What Dog Breeds are Best?

Please keep in mind that I am a bit opinionated when it comes to discussing dog breeds.

On one hand, if you are really interested in a particular breed, you should certainly pursue your desires and get the dog you want. Do be mindful that different breeds do have different characteristics.

Your time commitment to your best friend will also vary depending upon how much activity your guy requires to stay healthy and happy. Please don't invite any dog into your family if you cannot adequately manage the time commitment.

Oh yeah, the "on the other hand," part is that, as a mixed breed, I am a pretty darn good pet!

The Sensitive Brown Mix

The Sensitive Brown Mix!

The Bottom Line

My dog-sense bottom line on dog breeds is that we are all God's creatures.

So I trust you don't have some kind of elitist or haughty attitude about having to have a PURE breed. If that is your only reason for a specific focus on dog breeds, you are missing the bone (I might have meant "boat" there).

Some folks also call us mixed breeds, "mutts," which I think of as a term of endearment. Again, if you mean it as a way to suggest we are somehow "lower" than a "recognized breed," then shame on you!

Oh, by the way, if you really have a need to know your mutt's family tree, dog DNA testing has become affordable these days.

Things to Consider

If you do insist on looking for a particular breed, I would suggest you start your research with the most popular (they are popular for a reason!) and branch out from there.

Just be patient, the number of recognized dog breeds is beginning to approach nearly three-hundred!

Do keep in mind that some of the dog breeds came about to fulfill the needs of a specific job. For example, bringing a herding dog, like a Border Collie, into your family when you cannot be very active with that dog will make him miserable. It is quite possible that he would even exhibit behavior problems as a result.

Some breeds are also known to be better around small children or are aggressive with strangers (guardian dogs). And, of course, you must also consider what size dog you want as a fully-grown adult.

Rescue Us!

If you are open to a mix, there are certainly many available at the Humane Society, local dog pounds and animal shelters. Far too many are euthanized through the course of a year, so you would be saving an awesome dog-life if you choose one of those!

A good shelter provides medical treatment, including inexpensive (or free) spaying or neutering, and generally assures their health. They will also screen them for temperament and will advise you about which dog might fit your lifestyle best.

Or, how about a purebred rescue dog? I have a couple friends that are greyhounds and are former racing dogs. They are very loving and their family is really happy with their demeanor and mild-mannered personality - they are probably grateful pups! But, here's the lifestyle part, they also need a fair amount of activity.

An important general consideration too, is to think about your new family member's grooming needs. Long hair vs. short hair, shedding, etc. Don't bring a dog into your home that will frustrate you because he has more grooming needs than you can accommodate.

Designer Dogs?

Oh yeah, just a quick word too about all this popularity around "designer dogs."

If you are thinking of going in that direction because you are status conscious, just keep in mind that they are indeed mixed breeds or mutts! Mutts by design, if you will.

Nothing wrong with that, but I guess my dog-sense takes a hit if I think about a family spending several hundred dollars, or more, on a Labradoodle or Puggle!

Teacup what? I have to shake my dog head. But, again, whatever floats your bone.

With a little effort and research, you can find a terrific dog that suits your family and lifestyle - and you don't have to spend a fortune. That said, you can also certainly spend a lot of money and good a get pal too.

I hope you find, or already have, the perfect dog for your family!

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