This is second part of Choosing the Correct Puppy or Dag - Part 01 if you are no read first part it better you read it. To read it please click Here.
Breeds by Group and Characteristics
There are many breeds that will fit any and all needs and wants your family may have. Characteristics of the breeds are just generalizations, and mixed breed dogs would be expected to possess characteristics of all breeds contributing to their genetic makeup. Individual dogs within the breeds may not have the typical characteristics, or may display them to differing degrees. The following are different classifications of breeds, characteristics, and examples of the breeds grouped as defined by the AKC. .
Herding
Examples: Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Welsh Corgi (Pembroke, Cardigan), Collie, German Shepherd Dog, Old English Sheepdog, and Shetland Sheepdog
Characteristics: The Herding group was broken off from the Working group in 1983. They are intelligent, train easily, and make excellent companions. They can be very protective of their families and their property.
Hound
Examples: Afghan Hound, Basset Hound, Beagle, Coon Hound, Bloodhound, Dachshund (short hair, long hair, wire hair), Foxhound, Greyhound, Irish Wolfhound, and Rhodesian Ridge back.
Characteristics: Hounds are known for their excellent hunting skills; they can either be sight or scent hunters. They are very active and can be very loud barkers and howlers. Hounds are devoted to tasks, can be distracted easily, and may be more sensitive to anesthetics.
Miscellaneous
Examples: Neapolitan Mastiff, Jack Russell Terrier, Beauceron, Black Russian Terrier, Plott, and Redbone Coonhound
Characteristics: The miscellaneous group consists of purebreds that are not necessarily AKC registered. They still can be show dogs, and have a variety of personalities and uses. They are recognized by the AKC as new breeds, but have not yet been categorized into one of the other groups.
Non-Sporting
Examples: American Eskimo Dog, Bichon Frise, Boston Terrier, Bulldog (American, English), Chinese Shar-pei, Chow Chow, Dalmation, Keeshound, Lhasa Apso, and Poodle
Characteristics: The most diverse group of fully recognized breeds, the non-sporting group is made of breeds that don’t clearly fit in any other group. Breeds come in a variety of sizes, coat colors, and personalities. There are representatives in this group of breeds with a variety of uses (hunting, guarding, lap dogs).
Sporting
Examples: Pointers, Retrievers (Golden, Labrador, Chesapeake Bay), Setters (English, Gordon, Irish), Spaniels (Brittney, Clumber, Cocker, Springer), and Weimaraner
Characteristics: High energy levels, high endurance, very alert, and moderate obedience levels characterize the sporting breeds. These dogs require lots of exercise, and they are not the best dog for apartments, or for people who are not active.
Terrier
Examples: Airedale Terrier, Staffordshire Terrier (Bull, American), Bull Terrier, Fox Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Scottish Terrier, Welsh Terrier, and West Highland White Terrier
Characteristics: Terriers are feisty and energetic and tend to have little tolerance of other animals. They were
originally bred and used to hunt vermin, so they are very intelligent and independent. Terriers need an active owner who will understand their independent personalities.
Toy
Examples: Chihuahua, Chinese Crested, Maltese, Miniature Pinscher, Papillon, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Pug, Shih Tzu, and Yorkshire Terrier
Characteristics: Toys are good dogs for apartments, city life or people who are looking for lap dogs. They can be easier to maintain because of their smaller size, although some have high grooming needs. Toys should learn basic obedience like all other dogs, failure to do so may result in a pet with a bad attitude.
Working
Examples: Akita, Alaskan Malamutes, Bernese Mountain Dog, Boxer, Mastiff (Bull, French), Doberman Pinscher, Schnauzer (Standard, Giant), Great Dane (Tawny, Brindle, Harlequin), Great Pyrenees, Newfoundland, Rottweiler, St. Bernard, and Siberian Husky
Characteristics: The largest group in number of breeds, working dogs are known for their herding skills, ability to pull sleds, and guard territory. They are quick to learn, intelligent, large, dominant, and strong, have high endurance and are territorial. Good obedience training is a must because of the size and strength of the working breeds.
Choosing the Right Dog Within the Breed
There are many places to purchase a dog. Remember, the initial cost of the dog is only a part of the cost of dog ownership. Reputable breeders may be harder to locate than pet stores. Genetic diseases may be more prevalent, especially if the breeder is not discriminating. Animals at pet stores may not be in the best health due to the stress of transportation of puppies, and the high traffic of people and other dogs. Additionally, some pet stores do not know very much about the background of the dogs that are purchased there. Shelters are an excellent source for a dog. Shelters have a large variety of dogs, both purebreds and mixed breeds, and in addition to getting a good pet, you get the positive feeling of having “rescued” a dog. Be cautious with newspaper ads. The advertised dogs are usually free or cheap, but the health and genetics of the dog can be variable. Make sure you ask why the person is giving up the dog.
