What Breed Is Right For You?

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Be Aware Of Typical Breed Types:

Breeds are grouped into categories according to their breed types. There are Retrievers, Pointers, Scenthounds, Sighthounds, Herding Dogs, etc. If you understand the general characteristics of each group, then you will be able to find individual breeds within that group that will fit your needs.

It is VERY important to consider the original purpose of the breed. For example, a breed that was designed as a Man-working (police) breed has a higher potential for biting strangers than a breed that was designed to hunt ducks (Retrievers). A breed that was designed to chase, catch and kill small game (Sighthounds) won’t be as obedient in public, off leash as a dog that was designed to work under command (like the Retrievers). Almost all of the breeds can be turned into acceptable house pets, however it will be easier with some than others.

Here’s my general evaluation of each breed type:

Sighthounds

What I like about this breed type: Good, gentle, affectionate companions. Usually very quiet in the home. Thrilling to watch them run… they are like racing Ferrari’s, revving their engines, when you get them in race mode. I have met some extremely nice sight hounds that were great pets.
Original Purpose: To assist hunters by chasing, catching and killing game; not designed to work under command; released in packs to run across open areas; quick kills instead of prolonged hunts.
Examples: Afghan, Borzoi, Greyhound, Saluki
Hunters by sight – triggered to chase and bite moving objects and animals
Need lots of exercise
Not bred to obey commands
Can easily jump fences if you aren’t watching
Usually not dog fighters, but will chase and kill some small animals
Tough on the outside, soft on the inside. They can’t take much training pressure
Do not learn well using leash corrections. Most learn best with food reinforcements
Good, gentle companion dogs
Not as reliable off leash in public. Might chase something and get run over by a car.
Bred to work independently; yet will handle leadership from people

Scenthounds

What I like about this breed type: LOTS of personality. Affectionate, outgoing, and adventurous. Most are especially funny. How can you not love these dogs?
Original Purpose: To assist hunters by chasing and finding game by scent, then cornering the game for other dogs to catch (bulldogs or mastiffs), and then to be killed by the hunter; not designed to work under command.
Examples: Basset Hound, Beagle, Black and Tan Coonhound, Bloodhound, Foxhound, Otterhound
Hunters by scent – so focused on following scents on the ground, they are often unable to hear your commands.
Need lots of exercise. Some can run 20 or more miles a day.
Do not learn well using leash Corrections. Most learn best with food reinforcements.
Some are good companions, others are not (bred specifically as hunting dogs)
Very agile. Have good three dimensional understanding of the environment.
Usually not dog fighters, since most hound breeds are worked in packs to find game
Very pack oriented with other dogs; can be serious howlers when left alone in groups
Often get run over by cars
Tough on the outside, soft on the inside. They can’t take much Training pressure.
Tend to run in packs with other dogs – pay attention to other dogs more than to you.

Most will never be able to do off leash obedience work. Scents are too distracting.
Companionable in the home, but independent, stubborn, and driven outdoors.
Bred to work independently, will tolerate minimal leadership from people

Retrievers

What I like about this breed type: Love everybody (except the Chesapeakes; who are sometimes one-family dogs). Highly trainable and easy to own. Excellent companions. I have trained tons of Retrievers, and really enjoy working with them.
Original Purpose: to work under command, helping hunters retrieve dead game.
Examples: Chesapeake Bay, Curly Coated, Flat Coated, Golden and Labrador Retrievers; Poodle
Like to retrieve, which can be a motivator when training
Like swimming
Easy to care for coats
Active dogs, needing lots of exercise and play
Like attention from people.
Highly trainable – bred to work with and for people at close range.
Make poor back yard dogs – need lots of people contact
Usually not dog fighters
Medium to high intelligence, needs things to do to prevent boredom
Easily trained with good memories
Friendly to everyone
Fairly quick to mature
Easily distracted from work by people, dogs, toys, and scents. Can be trained to ignore these distractions

