Why Did You Choose That Breed?
I have a question for dog owners. Did you choose your dog because of the breed? Or, did your dog come to you by chance? I work as an adoption counselor at a local animal shelter to help new dog owners to select the right dog. What I’ve noticed over the years is that many people tend to select their dog by ‘first impression’ or ‘appearance.’ I always tell them, “There aren’t such major differences amongst cat breeds. Most of the requirements for caring should be fairly similar (i.e. American short hair vs. Maine coon, etc.), but there are very significant differences among the many breeds of dogs. We need to know the breed characteristics as well as the requirements to care for the breed you are choosing before you adopt. You really need to make sure if the breed you are getting will fit well into your lifestyle.”
I have a question for dog owners. Did you choose your dog because of the breed? Or, did your dog come to you by chance? I work as an adoption counselor at a local animal shelter to help new dog owners to select the right dog. What I’ve noticed over the years is that many people tend to select their dog by ‘first impression’ or ‘appearance.’ I always tell them, “There aren’t such major differences amongst cat breeds. Most of the requirements for caring should be fairly similar (i.e. American short hair vs. Maine coon, etc.), but there are very significant differences among the many breeds of dogs. We need to know the breed characteristics as well as the requirements to care for the breed you are choosing before you adopt. You really need to make sure if the breed you are getting will fit well into your lifestyle.”
When I adopted my dog Juliette ten and a half years ago, to be honest, I didn’t know much about American Pit Bull Terriers. Since I was pretty sure that I would be okay with almost any dog, the staff at the shelter “tricked” me into adopting ‘the most unadoptable dog.’ So the day I brought Juliette home, I spent a lot of time studying her breed. Luckily, I soon realized that typical pit bull traits fit rather well to my personality. They have a high desire to please and are extremely loyal to their owner. Their LOVE and affection for people is endless and they show it visibly by wiggling their entire body and 'kissing' all over you. They also have an incredible amount of physical stamina to enjoy a variety of activities. Moreover, they are very low-maintenance and very comical, too. Pitbulls are easy to care and FUN to live with! Yet, best of all might be the fact that they are the world most misunderstood breed in the world. Why is this best? My new found love of Juliette made me become an advocator for the breed and I have been promoting a better image of pitbulls every chance I can. Though it was mere chance that I adopted her, I still believe we somehow attracted each other without really knowing it.
It's Like a Marriage... and Divorce???
Although I was a lucky one, I am sure there are many people out there who are having a miserable life because the dog they got doesn’t fit into their lifestyle or their personality. If you selected your dog because you saw the same breed on TV or you like how it looks, chances are you are having some difficulties with your newly acquired dog. When I talk to people during the adoption counseling, I often tell them, "This is like a marriage. We are looking at the next 10-15 years. You should weigh heavily on comfort level. Think who can make you feel comfortable, happy, and with whom you can enjoy life. The key is to know who you are. The dog’s appearance or its popularity should come as a lower priority."
The Jack Russell Terrier is a good example. This breed became very popular because of its appearance in movies and television. They are very smart and learn things very quickly. But they can be very stubborn, too. JRTs are real hunters. They have guts and stamina to work through things once they go into the mode. They don’t give up anything easily. They are also quite reactive to their surroundings and move around restlessly. Since they are small in size and also their expressions are so cute, I am sure that many people thought, ‘this is the breed I want!’ But, if you are a couch potato type of person who likes to have a very quiet and relaxed home environment, your life with your Jack can become a nightmare… You both will start piling up frustrations and it might lead to ‘divorce’ if things go very badly.
The 'One-Step-Farther' Choice
The 'One-Step-Farther' Choice
It’s not just the behavior of the dog we need to consider. For example, there are many high-maintenance breeds like the Cocker spaniel, Poodle, Yorkshire terrier, Collie, Bichon Frise, etc. that need to have frequent visits to ‘the beauty spa.’ They also require regular grooming at home. Dogs like Cocker spaniels and Basset hounds who have droopy ears need regular cleanings in order to prevent ear infections. If you are not very keen about doing this task, it could become a burden.
Some owners simply abandon their dogs when the requirements become too much of a burden. Others continue to work hard because they know their dog is a part of the family and they will do anything to make it work. Of course, you might be able to overcome these problems by dedication and commitment. But, don’t you think it’s wiser to go ‘one-step-farther’ in your choice when you are ready to adopt?
Finally, factors like the family situation (such as children's age), environment (weather, living conditions, etc.) should be considered when it comes to matchmaking you with your new best friend.
Next time, I want to talk about several specific breeds to show why it’s important to know their characteristics.
Until next time, be kind to Man’s Best Friends!
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