When buying a dog, take your time and look at many facilities and dogs. A good breeder will not be hasty to sell their dogs. They will be most interested in the dog’s well-being and will want to place the dog in the best home possible. The best breeders will even interview you to make sure you are prepared for a dog and understand the responsibility. Many breeders will follow up after the purchase to check on the new member of your family. Puppies should not be sold earlier than six weeks, so do not buy one from a breeder if offered. The breeder should have good records of the lineage, genetic tests, vaccinations, and health history of both parents. If the parents are available, the breeder will let you see them along with their records. In most cases, the mother, and information on the father, will be present. A good facility will have a separate area for puppies, which is clean and sanitized. The puppies should be provided socialization opportunities with the breeder and other animals. When handling the puppies, look for any abnormal appearance such as unhealthy eyes, ears, or limbs.
When selecting a dog, you want to observe its behavior, and avoid extremes. Desirable characteristics include curiosity, playfulness, and confidence. Undesirable characteristics include dominance, bullying, apathy, excessive barking, biting, and submissive urinating.
Two people should bring the puppy home, one to hold the puppy in the car and the other to drive. If the new dog is an adult dog, it should be confined in a crate when it is transported. Try to have the next few days free to let the new dog adapt to the family and environment. Start calling the dog by its appointed name. Try not to leave it alone for more than 30 minutes as it adjusts to its new life.
When choosing the puppy, several tests need to be done to make sure the best puppy of the litter is picked. When choosing a dominant breed (i.e., territorial, aggressive, controlling), ideal test outcomes should be a little toward the submissive (i.e., shy, cautious, crouch with tail between legs). This is the opposite for submissive breeds.
1. Hold the dog with the feet a few inches off the floor.
a. Normal (N): struggle a little and then settle down
b. Dominant (D): continue struggling, may bite and howl
c. Submissive (S): urinate or dangle
2. Hold the puppy on its back in your lap and stroke the belly while talking softly.
a. N: Struggle then settle down
b. D: Struggle, bite, and howl
c. S: Urinate, panic, totally succumb
3. Toss a ball.
a. N: Chase, play, bring it back, and let you take it away
b. D: Chase the ball, take it to a corner, growl when you try to take it away
c. S: Not react at all, or afraid
4. Crouch and call to it.
a. N: It will come over happily, confidently, and playfully
b. D: It will charge, jump, or ignore
c. S: It will hide, come cautiously, expose belly, urinate when touched
5. Test with people. When toys or other sounds are present you want the puppy to come to you even with distractions.
6. Test confidence. You want to do this test as long as the puppy is not 8-12 weeks of age because this is considered their fear period. For this test, throw an object that makes noise. A good reaction is to be cautious, then curious. A bad reaction would be if the dog howls, bolts in fear, urinates or defecates. These dogs will tend to be fear aggressive and fearful when in unknown situations.
Preparing the House
Dogs, especially puppies and adolescent dogs, love to chew. This is an instinctive behavior and impossible to eliminate, so make sure anything that you do not want chewed is put away. Buy toys and bones to minimize chewing of your personal items. You will also need a leash, collar, bowls, food, bones, toys, beds, and grooming supplies to prepare for the arrival of a dog. You should set up an appointment with your veterinarian before taking the new dog home especially if you have other pets.
Summary
As demonstrated in this paper, there is a lot to consider, and many options when adding a dog to your family. Careful thought and selection is well worth the effort when you bring home a dog that fits the purpose you intended, and you and the dog develop a strong and effective relationship.
Checklists
The following checklists can be used to help you select a dog, and prepare your home for the new dog.
The following checklists can be used to help you select a dog, and prepare your home for the new dog.
Place of Purchase. Rate each dog visited on a scale of 1-5.
Cleanliness of facility
Cleanliness of facility
Dogs and puppies well socialized?
Healthy dogs and puppies?
Lineage
Papers
Parents and/or siblings seen
Breeder attitude
Personality Tests
1. Dog held with feet off floor: N D S
2. Dog on back while stroking belly: N D S
3. Toss a ball: N D S
4. Crouch and call dog: N D S
5, Test with people: N D S
6. Test confidence: N D S
1. Dog held with feet off floor: N D S
2. Dog on back while stroking belly: N D S
3. Toss a ball: N D S
4. Crouch and call dog: N D S
5, Test with people: N D S
6. Test confidence: N D S
Prepare Home
Remove chewable
Food and Treats
Toys and Bones
Grooming supplies
Bowls and Bedding
Leash/Collar/ID tags
Veterinarian appt
source - http://www.akc.org
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