Pointers

What I like about this breed type: Affectionate and athletic. I like a dog that can keep up with me. Intelligent and highly trainable. Lots of capability, thus an interesting breed for those that like to train dogs, and for people that want a dog that can be trained to do a variety of tasks. I also like dogs that are protective, so this breed appeals to me for that reason, however, not everyone wants or should get a protective dog. I have found the Pointers slightly more of a challenge to train than the Retreivers, but that isn’t always a negative… it means you have a more complicated breed which can then, in turn, do more advanced tasks later on.
Original Purpose: to help hunters find and flush birds out of brushy or grassy areas.
Examples: Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Pointer, German Shorthaired and Wirehaired Pointers, Vizsla, Weimaraner
More independent than the Retrievers, tending to self hunt with some guidance from the Master
Some are natural Retrievers, some are not
Designed to work away from the handler, sometimes at great distances
High energy level. Some can run 50 miles a day.
Any excess energy, if not burned off, can result in destructive behaviors
Usually good with children
Usually not dog fighters, but there are exceptions
Distracted by bird scent
Good ones are highly trainable
Distracted by air scents and are triggered to chase and bite moving objects or animals
Can easily get lost in a city following a scent
Very fast runners. Hunters often follow them on horseback
Can be Shy, so need lots of Socialization
Interested in bird scent
Some are very protective/territorial (Weimaraner, German Shorthaired and Wirehaired Pointers)

Spaniels

What I like about this breed type: Fun, affectionate and happy dogs. I like the smaller size… not everyone wants or can handle a large dog. Well bred, well socialized ones are excellent pets.
Original Purpose: to help hunters find and flush birds out of brushy areas.
Examples: American Water, Brittany, Clumber, American and English Cocker Spaniels.
Good companions
Respond well to training, but training MUST be done with a soft approach. Not precise obedience dogs, and to try and make them precise obedience dogs will result in overly submissive behaviors (submissive urination) or fear biting
Usually not dog fighters
Good ones are good with children
Distracted by bird scent
Popularity has ruined many of the spaniel breeds – watch out for Temperament problems. Lots of fear biters and hyper-aggressive specimens. Lots of allergy problems: can cost you thousands of dollars in vet bills. Be very careful!
Excellent sense of smell
Natural Retrievers
Love people – can easily get lonely. Make poor back yard dogs (will cry, whine and dig)

Setters

What I like about this breed type: Affectionate, fun, very sweet and athletic. If I was going to get one, I would get one from proven hunting lines, because then I would have a dog with a great deal of trainability. I like dogs with a great deal of capability, and Setters are in that category. Athletic and bold, friendly and adventurous. Great for someone that likes the outdoors… people who take their dogs with them, such as hikers or hunters.
Original Purpose: To combine the traits of the Spaniels and Pointers.
Examples: English, Gordon and Irish Setters.
Fun loving and adventurous – prone to escape to relieve boredom

Curs

What I like about this breed type: I like unique breeds. It would be interesting to own dogs in this category, since I like a challenge and would enjoy working with a dog that had unique traits… but this isn’t for everyone. I don’t mind working with dogs that are challenging to own. Some of these dogs are still working farm dogs, and need a job. If you like a dog that wants something to do, then these are interesting dogs to work with.
Original Purpose: Pets, hunting, guard dogs.
Example: Catahoula Leopard Dog
Part Native American dogs
Hunters (bear, raccoon, and big cats) and guard dogs
Very tough and territorial
Might be dog fighters
Dominant/Aggressive Temperaments
Not for the inexperienced dog owner; can be difficult to own. Oftentimes used in the South to hunt boar

