Chose the Right Dog For Your Family

There are hundreds of dog breeds. Each breed fits into one of seven classifications. Each classification has characteristics that are usually found within those breeds. There are of course always exceptions. Arm yourself with some general knowledge of each dog classification before buying or adopting your next dog.

Herding Dogs
Bred to herd cattle and sheep these breeds are full of energy and quite intelligent. Housebound herding dogs can be destructive when bored. Herding dogs need to be kenneled when left alone and should have plenty of toys to keep them stimulated. Herding dogs require daily runs, not just walks. Some examples of herding breeds are Collies and German Shepherds.

Hound Dogs
Within the hound classification are scent hounds and sight hounds. Breeds like the Basset Hound hunt by scent while breeds like the Greyhound hunt by sight. Hound dogs are easily distracted. This distraction can lead them into dangerous situations. Hound dogs, especially sight hounds, should never be trusted off leash. You never know when a sight hound will see a "prey" that they just can't resist. Examples of hound dogs are Beagles and Basenjis.

Nonsporting Dogs
Essentially the nonsporting dog are the breeds that have been bred more as pets than dogs. Due to the wide range of breeds within the nonsporting category there are not many, if any, similarities among the breeds. If you are considering a nonsporting dog be sure to research the individual breed to determine its needs and personality.

Sporting Dogs
Sporting dogs are used to locate, flush, and retrieve game. Sporting dogs are probably the most lineenergetic group, however there fun personality make them a great family dog. Sporting dogs will need daily runs and games of fetch. The sporting breeds usually have easy to care for coats. The sporting breeds includes dogs like the Golden Retriever and Weimaraner.

Terrier Dogs
Terriers require a gentle, but dominant owner. The terriers have vibrant, animated personalities. Terriers were bred to catch small game and usually do not get along with cats because of their strong prey drive. The bark of a terrier is loud and larger than life and they love to show it off. The terrier group is difficult to manage if you don't understand their wants and needs. The terrier group includes Jack Russells and Pitbulls, two of the most surrendered dogs in the United States.

Toy Dogs
The toy breeds are bred to be cozy lap dogs. Dogs within the toy dog classification can be feisty, noisy dogs with huge personalities. Most of the toy breeds have Napoleon complexes and thus do not get along with dogs bigger than them. Toy breeds are also known to use their intelligence to gain dominance over their owners. The two best known toy breeds are the Chihuahua and the Pomeranian.

Working Dogs
The breeds within the working dog classification were bred to be guard and service dogs. The breeds in the working dog group are large, powerful dogs. The working dog can be trained to do just about anything. The working dog requires lots of socialization to become and remain a good citizen. Breeds that are within the working dog group are the Siberian Husky and the Rottweiler..