One Size Does Not Fit All
Dog breeds are not interchangeable. For centuries, man has bred
dogs to do particular jobs. Today, few dogs do those jobs, but they
still harbor the skills and adaptations that made them successful in
their original careers.
Breeds require different types and amounts of care, training,
food, and exercise. They have different "personalities"
and drives. Some are laid back and gentle, some are dominant; some
are noisy; some dig holes, climb fences, and escape through doorways
to satisfy their need to run. Others are always busy and can be
destructive if not given enough to do. And still others are bright,
but more or less difficult to train. Some are good watchdogs and
others are over-friendly.
Consider what type of dog you want and what you expect the dog to
contribute to your life. Activity level, trainability, and grooming
needs should be part of the equation. If you hike or jog and would
like a companion, look at medium or large breeds that can accompany
you. If you hate the thought of dog-hair tumbleweeds skittering
across the floor, consider a short-coated breed. If you have
children and cannot spend a lot of time training or exercising a
dog, look at the quieter breeds that are easy to train.
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