Mastiffs

What I like about this breed type: Loyal, loving and affectionate. Extremely attentive and trustworthy with the family children. Big and beautiful. Most are couch potatoes around the home, so they are pretty low maintenance pets. Good watchdogs that will alert you to intruders. They are unique and interesting. They will amaze you at times… they have a unique perceptiveness and intelligence, especially of the intent and rank order of people and animals.
Original Purpose: grabbing onto big animals and wrestling them to the ground. The hunter or butcher would then kill the animal for food. Also bred to guard property without supervision; not bred to work under command.
Examples: Dogue de Bordeaux, Newfoundland, Great Dane, Neapolitan and English Mastiff, Tosa, Fila Brasiliero
Large and territorial
Moderate ability to be obedient off leash
Explosive Aggression if provoked; These breeds need EXTENSIVE socialization and proper breeding to be good pets. The most stable example of the breed, and the one you should probably get, is the English Mastiff. Be very selective in getting a Great Dane… they still retain their hunting instincts and can also be dog fighers. Great Danes are highly trainable, but they are NOT for inexperienced dog owners. You must be very selective in purchasing a Great Dane. None of these breeds make good backyard dogs. They MUST be a part of your family. The other breeds might be OK, but you have to be VERY selective and not believe everything you hear… they are best left to experienced dog owners… not as your first dog. Susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia… be very careful when purchasing to make sure the breeder X-rays all breeding animals.
Very loving and involved with family – extremely Bonded
Their minds process commands very slowly
Very slow to mature – 3 to 5 years before an adult
Often die young – 5 to 9 years
Prone to skeletal problems
Natural fighters – people and animals
Loyal – A one family dog — do not transfer well to another family.
Extremely strong – too much strength for the average person to control
Can’t take a lot of pressure in obedience work – it confuses them
Dominant; the Newfoundlands are quite a bit different than the typical mastiffs… not people aggressive, but still are very concerned with pack order, making them very watchful of children (in a good way).
Easily housebroken
Beware: be sure to find one that isn’t shy or fearful; that is the biggest problem you will find in all the mastiff breeds.

Bulldogs

What I like about this breed type: EXTREMELY FUN DOGS. I love the bull breeds. A well bred, well socialized, well trained pit bull can be trained to do an amazing range of tasks. Affectionate, alert, fun loving, and funny. I swear some of these dogs have a sense of humor. I also like muscular and athletic dogs, since I am an active person. English Bulldogs are very smart, and can become very bratty if you don’t train them properly. Cane Corsos are interesting, too, and I’ve worked with quite a few of them. Bull Terriers are a favorite of mine, but they aren’t for everyone. The Olde English Bulldogge is terrific fun, and the few I’ve encountered have been very sweet dogs.
Original Purpose: grabbing onto big animals by the face and wrestling them to the ground or to a standstill. The hunter or butcher would then kill the animal for food. Not bred to guard property or people; generally people-friendly; not bred to work under command.
Examples: English Bulldog, Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, Cane Corso, Dogo Argentino
These are a sub-group of the Mastiffs; more trainable, especially the bull terrier breeds
Fighting dogs
They tend to bite and hold and never give up in a fight
Muscular and compactly built
Insensitive to pain
Some Bulldog breeds are dog fighters
Won’t tolerate a face-to-face challenge without a fight
Tend not to be barkers
Originally used to grapple with animals that were larger than themselves
Tend to be people friendly and playful, not originally bred to protect people.
When mixed with Terrier blood, they tend to be animal fighters, love people, and love to chew.
Beware: be sure to find one that isn’t shy or fearful; that is the biggest problem with these bulldog breeds. The second biggest problem are people that make these dogs vicious. If you are a dog abuser, don’t get a dog, regardless of the breed. Parents: DON’T LET YOUR KIDS GET A PIT BULL AND TREAT IT AS A WEAPON. These are very nice dogs. Let’s keep them that way.

