question and I still am amazed by peoples' choices. Choosing a pet is not exactly like choosing the car that you'll drive. If you decide you don't like the car you picked, you simply trade it in and get a different car. Not so with a dog. There is an emotional and moral attachment that starts the moment you commit to take a new puppy home.
Most people are guilty of making an emotiona,l not logical choice. My favorite is "let's sit on the floor and see which puppy comes to me first." Get real! That's like going to a party and saying I will marry the first man that asks me to dance. Really?
There are literally hundreds of breeds of domestic dogs to choose from. Most people are guilty of choosing the look of the dog, and not researching what the breed was originally bred to do.
The AKC groups different breeds into categories according to what the breed was developed to do and under what circumstances they do it.
Group 1- Sporting Breeds: This group contains mostly field and Retrieving breeds that were developed to work with hunters. Most of these dogs are large, heavy coated and have a high activity level.
Group II- Hound Breeds: Also mostly hunting dogs; sight hounds to chase game and scent hounds to track game.
Group III- Working Breeds: Just as the name suggest these dogs are used for guarding farmers, herds and personal property protection for their owners. Many in this group are used for police and security functions.
Group IV- Terrier breeds: Very high energy and active dogs used mainly to hunt and capture/kill small game. Many of these breeds are difficult to train and need outlets for their high activity level.
A perfect example is the Yorkshire Terrier. Now a member of the Toy Group, the Yorkie is a true terrier. The Yorkshire Terrier breed goes back hundreds of years where they were originally bred in England to kill rats and keep the house and stables free of vermin. They were bred to work independently and not need the direction of people to do their job. Their chasing of prey is instinctive. Today, however, the Yorkshire is primarily a pet, having been bred down from the original 30 pound dog to a toy size of 4 to 7 pounds. The Yorkie remains a true terrier and people don't understand why many Yorkies are quite independent and very hard to housebreak. Many terriers make good pets, but require constant hands on training and a lot of exercise.
Group V- Toy Breeds: The dogs in this group are for the most part under 15 pounds and were not bred to hunt or herd. Many of the dogs in this group make good indoor house pets. Not only due to their demonstrative size but also due to the fact that they were bred down to a smaller size strictly to become companion dogs.
Group VI- Non-Sporting Breeds: The dogs in this group also lend themselves to good companion dogs. Most of these breeds were not bred to do any specific job other than be a companion to man.
Group VII- Herding Breeds: The group name speaks for itself. This group contains some of the most intelligent and highly trainable dogs, however, coupled with that intelligence is a very intense drive to work and the desire to always be in motion. If you decide to own one of these breeds you should prepare to devote a lot of time to exercising and entertaining this dog or you and he will end up very unhappy.
In summation, narrow down your choices to 2 or 3 breeds and then carefully research the characteristics of the breed. Compare the breed requirements to your lifestyle and your requirements. Even if you like the look of the dog, it might not be a good match. Most important, go see a breeder and explain what you would require in a pet dog and take the advice they may offer you on the subject. This advice may save you from a financial and emotional nightmare.