Flock Guards

What I like about this breed type: Affectionate, and good companions like the mastiffs, attentive to the children of the family. Good watchdogs that will alert you to intruders. Somewhat independent, so more able to take care of themselves when left alone. I also like big dogs, and these are all very big dogs. I have found the well bred ones to be very affectionate. The Komondors are very interesting, and a good one can do some pretty amazing obedience and are very athlethic. The Tibetian Mastiffs are protective (in a good way) and I like them very much. The Pyrenees are generally good natured. The Anatolian Shepherds have generally been pretty good dogs, but I have run into several shy ones.
Original Purpose: to live outdoors among livestock; to chase off predators (other canines); not bred to work under command.
Examples: Akbash, Great Pyrenees, Komondor, Kuvasz, Tibetian Mastiff
Combine some of the characteristics of the Mastiffs, Sighthounds and Herding Dogs
Territorial — triggered to chase and bite moving objects or animals within territory; tend to be aggressive towards other dogs (especially intruders on their territory), since they are used to protect flocks from wild canines (wolves, jackals and coyotes)
Independent workers – not 100% responsive to obedience commands
Intelligent – often make their own decisions about what they will do
Quick to react
Early Socialization of young puppies extremely important to Avoid Shyness
Extremely good hearing – likely to bark at strange sounds at night
Resistant to change – need ongoing Socialization
Pack instinct — must be made to Bond to people, or will Bond to other animals
Tend to be dog fighters (they were bred to kill wolves and other predators)
Loyal and protective of the animals in their care
Very large and powerful
Not precise obedience workers
Natural watch dogs (alerting you to intruders to your property), but not personal protection dogs (not bred to protect people).
Excellent hearing, tend to bark territorially

Herding Dogs

What I like about this breed type: These dogs have it all: affectionate, intelligent, athletic, extremely trainable, protective, and all weather coats. These breeds especially interest me because I like highly capable dogs. These give a person like me a challenge… how much can I teach this dog? What are the upper limits? For someone who likes training, these are great dogs. For passive owners, these dogs aren’t for them.
Original Purpose: To round up herding animals for ranchers; guard property and people; occasionally hunt deer.
Examples: Bearded Collie, Belgian Shepherds (Belgian, Malinois, Tervuren), Briard, Collie, Corgi (Cardigan & Pembroke), Shetland Sheepdog, Border Collie
Sheepdogs or Sheepdog/Flock Guard crosses
Quick thinking
Barkers and nippers
Herding instinct – drovers or herders. Drovers bark at the animals from behind and move them along, herders “eyeball” the herd and intimidate the group to move as a herd in a direction.
Territorial watchdogs; tend to chase big game (including cars, bikes, skateboarders, joggers, etc.)
Strong pack instinct; aware of pack order issues
Excellent sight, scent, hearing
High intelligence
Some are dog fighters, but the well bred ones aren’t
Bred to work with and for people on command
High trainability; usually are Natural Retrievers
Fast learners, excellent memories
Get bored easily. Need mental and physical work every day, or will be destructive. High energy.

Nordic / Spitz Dogs

What I like about this breed type: AFFECTIONATE. Athletic and fun. Some are very funny. Great for joggers and people that like to be active outdoors with their dogs (but they must be kept on leash, or confined within a walled area, when not being supervised). Most are very friendly, though I’m alarmed at the number I see that are not sociable with other dogs, kids or strangers. The Asian spitz dogs are generally less sociable. I’ve worked with many good Samoyed, American Eskimo, Malamute and Huskies. I’ve been less pleased with the average Akita, or Shiba Inu, because of unwarranted aggression, though I have seen good ones. Jindos are only for experienced dog owners. Norwegian Lundehunds are known to be hard to house train, though I have found them to be affectionate.
Original Purpose: To pull sleds; to live and work with packs of other dogs; generally had to supplement their own diets by hunting for their own food. Some were used as a type of hunting dog. Examples: Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Samoyed, American Eskimo, Shiba Inu, Jindo Dog, Siberian Husky, Finnish Spitz, Canaan Dog, Karelian Bear Dog, Norwegian Lundehund
Extreme Endurance, need lots of exercise
Love to pull a load or chase a moving object
Some are Dog Aggressive
Can be Shy – need lots of Socialization; Biggest problem are the shy ones. They will lash out an bite kids and adults. Be sure to do your homework when shopping for a dog! These are NOT to be used as protection dogs!!!
Love people – make poor back yard dogs
Can be hard to train, thick headed, and sometimes untrustworthy with other dogs, people and children. They can sometimes exhibit behaviors that are not typical of other dogs, and thus can do things that indicate poor social skills. Some of these breeds are NOT trustworthy with kids and will be prone to inflicting unjustified bites or attacks.
Prone to run away – once they get running, they can’t hear you or respond to your commands
Not consistently obedient, can’t be allowed to run off leash or will run away. Oftentimes only faithful to themselves and their wants instead of the reasonable commands and rules of their masters and families. Sometimes these dogs need expert training and handling. These are still relatively primitive dogs and you shouldn’t expect them to behave like the European breeds that have had many centuries of domestication
Do not learn well using leash Corrections. Most learn best with food reinforcements.
Dominant
Slow to learn obedience commands
Easily distracted
Happy dogs
Want to be doing something
Barkers, howlers, and diggers
Generally good companions, but you MUST get references when choosing a breeder or pup to make sure you are getting a dog with good temperament!!!

Terriers

What I like about this breed type: Tough, affectionate, easy to care for, smaller dogs. Great companions, they can go anywhere. Some of the breeds are highly trainable. Live a long time. These are fun dogs with lots of personality. Their small size makes them popular, too. I like the terriers, but choose wisely, to get one that is going to be easy to train.
Original Purpose: Hunters and fighters of vermin and dogs.
Examples: Australian, Bedlington, Border, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, Fox, Irish, Kerry Blue, Lakeland, Manchester, Norwich, Norfolk, Scottish, Sealyham, Skye, Soft Coated Wheaten, Welsh, and West Highland White Terriers.
Usually intelligent
Stubborn and intense
Must be well socialized, or will be timid
Must never be hit, or will become biters
Usually food and toy motivated
Fun and happy dogs
Some are notorious dog fighters, some are good with neighboring dogs
Very alert to sounds, and have excellent scenting abilities
Barkers, diggers, and chewers
Active, with busy minds
Loyal and courageous companions
Territorial
Triggered to chase and bite moving objects, animals, children or adults
Excellent sense of smell
Sometimes difficult to housebreak
Can be snappy when irritated
Often very people friendly
Easily distracted
Tough and energetic workers
Highly trainable when trained in a consistent, fair and progressive manner

Primitive breeds

What I like about this breed type: I find the primitive breeds very interesting, since they are closer to being wild. Some have been partially domesticated, so they make interesting pets. They are highly intelligent, and will amaze you at what they can figure out. However, they can be dangerous, especially with other dogs and children. I wouldn’t get one if I had small kids in my home. Some can be quite destructive in the home. I would avoid getting one as a pet, yet, a dog trainer is always interested in canine behavior. Don’t let my interest in rare breeds cause you to think these are good pets for your home… they probably are not.
Original Purpose: Hunters and fighters of vermin and dogs.
Examples: Carolina Dog, Basenji, Thai Ridgeback, dingo, coyote, dingo or coyote or wolf hybrids
Intelligent and independent
Wide variety of Temperaments: mild to wild
Not specialists at any task
Adopt with caution – these dogs might not be fully domesticated

Man Working Protection Dogs

What I like about this breed type: These dogs have it all: affectionate, intelligent, athletic, extremely trainable, protective, and all weather coats. These breeds especially interest me because I like highly capable dogs. These give a person like me a challenge… how much can I teach this dog? What are the upper limits? I also like dogs that can actually protect the family, and stop an assailant, in an emergency. On the other hand, they require something to do all their lives, otherwise they can become unmanageable, destructive and hyper-aggressive. You need to be someone who is into training to get one of these dogs. Airedales are super sweet and good with kids, but I’ve seen some that were too protective for the average pet owner. Beauceron, Bouvier, Boxer, Doberman, most Schnauzers, German Wirehaired Pointers, and Hovawart are nice family companions, but not suitable for professional protection work. Bullmastiffs are a favorite of mine, but they are a lot of dog if you get one that has a desire to work and also protective. A true working Bullmastiff isn’t suitable for a typical pet owner, but can do police work. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers can range from being friendly and laid back like a companion Labrador Retriever, to the ones that are very serious working dogs which are highly protective… the ones with a strong temperament are not suitable for a typical pet owner. A working Great Dane is too much dog for the average person. Most people are expecting a “Marmaduke” when they get a Great Dane… these dogs are NOT like that at all. The Belgian shepherd breeds range from great to terrible. Watch out for the nervous, unstable ones. German Shepherd Dogs, Dutch Shepherds, and working Belgian shepherds are great… if you get a great one. Police versions are NOT suitable for the average pet owner.
Original Purpose: to do combat with humans.
Examples: Airedale, Beauceron, Belgian Shepherds, Bouvier, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Dalmatian, Doberman, Dutch Shepherd, Giant & Standard Schnauzer, German Shepherd Dog, German Wirehaired Pointer, Great Dane, Hovawart, Rottweiler
Intelligent
Personable and loyal
Extremely trainable (if you get a good one, and you do all the training & socializing necessary)
Athletic
Good companions
Good with puppies and children
May or may not like strangers
** These breeds are my personal favorites. I love their high level of trainability, and all of their varied capabilities. They are a dog trainer’s dream dog. But, it is VERY difficult to obtain a quality dog of these breeds. Many are unstable and/or unhealthy dogs. The very best dogs are police quality… and too much dog for the average person. I DON’T recommend these breeds for a novice dog owner. I do not recommend getting a show dog version of these breeds, nor do I recommend that you become a breeder of these dogs unless you are committed to producing good working specimens. These breeds MUST be trained and led properly!!! They are among the finest companion dogs. Negligent owners need not apply!

Each breed within each breed type won’t fit these descriptions exactly, but you should now get the idea and understand how to go about grouping the dog breeds for your needs. Some breeds are a cross between one or more of the breed types, so you need to figure out what characteristics they most likely have and how it will impact your day-to-day interactions with them. You’ll start by reading books and magazines to research all the breeds that you think might work for you, so you can write them in along the column to the left, from top to bottom. You have to study the full history of the breeds to understand their Temperaments. Don’t just read the history of what the dog used to be. Some of the breeds have been reconstructed in the past 100 years and aren’t anything like the way they were before that time. Try to be objective when evaluating what a breed is best used for, and bred for, today.

The Breed Selection Matrix

I have developed the Basso Brother’s Breed & Characteristics Matrix to help you choose the right breed of dog for your needs. This matrix can also be used to pick a mixed breed of dog if you understand the traits that are common to the breeds that make up a particular dog. Here’s how to use our matrix:

Basso Brother’s Breed & Characteristics Matrix

BREED

SIZE

PREDICTABLE?

GOOD IN MY CLIMATE?

OBEDIENCE TITLES/ EASY TO TRAIN?

GOOD W/KIDS

COAT CARE

AMT EXERCISE

GOOD BREEDERS?

GOOD W/OTHER DOGS?

TOTALS

AIREDALE

BEAUCERON

BEL. MALINOIS

BOUVIER

BOXER

BULLMASTIFF

CHESAPEAKE

DALMATIAN

DOBERMAN

DUTCH SHEPHERD

GIANT & STD SCHNAUZER

GERMAN SHEPHERD

GER WH POINTER

GR. DANE

HOVAWART

ROTTWEILER

Example: Man Working Breeds

First, decide on all of the most important characteristics that you want in a dog. It is up to you to choose what things are important to you when picking a dog. Each category should be equally important to you, so pick the 5 to 10 most important characteristics that you must have in a dog, and leave out the minor details that aren’t so important. For example, some people need a dog with short hair because they don’t want to groom their dog frequently. Others live in a cold climate and need a dog with a heavy coat. Other people don’t care about the coat as much as the dog’s trainability. Some people want a personal protection dog, others don’t. Regardless of all the other characteristics, you’d be wise to pick a breed that is easily trained, without a lot of risk of serious health problems, and good with children. Fill in the traits that are most important to you along the top row from, from left to right. From top to bottom, you will list all the breeds you think you might be interested in. At first, you will gather information from books, magazines and the internet.

Try to verify all the important information you feel is important. Next, start calling breeders and see what they have to say about each of your important characteristics. If you can, get references from the breeders and talk to owners of those breeds and see if the dogs measure up to what you have been hearing and reading. Finally, visit those breeds that most likely fit what you want and personally verify that the breed you want has the characteristics that are promised.

Using this approach, you can systematically narrow down your search for the perfect breed for your home and lifestyle. JUST REMEMBER: DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR OR READ… BE SURE TO VERIFY WHAT PEOPLE SAY! Not all you will hear or read is the truth. A hint: For most people, for their first dog, I recommend getting a Labrador Retriever… easy to train, loves everyone, easy care coat, loves to play fetch, and it is pretty easy to find a good one.

After this, you will then either want to get a puppy or an older dog. Get an 8 week old puppy from a breeder. That is the ideal age to get a puppy. Second, if you want an older dog, I recommend getting a dog that is 1 to 2 years old through a pure bred rescue group. If something is going to go wrong with a dog, it usually does by 2 years of age, including temperament or health. Find the breed club of the breed you are interested in by going to www.akc.org. Every breed club has rescue volunteers for their breed who work different regions of the country. They form rescue groups affiliated with the breed clubs. (I would avoid adopting a dog from a shelter unless you have some experience in picking a dog. But, you will find that mutts ARE just as loveable as purebred dogs… but the adopting phase is more difficult at a shelter. It all depends upon the quality and training of the staff at that shelter. Some are very good at matching owners and dogs and some aren’t. With purebred rescue, the dogs have often lived for a week or two with a family, who has gotten to know that dog. In a shelter, the dogs live in kennels, and it makes it harder for the staff to evaluate the dogs. If you are working with a well run shelter, then by all means, DO get a dog from a shelter, pure or mixed. It is just harder. The breed rescue folks are experts in their breeds. The shelter folks can range from very qualified to novice volunteers.) They know their breed and can help you find the dog you want of the breed you want. You can also interview them and ask them why people give up that breed… important information as to whether that breed is right for you. You DON’T want a breeder’s dog that has been sitting in a kennel for the past 6 months. It will be unsocialized and not a good pet… ever. You want a pet that fits your needs… well adjusted, housetrained… and probably a couch potato. You have to be very specific to the rescue people about the types of characteristics you want, or they might give you a dog with a lot of emotional baggage that wouldn’t be a great, turnkey pet.

FREE DOG TRAINING TIP: Dog Training is an INVESTMENT in your dog and your home. Which costs less? A House Training Lesson or the cost of replacing all your carpets because your dog has pee’d and pooped all over the house? A Behavioral Lesson or a lawsuit because your dog injured someone? A dog training lesson or a massive veterinarian bill because your dog was hit by a car? A happy home with a well behaved dog, or a home filled with strife as everyone argues over the dog? When you get a dog, you should invest in your dog’s training and wellbeing. It is much less expensive to hire a high quality trainer that gets the job done instead of a cheap trainer that won’t get the job done. After you’ve wasted your money and tried the “pet store” training programs, or tried one of those “quick fix” trainers, you’ll see you have wasted your money and you’ll need a professional in order to have a trained dog. Why not start out with Sam The Dog Trainer, THE SOLUTION, instead of wasting time with these other programs?